For those who have tried medications... Please share

Hi everyone,

Wanted to find out which medications and supplements you have tried and what effect they have had.

I suffer with insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), binge eating and OCD

So here's my experiences;

. Tricyclic antidepressants (Trazodone & Amitriptyline) - increased RLS pain preventing my from sleeping

. Tramadol - Slightly decreased RLS pain but just couldn't sleep at all!

. Antihistamines (e.g. Nytol) - Slept like a log the first night but it massively increase my RLS pain preventing me from sleeping the following night!

. Zopiclone (Z-drugs) - unfortunately, exactly the same effect as the nytol

. Clonazepam (Benzo) - the only medication that puts me to sleep on a consistent basis. I am only able to handle a small dose (0.125 mg) as I experience chronic apathy if I go any higher. It does also slightly increase my RLS pain.

My plan is to take the benzo for now while making an effort to exercise daily and improve my diet. There was once a time when I didn't have a problem sleeping - I was exercising daily and not eating loads of junk food. I'm hoping that after some time, I will be able to discontinue the benzo.

I'm also thinking of trying clonidine as I heard it very good for RLS pain and inducing sleep. Not sure if my doc will prescribe it though as it's will be an off-label Rx.

BTW, I've tried loads of herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements. They've either had no affect, or have worsened my insomina or RLS Pain

Please share your experiences people

Ok, as far as benzodiazepines go, you might want to try triazolam (Halcion) as it is a sedative hypnotic. In addition to, and conjunction with you might also want to add 100 mg. quietapine (Seroquel). The Seroquel would be an off label use, but it is extremely good at keeping you asleep, with little or no side effects in the morning. If the Halcion is too short acting for you, switch it out for diazepam (Valium) as it is a long acting benzo with fewer side effects. BE CAREFUL with all benzodiazepines, as they are addictive when used long term, or abused. Stay away from the Xanax, as this is arguably the most addictive of the benzos. Make sure your doctor is aware of all other medications you are taking, and avoid grapefruit juice as it affects an enzyme responsible for breaking down the benzodiazepines (especially Valium), which could lead to a toxic buildup in your system. A psychiatrist is the best Dr. to obtain these medications from. Avoid using lemon scented furniture polish in your bedroom, as the lemon scent is a stimulant. Also, a cup of Chamomile tea can't hurt; drink it with your sleeping meds. Good Luck,

With all the emphasis on drug solutions, and even natural food/supplement ones I"m disturbed no one suggests the bleeding obvious (at least for men) - masturbation. When men masturbate (or have sex) and climax, the resolution period begins and we get drowsy. Nothing safer or better for overall health than masturbation. And if helps you get to sleep so much the better.

They ruined years of my life and got me labelled a dual diagnosis substance abuser.


This was my problem that got misdiagnosed as "mental illness".

Delayed sleep-phase disorder (DSPD), also known as delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS) or delayed sleep-phase type (DSPT), is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder affecting the timing of sleep, peak period of alertness, the core body temperature rhythm, hormonal and other daily rhythms, compared to the general population and relative to societal requirements. People with DSPD generally fall asleep some hours after midnight and have difficulty waking up in the morning...

ttempting to force oneself onto daytime society's schedule with DSPD has been compared to constantly living with 6 hours of jet lag; DSPD has, in fact, been referred to as "social jet lag".[12] Often people with DSPD manage only a few hours sleep a night during the working week, then compensate by sleeping until the afternoon on weekends. Sleeping in on weekends, and/or taking long naps during the day, may give people with DSPD relief from daytime sleepiness but may also perpetuate the late sleep phase.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sl ... e_disorder

If we're talking benzos I'm currently using temazepam. I've not been on it for too long but so far its proving to be quite helpful.

Calcium chewables at Costco. Eat 2 a day. One when you wake up and one when you sleep. Rub your legs/feet with vaseline or some kind of lotion right before you sleep. Also eat a good amount of plain yogurt before you sleep.

Try it and see what happens.

Copy_Cat wrote:They ruined years of my life and got me labelled a dual diagnosis substance abuser.


This was my problem that got misdiagnosed as "mental illness".

Delayed sleep-phase disorder (DSPD), also known as delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS) or delayed sleep-phase type (DSPT), is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder affecting the timing of sleep, peak period of alertness, the core body temperature rhythm, hormonal and other daily rhythms, compared to the general population and relative to societal requirements. People with DSPD generally fall asleep some hours after midnight and have difficulty waking up in the morning...

ttempting to force oneself onto daytime society's schedule with DSPD has been compared to constantly living with 6 hours of jet lag; DSPD has, in fact, been referred to as "social jet lag".[12] Often people with DSPD manage only a few hours sleep a night during the working week, then compensate by sleeping until the afternoon on weekends. Sleeping in on weekends, and/or taking long naps during the day, may give people with DSPD relief from daytime sleepiness but may also perpetuate the late sleep phase.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sl ... e_disorder

That sounds exactly like whats rong with me only i have depression or atleast thats what im being treated for, im on citalopram which is next to usless and amytriptaline to help me sleep, but if i take it all thetime it stops working, so i have to go without sleep for a week out of every mnth.

I am on clonazepam as well as Ambien time-release. The ambien really seems to help. I still cannot sleep until well after midnight but I keep myself busy by writing, reading, and learning Dutch. Clonazepam does not make me sleepy at all. I am on it because I am trying to go off benzos completely. Anyway, Ambien has really helped me.