need more sleep
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2013
- Messages
- 1
Haven't slept well for years. Was wondering if there have been any developments in drug industry of new medicines to help people with chronic insomnia?
medicines for chronic insomnia
- Thread starter need more sleep
- Start date
http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm107757.htm
The answer is, not really. Have you had a sleep study done? I found it and the resultant treatment to be quite good.
The answer is, not really. Have you had a sleep study done? I found it and the resultant treatment to be quite good.
tyrael
Bluelighter
Not that it's my specific field but (afaik, in addition to the current ones - benzos, barbs, antihistamines, melatonin, etc) pretty much the latest development (new addition to said indication, FD/TGA approval) were z-drugs - however effectiveness of these could be argued.
I agree with Morphling, going to a sleep technician/specialist would probably be best. There are a lot of different (both pharmcological and non-pharmacological) treatments which are utilised (again, with varying effectiveness). Insomnia is terrible I'm sure!
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
Good luck with it all!
In regards to long term treatment of insomnia i found the tricyclic anti-depressant amitriptyline to be the best. Unlike other drugs that trade off the anti-histamine and anti-cholinergic side effects amitriptyline didn't stop working for me for about 2 years. I always found that with anti-histamines such as diphenhydramine, doxylamine, hydroxyzine or the anti-psychotic Quetiapine the sedative effect wore off within a few weeks at most. But with amitriptyline it didn't. Z-Hypnotics such as zopiclone and zolpidem as well as benzos work fine for short term insomnia but due to tolerance issues especially with Z-drugs they aren't suitable for long term use unless you take breaks in between uses.
Psychedelic Jay
Bluelighter
Tizanidine
marla0singer
Greenlighter
New here but old to insomnia. Amitriptyline left me feeling drugged all the time, as well as adding 50 pounds in 3 months. It was quite hard to get off of also. Tizanidine is a muscle relaxer made for people that got too drowsy on flexeril, etc., but it does cause a tad of drowsiness, which will go away w long-term use. Sleep studies... insurance companies are dropping coverage for these left and right because, unless you have something like sleep apnea, no real results come out, they just find that you can't sleep. I'm currently taking Mirapex off-label for sleep; it helped longer than any others (4 months) but now developing muscle ticks, falling asleep at random times, etc. As for my experience w insomnia, there are no good options. Best guess is to rotate different benzos and z-drugs to keep your body guessing. And yes, insomnia totally sucks!!
Psychedelic Jay
Bluelighter
Tizanidine or clonidine...
These are a2 agonist...
They create a nice drop in blood pressure to ease you into dreamland...
These are a2 agonist...
They create a nice drop in blood pressure to ease you into dreamland...
tyrael
Bluelighter
There are just as many non-pharmacological treatments as pharmacological. Definitely see a sleep specialists imo (if you haven't already done so)! 
Psychedelic Jay
Bluelighter
Yeah, sleep specialist...
You can't have a solution without figuring out the problem.
You can't have a solution without figuring out the problem.
T1gersxjaw
Bluelighter
Zopiclone had worked great for me for a few years now.
Toz
Bluelighter
Smoke weed, it beats all the pharmaceutical sleeping meds in my oppinion.
BIGsherm7272
Bluelighter
I've been taking Remeron (Mirtazapine) for over a month now and can easily say it is the best sleep aid I have ever taken (other than narcotics). It is an anti-depressant, but does not mainly focus on serotonin. It is a strong H1 receptor antagonist, and produces a very nice dream-state, and you don't have to fall asleep in a certain window of time, as is the case with trazadone. I also wake up feeling refreshed, but I do have some crazy dreams every night. Thats about the only side effect, and they are usually not bad dreams, just vivid. I have taken Lunesta, Ambien, Doxepin, Amitriptyline, Diphenhydramine, Melatonin, Hydroxyzine, Trazadone, and Seroquel and Remeron has worked better than all of them IMO. Everyone reacts differently to different drugs. Doxepin and Amitriptyline were also very good, but caused more drowsiness after waking up than remeron. Trazadone works for a few weeks then just stops getting the job done, plus it has a dirty feel to me, as does seroquel. I can't stand that stuff. 100mg Hydroxyzine can work pretty good for sleep too, a little better then diphenhydramine imo. Melatonin is also a very effective natural sleep aid, but also leaves me too groggy in the morning. Lunesta worked for like a week than stopped, it was kind of a joke. Ambien Never worked for me, as it won't for some people naturally.
