Thanks for the advice, I'm much obliged. I've never experienced a full-blown benzo addiction or withdrawal, while I have with opiates/opiates (heroin as a
myopic adolescent, and Oxycodone as a young 20 something after my first disc herniation) and withdrawals were a nightmare. To be frank
my insomnia seemed to have originated from my withdrawals from heroin as a ~16 year old and have been with me ever since. Despite not touching the drug since.
Not a problem, always here to help and aid in HR. And yes I do believe 20mg would be a good starting dosage for someone trying to take it recreationally. However, with no benzo tolerance you could still probably get away with 10-15mg.
I think my benzo tolerance is high, but that's exclusive to Alprazolam (I can take 4 bars and function completely normal - nobody but a trained eye would notice any impaired cognitive function at all) as it is my only prescribed benzo. I have ingested Diazepam on very rare occasions over the years at ~10mg doses, usually while drinking alcohol (not heavily) and cannot really recall the synergistic effect provided. I do recall feeling quite relaxed.
I have tried Quetiapine (Seroquel) before to address my insomnia. It definitely put me to sleep and kept me asleep, but made me feel like a complete zombie the entire following day. I would
stay away from this drug unless used for actual psycho-affective disorder, schizophrenia, or whatever it is actually designed for.
When I was first prescribed Alprazolam it definitely knocked me out and I slept great from it. I loved it for that purpose. After using it many times for stimulant comedowns though, I think it's partially lost that effect in me unless taken in much higher doses as you stated, which I never want to do. I always try to regulate my benzo dosages and keep a limit for a sessions use.
Same problem I have. Some days, for clinical purpose, I've ingested as much as 4 x2mg doses. Overtime this has resulted in a net loss in its sedative, insomnia treating properties. As a sleeping aid a
minimum of 6mg is required, more often 8mg, and I refuse to continue such high Alprazolam doses for a pathology it isn't really designed for, and when there are medications specifically addressing insomnia that I've not yet trialled.
I have a separate prescription for insomnia, Trazodone. It's an SNRI however and used to be used as an anti-depressant. Note, it's NOT an SSRI and for me personally hasn't had any bad interactions with anything else I've taken, including stimulants such as 4-FA and Adderall for the comedown to help put me to sleep.
Not heard of it, I've heard bad bad things about SSRI, do not know about SNRI so can't comment.
It did seem to work great initially, and definitely put me to sleep when taken while sober. Within 40 minutes or so I was usually asleep, taken as prescribed at 50mgs. However, seeing as how it's not a proper Z-drug like Zolpidem, I don't feel it's as effective and can sometimes leave you restless. Sedation just happens to be a major side effect of the drug, which is why it's only really prescribed for insomnia anymore and not for its anti-depressant properties. It plays a role in down regulation of alpha1-receptors, acting as an antagonist, which is where the sedation and ability to "knock" people out comes from.
Doesn't sound appealing to me. I think I'll continue this Zolpidem discussion I've been having with my shrink to address my insomnia, as the only other
reasonable alternative appears to be Temazepam. But would this be considered prescribed alongside my Alprazolam? No contraindications?
Note, there's lots of talk of one of it's metabolites, mCPP. It's been highly talked about that it does in fact produce mCPP, a known stimulant that has been used as a cut in MDMA and rather is unpleasant and in no way desirable. However, based off of research I did, in dosages such as 50mg for insomnia, any mCPP that metabolizes is at incredibly low amounts and doesn't have any effect what so ever. It's said to appear 4-6 hours after taking Trazodone. I've never noticed any stimulant like effects the day after taking Trazodone, though it does usually leave me with lots of grogginess and I find it very hard to get out of bed.
From your anecdotal report I don't think I'll look further into Trazodone, but the following day symptoms sound similar to Quetiapine (Seroquel).
It's an option to look at and much less addictive than Z-drugs such as Zolpidem, but it does have some side effects and doesn't work for everyone. One annoying side effect for me is that it completely stuffs up my nose to the point of not being able to breath through it at all shortly after dosing, making it troubling to fall asleep. Also, it has produced heart palpitations one time for some unknown reason. I still have it, but am no longer taking it due to side effects and it has lost it's effectiveness as a sleep aid, and also made me sleep for 14 hours straight the other day which is completely unacceptable.
One point I've finally come to realize and accept is that if
medical dependence eventuates, I don't mind.
Provided it continues to maintain my ability to function optimally and free of pain (injurious) or discomfort (social anxiety responses). If this
necessitates rest-of-life drug administration - so be it.
I would kill for a 14 hour sleep right now! But I'm with you, I think this option is not an advisable one.
