Sleeping and meds?
 

I have like many of you a very big problem with sleep. I can go 2 without even a wink of sleep. Most nights I get at the most a few hours and it is very choppy. I have been out of bed since 3 am already. I can't take naps either. At night I take klonopin and serequel and then trazadone was added but nothing. My new psych said I could also try ativan but to start it without klonopin to see how I do. I am so frustrated and on edge. Anyone found a med that has helped them. Also my pain doc gave me zanaflex for at night but I have not tried it yet. Thanks

Sleeping and meds?
 

Daniella, first of all I wanted to ask you is Serequel a med for depression or is it an anti-anxitiy med? I have the same promblems with sleep as you do. I take Clonazepam and Temazepam. Also my RSD pain med's. After thinking that I was only sleeping for 2-3 hours per night after two years,I fianally went to a sleep lab over night. I got hooked up to all kinds of probs and other equipment. After it was all over I meet with a sleep Dr psycholgist. Who told me that if I only had slept that much in all those years that I would be dead. Even going 2-3 weeks with only getting 2 hours of sleep every night you would end up in a hospital because your body and your mind just could not take it. It turned out that I have Sleep Misperception State: Just look it up in your computer. It is easier that way than for me to tell you what it is. Take Care! Breezy55 :hug:

I have a "suspicion" about RSD.
I think it "turns on" our adrenal glands, inappropriately.

Sometimes, I lay down, (I only have a love seat to sleep on, but, it's OK, with the cpap) keeps me from tossin' around. anyway, soon as I lay down, my eyes just pop open!

It's as if I'm so "looking forward" to sleeping, that I get excited, and can't do it!

I think RSD plays tricks with many of our glands, and therefore we get as messed up as we do.
And, our poor doctors, really don't know what to do, except "treat the symptoms".

And, we're ALL Different!

But, over time, we all seem to get on a "cocktail" of some sort... for our "Array of Problems".

Just a few thoughts.

Pete

Thanks guys. Breezy I read about that but for ex I can tell you every show I watch and what it was about in the night. I have been hospitilized a few times and they do rounds every hour to check on you and if you are up you have to raise your hand which I did. This is not an every night thing but most nights I am up. The serequel was used for anxiety but also was supposed to aid in sleep. My anxiety is less though still high but no where like it used to be.
Aintsobad I do think that I get so anxious when I want to fall asleep that keeps me up. I dread laying down cause my pain increases which increases my anxiety so on. I have just recently been on the meds I am on. Well for aound 4 months. Before that I was off meds for awhile.
I did get some rest last night though did wake a lot. I tried a new med last night that may of aided but today feel like crap from it. Hopefully the body will adjust. Thanks again.

Hello Daniella,

I take Ativan .5 mg. twice a day for anxiety.
When we try to rest at night the pain is worse because our mind isn't occuppied by anything but the pain. Ativan helps me.
Take care,
Sherrie