Tripman
Bluelight Crew
Exercise, dont take recreational drugs, get some hobbies.
Honestly - best cure for chronic insomnia you will ever find.
And yeah, i've taken every sleeping medication you can ever imagine. Most of the time i find insomnia is actually caused by the stress of the thought of trying to sleep but not being able to. Your mind goes into overdrive and it's very hard to relax, you end up obsessing about it lying in bed for hours.
In the long run you will be much better off if you change your lifestyle habits to cure Insomnia rather than medicate.
Honestly - best cure for chronic insomnia you will ever find
.And yeah, i've taken every sleeping medication you can ever imagine. Most of the time i find insomnia is actually caused by the stress of the thought of trying to sleep but not being able to. Your mind goes into overdrive and it's very hard to relax, you end up obsessing about it lying in bed for hours.
In the long run you will be much better off if you change your lifestyle habits to cure Insomnia rather than medicate.
weekend addiction
Bluelighter
^Remeron was a good sleep aid for a short time. I use weed and alcohol because anything else fucks with the quality of my sleep. And trust me I've experimented.
Tripman
Bluelight Crew
Exactly. No sleep medication is a "cure" for insomnia, because even though you might sleep, it ruins the quality of your sleep.
bunge
Bluelighter
Pregabalin and mirtazapine did the trick for me and this was even after a two year zopiclone addiction. Infact I even managed to get full nights of sleep during zopiclone WD using this combo.
Mirtazapine has strong anti-his and sedative qualities while pregabalin has been shown to increase deep sleep and give a better quality of sleep.
I take 150mg of pregabalin about 3hrs before the mirtazapine, a little bit of weed and im off to dreamland!.
Mirtazapine has strong anti-his and sedative qualities while pregabalin has been shown to increase deep sleep and give a better quality of sleep.
I take 150mg of pregabalin about 3hrs before the mirtazapine, a little bit of weed and im off to dreamland!.
sleepmogul
Greenlighter
I posted this exact reply on another bluelight thread tonight, so I hope I don't get tagged as a spammer! It just spoke directly to your question, so I thought it might be helpful to replicate the post here. Please forgive the duplication if you happened to read the other thread too...
"Have you considered trying non-prescription interventions? Here are several that may be of use, either as a stand alone, in tandem with other natural remedies, or in conjunction with your current precriptions.
1. Rhodiola rosea
Its roots contain a sap that has long been used to improve physical and mental endurance, relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress, and even lift mood and alleviate depression symptoms.
2. St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), has long been used in many cultures to treat depression. Numerous research studies, including a 2008 study published as part of the Cochrane Systematic Review, have found that St. John's Wort is at least as effective as standard antidepressant drugs at treating mild to moderate depressive disorders, but with few potentially harmful side effects (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1007192435.htm).
When taken as a whole extract, St. John's Wort has also been shown to help naturally alleviate sleep disorders, promote relaxation, and boost energy levels in such a way that avoids the "spikes" and "plunges" typically associated with consumption of caffeine and other stimulants. St. John's Wort is considered to be a safe, inexpensive herbal remedy that can help promote improved overall mental health.
3. Camu Camu
Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) fights the negative effects of the herpes virus, promote immune health, alleviate inflammation, and fight bacteria and viruses. Camu Camu also has adaptogenic properties that normalize bodily processes during stress, and help relieve symptoms of depression.
4. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Indian plant that has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, contains powerful adaptogenic compounds that are known to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. The plant is also known to help fight degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Several studies, including one published in the journal Phytomedicine back in 2000, have found that ashwagandha works as well as, or better than, antidepressant drugs at relieving anxiety and treating depression symptoms. And ashwagandha naturally prevents stress-induced free radical damage without causing harmful side effects (http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/...t_ashwa_01.htm).
5. Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii), also known as "Peruvian ginseng," is a root vegetable that is packed with amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Like the other herbs mentioned, it has long been used in traditional medicine to increase energy and stamina, enhance libido, and boost the immune, adrenal, and endocrine systems.
