Recomendations for medication for sleep

I have been taking seroquel for almost two years but now it's not working very well anymore. I need something to help me fall asleep on a long term basis. I know none of us are doctors but has anyone had good luck with any of the sleeping mediations that are on the market right now? Any experience that you can share would be great. There are so many on the market and I figure, I have nothing to lose by trying another one.

Thanks!

Lia
crazymusiclvr@aol.com

i tried AmbienCR and didn't like the way i felt the next morning. that is the only one i've tried. good luck, pat p.s. we have a doc here who specializes in Pmeds and i'm sure he'll have a good suggestion for you.

For better sleep I would suggest alternatives to medication since most (not all) sleeping medications may be addictive or habit forming:

>get up in the morning at a regular time & go to sleep at a regular time.

>exercise (walk, run, go to the gym)...do something physically active everyday.

>don't drink coffee or pop past 7pm.

>eat regularly throughout the day.

>journal about your thoughts & feelings ( it can be one word, a drawing, or several paragraphs)

>meditation w/ relaxing music (instrumental music)

Take Care

A few years back I was prescribed Neurontin for sleep: to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. It worked great and I fell asleep very naturally and slept all night. No hangover effect the next morning. It isn't a medication that the body builds up a tolerance to (like Xanax, etc) so it isn't addictive.

Hope this helps, though I'm not sure psychiatrists still Rx it for sleep/depression.

Best wishes finding something that works for you!!

You could try Ambien for falling asleep, Ambien CR for staying asleep, Benedryl, Trazedone, or Tamazepam. If you don't have prescription insurance Tamazepam is prolly the cheapest. Some insurance companies will only give you a limited supply of the Ambiens.

One big question would be whether you have an addiction history. If so, be sure to tell your prescriber.

Happy dreams, em

I personally like the natural herb route....... by taking VALERIAN ROOT for both a sleep aid and for a calming effect.

YOU can buy this herb at most local stores like Wal-Mart.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

I'm all for the natural route as well. I'd much prefer that than alopathic meds. However, isn't it dangerous to mix certain herbs (incl valerian root) w/ psychiatric meds?

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
desperado said:
I'm all for the natural route as well. I'd much prefer that than alopathic meds. However, isn't it dangerous to mix certain herbs (incl valerian root) w/ psychiatric meds?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

It can be for some meds, therefore, every one should check with their doctor as I did.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Rhapsody said:
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
[It can be for some meds, therefore, every one should check with their doctor as I did.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

K, thanks Rhaps.

I drink this herbal blend called nighty night from traditional medicinals. If you google "traditional Medicinals" you can see their full product line. They're pretty widely availalble in grocery / health food stores. And it doesn't interefere with any of my meds.

I've used Imovane in the past and it works really well but my dr's are a little hesitant to prescribe it because of my addictions history.

---splitimage

ummm.....i don't get it.
i'm all for the *idea* of an over the counter natural herb helping me get a good night's sleep....but they simply don't work reliably...if at all.
i use prescription meds carefully...and they work like a charm.
nothing is as therapeutic as a good night's sleep...and nothing's worse than facing the day after a terrible night's sleep...so why agonize over what's *natural* or not.
the scare tactics people would have you believe taking ambien for 1 week will addict you for life.
or a xanax now and then at bedtime will get you hooked.
ridiculous!!!!

I like the Pilatus approach so even if you go the drug route (which I do) try to incoporate good habits too, for your body to have some consisitencey and health. i also don't eat/drink after 7:30 pm-nothing, nada. This has helped me.

I suffer from PTSD so I know what not being able to fall asleep, and esp stay asleep can do. I tried Ambien CR and I was wired!!!! Can u belive it! Wired I tell you...Wide awake....

So, for a short term after a long imsonia episode I got Xanax. LOVE IT. TOO MUCH> it can be addicting and if taken regularly has different effects than short term, but for periods where I NEED to sleep, I have this on hand. I am also very good about not taking it unless I need to. It also works very quickly, and is good for panic attacks or anxiety, but makes me very tired so I only use it for sleep. It zonks me out and feels great, no hangover--miracle pill. It isn't supposed to be long lasting-meaning help you stay asleep, but it does for me.

Since I can't use it long term (every night as it works better for me for weeks then I taper,then i go back etc), I have temazepam for other nights. It doesn't work as fast but seems to keep me asleep for 7 hours or longer. My doc is big on sleep so he doesn't worry about taking something (unless its xanax as i kept building up a higher tolerance) most nights, or even every night. I'm not a good sleeper so i feel your frustration here. Sleep makes me feel 100X better so if I need a pill to do it, then okie-dokie, no problemo. I'm all for sleep-aids.

I tried some natural stuff, but didn't work at all for me, it's hard to knock me out. Give it a shot though, everybody is different!

Good luck finding the right cocktail.

It's actually quite possible to become addicted to sleeping meds after a short amount of time........hence, the warnings.

I didn't know - my stupid psychiatrist conveniently "forgot" to tell me - that my benzo was potentially addictive & should only be used for very short-term use. I found this out when I took an "Abnormal Psych" course in university.

Nine years later, I am still on this stupid drug. Not fun to be addicted to something --- espec when you had no idea it was potentially addictive in the first place.

So, I understand the scare tactics b/c they are real.

lia...

sleep is where our body heals, its the most important thing we can do for ourself.

my sleep has NEVER been correct. waking up hundreds of times each night, not sleeping for several nights in a row. there are many nights, days when i feel like i'm completely loosing my mind.

the natural way didn't work, oh i wish it would.

ambien worked for 2 years, then i began only sleeping for 2-3hrs.

ambien cr helps a little better. still, some nights i only get 4 hours, but that is better than none. other nights 5-6. side effects? yes, but its better than living insane without sleep.

3.5yrs i've been on ambien & CR and it hasn't become an addiction. sometimes i'll go a week without to see if i can sleep on my own.

ask you doctor about ROZERUM. (sp)
he/she will need to explain it to you since it takes a long couple of minutes. i will go back to taking it when things calm down.

wishing you beautiful sound sleep.
summer

good ideas Pilatus...they all sound like they could help you sleep...thank you!!

You may want to consider trimipramine. It's an atypical tricyclic, and has sleep induction properties at very low doses. I take 25 mg, but 75 is still low dose.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimipramine

Lar