Hi daniella.
I have full body RSD-13 years. Not sleeping has been a huge issue for me. My Dr. is a psychiatrist, neurologist, and pharmacologist. His Dad a Dr. his sister a Dr. He works with a couple of pharmaceutical companies and does studies and teaches on the west coast. He just is finishing a study for sleep for seroquel. This drug, is usually for bipolar and scitzoiphrenia-spelled wrong. Any way his drug study was for using this drug for sleeping. He is just finishing it up and will write a report on it. I had been taking
Ambien Cr. 25 mg. Vicodin 6 pills a day, Antivan or lorazepam, 2 high blood pressure meds.and 120 mg. cymbalta. I had been on 3200 mg of neurotin, but asked to go off it- it caused so much weight gain,, but it kept from having my dailey and nightly electric jolts, jerks, spasms. I went off last October and no bad symptoms. Lost 30 lbs so far and trying on my last 30lbs. I have had a couple jerks , but nothing like I used to.
I told my Dr. that Loreazepam helped me so much, I would rather drop a vicodin than drop the anxiety med.
A couple of months or 3 ago, my sleep med stopped working. I went 6 weeks to 2 months of not getting to sleep till about 5-6 a.m. one night I didn't get to sleep till 9 a.m.
It was awful. So we decided to try seroqouel 300 mg. The dosage for bipolar and S is 400-800. He told me to stay in bed=don't drive etc. So a month ago I started seroquel. 300 mg. The first night, it packed a punch, My husband had to help me to the bathroom,
Next night i onlhy took 150 mg. slept good. Dr. told me to go back to 300 mg. so I did. I forgot to say, when he started me on seroquel, he cut my anxiety med in half. He left it up to me to regulate my pain med.I can't tell you how well I'm sleeping. I take the med at 7 pm no food. an hour before or after. I am sleeping so well, it's a miracle. I have been only taking 3 vicodin the last 5 days instead of 6. I used to take 1 lorazepam 2 mg. 3 times a day. When I started seroquel, he cut it to 1 lorazepm 1 mg. 3 times a day. But I've only been taking 1 lorazepam 1 mg. twice a day.
I see this Dr. once a month and pay out of pocket. He doesn't take insurance. His practice is mainly difficult cases, teaching, and drug studies and writing. He just built two clinics, both are about 5 minutes from our home. He has a HBOT in both of them. I'm going to try the HBOT. I believe they are the only ones outside a hospital in Arizona.
In my opinion antivan, or lorazepam is a very important compotent for managing RSD. Reducing the anxiety, calms the sympathetic nervous system down. I can't hardly believe how much better I feel with the restorative sleep, my Dr. calls it. I feel like I'm getting part of my life back. I'm back doing some errands in the afternoon.
Seroquel does have a comment on weight gain. I was holding the 30 lbs. real good until I took seroquel. It put 5 lbs instantly on, and I've taken it off this past 5 weeks.
Well, that is my thoughts from my personal experience. I really hope you get some peaceful sleep soon. Everything looks so different with a good nights sleep. Take care, loretta

Hi Breezy55,
Seroquel has basically been used for bi-polar and schezophrinia. (spelled wrong. I have neither of those illnesses. My Dr. I see once a month that manages my RSD is a neurologist, psychiatrist, and pharmacologist. I have been seeing him 5 years. Seroquel must have some anti-anxiety in it, because when he started me on it last month, he cut my lorazepam in half. My ambien CR stopped working totally. I wouldn't get to sleep till 5-6in the a.m. It was awful=had no life. He has very few patients, teaches a lot on the west coast. Does studies for a couple of pharmaceutical companies. Just finishing up a study on seroquel to be used as a sleep aid. He is about to write up the report.
He just built two clinics and has HBOT in both of them. I am excited to try it. I'll report on my adventure. Take care, loretta

Hi Sherrie,
I once told my Dr, if I had to choose giving up a med, it would be vicodin and keep lorazepam. He agreed. I get such benefit with lorazepam, it keeps my sympathetiic nervous system, calm. I had a terrible time sleeping, so my Dr. took me off, Ambien and put me on low dose seroquel. 300 mg. I get solid sleep without interruption. I feel good the next day-no strange symptoms. My Dr. cut my anxiety med in half, when I started seroquel. He left it up to me on my pain meds. I have been on 6 vicodin for years, and now I mostly take 3 a day, rarely 4.
Sherrie, I always enjoy your posts. Thank you - and take care, loretta

Hi Pete,It's crazy isn't it to need sleep so bad, lay down and BING can't get to sleep as hours pass. I never had any sleep issues until this mess.
I think I had told you my Dr.does studies for drug companies. He is just finishing up one on seroquel. Los dose-I take 300mg. What it was intended for 400-800mg for bipolar and skitzophrenia. sp? So this study is nearly finished-the one for sleep. low dose. I get such restorative sleep. I don't have any strange symptoms in the morning. It's just
amazing how I feel with good sleep. Something I have added to my eating is vitamins, and am more conscience of what I eat.
It's a fact that RSD effects internal organs. Interesting thoughts. Take care of yourself, loretta

I'm taking 3 instead of 6 vicodin. Taking 2 1mg of lorazepam instead of 3 2mg. I really don't know what is happening. But I going in the right direction.

