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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 4:53:23
Hi Babblers-
I've been doing a lot better with my Ketamine injections, but I'm still plagued with insomnia. In an effort to keep my meds simple (I take Lexapro, Deplin and Valium), my pdoc and I decided upon using 20 mg of Valium for sleep.
It hardly does the job. It's been great for my anxiety, but doesn't help me fall and stay asleep. Other med classes are out; no APs, no additional ADs (Remeron, Trazadone), no Vistiral.
So, would it be reasonable (and helpful) to use Restoril for sleep? Or a Z drug? If I did this, I would cut back to only 10-20 mg of Valium during the day if and when needed for anxiety.
Thanks in advance.
-b
Posted by CamW on February 11, 2013, at 8:44:15
In reply to Insomnia--Restoril?, posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 4:53:23
Restoril (temazepam) is a more intense, shorter acting benzodiazepine, in relation to Valium (diazepam). It is definitely worth a try &, in my opinion, better than zopiclone or zolpidem as a hypnotic. It is not prescribed more because of abuse potential, but it keeps you asleep without much of the hangover effect seen with many hypnotics.
Hope that this helps.
- Cam
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2013, at 9:42:56
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril? » brynb, posted by CamW on February 11, 2013, at 8:44:15
What about that intermezzon that new med for those that wake in middle of night with insomnia that I saw on TV?. Have heard nothing about it here. Phillipa
Posted by larryhoover on February 11, 2013, at 9:53:27
In reply to Insomnia--Restoril?, posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 4:53:23
I'd like to expand a little bit on what Cam said.
Temazepam (Restoril) is a minor active metabolite of diazepam (Valium), which might conceivably have been known as hydroxy-diazepam, rather than receiving a unique name. I would argue that one of the reasons diazepam works as a sedative/hypnotic is via this hydrozy-metabolite. So, why not just take the temazepam directly, and avoid some of the hangover effects (longer half-life) and potential interactions (one more liver enzymatic step) from diazepam?
They say that temazepam is only approved for short-term treatment of insomnia. I've been using it for probably a decade now, and it not only remains effective, I believe it to be the main reason I am doing so much better these days. Sleep is of fundamental importance to my well-being.
A couple of years ago, I actually did a trial of doing without the temazepam, without my doctor's knowledge. I made up my own capsules of graduated declining doses (to avoid withdrawal/rebound effects), and over the course of two months I went to zero. I went without for six weeks, to see if my sleep would normalize, but it never did. I was in a steep functional decline. So, I went back on the temazepam, and I slept like a baby once more. And I went back to being functional once more.
Just a little of my experience.
Lar
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 11, 2013, at 16:49:19
In reply to Insomnia--Restoril?, posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 4:53:23
Using restoril (take it half an hour before bedtime) would be helpful, as would Ambien.
You might try taking your bedtime dose of valium with 50mg of benadryl (DIPHENHYDRAMINE) AN ANTIHISTAMINE THAT CAUSES DROWSINESS AS A SIDE EFFECT AND WHICH HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HELP SLEEP.
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 17:28:31
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril? » brynb, posted by CamW on February 11, 2013, at 8:44:15
> Restoril (temazepam) is a more intense, shorter acting benzodiazepine, in relation to Valium (diazepam). It is definitely worth a try &, in my opinion, better than zopiclone or zolpidem as a hypnotic. It is not prescribed more because of abuse potential, but it keeps you asleep without much of the hangover effect seen with many hypnotics.
>
> Hope that this helps.
> - CamThanks, Cam.
Ambien usually gives me about 4 hours of sleep--not much more. Lunesta makes me tired. I like that Restoril still has an anxiolytic component as I do get anxiety over my insmonia.
Thanks so much for your feedback!
-b
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 17:29:48
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril?, posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2013, at 9:42:56
> What about that intermezzon that new med for those that wake in middle of night with insomnia that I saw on TV?. Have heard nothing about it here. Phillipa
Hi Phillipa-
I haven't hear much about it, but I'll ask my pdoc. I think I'm leaning towards Restoril though.
Thanks!
b
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 17:31:25
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril? » brynb, posted by larryhoover on February 11, 2013, at 9:53:27
Thanks, Lar.
I think you sealed the deal for me. I'm going to ask for Restoril.
I really appreciate your input.
Hope you're well.
-b
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 11, 2013, at 17:37:30
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril? » larryhoover, posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 17:31:25
Restoril was used by the British during the Faukland Islands war - their fast jet pilots were able to take it at bedtime, get a good nights sleep, and in the morning, they were in a fit state to take off from an aircraft carrier and fly fighter combat missions, so obviously no hangover.
The only thing is it is slowly adsorbed, so take your dose 1 hour before you want to fall asleep
best of luck
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 18:26:28
In reply to Re: Insomnia--Restoril-Fighter Pilots, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 11, 2013, at 17:37:30
> Restoril was used by the British during the Faukland Islands war - their fast jet pilots were able to take it at bedtime, get a good nights sleep, and in the morning, they were in a fit state to take off from an aircraft carrier and fly fighter combat missions, so obviously no hangover.
>
> The only thing is it is slowly adsorbed, so take your dose 1 hour before you want to fall asleep
>
> best of luckthanks, jon.
again, you're confirming that Restoril is the right sleep med for me.
i hope your anxiety is getting better (or, at the very least, is manageable).
-b
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