Named Zolpidem. My pain meds were only covering me until about 8pm so my primary gave this RX to fall asleep. I took it around 11pm and within 20 min I was asleep. Sometimes almost not making it to bed. My pain level was way up by 11pm so sleep was welcome relief. I would still wake up early but I had had 5+ hrs sleep. I feel this is paramount to improving any condition. My primary is a cautious man and even now he still refills the RX. I was on Gaba and Hydrocodone 10-325 but have since stopped both and am currently on Tylenol w/codein. I stopped the Gaba as it did little for me in the way of relieving the burning,zapping, and tenderness. I stopped the hydro as it became illegal for my primary to dispense, the constipation was another reason and over time my large muscle and lumbar pain had diminished. If my Gaba symptoms get to be a higher priority I would try it again. I was at 900mg/d when I quit it and had to admit it was helping a little. Relief differs from person to person. I feel that the sleeping pills now are something that I could quit also but I am currently trying to gain discipline in other aspects of my life. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Hi, sorry you are in this state

I also have trouble staying asleep, for different reasons. My doctor put me on "Opipramol" here in Germany. I think it is available in the U.S. It's actually an anti-anxiety/depression med. that is not addicting, and when taking only at night, I can sleep through the night. I only take 50mg, once at night. So I'm not on it for the "label" use, just to help me sleep through the night, and it's not addicting.

more on:Opipramol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opipramol

I take a small dose of lorazepam.

No, you are definitely not being a child. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I have had the allodynia you describe and it hurts to be touched.

The pain is very scary and isolating. The morton lotion help some and epsom baths help me.

English Dave advocates distraction. I have found wearing cotton and silk, if you can find it decreases the pain with wearing clothes.

Thinking of you and your family.

Thanks! I guess it's not available in the U.S. Maybe something along those lines?

I take Ambien with fairly good results. But of course there are times, I still wake up in pain, so it's not the cure all.

I mentioned in a different post about trying melatonin, but you should ask or look up about interactions with the nortriptyline. Also keep in mind if you plan to start the Neurontin, then you should not start anything for sleep at the same time (or close to it), as you won't know which is causing side-effects or which is even helping...if you start two things at the same time.

So I would suggest going to the doctor on Tuesday and get instructions for starting the Neurontin and start that first. Since you can fall asleep without a problem, you might not need any sleep medication if you can get a reduction in pain. So try to get pain relief first.

I would also NOT stop the nortriptyline right away. You mentioned that helps with some of the sensory issues, so this in combination of Neurontin helping with the pain, might be the best combination for you. There are MANY people here that take a combo like this.

So talk to your doctor first before making any changes...it's only a couple days....but I know that's like a life-time when you're in pain.

Also keep in mind that Neurontin has to be increased to a therapeutic dose, so you might not get immediate benefits...but you should know if it is going to help with subtle improvements at first.

I've taken a single Benadryl every night for 2 years to go to sleep at night. Honestly it probably doesn't even work anymore but I still take one.

some discussion on off label use of Ambien:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=ambien

People with dry eyes and mouth, Sjogren's, or over 55, or males with prostate issues, really should not use Benadryl or other first generation antihistamines. These drugs which cause drowsiness also are drying and anticholingeric.

Examples of non drying antihistamines are Claritan and Allegra. These are also non-drowsy.