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New Research on Sleep Medications in Women
Why Sleep?
In the HABIT program, one of our topics is addressing sleep quality because of the importance of quality sleep on daily cognitive function. We discuss identifying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea (you can see our posts here and here about addressing sleep apnea and adjusting to CPAP therapy). But one of the biggest issues is really sleep disturbance (e.g., trouble staying asleep) rather than a medical sleep disorder. It is common for medical providers to provide prescription medication to help with sleep disturbances, which have been shown to have short-term sleep benefits. However, some patients end up on sleep medications on more of a long term basis. There is new research suggesting that sleep medications may not be as effective in the long term.
The Research:
The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) is a long-term cohort study of a diverse sample women living in the USA. From this sample, the researchers compared the self-rated sleep quality of middle aged women who started a prescription sleep medication to that of another group of middle aged women who did not start a sleep medication. At the start of the study, each group reported similar sleep ratings. After 1 year and 2 years the sleep ratings for medication users were not improved and remained similar to the non-medication group. You can read the full study here if you wish. In this news release on the research, a Neurologist working in a Sleep Disorders Center was quoted, "The problem with using medication to control insomnia symptoms is it provides patients with some relief but the sleep they get on medication is more sedation than sleep."
The Conclusions:
With these results suggesting the lack of long term benefit of prescription sleep medications on sleep quality in middle aged women and the fact that these medications can have side effects (cognitive being one class of side effects), we'd encourage you to discuss your sleep prescription use with your physician to see if you have other options. We've discussed healthy sleep HABITs in this blog before and that may be a start, but habits for healthy sleep can take some time to develop if there is significant insomnia present. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) with a trained provider may be an important part of a sleep treatment plan with your physician. To search for a provider, one option is Psychology Today, an online resource with detailed listings for professionals in the US.
We hope this might stimulate a discussion with your physician about sleep and sleep medications and get you on your way to better quality sleep--for your brain health, your emotional health, and your physical health!
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You just described my sleep issues. I just can’t shut off - I usually see 3am. I take 2.5mg of Ambien an hour after .5mg of Ativan. I’d sure love to stop the Ambien. I am going to start 5mg Indica gummies to see if that helps. Just turned 70, female, married, grown kids, pets, friends, warm religious community. But I have always had anxiety issues, and I’m a minor league hypochondriac. Hope there’s a solution for us, Margreet!
Hi dwc, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
You may also wish to follow the group on Mayo Clinic Connect dedicated to Sleep Health.
– Sleep Health Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/
See all groups in the Group Directory https://connect.mayoclinic.org/groups/
I’ve been on Serequel/ quantipine for 12 yrs. By a psychiatrist at a hospital due to severe sleep issues. I was out on clonazepam 2ng. And 25 mg. Serequel and never had a med since 2016. I researched Serequel as my life changed after being on it . I was dumb , didn’t laugh , wasn’t me anymore, no joy. I realized how bad this medication is especially for the length of time I’ve been on it. No dr. Knows how to get me off safely , they just put me on and let me go! I want my life back but I can’t find “ anyone” to help me get off of this nightmare of a medication . A 25 mg. Tablet is the size of a lentil. To small to cut crush, how to deal with the serotonin/ dopamine issues as well ! I need to find someone who can guide me through this and monitor my brain to see if the damage is permanent? I need help please ! I can’t find anyone ( my primary has no clue, nor due psychiatrists! ) what do I due?
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1 ReactionGood afternoon @emo123, Welcome to Connect. It seems to me that someone in our large member group will have more helpful information than I do. However, this was something I observed with my granddaughter. She succumbed to the perils of OCD at the age of 14 after many years of an abusive parental environment. Seroquel had been the first medication given to her when she was diagnosed. She was then admitted to Roger's Behavioral Center in Wisconsin for six weeks..
She is now 23.......and has gingerly begun to re-enter the world without Seroquel. I would say that her OCD life has been difficult. She was unable to stay in college and could not hold a job. Things are better now and she has a great entry-level part-time job with a community theater. We are holding out hope for the life that she deserves.
So....that is shat she encountered after about 10 years of Seroquel. The folks at Rogers may be able to help you with the research on Seroquel. Good luck to you.
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris
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2 ReactionsHi @emo123, I'd like to add my welcome. You will find a great group of people helping each other with tapering off quetiapine (Seroquel) safely and supporting each other along the way in this discussion:
- Getting off of Seroquel https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-off-of-seroquel/
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