Sleep problem, anyone had a similar problem?

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#3286995 27-Sep-2024 13:20

Gurezaemon:

johno1234: Anyone tried melatonin?

I've found melatonin more useful in getting to sleep in the first place - my understanding of it is that it doesn't last that long in the body, so it might not be that effective for waking up in the middle of the night.

I understand that there are different types and strengths of melatonin which also vary the experience. Specifically in relation to the waking, I believe there are delayed release ones which are more effective for that.

Stu

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#3287001 27-Sep-2024 13:42

K8Toledo:
David321:

Hi all,

Before I see a doctor I wanted to check on here if anyone has had the same issue and found something that has helped them?

Its to do with sleep, and if its relevant, I'm male, and 36 years old, usually in bed just before 9pm and alarm goes off at 5.10am which would give me 8 hours sleep if I sleep start to finish (doesn't happen).

I know there are many different types of sleeping pills, but I have heard so many of them cause dependence? I am not to keen on getting dependent on meds to sleep.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos) such as Temazepam or Diazepam can cause dependence, however there are other non-Benzodiazepine meds available.

Someone mentioned taking Zopiclone (an antihstamine I believe?); I have a standing script for Quetiapine and used it for years without issue (other than rebound insomnia if not taken, which for me lasts ~6 days).

I think you'll find Zopiclone is actually a nonbenzodiazepine.

Quetiapine is listed as an atypical antipsychotic.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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#3287015 27-Sep-2024 14:19

K8Toledo:

Benzodiazepines (Benzos) such as Temazepam or Diazepam can cause dependence, however there are other non-Benzodiazepine meds available.

Someone mentioned taking Zopiclone (an antihstamine I believe?); I have a standing script for Quetiapine and used it for years without issue (other than rebound insomnia if not taken, which for me lasts ~6 days).

Zopiclone, a Z drug, has benzo like properties. It is quetiapine that works like an antihistamine at low doses.

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#3287018 27-Sep-2024 14:38

Stu:

I think you'll find Zopiclone is actually a nonbenzodiazepine.

I never said it was: "Zopiclone (an antihistamine I believe?)", however according to Google, Zopiclone is not an antihistamine either.....

Stu: Quetiapine is listed as an atypical antipsychotic.

Yep, and is commonly prescribed for insomnia. I'm reasonably sure I'm not Schizophrenic. :)

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#3287021 27-Sep-2024 14:52

I belong to the quetiapine for sleep club as well.

gzt

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#3287215 27-Sep-2024 22:47

Quetiapine has a scary writeup - https://www.ccjm.org/content/88/5/286

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#3287225 28-Sep-2024 07:06

gzt:

Quetiapine has a scary writeup - https://www.ccjm.org/content/88/5/286

Don't read it.

I take 1/4 to 1/2 x 12.5 mg. and no side effects. You do get rebound insomnia though.

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#3287257 28-Sep-2024 10:42

Spyware:

gzt:

Quetiapine has a scary writeup - https://www.ccjm.org/content/88/5/286

Don't read it.

I take 1/4 to 1/2 x 12.5 mg. and no side effects. You do get rebound insomnia though.

How long have you been taking it?

Just asking as I'm prescribed a much higher dose - no side effects either - (the nice man wearing a white coat said voices in my head are not side effects of the drug - so all good).

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#3287261 28-Sep-2024 10:52

K8Toledo:

How long have you been taking it?

Just asking as I'm prescribed a much higher dose - no side effects either - (the nice man wearing a white coat said voices in my head are not side effects of the drug - so all good).

14 months. I did stop taking for 11 days in November but went back to taking every night. Doctor prescribed 1 x 12.5 mg but I trimmed it down. Online study suggests higher doses needed for sleep but not true in my case.

K8Toledo

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#3287266 28-Sep-2024 11:34

Spyware:

K8Toledo:

How long have you been taking it?

Just asking as I'm prescribed a much higher dose - no side effects either - (the nice man wearing a white coat said voices in my head are not side effects of the drug - so all good).

14 months. I did stop taking for 11 days in November but went back to taking every night. Doctor prescribed 1 x 12.5 mg but I trimmed it down. Online study suggests higher doses needed for sleep but not true in my case.

I've taken it for 6 years, initial dose at 50mg, now prescribed 150mg (6x 25mg) but generally stay at 75mg (3x 25mg) to keep tolerance down.

I went up because 50mg only lasted ~4-5hrs, so was taking it in two doses. Now I find 75mg sees me through the night.

My GP was surprised to learn high dose is around 800mg or something...

I'm 5'10 and weigh ~78kg so def not obese.

I have taken Temazepam but stopped because tolerance kicked in after 7 days

gzt

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#3287287 28-Sep-2024 13:05

With disrupted sleep (frequent waking) partly due to unrelated medical issues I mentioned in an earlier post which took a while to diagnose...

I was prescribed Melatonin slow release for approximately 10 years. There is a gotcha with Melatonin prescriptions.

By the way - if your doctor writes "Melatonin" on your prescription some pharmacies will supply something generic and cheap (for them) which is supplied from some random FDA stickered industrial park supplier in the USA. That stuff is basically useless in my experience.

Ask your doctor to write Circadin or Vigisom. It is manufactured by Aspen Medical to a high standard. If you're under 55y/o as I am it is not subsidized. Cost is $20 at Chemist Warehouse, and up to $40 elsewhere believe it or not. It used to be more.

gzt

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#3287289 28-Sep-2024 13:18

Prior to starting the medical route and consulting a doctor I tried a variety of non-prescription sleep supplements...

Eventually (years long process lol) I figured out the ones with 5-HTP ingredient were the ones that worked for me. From there I went through a number of brands before finding something that worked well. The one I eventually settled on was/is made by Douglas to a high standard in New Zealand. It was earlier branded for sleep as I recall. Retails NZ$30-$60 depending on your pharmacy.

When I eventually consulted a doctor I was told 5-HTP metabolizes to Melatonin and that is probably why it worked for me. Makes sense.

gzt

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#3287290 28-Sep-2024 13:37

So anyway.. after approx 10 years of slow release Circadin which was a good incremental improvement over the previous situation..

I start thinking maybe I might be a little more drowsy in the morning that I would like and maybe I'm drinking too much coffee to compensate. I decide to talk to the doctor about it. I asked my doctor if there is anything else relatively mild I can try.

The doctor prescribed a couple of different things off-label. After a few weeks I settled on one called Amitriptyline at 10-20mg. This seems to keep me asleep through the night 90% of the time which is pretty good and not really any drowsy effect during the day. Apparently it is a tiny dose, it does the business for me anyway.

K8Toledo

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#3287292 28-Sep-2024 13:45

gzt:

Prior to starting the medical route and consulting a doctor I tried a variety of non-prescription sleep supplements...

Eventually (years long process lol) I figured out the ones with 5-HTP ingredient were the ones that worked for me. From there I went through a number of brands before finding something that worked well. The one I eventually settled on was/is made by Douglas to a high standard in New Zealand. It was earlier branded for sleep as I recall. Retails NZ$30-$60 depending on your pharmacy.

When I eventually consulted a doctor I was told 5-HTP metabolizes to Melatonin and that is probably why it worked for me.

5-HTP is the precursor to Serotonin, and is (or was) commonly used when preloading before or after dropping MDMA (according to an alien that touched down in my backyard a few years ago).

gzt

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#3287293 28-Sep-2024 13:48

To anyone reading this who is badly affected I'd like to say - get it seen to as soon as you can.

When a bad sleep pattern becomes established over a long period it doesn't really matter what the original reason might have been..

..it is very hard to shake when it is well established.

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