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Sleep meds & not sleeping; I think I'm headed for trouble
During prostate cancer treatment, the medication I had to take caused bad insomnia as a side effect. I'd go to bed at 11, not fall asleep until 1-2 AM and wake up at 4 AM.
I was prescribed Ambien by my oncology team. It worked--for about two months. So I figured I'd boost it a bit by taking 10 mg of Melatonin with it. That worked, again, for about two months.
So I added 300 mg of Gabapentin that my brother-in-law gave me because he pretty much has an unlimited prescription and doesn't take it. This worked for a couple months. So I doubled the Gabapentin to 600 mg.
Then, a couple months later, I added hydroxyzine a psych nurse practitioner prescribed me for anxiety and half an Ativan from my GP also for anxiety, which became a whole Ativan and now I'm taking five different meds to sleep and, while they work, I wake up feeling like I've been run over by a bus.
I've kind of dug myself into a hole and am not sure how to get out of it. I don't want to be taking so many drugs to sleep and I know they're not good for me in the long term. I know that most of them, other than Ativan, are not addictive but it sure feels like they are.
Anyone have any ideas on how to stop taking them AND be able to sleep? I'm afraid to even tell my GP I'm taking all of them especially the Gabapentin because I'm obtaining it in an unauthorized way.
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Magnesium glycinate gave me terrible nightmares and an awful taste in my mouth, so I’m now taking Magnesium Citrate. Was taking Magnesium oxide, but that seemed to cause a lot of gas and bloating. The Citrate seems helpful to my elimination system, but the L-Threonate seems to have some good benefits! Thx
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1 ReactionThis is an old thread so I thought I'd give an update.
I've weaned off all the sleep meds except 2 mg of Melatonin (down from 10) and 1 mg Ativan if I fall asleep and wake up at 1 or 2 AM and am not back to sleep within an hour. If it's after 3 AM when I wake up I just get up and deal with it. This happens about 2-3x a week so is not too bad.
One thing that hasn't worked is exercise. Everyone says exercise will help me sleep at night but I do A LOT of exercise most of the morning and it has no effect. Thanks for all the suggestions!
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1 ReactionSorry for all your suffering. I would strongly suggest you check online for an organization called “TaperClinic”. These people are professionals in helping you safely come off of som many meds. Psychiatrist hand out pills like popcorn. There are consequences in taking so many psychiatric drugs over time, namely physiological dependence. These people will help you unravel this web of drugs you are using. They are at least worth consulting with. They have been helping me come off of several drugs including the hideous benzos.
@azdesertgirl hi I’m new to this group and don’t know if there are doctors to chime in or not ! I’m also taking a magnesium supplement that has L theonine added and I’m on AlgarCal , a bone building supplement for osteopenia in my case , it also contains magnesium and I’m looking for guidance on how much and what type of magnesium would be a good dosage , I have insomnia as well and hope that the magnesium combo product can help! So, to recap, I take AlgaeCal plus and ageless magnesium with L Theonine by BioTrust ! Maybe someone can help shed some light on this ! Thank you !!
I took TemZapan after my prostate surger and got out of bed to per and had an orthostatic reaction and passed out to the floor and broke my neck. I have been suffering for 4 years now with neuropathy and my life will never be the same. I am 83 yrs old. Do not self medicate it can be fatal.
I too have sleep deprivation and tried every medication and combination. Soon you start taking medication to counteract the medication you took at night but it only makes you worse. I am tired of bouncing off the walls every day. Seek sleep specialist asap.
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Mets
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2 Reactions@nancypatton You obviously don't get/understand people who have real problems with sleep and/or anxiety. Be happy that you don't have severe issues with either, because it's debilitating their lives. Medications are very much needed for these people, and the meds HELP these people very much, once they find what works for them. And finding out what works for us, is usually a long, hard process. But worth it in the end to manage our anxiety and help us get the sleep we all so desperately need.
@cindisue
She didn’t discount meds. She said go to Dr and ask to see a specialist. Good advice to find professionals to prescribe meds
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1 Reaction@nancypatton Yours is the best solution. Talk with your primary. Taking medication advice from anyone other than a trusted medical professional is simply not smart. Or effective. And could be very dangerous.
you must talk to your doctor it all. my sleep doc ( I have sleep apnoea ) recommended magnesium complete for me you have to get professional help to sort out what is right for you. I so know what it is like to not sleep , some of mine is anxiety etc but not all
@leaddogy2k totally agree!!
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