Thank you guys. For me I am not on narcotics anymore. I rarely used them but my current pain doc does not feel for me it is good. I too see a psych plus my pain doc. The psych was a good choice to add. I have been back seeing one for 4 months and even others comment at my mental state being better and more rational. I am still anxious but before I was loosing my mind like almost in a psych ward.Loretta I may try the HBOT too. I am waiting just because I have made progress with my current treatment of neurontin,etc. I don't have the weight issue and I am trying to gain more again anyhow. I take supplements as well. Loretta I am sorry for all you have and are going through. I hope the HBOT really helps you.
Sbowling my mom is on ativan and she has sleep/anxiety and found it helpful so why I asked my psych.I'm on klonopin too though and both together I heard are not the greatest on the body but will see.
Thanks

Hi Ant So Bad,

I had a similar situation with my adrenial glands, what I was told is that the narcotic medication I was taken affects you adrenial glands, especially if you are trying to cut down on medication or change medication. Hope this helped.

Gabbycakes

Please try Melatonin. It has helped me SOOOOO much. My body reacts strangely to most meds. While most people get drowsy on Neurontin, Cymbalta, Hydrocodone, Ultram, they all keep me awake. Melatonin has allowed me to sleep which makes life a lot better. It is the natural hormone that your body produces to induce sleep, so it is non-habit forming. You can buy it at any drugstore, but I prefer the pure form. I get 1 mg sublingual (dissolves under your tongue) tablets and use 4 to 6 tablets per night. I also take two Benadryl about an hour before bedtime, and the combination helps me fall asleep quickly and sleep well. I usually have to get up several times during the night to use the bathroom because I have Interstitial Cystitis (which my doctor said they are now considering RSD of the baldder), but if it were not for that, I would sleep great. I don't know if we are allowed to post links to business websites, but if you PM me, I will let you know where I get mine online. It's very inexpensive (about $7 for 120 tablets), and has made a huge differece for me. With all we deal with on a daily basis, we need our rest. I really hope this can help you. Good luck!!

Thanks. I am glad you found something to help. I have heard of others taking melatonin. I think I saw it at Whole Food in there supplement area. Maybe I will make a post on the vitamin/supp area about it. I am like that too with the other meds you stated. Like when I was put on klonopin they said watch out during the day but I did not feel drowsy. I did not think you were supposed to take Benedryl everynight. Just be careful. Thanks again.

Soma
 

I am on soma along with other meds and have found it to be great for promoting sleep. I only ever take a half a pill at a time, but at night I take half and then wait maybe an hour and take another half. Depending on my pain level I might also take a half a perc as well. I sleep fairly well, as long as I don't have someone waking me up ninety times a night. Good luck to you all.

Thanks I will look that soma up. I was up allnight basically. I fell asleep in the very early evening after dinner but then talked to my friend in Ca for awhile cause she is 3 hours behind. it is bringing my mood down and also that I am in a pain flare up and homesick. This reminds me to make a melatonin post on the vitamin side. Thanks again

I go days without sound sleep..this last time last 4 days. I am use to it. I have gone 7 days, and I was feeling as if I was going to faint at any moment. I was in a pain flare for those amt. of days.

My doc gave me Baclofen for spasms, and it also relaxes me. Not to the point of sleeping,though. I take 18 pills per day..I wish one helped me sleep..none do. I have taken Ambien, Abien CR, Melatonin, Cognitive Behavior Therapy...and none of them work for me. I go until I drop..do you?

If you find a a miracle pill/cure, please let me know,OK?

