Thanks for the further information that you are looking to wean off of temazepam (restoril), @stulerner.
I'd like to introduce you to some Connect members who have mentioned this medication, like @china@kc9djn@hoagie6@linda66@jackieg for any input on a taper off of it and any ideas they may have about falling/staying asleep. @contentandwell @tuti@sleepy0@gaylea1 also may have some thoughts for you.
Are some of the side effects mentioned here your primary concern, or keeping this a short-term insomnia therapy, or something else? Has your doctor suggested a schedule for weaning off?
Thanks for the further information that you are looking to wean off of temazepam (restoril), @stulerner.
I'd like to introduce you to some Connect members who have mentioned this medication, like @china@kc9djn@hoagie6@linda66@jackieg for any input on a taper off of it and any ideas they may have about falling/staying asleep. @contentandwell @tuti@sleepy0@gaylea1 also may have some thoughts for you.
Are some of the side effects mentioned here your primary concern, or keeping this a short-term insomnia therapy, or something else? Has your doctor suggested a schedule for weaning off?
@lisalucier@stulerner I have taken lorazepam, but I get 10 pills a year from my PCP, of the lowest dose and only use them when my mind is really whirling around, such as when I have a very busy day the next day, or am traveling the next day. On a more regular basis I do use 3 mg of melatonin, but that too is only occasional and I'm not really sure that it helps. I also use, occasionally, a half of a Benadryl tablet. That definitely helps me to fall asleep but I think it's less restful sleep.
I have tried a lavender spray on my pillow, and one that is a facial spray but that has not helped. Maybe my sense of smell isn't good enough for it. I have also tried drinking chamomile tea before bed.
I try all of these things but the only two that I know for sure work are the lorazepam and the Benedryl. I use the others but often think they are not really helping, but I figure maybe falling asleep would be more difficult without them.
I hope you can find something that will help you, and if you do please let me know what it is. I really do not like taking lorazepam because it is habit forming so I would not want to take it regularly, and my PCP would not give it to me in a larger quantity because he is a gnat about drugs.
JK
I started taking Temazepam a year ago. But it is addicting. I am going to try tapering it off. I now take 25 mg, but that is only good for half the night.
I don't have trouble falling asleep, but stating asleep. I disoveredmy own technique for getting back to sleep. I take hot shower. As hot as I can stand it for about 1-2 minutes. I dry off in the shower so I don't get chilled. Then I go into my bedroom where I have a heavy tray robe,,so I don't have to spend too much time drying off. I get into bed and then put a small towel in my crotch (much faster than trying to dry it regular way. Climb into bed and make sure I'm covered with warm blankets. I don't know why this works but it does. I think CBTherapy is nothing more than self-hypnosis, which does not work. I read today being properly hydrated helps to get to sleep, but drink during the day so you don't have to get up much to pee. Good luck
@lisalucier@stulerner I have taken lorazepam, but I get 10 pills a year from my PCP, of the lowest dose and only use them when my mind is really whirling around, such as when I have a very busy day the next day, or am traveling the next day. On a more regular basis I do use 3 mg of melatonin, but that too is only occasional and I'm not really sure that it helps. I also use, occasionally, a half of a Benadryl tablet. That definitely helps me to fall asleep but I think it's less restful sleep.
I have tried a lavender spray on my pillow, and one that is a facial spray but that has not helped. Maybe my sense of smell isn't good enough for it. I have also tried drinking chamomile tea before bed.
I try all of these things but the only two that I know for sure work are the lorazepam and the Benedryl. I use the others but often think they are not really helping, but I figure maybe falling asleep would be more difficult without them.
I hope you can find something that will help you, and if you do please let me know what it is. I really do not like taking lorazepam because it is habit forming so I would not want to take it regularly, and my PCP would not give it to me in a larger quantity because he is a gnat about drugs.
JK
A caveat to my previous response - I took a half of a Benadryl last night because I was getting to bed a little late, close to midnight, and I really needed to sleep so I could get up and go to my 9:00 water aerobics class. Be cautious of taking Benadryl if you do not have a good 8 hours or more before you have to do anything. I got up, had my breakfast and was going to get ready to leave but I just realized I was too woozy to trust myself to drive to class. It's about 20 minutes away. Also, when I take Benadryl I do have a minor headache in the morning. It's not a bad headache, and it goes away, but it is there. I tend to be headache prone and used to be a migraine sufferer prior to menopause so that may not be an effect that everyone would have.
JK
I started taking Tamazepam (30 mg) following my cancer diagnosis and divorce and unfortunately have been on it for years. I eventually dropped down 22 mg; then down to 15 mg, was on 7.5 mg. for about a year, and am now down to about 3.5 mg. (I’m cutting the pills so it’s hard to know for sure).
