[annmaria]

Hi all

Just looking for alternative to using sleeping tablets. My pdoc said that the risperdal and lamictal should help with sleep.

I been having trouble sleeping, getting to sleep is ok. But I keep having broken sleep and it's starting to take it's toll. I have tried Nortem and Zopiclone but still get broken sleep.

Spoke with Pdoc and she wants me to go back and use Nortem with the other medication. I would prefer not to and as I said looking for alternative any suggestion appreciated. My meds are starting to increase and I am hoping to keep then to a minimal. I do need to get a good night sleep, I am only getting 3 hours and then it's broken sleep until morning. My pdoc advise me not to get up when I wake and to stay in bed. I do this every morning clock watching while trying to get back to sleep. I am starting to feel stressed and irritable on top of been depressed.

Thanks for suggestions in advance.

Annmaria:

[Nammu]

Melatonin

Benadryl

[Angelique67]

This is what works for me, 4mg of tizanadine plus a 50mg Vistaril. Both are prescription only. Neither is a controlled substance, so it should be easy to get them prescribed. Good luck.

[Blue_Bird]

I take 300mg Seroquel each night for sleep, helps me a lot

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

I take 300mg Seroquel each night for sleep, helps me a lot

Was on Seroquel but had opposite effect, would keep me up all night. I was taking seroquel xr and normal seroquel plus Zopiclone 7.5mg (sleeping tablet) didn't work. Seroquel also cause me oral thrush. doc thinks I was still manic and that why it didn't work. I was taking it for over 2 months and it had me high as in drug high.

[gina_re]

Try switching Lamictal to morning. When my dose went up I couldn't sleep anymore and my pdoc told me to take it in the morning instead. Once I switched my sleep went back to normal. It can be activating for some.

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by gina_re

Try switching Lamictal to morning. When my dose went up I couldn't sleep anymore and my pdoc told me to take it in the morning instead. Once I switched my sleep went back to normal. It can be activating for some.

It should be increased on Monday I will try it for another week at night. If I am having same problem will change to morning.

I was having problems with sleep before change in meds, sleeping tablets were not helping. I am adding sleeping tablet again to see if it will help now that I am taking Lamictal and risperdal.

Thanks gina re

Annmaria

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I use gabapentin to push me into sleep since my AP doesn't do it alone. The combination is really good for me.

My docs have tried ambien, seroquel, Ativan, Risperidone, and latuda. Nothing puts me to sleep but time. Sometimes I just go through periods where I can sleep. I no longer can work, so I'm able to go with the flow. Sometimes I'm up for 72 hours then crash for 20. I think I'm just wired this way.

[NoIdeaWhatToDo]

I used to get terribly broken sleep - both getting to sleep and staying asleep were a challenge. I started using Natural Calm - it's a powdered Magnesium supplement. I take it about 30 minutes before bedtime, and it makes me seriously drowsy. I take it every night, and I sleep straight through the night a lot of the time, except waking briefly here and there when my husband moves (I fall right back to sleep, though). I think I've had insomnia maybe once or twice in the past 6-12 months. It used to be EVERY night. It's such a relief.

If you try it (and I get it at my grocery store in the natural foods section), get the raspberry lemon flavor. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and work up to 2 tsp/night. If you jump right in to full dose, you'll have stomach cramps/the runs all the next day. When you use it, put the powder in a cup, pour in the water, and let it settle. You'll know it's ready because it will become mostly clear again.

Hope it works for you and/or others like it has for me. I'm pretty sensitive to meds, etc., in general, so your mileage may vary.

[NoIdeaWhatToDo]

It looks like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Vitali...s=natural+calm

One container lasts me about 4-6 weeks, depending on how often my family uses it, too.