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| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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02-18-2012, 09:00 AM
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I've been struggling to get quality sleep for 6 months now. It's so frustrating not being able to stay asleep, as I'm sure many of you know. I take 20mg of nortriptyline nightly, but it hasn't helped my sleep issue. I asked my doctor if I could try adding melatonin to my routine and he said yes, but I would probably be very sleepy. Well, this is exactly what I want. Despite being sleep deprived for the past several months, my brain is oddly awake. It's like I can't get it to sleep. I will sleep from 11pm-2am and then feel "awake" for the rest of the night.
I'm wondering if anyone has had success using melatonin with nortriptyline to aid in their sleep? I have no problem falling asleep, I just can't seem to stay asleep and it's driving me crazy.
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43 yr young female, suffered a mTBI with PCS August 2011 while playing ice hockey. Symptoms included dizziness, nausea, exertion headaches, trouble sleeping, fasciculations, sensitivity to light and noise, occasional numbness to extremities. |
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02-18-2012, 12:57 PM
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According to this drug interaction checker, they both increase sedation, so you probably should be cautious. Might be a good idea to ask a doctor or pharmacist.
http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker
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mTBI and PCS after sledding accident 1-17-2011 Was experiencing: Persistent headaches, fatigue, slowed cognitive functions, depression Symptoms exacerbated by being in a crowd, watching TV, driving, other miscellaneous stress & sensory overload Sciatica/piriformis syndrome with numbness & loss of reflex Largely recovered after participating in Nedley Depression Recovery Program March 2012: . Eowyn Rides Again: My Journey Back from Concussion . |
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02-18-2012, 03:23 PM
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I mix my nortriptyline and melatonin and it really does increase the sleepiness. If i am not in bed already, i feel myself getting really lethargic. And im someone who used to take 10mg of ambien every night because of severe insomnia. But dont usually do that anymore. Sometimes i also take restoril....but trying to just take the melatonin and nortriptyline. I take 6mg of melatonin i think.
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Suffered a TBI with PCS on April 25th 2011 from multiple blows to the head from falling, unconscious for 12 hours with no memory of event. Hit the back of my head, and above right eye. MRI and CT negative. Symptoms included constant headaches (migraine, pressure, tension, icepicks), dizziness, tinnitus, visual changes, photophobia, fatigue, "spacing out", word finding difficulties, depression, and emotional lability. Began Healing in November 2011 after starting acupuncture and Healing Touch (a nurturing energy therapy that promotes relaxation and pain relief). I went back to work in February 2012. Ive been symptom free since July 2012. Very happy, positive, energetic and working out every day, doing yoga, and living a normal life again! I also began taking Healing Touch classes in November 2011 and completed 5 Levels of Healing Touch Certificate Program that included a 1 year mentorship to become a Healing Touch International Practitioner in June 2013. I am so pleased to offer this wonderful healing therapy to my patients, friends, and clients. |
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02-18-2012, 03:26 PM
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I also concur about checking with your doc as they would know all specifics of what you're taking, situation, etc.
I am currently on 100mg of Nortriptyline and ocassionally I take one 4 mg. tablet of Melatonin about 1/2 hour before bed. I also try taking a cup of Sleeytime tea about an hour before bed. I know that in about an hour, I'm ready for sleep, and I nod off quickly. Thank goodness that I've never had to wake up in the middle of the night and be expected to do anything requiring brainpower. I do understand what you mean and I sometimes have that feeling that my brain is just not shutting off when I'm sleeping. I don't have issues of sleepiness or fatigue after about 15 minutes once I wake up but with this concussion, it's been one of the odd effects of having not having had the best sleep in a long time. Insuring you get plenty of sleep during the night every night will help you a great deal. Good luck! Mike
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May 31, 2009: Concussion from syncope due to low blood volume resulting from severe dehydration. Occurred after finishing my 9th marathon. 100% of symptoms cleared by August 2009. December 15, 2009: Major surgery due to diverticulitis. 6 weeks after surgery, dizziness, fog, cognitive difficulty, anxiety, some panic, lots of headache. These symptoms largely gone, but still cannot exercise above a very low threshold otherwise resulting in severe headache and cognitive fog. Same for overwhelming odors. Meds: Nortriptyline and Naratriptan as needed to rid severe headaches (exertional migraines). |
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02-18-2012, 05:31 PM
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Thank you for all the replies. It really does help hearing other people's experiences. Nortriptyline is the only medication I'm on and when I called my neurologist this past week with my question about the melatonin, his receptionist got back with me with the answer. So I didn't talk to my doctor myself, but the receptionist said that he said it would be okay to mix the two. He did not however suggest a particular dose of melatonin.
