Has anybody tried Restoril (temazepam) for insomnia? I’ve read all the online warnings that it is contraindicated in patients with MG as it is a hypnotic and can act as a muscle relaxant. I was hospitalized for a MG crisis 5 weeks ago (doing OK now), but I’ve not been able to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at night since coming home. I’ve tried all the good habits for sleep (no TV, tablet, caffeine, etc. before bed), Lunesta and Ambien. All will get me to sleep, but not keep me asleep. I’m trying to weigh the risks of taking the lowest dose (7.5mg) vs. a flair-up from lack of sleep. Thanks!

Jim

I will offer a word of caution. Before I was diagnosed, I was having trouble sleeping.

I started taking ambien. I am completely convinced that it almost killed me. I went totally insane. I would find myself suddenly driving over 100 miles from home and have no idea why. Things progressed and if I told all the ways it almost killed me you would think that I am making it up.

I do not see any reason why temazepam would be any safer than ambien since they are similar drugs.

I do not recommend hypnotic sleep aids for people with MG.

There are other options. I have used benedryl without it killing me.

I have also just laid there and stared at the ceiling. Eventually I can get to sleep.

I have not tried it, but I have talked to a person with MG that has used medical marijuana to help him sleep.

I wonder if insomnia is common for people with MG.

I have been using Sonata (prescribed by my neuro) and it works fine.

Jim, I think you just answered your own question! I'm sorry you were in a crisis. You know that it can take a long time to recover from one and getting back to a stable MG place is key.

I frankly wouldn't want a drug that slows my brain activity or could make me stop breathing at night!

http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/SP/SP.236.../drugchart.htm

http://reference.medscape.com/drug/r...zepam-342911#5

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0815/p517.html

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02037/sleep-aid

MGers have a problem in that some of us don't do much physical activity during the day. It's physical activity that makes our brain know that we're awake and doing enough to make it sleep at night. Physical activity releases endorphins and natural oxytocin.

Have you seen an endocrinologist? Maybe your pituitary isn't working properly. Some people do get small tumors on it.

I think it's important, Jim, to talk to an internist about this. They can look at your overall health, any drugs, and make more suggestions. There can be many causes of insomnia, such as diet even.

Did you know that amino acids, like those in legumes, can make you sleepy once they hit the lower GI tract and are absorbed? So timing of eating certain foods can be useful, too.

Please don't become a drug statistic! Those drugs with the suffix "pam" don't really get along well with MG.

I've had four exacerbations this spring/summer. I have to pamper myself just to be "ok." Please be careful in the hot weather months, everyone!!! A crisis really sucks.

Take it easy, Jim!!!


Annie