What has worked for me— I noticed by mistake that sermons 😀 will “knock me out,” especially the Jewish ones. Chabad has a good app that is really helpful for me. Some podcasts also work and a coworkers swears by the “Calm” app. Music does NOT work for me..... I think there’s something about the tone/pitch of some voices because even if I wake-up during the night, just turning-on a sermon/specific podcast is usually enough.
Other previously provided suggestions also help— Meditation, morning exercise, hot showers, a bedtime snack, keeping the same bedtime routine and sleep-wake schedule, a cool bedroom, and perhaps even blue blocking glasses are supportive strategies, but those sermons have been the “game changer” for me.
Thanks for the further information that you are looking to wean off of temazepam (restoril), @stulerner.
I'd like to introduce you to some Connect members who have mentioned this medication, like @china@kc9djn@hoagie6@linda66@jackieg for any input on a taper off of it and any ideas they may have about falling/staying asleep. @contentandwell @tuti@sleepy0@gaylea1 also may have some thoughts for you.
Are some of the side effects mentioned here your primary concern, or keeping this a short-term insomnia therapy, or something else? Has your doctor suggested a schedule for weaning off?
i also had insomnia for 20 years, restoril stopped working well for me and i even take it with a 1 mg xanax ... i now take a new med Dayvigo no xanax needed.
It is the best i have ever used it knocks me out in about 15 mins and keeps asleep no sleep walking, eating etc... for reference in the past thru the years i have been on ambien CR, lunesta, elavil, trazadone --NONE of them worked like this. Theres no buzz or euphoria, just good sleep, by the way if you insurance its $200 no generics yet... but i did download a coupon for $50 off so it was $155..... ive had to many sleepless nights its worth the money.
@lisalucier@stulerner I have taken lorazepam, but I get 10 pills a year from my PCP, of the lowest dose and only use them when my mind is really whirling around, such as when I have a very busy day the next day, or am traveling the next day. On a more regular basis I do use 3 mg of melatonin, but that too is only occasional and I'm not really sure that it helps. I also use, occasionally, a half of a Benadryl tablet. That definitely helps me to fall asleep but I think it's less restful sleep.
I have tried a lavender spray on my pillow, and one that is a facial spray but that has not helped. Maybe my sense of smell isn't good enough for it. I have also tried drinking chamomile tea before bed.
I try all of these things but the only two that I know for sure work are the lorazepam and the Benedryl. I use the others but often think they are not really helping, but I figure maybe falling asleep would be more difficult without them.
I hope you can find something that will help you, and if you do please let me know what it is. I really do not like taking lorazepam because it is habit forming so I would not want to take it regularly, and my PCP would not give it to me in a larger quantity because he is a gnat about drugs.
JK
Hopefully you have found something to help you, i just posted below about a new med Dayvigo its the best sleep ive ever had in 20 yrs of different sleep meds...., my post below had detailed info..good luck !!
I started taking Tamazepam (30 mg) following my cancer diagnosis and divorce and unfortunately have been on it for years. I eventually dropped down 22 mg; then down to 15 mg, was on 7.5 mg. for about a year, and am now down to about 3.5 mg. (I’m cutting the pills so it’s hard to know for sure).
What has worked for me— I noticed by mistake that sermons 😀 will “knock me out,” especially the Jewish ones. Chabad has a good app that is really helpful for me. Some podcasts also work and a coworkers swears by the “Calm” app. Music does NOT work for me..... I think there’s something about the tone/pitch of some voices because even if I wake-up during the night, just turning-on a sermon/specific podcast is usually enough.
Other previously provided suggestions also help— Meditation, morning exercise, hot showers, a bedtime snack, keeping the same bedtime routine and sleep-wake schedule, a cool bedroom, and perhaps even blue blocking glasses are supportive strategies, but those sermons have been the “game changer” for me.
Hello @cherishlchaim and @sandollar, I would like to welcome you both to Connect. I see that you both have shared some good tips that help with insomnia, which is what Connect is all about - sharing your experience and learning what helps others.
Do you both mind sharing what you were searching for when you found Connect?
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Hi, @stulerner - just confirming what insomnia medication you are inquiring about weaning off?
Want to wean off Temazepam, altho it works. I'm looking for ideas anyone has about falling/staying asleep
Thanks for the further information that you are looking to wean off of temazepam (restoril), @stulerner.
I'd like to introduce you to some Connect members who have mentioned this medication, like @china @kc9djn @hoagie6 @linda66 @jackieg for any input on a taper off of it and any ideas they may have about falling/staying asleep. @contentandwell @tuti @sleepy0 @gaylea1 also may have some thoughts for you.