Thanks,
Dew:hug:

Hi Daniella
Our age has alot to do with our sleep pattern,,im 48 i sleep ok,,,my mom is 78 and only sleeps acouple of hours a nite,,i played sports with alot of older guys who were up at 4am ,,mom says she gets up at 3am,,i dont know how old you are ,but its something to factor in, also Klonopin is in the same familly as xanax,,thats what i use at times,,thats why your dr doesnt want you stacking them,,,the zanaflex is great ,,it made me really sleepy,,,its a muscle relaxant and by your dr;s advice can be stacked with an antidepreeant,,but check with him first,,thats what my dr had me on them,,ativan is a antidepressant to ,,so it makes sense not to stack atiavn with xanax,klonopin,, they are in the same familly,,you can only take one,,but they are stackable with a muscle relaxant,,but im no dr,,but thats what my dr.s are doing with me,,,good luck and i always try to stay away from late evening caffeine and daytime naps,,,,but it is frustrateing when you cant get a goodnites sleep,,,bobber,,,,P.S,,being on a ,exercise regime is a good way to sleep well at nite too,,,and Amber97 is correct too,,i like the use of the natural sleep aid Melatonin,it works really well with me,,,,,,,,

Dew I am sorry you relate and if I find something I will for sure let you and everyone know.
Bobber I have had this problem since my late teens. I am 31 almost now. This sleep issue was pre rsd and health. I had anxiety/depression/anorexia on and off for 14 years before this and that is a known to effect sleep. It runs in my family as well. My doc said I could take the zanaflex with any of the meds I am on but more as needed.
Thanks again. I just am lost at the moment in a pain flare up and lack of sleep plus my anxiety is more it seems. I just think the combination.

Forgot something
 

Soma has aspirin in it, so if you have ulcers or a touchy stomach, might want to keep that in mind.

ive been on pretty much every sleep medicine out there, seroquel, ambien, lunesta, rozerem, melatonin, ativan, trazodone etc.

for me seroquel worked well, even at a measly 25mg. if i end up taking more i get some arrhthymias which pretty much suck.

melatonin was alright, trazodone gave me nightmares-when i took it without lexapro. now it's fine. i should get my doctor to prescribe zanaflex cause this nonrestorative sleep sucks. and there's always the tricyclics for sleep, i know this cause on the crazymeds forum everyone mention doxepin(sinequan) or amitryptline. these are good for sleep too.

I too am taking Soma and it helps my muscles relax and enables me to sleep.

Thanks. You know a doctor awhile ago was talking about doxepin. It is a very old drug.
I have zanaflex and have heard people talk about it here. I am going to start taking it I think. My doctor gave it to me as needed but this is nuts. I did get rest last night but I think that was from as needed meds because I had to take them which I rarely do as I am in a horrid flare. I do feel thankful I did sleep a little though. My docs are not big on as needed narcotic meds so this was a rare event.
As for soma I never heard of it. I do know some meds like tylenol etc are hard on liver and can cause bleeding.

I take Soma and it has helped me.

Umm...
 

Let me get this straight; you are hurting so badly that you can't sleep and yer docs are not big on giving you pain relief? I'd be getting some new docs, but if it works for you, well, who am I to say? Later, Smoke

melatoin is a good med to promote sleep,and is pretty safe..,i try to stay busy during the day,and aquajog and a light workout when i can[im still on crutches] my goal is to have a goodnites sleep med and pain free,,i know when i change around my meds or back off of some,,i get nitemares,,bad ones,,like i did when i came off booze,,,pain meds and prednisone reallymade me have weird dreams,,coming off of pain meds will give you weird dreams and irritaion during the day,and made me short with my loved ones,,i hated that part,,find your groove and you will sleep,,i hope that everyone here is having a good day, i really mean this,,its hard but thru God,,we will be ok,,i want to live ,,not survive,,,,,,,,your friend in Christ Jesus our Lord ,,,,,,bobber

I like the feel
 

A good feeling passed through me when I read your post, good deal, God bless.