Sleep medications for pcs
 

Unfortunately, I do not have access to post a "siganture line" so everytime I post, those of you who want to respond do not have a so-called "history" of me and my DH's present situation. I do not even have access to message anyone..go figure?

Anyway, my question is in regards to medications to get decent sleep. My DH was in an MVA on 1/19/12 and returned to work on a limited basis on 2/6/12 (see my last post titled "PCS AND MOVING FORWARD" for details).

When he was released from the hospital, they gave him a script for Xanax which is .5mg 1 to 2 tabs if needed at bedtime. Before the accident, he has been on Paxil 20mg at night as well as Mirapex 1.5mg at night for his Restless Leg Syndrome.

This morning, before going to work, he came up to my room (we do not sleep together as of right now due to his PCS) worried and told me that he was on the couch and had vivid dreams, talking in his sleep and he fell off the couch. He is now so desperate to get a good nights sleep that he is thinking of getting OTC sleeping pills to take on top of the other meds listed above. Or maybe start taking the Valium again. Just to note, he does not have problems getting to sleep initially. It's the problems listed above and not sleeping through the night.

The Xanax is about to run out and was given to him through the hospital upon discharge, not the neuro. he saw in follow-up on 1/31/12. His headaches come and go and are not debilitating (Excedrin or Ibuprofen work great), he is worn out and fatigue is present when he comes home from work and he loses his balance once in a while. Driving is not impacted.

Can any of ya'll help me out on some common meds that are used to help with sleep deprivation in PCS patients? I will be calling the neuro. tomorrow first thing.

Amitriptyline or nortriptyline (similar drugs in the same class) are commonly used for post-concussion headache prevention AND they also are very sedating so can help with sleep.

The vivid dreams and insomnia are very common to many of us. We have had several threads on the forum recently about this.

Be sure to check out OTC drug interactions with a pharmacist and/or drug interaction checker like this if you have a lot of meds, especially new ones in play. Things can get confusing very quickly, and sometimes dangerous.
http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker

Also, just keep posting. Once you have a certain number of posts, you will be able to create a signature, send private messages, post links, and all sorts of fancy things. They just want to make sure you're not a spambot first :)

Prazosin
 

I did a search on the above drug called Prazosin (also known as Minipress) which is actaully a blood pressure medication. It has been known to help those with PTSD, sleep deprivation and nightmares. I am thinking that my husband is not only suffering from PCS, but, the trauma from his MVA and the nightmares is definitly effecting his quality of life (and effecting his recovery from not getting enough rest/sleep).

Has anyone heard of this or this drug being used for PTSD and PCS symptoms?

I have a link but because I am a "NEWBIE", they will not allow me to post it :(

Hi AmyMarie and welcome :)

You should already be able to use the private messaging system?
There are 3 ways to send PMs...either from "send message" in your user CP, or you can go to another member's profile and choose the drop down messaging system under their name (remember tho that Visitor Messages are posted to someone's profile page and so are able to be seen by others, only Private Messages are private between you and the other member.) or you can use the drop down under their name/avatar right here on their posts to message them

The reason you also have to wait a bit more for linking and adding a signature is the same as the wait for messaging....SPAM!
Forums are inundated with spammers who try ever means they can to get their message out, and that includes links, PMs and signatures. As they are often porn spammers, I think you can understand why we try to protect members from that yuck.:o

So it doesn't take long for legit members to pass the set defaults to be able to make full use of our forums, and everyone is protected from unwanted spam.

Thanks for understanding and we hope you will find all the support and information here that you are seeking

EOWYN: Thanks for the med-interaction checker. Thats a great tool I will definitly be using it frequently.

CHEMAR: I have tried everything you have suggested and I still cannot find a way to send a message or "PM" any members on here. When I try to use the drop down menu on their name/avatar right on their posts, my choices are "VIEW PUBLIC PROFILE", "VIEW MORE POSTS" or "ADD TO YOUR CONTACTS". I also tried going to my own profile, as others, and I do not have anything that says "SEND MESSAGE".

Maybe an administrator could look into this for me. :D

In the meantime, is there anyone out there who has heard of the drug ing Prazosin (aka: Minipress) being used for PCS or sleep deprivation/PTSD?

Hi
I have just checked your account and all seems in order....could you look again to see if you have the PM functions showing...thanks :)

I've never heard of minipress, but I'm sure going to look into it! It sounds like it has potential to be really helpful for many of us.