Here is some information Mayo Clinic provides on this medication https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/temazepam-oral-route/description/drg-20072162.
Are some of the side effects mentioned here your primary concern, or keeping this a short-term insomnia therapy, or something else? Has your doctor suggested a schedule for weaning off?
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1 Reaction@lisalucier @stulerner I have taken lorazepam, but I get 10 pills a year from my PCP, of the lowest dose and only use them when my mind is really whirling around, such as when I have a very busy day the next day, or am traveling the next day. On a more regular basis I do use 3 mg of melatonin, but that too is only occasional and I'm not really sure that it helps. I also use, occasionally, a half of a Benadryl tablet. That definitely helps me to fall asleep but I think it's less restful sleep.
I have tried a lavender spray on my pillow, and one that is a facial spray but that has not helped. Maybe my sense of smell isn't good enough for it. I have also tried drinking chamomile tea before bed.
I try all of these things but the only two that I know for sure work are the lorazepam and the Benedryl. I use the others but often think they are not really helping, but I figure maybe falling asleep would be more difficult without them.
I hope you can find something that will help you, and if you do please let me know what it is. I really do not like taking lorazepam because it is habit forming so I would not want to take it regularly, and my PCP would not give it to me in a larger quantity because he is a gnat about drugs.
JK
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI started taking Temazepam a year ago. But it is addicting. I am going to try tapering it off. I now take 25 mg, but that is only good for half the night.
I don't have trouble falling asleep, but stating asleep. I disoveredmy own technique for getting back to sleep. I take hot shower. As hot as I can stand it for about 1-2 minutes. I dry off in the shower so I don't get chilled. Then I go into my bedroom where I have a heavy tray robe,,so I don't have to spend too much time drying off. I get into bed and then put a small towel in my crotch (much faster than trying to dry it regular way. Climb into bed and make sure I'm covered with warm blankets. I don't know why this works but it does. I think CBTherapy is nothing more than self-hypnosis, which does not work. I read today being properly hydrated helps to get to sleep, but drink during the day so you don't have to get up much to pee. Good luck
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsA caveat to my previous response - I took a half of a Benadryl last night because I was getting to bed a little late, close to midnight, and I really needed to sleep so I could get up and go to my 9:00 water aerobics class. Be cautious of taking Benadryl if you do not have a good 8 hours or more before you have to do anything. I got up, had my breakfast and was going to get ready to leave but I just realized I was too woozy to trust myself to drive to class. It's about 20 minutes away. Also, when I take Benadryl I do have a minor headache in the morning. It's not a bad headache, and it goes away, but it is there. I tend to be headache prone and used to be a migraine sufferer prior to menopause so that may not be an effect that everyone would have.
JK
I started taking Tamazepam (30 mg) following my cancer diagnosis and divorce and unfortunately have been on it for years. I eventually dropped down 22 mg; then down to 15 mg, was on 7.5 mg. for about a year, and am now down to about 3.5 mg. (I’m cutting the pills so it’s hard to know for sure).
What has worked for me— I noticed by mistake that sermons 😀 will “knock me out,” especially the Jewish ones. Chabad has a good app that is really helpful for me. Some podcasts also work and a coworkers swears by the “Calm” app. Music does NOT work for me..... I think there’s something about the tone/pitch of some voices because even if I wake-up during the night, just turning-on a sermon/specific podcast is usually enough.
Other previously provided suggestions also help— Meditation, morning exercise, hot showers, a bedtime snack, keeping the same bedtime routine and sleep-wake schedule, a cool bedroom, and perhaps even blue blocking glasses are supportive strategies, but those sermons have been the “game changer” for me.
Good luck!!
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsi also had insomnia for 20 years, restoril stopped working well for me and i even take it with a 1 mg xanax ... i now take a new med Dayvigo no xanax needed.
It is the best i have ever used it knocks me out in about 15 mins and keeps asleep no sleep walking, eating etc... for reference in the past thru the years i have been on ambien CR, lunesta, elavil, trazadone --NONE of them worked like this. Theres no buzz or euphoria, just good sleep, by the way if you insurance its $200 no generics yet... but i did download a coupon for $50 off so it was $155..... ive had to many sleepless nights its worth the money.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHopefully you have found something to help you, i just posted below about a new med Dayvigo its the best sleep ive ever had in 20 yrs of different sleep meds...., my post below had detailed info..good luck !!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello @cherishlchaim and @sandollar, I would like to welcome you both to Connect. I see that you both have shared some good tips that help with insomnia, which is what Connect is all about - sharing your experience and learning what helps others.
Do you both mind sharing what you were searching for when you found Connect?
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Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions