Posted by KaraS on September 19, 2005, at 0:05:26
In reply to Re: Meds are screwing up my sleep cycle, posted by yxibow on September 17, 2005, at 23:04:20
> I think that part of the problem is the meds I'm taking. The doxepin makes me so groggy.
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> That is very natural, at least initially, it should get better over time.
I've been on this medication off and on for many, many years now. Right now I'm only taking a small amount of it for anxiety and sleep. I know that it's not going to get any better than this unfortunately.
> I think that the beta blockers I've been taking are making the situation worse because I no longer can use caffeine to keep me awake longer.
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> Initially some beta blockers (I'm assuming you're probably taking propranolol) can cause both CNS depression, increase depression, and cause low blood pressure (which is basically what the drug does in the first place).
I'm taking atenolol which is cardio-selective. I'm also taking a small amount of it. I don't think it's adding to the depression but it may be.
> I think I need to take something instead of doxepin for my anxiety and insomnia (which I have without the doxepin in my system). I'm so frustrated with this situation. I don't know if there's anything anyone can say but I needed to rant about it.
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> I think you should discuss your chronic insomnia (something I'm well aware of personally, and something I know affects both anxiety and depression) with your doctor, and see if a better medication can be used besides doxepin. Doxepin (Sinequan) can be a very sedating tricyclic antidepressant. I would look to the newer sleep agents such as Ambien (which can be taken for longer terms despite what it may indicate) or Ambien CR. Also the one actually approved for long term usage, Lunesta, can be used, but be aware that it can and has given a number of people (including me) a wierd metallic taste when it takes effect -- for most all people this dissappears by morning. The third in this benzodiazepine-related class is Sonata, although that tends to be much more subtle for people, even more subtle I think than Lunesta, and does not always work for everyone.
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> If your doctor is uncomfortable with these medications, which I personally think are the best solution for insomnia (taking medications intended exclusively for it), there are other choices. There are the benzodiazepines Restoril (temazepam) and the one with a worse reputation but I dont think is particularly different, Halcion (triazolam).
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> If your doctor does not like any benzodiazepine or benzodiazepine-related medications, you can either a) find another doctor, or there are the third alternatives, drugs used for their side effects, besides Doxepin, there is Trazodone, an old antidepressant related to nothing else. One can get used to it though and get up beyond the normal sleep dosages; that depends on the individual.
Yeah, I do need to discuss this with my pdoc to see if I can find something else to deal with my anxiety and perhaps a sleeping pill for the insomnia. I couldn't take trazadone so it will need to be one of the others that you've mentioned.> I hope that helps, and I know insomnia can be a frustrating situation. Hopefully one of these medications, combined with consistent sleep times and other sleep hygiene methods, will give you some peace.
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> My 2c.
Yes it does help. Thank you for taking the time to answer my post. I appreciate your "2c".K
poster:KaraS
thread:556157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050914/msgs/556714.html