Ambien and Insomnia

B

benthyrdeeders

Guest
I too suffer from insomnia and it's been a real problem for me, especially when hospitalized. I tried Ambien, Lunesta and Ativan...all expensive and with no long lasting results. I now take Lorazapam (2mg)and it works well. Not 100%, but enough so that I can get 6 solid hours of sleep if I plan ahead. This drug isn't covered by my insurance, but only costs $15. It's been around for years and years and thats probably why it wasn't the first one I was given....don't even get me started on the politics of drug dispersal. My pharmacist told me not to continue with Lunesta because of the cost and Ambien/AmbienCR are similar...way too expensive. He suggested this and WOW...what a difference.
Sleep disorder can have many, many causes, but it needs to be taken seriously.

45yof w/CF ddF508
 
B

benthyrdeeders

Guest
I too suffer from insomnia and it's been a real problem for me, especially when hospitalized. I tried Ambien, Lunesta and Ativan...all expensive and with no long lasting results. I now take Lorazapam (2mg)and it works well. Not 100%, but enough so that I can get 6 solid hours of sleep if I plan ahead. This drug isn't covered by my insurance, but only costs $15. It's been around for years and years and thats probably why it wasn't the first one I was given....don't even get me started on the politics of drug dispersal. My pharmacist told me not to continue with Lunesta because of the cost and Ambien/AmbienCR are similar...way too expensive. He suggested this and WOW...what a difference.
Sleep disorder can have many, many causes, but it needs to be taken seriously.

45yof w/CF ddF508
 
B

benthyrdeeders

Guest
I too suffer from insomnia and it's been a real problem for me, especially when hospitalized. I tried Ambien, Lunesta and Ativan...all expensive and with no long lasting results. I now take Lorazapam (2mg)and it works well. Not 100%, but enough so that I can get 6 solid hours of sleep if I plan ahead. This drug isn't covered by my insurance, but only costs $15. It's been around for years and years and thats probably why it wasn't the first one I was given....don't even get me started on the politics of drug dispersal. My pharmacist told me not to continue with Lunesta because of the cost and Ambien/AmbienCR are similar...way too expensive. He suggested this and WOW...what a difference.
Sleep disorder can have many, many causes, but it needs to be taken seriously.

45yof w/CF ddF508
 
B

benthyrdeeders

Guest
I too suffer from insomnia and it's been a real problem for me, especially when hospitalized. I tried Ambien, Lunesta and Ativan...all expensive and with no long lasting results. I now take Lorazapam (2mg)and it works well. Not 100%, but enough so that I can get 6 solid hours of sleep if I plan ahead. This drug isn't covered by my insurance, but only costs $15. It's been around for years and years and thats probably why it wasn't the first one I was given....don't even get me started on the politics of drug dispersal. My pharmacist told me not to continue with Lunesta because of the cost and Ambien/AmbienCR are similar...way too expensive. He suggested this and WOW...what a difference.
Sleep disorder can have many, many causes, but it needs to be taken seriously.

45yof w/CF ddF508
 
B

benthyrdeeders

Guest
I too suffer from insomnia and it's been a real problem for me, especially when hospitalized. I tried Ambien, Lunesta and Ativan...all expensive and with no long lasting results. I now take Lorazapam (2mg)and it works well. Not 100%, but enough so that I can get 6 solid hours of sleep if I plan ahead. This drug isn't covered by my insurance, but only costs $15. It's been around for years and years and thats probably why it wasn't the first one I was given....don't even get me started on the politics of drug dispersal. My pharmacist told me not to continue with Lunesta because of the cost and Ambien/AmbienCR are similar...way too expensive. He suggested this and WOW...what a difference.
<br />Sleep disorder can have many, many causes, but it needs to be taken seriously.
<br />
<br />45yof w/CF ddF508
 
J

jdubbs

New member
In my opinion, I think you're better off avoiding benzodiazepines if possible. Benzos include ativan (which is the same as lorazepam), xanax (alprazolam), etc. Benzos lead to rebound anxiety if taken on a regular basis. So, if you can get by with something like trazadone, seroquel, or ambien/lunesta, I would try that first. I'm not saying the other meds don't have a place, but unless you need them for anxiety, I wouldn't take them for a sleep disorder. These are all serious medications. I'd recommend getting them through a psychiatrist if you can, as opposed to a PCP. A psychiatrist can better monitor you.
 
