Insomnia: Trying to wean of temazepam (restoril)

Is anybody works or knows about vitamin deficiency and sleep issues including insomnia? Thanks

@enpool54, Here's an article that discusses vitamin deficiencies and insomnia that might help answer your questions.

-- 5 Ways That Vitamin Deficiencies Can Impact Your Sleep
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201905/5-ways-vitamin-deficiencies-can-impact-your-sleep

Hi John and thanks for the information. Points are well taken and they are very helpful. My follow up question is that how health industry tests for vitamin deficiencies? Is there blood test or other methods that is used to measure the vitamins and their deficiencies? Thanks again

Hi Colleen,
Thanks for helping me find the most appropriate group. I do have a GP that has helped some with tapering. Most of his suggestions are a little more aggressive so I’ve had to make adjustments that work for me. I came off Mirtazapine 30 mg after 3+ years 2(15mg) at bedtime. I reduced by 1/8 every three to four weeks. I had very mild side effects. I waited a month and then started tapering Venlafaxine. I’ve been weighing beads and placing in new capsules. Reducing 1/10 every two weeks. I’m 60% into this schedule and should be finished in December if everything goes well. That brings me to my main question…. Should I proceed with my 10% reduction every two to four weeks? I guess this capsule is a powder and not beads. I haven’t opened one yet. Will that be more difficult to manage? I’ve heard that this can be very difficult to taper. My plan is to reduce to 7.5 mg from present 15 mg dose and level off for few weeks. Check progress with sleep. I’ve read that this dose is more appropriate for my age (76). I would like to reduce dose to “zero”. I would appreciate input from those that have experienced this journey before me. Is this benzodiazepine more difficult to taper than the other two antidepressants that I was on? Will it take longer? More intense withdrawal? So far I’ve done well avoiding side effects. May experience more as I approach end of Venlafaxine…. Mike

Hi Colleen,
Thanks for moving my question to appropriate group. I made an error in my post… it should have read…. That brings me to my main question…. Should I proceed with my 10% reduction every two to four weeks with “TEMAZAPINE”? I guess this capsule is a powder and not beads. I haven’t opened one yet. Will that be more difficult to manage? I’ve heard that this can be very difficult to taper. My plan is to reduce to 7.5 mg from present 15 mg dose and level off for few weeks. Check progress with sleep. I’ve read that this dose is more appropriate for my age (76). I would like to reduce dose to “zero”. I would appreciate input from those that have experienced this journey before me. Is this benzodiazepine more difficult to taper than the other two antidepressants that I was on? Will it take longer? More intense withdrawal? So far I’ve done well avoiding side effects. May experience more as I approach end of Venlafaxine…. Mike
(So far I’m down to 2.4 mg with Venlafaxine as of 12-13-22). What dose is a good jumping off point ?

Yes, I do have a GP that is aware of my tapering on my own. I see him every six months for regular check ups.

I tapered off of restoril. I bought gelatin caps and filled them with half of the powder I shook out of the restoril caps. I shook the powder into a piece of wax paper which made it easy to divide and to roll into a type of funnel to fill the pills. It worked. But I went on to other sleeping pills. I’ve had insomnia since I was 12. I’m now 72.

Hi, I’ve been on 15 Temazepam mg for about three years for sleep. I would like to taper down to 7.5 mg and hold to see how I tolerate the reduction. I’m 75 years old and that is supposed to be the recommended dosage for my age. If I can sleep OK at that point I would like to taper off this benzodiazepine entirely.. I just finished tapering from 30 mg mirtazapine and am halfway through tapering from 37.5 mg of venlafaxine. I would start the Temazepine taper after venlafaxine taper is completed and stabilized. Any advise on the Temazepam tapering would be appreciated.