hi to all,

I've been having problems sleeping since the doctor changed my meds. I was on Seroquel (for anger/rage) management. Now, I'm on Geodon and I just don't sleep well.

To add to everything, I'm sick. No, not in the head, well, yes in the head but I, also, have a terrible virus (possibly H1N1). I am being treated for infection and virus.

Normally, I sleep when I'm this sick!

Alan,
Are you out there???

Help!

Hey Lisa ,so sorry you are havng troubles

Thank you, Sven.

I'm hanging on!

Lisa, my insomnia appears to be permanent, a part of my disease progression. I get to sleep because of 400 mg. Seroquel at night. Otherwise, I just stay awake until sick with exhaustion.

Perhaps your prescribing MD might take your AD-caused insomnia into account, and d/c the Geodon, in favor of a more sedating medicine? Remember back in our working days, how some people had to be tried on one medication after another, taking months to find the best medicine? It sure feels different when we're the patient.

Hang in there, Lisa!! It's slow, painful work, getting meds right. But we need the best we can get, even if it is a pain in the brain.

Lisa and Alan,
Sorry to hear that you are not sleeping Lisa. As Alan said, it might take some time to get your meds correct but there will be a better formula. Get ahold of your doctor and have a new med. tried.

Dear Lisa,
I had overwhelming insomnia when I started Exelon patch, staying up until 6 am before I finally fell asleep exhausted. I almost stopped the medication but I stuck it out, and the overwhelming insomnia transitioned to the "normal" insomnia after about 2 weeks.

Even when I started taking Namenda I had terrible insomnia, although only until about 3 am this time. Again, after about 2 weeks the insomnia transitioned to my "normal" insomnia.

I take 1 mg of Lunesta along with 5 mg melatonin every night. I've had insomnia for many years. I use sleep hygiene measures, such as a warm bath, warm milk or tea, lower lights, soft music, anything to get to sleep.

Iris L.

Thank you all for your input.

I will discuss these ideas with my doctor!

Lisa

Try this hot totty....a shot of bourbon, tspn of honey in hot tea! Drink this once you've taken your meds....it seems to help me. It's not a "hurricane", but, it's soothing!

M

Hi to All,

I'm still not sleeping well. I switched from Geodon (couldn't afford it) to respiridal. Had problems with the respiridal and weaned off that too.

Does anyone take a sleeping pill? Is there one that actually works?

I do know that I feel better (have better days) when I've slept well.

What about you?

Hi Lisa,

When I hit a stretch where I can't sleep for several nights and keep waking up, I will take 5mg of Ambien (not sure what the generic equivalent is called).

Usually a couple nights of Ambien will reset my sleep cycle.

In the past I have used Tylenol PM but it really made me foggy for half a day and I certainly don't need more fogginess.

The Ambien for me doesn't have any lingering side effects for me when I wake up in the morning.

Thanks Cindy, I'll check with my doc!

Is that the plain Ambien of the long acting one?

Lisa,

It's the regular one, not the long-acting. My insurance doesn't cover the newer drug.

My doc told me if I wake up in the middle of the night to take another one. Have only done that a couple of times though.

Keep us posted.

Cindy

Thanks, I'll get it out!

Lisa if the Ambien does not work for you try Lunesta. I use 1 mg before bedtime. It comes in 1 mg and 2 mg tablets.

Iris L.

Thanks, Iris.

I'll check with my doctor.

Hi to All,

Saw my shrink yesterday. He's kind of a doot. Well, anyway, here's what we've decided. I'm weaning off the Lexapro to a generic prozac and he added generic depakote at bedtime.

We'll see what happens. He wasn't crazy about sleeping pills, so we'll see!!

I wanted generic drugs that don't cost a fortune and drugs that won't make me eat!!!!

Any input??