In a 2008 study published in the journal Menopause, researchers found that maca helps reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in women with menopause (http://drtorihudson.com). And in a 2006 study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found that maca clearly exhibits general antidepressant activity in all people when consumed.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035463_de...#ixzz2kJ6XT9CZ
You might also consider the inclusion of a natural sleep remedy. A sound sleep does wonders for physical and mental well-being, but prescription meds can leave lingering effects that counteract the benefits of the sound sleep. A whole-food remedy is available from <snip - sources are not allowed>. The advantage of whole food supplements is that they are safe to use, and will not interact with RX drugs. Although you do need to consult with a Dr before adding any new supplements to your regimen, whole food remedies are widely considered to be safe for anyone."
"Have you considered trying non-prescription interventions? Here are several that may be of use, either as a stand alone, in tandem with other natural remedies, or in conjunction with your current precriptions.
1. Rhodiola rosea
Its roots contain a sap that has long been used to improve physical and mental endurance, relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress, and even lift mood and alleviate depression symptoms.
2. St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), has long been used in many cultures to treat depression. Numerous research studies, including a 2008 study published as part of the Cochrane Systematic Review, have found that St. John's Wort is at least as effective as standard antidepressant drugs at treating mild to moderate depressive disorders, but with few potentially harmful side effects (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1007192435.htm).
When taken as a whole extract, St. John's Wort has also been shown to help naturally alleviate sleep disorders, promote relaxation, and boost energy levels in such a way that avoids the "spikes" and "plunges" typically associated with consumption of caffeine and other stimulants. St. John's Wort is considered to be a safe, inexpensive herbal remedy that can help promote improved overall mental health.
3. Camu Camu
Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) fights the negative effects of the herpes virus, promote immune health, alleviate inflammation, and fight bacteria and viruses. Camu Camu also has adaptogenic properties that normalize bodily processes during stress, and help relieve symptoms of depression.
4. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Indian plant that has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, contains powerful adaptogenic compounds that are known to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. The plant is also known to help fight degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Several studies, including one published in the journal Phytomedicine back in 2000, have found that ashwagandha works as well as, or better than, antidepressant drugs at relieving anxiety and treating depression symptoms. And ashwagandha naturally prevents stress-induced free radical damage without causing harmful side effects (http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/...t_ashwa_01.htm).
5. Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii), also known as "Peruvian ginseng," is a root vegetable that is packed with amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Like the other herbs mentioned, it has long been used in traditional medicine to increase energy and stamina, enhance libido, and boost the immune, adrenal, and endocrine systems.
In a 2008 study published in the journal Menopause, researchers found that maca helps reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in women with menopause (http://drtorihudson.com). And in a 2006 study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found that maca clearly exhibits general antidepressant activity in all people when consumed.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035463_de...#ixzz2kJ6XT9CZ
You might also consider the inclusion of a natural sleep remedy. A sound sleep does wonders for physical and mental well-being, but prescription meds can leave lingering effects that counteract the benefits of the sound sleep. A whole-food remedy is available from <snip - sources are not allowed>. The advantage of whole food supplements is that they are safe to use, and will not interact with RX drugs. Although you do need to consult with a Dr before adding any new supplements to your regimen, whole food remedies are widely considered to be safe for anyone."
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I didn't read all the answers, so I'm sure someone already suggested this...
Melatonin! It works wonders for me at least. And it's natural, unlike sleeping pills. Also, it doesn't make you all groggy when you wake up the next morning.
Also Kava Kava is all natural and works well too!
Melatonin! It works wonders for me at least. And it's natural, unlike sleeping pills. Also, it doesn't make you all groggy when you wake up the next morning.
Also Kava Kava is all natural and works well too!
Last edited by a moderator:
I like the sleep study idea just to make sure you are breathing properly and stuff like that.
I'm not a fan of drugs for sleep.
Sleeping is pretty much a natural state, and there is a whole bunch of stuff you can work on first.
things like:
1. enough physical activity
2. abstaining from stimulants completely or at least after say noon
3. relaxation/sleep comfort techniques
4. comfortable, dark, bedroom, sleep mask, "white noise" etc.....
I'm not a fan of drugs for sleep.
Sleeping is pretty much a natural state, and there is a whole bunch of stuff you can work on first.
things like:
1. enough physical activity
2. abstaining from stimulants completely or at least after say noon
3. relaxation/sleep comfort techniques
4. comfortable, dark, bedroom, sleep mask, "white noise" etc.....