I've always been hesistant to use medication, and I think that's part of the reason I'm concerned about mixing the two. Glad to hear others here have done it successfully. I may try and go to the store tonight and find the lowest dose possible - or maybe I could split a tablet if I can't find a small dose. I am just desperate for some uninterrupted sleep! Thank you again!
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43 yr young female, suffered a mTBI with PCS August 2011 while playing ice hockey. Symptoms included dizziness, nausea, exertion headaches, trouble sleeping, fasciculations, sensitivity to light and noise, occasional numbness to extremities. |
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02-18-2012, 07:20 PM
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I've actually just been prescribed 20 mg nortiptyline since Ive been having troubles falling asleep and staying asleep. I used to take 5 mg of melatonin nightly but it wasnt working at all. The doctor told me because of my size (im petite-115lbs), I shouldnt take melatonin anymore with the nortriptyline because it would just be way to much for me. I am scared to take this new stuff though because its also an antidepressant and I am already taking one (300 mg Wellbutrin XL). But the one i currently take is to give me energy during the day since i have none. So now i am supposed to take both but I am not sure how they will react together. Does anyone have any experience with taking those two meds together?
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02-20-2012, 07:57 AM
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paige.elizabeth - that is interesting what your doctor said about the melatonin. I am a similar weight to you and my doctor said I could try it. I suppose every doctor is different and knows each patient's situation. I bought 1mg melatonin yesterday and will try it out tonight. Only got 2hrs of good sleep last night - yawn!
Regarding the Wellbutrin, I am not familiar with that. You might want to create a separate thread on that topic so it catches more people's attention. Hope you can get some answers.
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43 yr young female, suffered a mTBI with PCS August 2011 while playing ice hockey. Symptoms included dizziness, nausea, exertion headaches, trouble sleeping, fasciculations, sensitivity to light and noise, occasional numbness to extremities. |
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02-25-2012, 03:03 PM
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Just a quick update on the sleep situation. After getting about 6 hrs of sleep over the course of 3 days, I finally dipped into the melatonin. I was so desperate for sleep.
I took 2mg right before going to bed. I felt a little bit of drowsiness kick in and it was lights out.........but only for 2 hours. My eyes were wide open at 1am. Good grief. Thinking about trying 3mg tonight. Anyone know why doctors don't like to prescribe sleeping pills to head injury patients?
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43 yr young female, suffered a mTBI with PCS August 2011 while playing ice hockey. Symptoms included dizziness, nausea, exertion headaches, trouble sleeping, fasciculations, sensitivity to light and noise, occasional numbness to extremities. |
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02-25-2012, 07:01 PM
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I talked to my psychiatrist about melatonin. I am no longer on amitriptyline. He said it is most effective if taken consistently over a period of days as part of a larger effort at re-setting the internal clock. He also recommended exposing myself to light during daylight hours and turning off lights in the house as bedtime approaches. He said it's typically most beneficial to take it an hour or so before bed, not immediately before bedtime. I am taking 3 mg. And I'm still waking up in the night.
Hope you find something that works!
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mTBI and PCS after sledding accident 1-17-2011 Was experiencing: Persistent headaches, fatigue, slowed cognitive functions, depression Symptoms exacerbated by being in a crowd, watching TV, driving, other miscellaneous stress & sensory overload Sciatica/piriformis syndrome with numbness & loss of reflex Largely recovered after participating in Nedley Depression Recovery Program March 2012: . Eowyn Rides Again: My Journey Back from Concussion . |
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02-25-2012, 09:46 PM
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Quote:
thanks for your input. |
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Anyone mix nortriptyline and melatonin?
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