J

jdubbs

New member
In my opinion, I think you're better off avoiding benzodiazepines if possible. Benzos include ativan (which is the same as lorazepam), xanax (alprazolam), etc. Benzos lead to rebound anxiety if taken on a regular basis. So, if you can get by with something like trazadone, seroquel, or ambien/lunesta, I would try that first. I'm not saying the other meds don't have a place, but unless you need them for anxiety, I wouldn't take them for a sleep disorder. These are all serious medications. I'd recommend getting them through a psychiatrist if you can, as opposed to a PCP. A psychiatrist can better monitor you.
 
J

jdubbs

New member
In my opinion, I think you're better off avoiding benzodiazepines if possible. Benzos include ativan (which is the same as lorazepam), xanax (alprazolam), etc. Benzos lead to rebound anxiety if taken on a regular basis. So, if you can get by with something like trazadone, seroquel, or ambien/lunesta, I would try that first. I'm not saying the other meds don't have a place, but unless you need them for anxiety, I wouldn't take them for a sleep disorder. These are all serious medications. I'd recommend getting them through a psychiatrist if you can, as opposed to a PCP. A psychiatrist can better monitor you.
 
J

jdubbs

New member
In my opinion, I think you're better off avoiding benzodiazepines if possible. Benzos include ativan (which is the same as lorazepam), xanax (alprazolam), etc. Benzos lead to rebound anxiety if taken on a regular basis. So, if you can get by with something like trazadone, seroquel, or ambien/lunesta, I would try that first. I'm not saying the other meds don't have a place, but unless you need them for anxiety, I wouldn't take them for a sleep disorder. These are all serious medications. I'd recommend getting them through a psychiatrist if you can, as opposed to a PCP. A psychiatrist can better monitor you.
 
J

jdubbs

New member
In my opinion, I think you're better off avoiding benzodiazepines if possible. Benzos include ativan (which is the same as lorazepam), xanax (alprazolam), etc. Benzos lead to rebound anxiety if taken on a regular basis. So, if you can get by with something like trazadone, seroquel, or ambien/lunesta, I would try that first. I'm not saying the other meds don't have a place, but unless you need them for anxiety, I wouldn't take them for a sleep disorder. These are all serious medications. I'd recommend getting them through a psychiatrist if you can, as opposed to a PCP. A psychiatrist can better monitor you.
 
H

Havoc

New member
For all intents and purposes Ambien is a benzodiazepine, and will cause revound insomnia and anxiety if taken long enough. In fact, due to it's very short half life, the rebound will be worse that mid-range benzos like temazepam or valium.

I have been medicating myself to sleep for about 8 years now. My sleep specialist and I rotate back and forth between ambien and a longer acting benzo like valium depending on how my sleep quality is. If I'm having a lot of daytime grogginess we go with a shorter acting medication and if I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep we switch to a longer acting benzo.

As a general rule, if you start treating insomnia on a nightly basis, you will likely be on medication the rest of your life, as it is extremely difficult to stop. Having said that, sleep is very important and given the choice, I chose to sleep well.

Good luck
 
H

Havoc

New member
For all intents and purposes Ambien is a benzodiazepine, and will cause revound insomnia and anxiety if taken long enough. In fact, due to it's very short half life, the rebound will be worse that mid-range benzos like temazepam or valium.

I have been medicating myself to sleep for about 8 years now. My sleep specialist and I rotate back and forth between ambien and a longer acting benzo like valium depending on how my sleep quality is. If I'm having a lot of daytime grogginess we go with a shorter acting medication and if I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep we switch to a longer acting benzo.

As a general rule, if you start treating insomnia on a nightly basis, you will likely be on medication the rest of your life, as it is extremely difficult to stop. Having said that, sleep is very important and given the choice, I chose to sleep well.

Good luck
 
H

Havoc

New member
For all intents and purposes Ambien is a benzodiazepine, and will cause revound insomnia and anxiety if taken long enough. In fact, due to it's very short half life, the rebound will be worse that mid-range benzos like temazepam or valium.

I have been medicating myself to sleep for about 8 years now. My sleep specialist and I rotate back and forth between ambien and a longer acting benzo like valium depending on how my sleep quality is. If I'm having a lot of daytime grogginess we go with a shorter acting medication and if I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep we switch to a longer acting benzo.

As a general rule, if you start treating insomnia on a nightly basis, you will likely be on medication the rest of your life, as it is extremely difficult to stop. Having said that, sleep is very important and given the choice, I chose to sleep well.

Good luck
 
H

Havoc

New member
For all intents and purposes Ambien is a benzodiazepine, and will cause revound insomnia and anxiety if taken long enough. In fact, due to it's very short half life, the rebound will be worse that mid-range benzos like temazepam or valium.

I have been medicating myself to sleep for about 8 years now. My sleep specialist and I rotate back and forth between ambien and a longer acting benzo like valium depending on how my sleep quality is. If I'm having a lot of daytime grogginess we go with a shorter acting medication and if I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep we switch to a longer acting benzo.

As a general rule, if you start treating insomnia on a nightly basis, you will likely be on medication the rest of your life, as it is extremely difficult to stop. Having said that, sleep is very important and given the choice, I chose to sleep well.

Good luck
 
H

Havoc

New member
For all intents and purposes Ambien is a benzodiazepine, and will cause revound insomnia and anxiety if taken long enough. In fact, due to it's very short half life, the rebound will be worse that mid-range benzos like temazepam or valium.
<br />
<br />I have been medicating myself to sleep for about 8 years now. My sleep specialist and I rotate back and forth between ambien and a longer acting benzo like valium depending on how my sleep quality is. If I'm having a lot of daytime grogginess we go with a shorter acting medication and if I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep we switch to a longer acting benzo.
<br />
<br />As a general rule, if you start treating insomnia on a nightly basis, you will likely be on medication the rest of your life, as it is extremely difficult to stop. Having said that, sleep is very important and given the choice, I chose to sleep well.
<br />
<br />Good luck
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I don't know much about sleep disorders but I'm going to throw a little twist in here, being the nutty oddball that I am...

Valerian is a natural herb that is as effective as Valium but is nonaddictive. It's like benzodiazepine drugs in that it puts you to sleep without a morning hangover, interaction with Alcohol or any addiction risks. Research has shown that it not only helps you fall asleep faster, but improves the quality of sleep.

The only addictive risks are if YOU mentally convince yourself you can't sleep without it.
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I don't know much about sleep disorders but I'm going to throw a little twist in here, being the nutty oddball that I am...

Valerian is a natural herb that is as effective as Valium but is nonaddictive. It's like benzodiazepine drugs in that it puts you to sleep without a morning hangover, interaction with Alcohol or any addiction risks. Research has shown that it not only helps you fall asleep faster, but improves the quality of sleep.

The only addictive risks are if YOU mentally convince yourself you can't sleep without it.
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I don't know much about sleep disorders but I'm going to throw a little twist in here, being the nutty oddball that I am...

Valerian is a natural herb that is as effective as Valium but is nonaddictive. It's like benzodiazepine drugs in that it puts you to sleep without a morning hangover, interaction with Alcohol or any addiction risks. Research has shown that it not only helps you fall asleep faster, but improves the quality of sleep.

The only addictive risks are if YOU mentally convince yourself you can't sleep without it.
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I don't know much about sleep disorders but I'm going to throw a little twist in here, being the nutty oddball that I am...

Valerian is a natural herb that is as effective as Valium but is nonaddictive. It's like benzodiazepine drugs in that it puts you to sleep without a morning hangover, interaction with Alcohol or any addiction risks. Research has shown that it not only helps you fall asleep faster, but improves the quality of sleep.

The only addictive risks are if YOU mentally convince yourself you can't sleep without it.
 
L

Lance2020x

New member
I don't know much about sleep disorders but I'm going to throw a little twist in here, being the nutty oddball that I am...
<br />
<br />Valerian is a natural herb that is as effective as Valium but is nonaddictive. It's like benzodiazepine drugs in that it puts you to sleep without a morning hangover, interaction with Alcohol or any addiction risks. Research has shown that it not only helps you fall asleep faster, but improves the quality of sleep.
<br />
<br />The only addictive risks are if YOU mentally convince yourself you can't sleep without it.
 
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