[Sabrina]

Following from my other thread about nothing being strong enough. So doc gave me dormonoct but only for 15 days. The pharmacist lady told me not to take them with the Ivedal. I was still wide awake and was desperate so I took the two together. Twice. And for two nights I have slept for decent hours and don't remember any dreams or nightmares. I'm a little groggy in the day, but I slept!!! Now I just don't know how to tell the doc that I would like to take these two sleeping meds together since it seemed a no-no.

Naturally I googled the two together but I couldn't see anything that said it was dangerous.

Now what do I do?

[TicTacGo]

Obviously- it does sound almost excessive, but it did work and you said that there is nothing online about relative contraindications (using the two simultaneously).

A doctor would know for certain whether or not you should do the two together. A pharmacist advised against it, so that is a little concerning.

Speak to your doctor, because perhaps a different Z-drug or even an atypical antipsychotic like Seroquel may help. I used to use Ivedal, but the effects eventually grew weak.

EDIT: Also, there would obviously be things that work. If one took more sleeping pills than prescribed, it would likely work. Like using Valium and Ativan together because the two simultaneously would definitely work. Now that I think about it, two hypnotics together is... shaky.
It is similar to using a higher dosage of a hypnotic. Taking 20 mg instead of the prescribed 10, etc.

I know... I don't really wanna sound like I am lecturing or that I am a know it all. I just know what happens. You take more, or a mixture and sleep well but you are sedated in the morning because, well, the drug's effect has increased, perhaps doubled.

[sunnydisposition]

My doc gave the same prescription. Zolpidem 12.5 CR as primary sedative for my insomnia. And in case that doesnt work she gave me Lorazopam 1mg. Offcourse its a temporary situation for me, im waiting for doxepin, they were out of stock. Until then i have the permission to take them together in case zolpidem alone does not do the trick.

[*Laurie*]

Hi Sabrina, If I were you I would tell your pdoc the truth. I have had the pharmacist flag some of my meds that my pdocs say are perfectly safe.

[Astridetal]

I would tell your doctor. Do tell them that the pharmacist flagged them. May I ask, since you were prescribed these drugs for 15 days, I'm assuming you will go off them after that, won't you? I mean, this might work for two nights but in the long run, there could be ill effects.

[sunnydisposition]

From your recent posts i see that youre having trouble with getting a good night's sleep. So do i. Not even seroquel was helping. I've decided to try some of the other popular sleep aids, like doxepin, trazadone, amitryplinine. From what i have read these meds are excellent in promoting slow wave sleep ( which we call as the "deep sleep") and these are some of the few anti depressants that do not suppress rem sleep. Added to the fact that they do not carry serious side effects like seroquel, or addictive potential like benzo, which makes them the ideal solution for insomnia.

I've also ordered magnesium citrate. There are many studies corroborating its helpful use in insomnia. It relaxes the muscles, helps activate the GABA hormone which cuts off the adrenaline supply in our system, thus helping our brains "shut off".

Hope this information helps.

[Sabrina]

You are all correct, the doc (who is just my GP, not a psychiatrist) only prescribed the dormonoct for 15 days to see if there was a difference with the Ivedal. I presume to carry on with the Ivedal at the end of the 15 days or change to dormonoct. Neither of which, as I've said, work on their own.

It is an in-house pharmacy - part of the doctor's practice. I do intend to tell him the truth. Only two things can happen - he allows it to continue. Or he stops me. But for 3 nights now, I've slept more than it feels like I have in years. And I'm up at 5am to do family lunches and although I feel like a zombie for about 5 minutes, I'm fine after that.

I am on Trepeline for the slow wave sleep sunnydisposition mentioned. It is inexpensive so I've taken it for years. Whether it works or not, I don't know. I suggested it to my Mom's doctor who then prescribed a low dosage for her and it has worked wonders for her in the last 3 nights.