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Klonopin & Gabapentin for sleep
Hi, I am 78, almost 79 & have been taking klonopin, .5 - 1mg for almost 30 yrs. Now it isn’t working so well, so Dr added gabapentin, 2-300mg.
It is working, but I understand the dependence w/ klonopin & in the past have tried to quit, but it has been too hard. Just would like to hear from others if anyone else is taking both of these meds, & what people think about their safety.
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I've had 2 sleep studies at the same clinic. Both diagnoses were "severe sleep apnea" and he suggested a CPAP. I stopped using it because it seemed to make no difference upon waking but made it even harder to get to sleep. But my son and my roommate say they couldn't possibly do without the CPAP.
Am not familar with the meds you mentioned. Due to all the comments re: addiction, I guess I will not look into either. Thanks for educating me. I just turned 70
I take clonazepam 2 mg before bedtime, and it has worked wonders for me. No cognitive decline, no other issues. I need for anxiety and sleep. I also take melatonin, 5 mg before bedtime, and 200 mg of gabapentin. You are at such a low dose of Clonazepam, don't worry. The doctor s are just covering their asses. If you need an additional OTC sleep med, try the Sleep Aid that Costco offers which is doxylamine succinate. It works great, but start slowly with one quarter or one-half tablet, so you don't have a hangover in the AM. Slowly, you will get accustomed to taking a full tablet before bedtime without carryover effects into the AM. Good luck! (They always add these caveats. ....."side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination." ) I'd say, ignore them, they love to use them as warnings for the very few people who ever experience them. If you could get your doctor to prescribe Ambien (Zolpidem tartrate), that's good for sleep too.