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Lunesta for Sleep. Anyone With Experience With It?
In the never-ending quest to overcome the sleep disturbances that have been with me since I was prescribed Venlafaxine (I've been off Venlafaxine for three months), my provider has proscribed Lunesta.
I hate taking more medication. But I need to sleep. It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to treat depression and anxiety if I'm not sleeping.
I'm going to give it a shot. I'm curious if anyone else has been on it.
Mirtazapine did not help me at all.
Thank you, for your comments.
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@dwheels8, hi, I’m sorry that you’re going through such a difficult time with the Ativan, you shouldn’t have to suffer like this especially at your age, I too have and am going through the same thing and it’s a heavy burden to deal with. I recently started on a new antidepressant to give me some added strength but now this medication is giving me other problems, you can’t win for trying but we don’t have much choice anymore…I never had any issues with Ativan and have been taking it for about 23 years, I never let my dose increase and it still works better than all the other newer drugs they allow us to use. I don’t want to promote this drug because like all medications they have a dark side, sadly we need some of them to survive but I believe it’s gotten out of control, some doctors call it a trade off, they help with one issue and create another. I think you’re doing very good and you’re off them now, it’s just the last stage you’re dealing with and keep on doing what you’ve been working so hard to get through, try not to get discouraged about sleeping poorly, read a book or watch some television to divert your mind from it and you will be just fine, you’re a rockstar and keep on rocking. all the best to you, Frouke.
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3 ReactionsThank you. Just wanted to let you know that you it wasn’t my PCP who wanted me off Ativan. I’d heard so many negative stories about it I thought I too needed off of it. It’s not like I’m in my 30’s or 40’s. I won’t be on it for many years.
I am really considering getting back on it at maybe a .25 mg once a day.
Will be speaking with PCP
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3 ReactionsI mean, in my opinion, your peace of mind is more important that whether you take a small amount of Ativan that you’re not abusing. Why rock the boat? Withdrawal from benzos is a huge undertaking, uncomfortable to say the least
I feel like your sleep is more important than getting of a med just because it has a bad rep.
My mom is 83 and takes ambien at night. It helps. Yeah you can build up a tolerance and it can be addictive. But it works. Her doc kinda said well you’re dependent on it but (kinda) who cares? (I’m saying this with half a smile- I don’t want it to sound harsh!)
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2 ReactionsThat's too bad that you are having trouble sleeping. That must be awful! Instead of medication, have you considered taking a nice hot shower or bath and then drinking a really warm cup of cocoa? That works for me. Also prayer helps. Tell God your problem. He can fix it and will if you just ask. I will say a prayer for you too. God bless you!
PML
Thank you.
I do take a warm epson salt bath.
And pray a lot.
Thank you for your caring and prayers.
Blessings.
Why are you taking yourself off Ativan? If the dosage is on the low side, then the risk of getting hooked on it is much lower and not worrisome. But anyway -- I tried Lunesta and it was very effective, but it had a side effect for me , which was being a bitter taste in my mouth all morning. You could try some OTC meds if your doctor is OK with them, like either 5 mg of melatonin just before bedtime, and/or an antihistamine sleep aid sold by Costco - doxylamine succinate (named "Sleep Aid" (start with 1/2 tab). If you have anxiety the you could still stay on a benzo, like the longer acting clonazepam. I've been on 2 mg of that before bedtime for many years without issues. I've gone off of it for a few days at a time, and there was no side effect other than my GAD anxiety creeping back up after 2 days or so.
Thank you for your reply.
I took myself off Ativan because of all the negative comments I read on internet. Silly me.
I have an appointment with PCP in a few days. I think I will tell him I want to stay on Ativan.
Took less than .25 the last two nights and slept great.
I appreciate your comments.
Blessings.
Has anyone that has taken Lunesta had any of the bad side affects that are stated as possible?
As stated before I have slowly tapered off .5 mg of Ativan.
Dr prescribed hydroxyzine for sleep. Didn’t work. Made me extremely anxious. Now wants me to try Lunesta. ????
I’m about ready to go back to Ativan. 2-3.hours of sleep is not working for me.
That is such a small dose of Ativan. If it works go for it!
I am really considering going back on it. At my age…82 what difference will it make?
Thanks for your comment.