Sleep Disorder problems.?!
Question: So I know I'm young but I was diagnosed as an insomniac because of a panic disorder, a couple of months ago. My doc was apprehensive to give me a prescription that would change my personality but turns out he did it anyway. First I was on Trazadone which was first medically introduced as an anti-depressant. But that caused a big drop in my blood pressure and caused a constant upset stomach. Then I was on Ambien CR which makes me have massive headaches, feel terrible in the mornings, and become irritable and cranky. I need a new prescription and advice from someone who has a had sleep disorder. I have a feeling the doctor might give me something useless again. help me...
Answers: So I know I'm young but I was diagnosed as an insomniac because of a panic disorder, a couple of months ago. My doc was apprehensive to give me a prescription that would change my personality but turns out he did it anyway. First I was on Trazadone which was first medically introduced as an anti-depressant. But that caused a big drop in my blood pressure and caused a constant upset stomach. Then I was on Ambien CR which makes me have massive headaches, feel terrible in the mornings, and become irritable and cranky. I need a new prescription and advice from someone who has a had sleep disorder. I have a feeling the doctor might give me something useless again. help me...
As Renny said, you'll likely continue to have sleep problems until you can address the substance of the panic disorder.
You wanted a suggestion for another drug though: Lunesta.
It's the only sleep medication that is approved for long term use. It does not cause dependency or habituation. If you take it regularly and then stop suddenly, the worst you should experience is one night of rebound insomnia.
Ambien (straight up, not CR) has always worked very well for me, but Lunesta would be my second choice. Trazodone just seems to make people feel icky and hung over and the older benzodiazepines are habit forming and don't work so well for getting you to sleep right away.
Talk to your doc about it, he might be interested in doing a sleep study but it sounds like he's more likely to just try a new drug.
You could also try taking a couple milligrams of melatonin or a dose of valerian root before bed. Both seem to help many people.
Also, are you familiar with the protocols of sleep hygiene? Only use the bed for sleep, if you can't sleep don't stay in bed for longer than 20 minutes or so, don't consume any caffeine after noon, etc. There are many elements to it and each can help. Sleep hygiene is a process of changing your habits to promote regular sleep. You can read about it on Wikipedia in more detail here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_hygie...
suggest a sleep study be done on you, that might find out why you have the insomnia. May be try a new Dr.
Lots of reasons for insomnia, ranging from sleep apnea to Bi Polar Disorder.
Try to find out, its very unhealthy not to sleep.
It could be as simple as changing your sleeping habits also.
It will pass. I went a long time in the same situation, no sleep. The meds make it worse I think. Until you figure out why you are having panic problems, the sleep problems will not go away. They are just trying to give you a fast fix with the pills, to help you sleep. But until your brain calms down, sleep problems will always be there. So don't panic, it will go away. Make sure to stop watching the news. It's important. Do calm things. It will help. I didn't have sleep problems until I tried to stop smoking. Of course I'm on Chantix for that. The pills are causing the sleep problems, that's why i'm up at 3:52 in the morning. But it's for a good cause.