1. < Sleep Health

No sleep or sleep meds

Posted by cherawgirl @cherawgirl, Sep 15, 2023

I have been unable to sleep since stopping Ambien (5 months ago) and Ativan(2 months ago). I have not slept for over 2 hours a night. I understand I supposedly have rebound insomnia, however I have had a sleep problem since I was very young. I have researched this question on the web but only found answers that sleep aids ARE BAD!

My question is: What is worse? No sleep or sleep using sleep meds?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

gramps | @gramps | Nov 2, 2023
In reply to @cherawgirl "UPDATE: Finally got in to see Dr. yesterday about insomnia AGAIN. Told her I quit taking..." + (show)
@cherawgirl

UPDATE: Finally got in to see Dr. yesterday about insomnia AGAIN. Told her I quit taking Ambien and Ativan but that I haven't slept in 3 months. She emphatically said you must sleep, even if you have to take sleep meds to do so. She was impressed with the amount of research I had done into the various med options and that I had tried as hard as I did to quit all sleep meds. I had narrowed down my list to either Lunesta or Silenor. She said lets try Lunesta first then go from there. Last night I took 2 mg of Lunesta and stayed awake all night. Saw every hour on the clock. I SO bummed, but will continue for the 30 days of supply. What's funny is my Apply Watch sleep app shows I was awake only 28 mins. I think that's bull**** cause today I feel like crap.

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In addition, regarding your Apple Watch - I have a Garmin band that shows my sleep. I've stopped using it because it often shows me as having been asleep when I was lying wide awake. There's also something they call a "body battery" which is supposed to reflect my energy. Total cr*p.
In my opinion the only thing the watch is good for is measuring steps - maybe. Sometimes it shows that I climbed tons of steps. Know when? After I ride the escalator in the mall!

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cherawgirl | @cherawgirl | Nov 2, 2023
In reply to @gramps "In addition, regarding your Apple Watch - I have a Garmin band that shows my sleep...." + (show)
@gramps

In addition, regarding your Apple Watch - I have a Garmin band that shows my sleep. I've stopped using it because it often shows me as having been asleep when I was lying wide awake. There's also something they call a "body battery" which is supposed to reflect my energy. Total cr*p.
In my opinion the only thing the watch is good for is measuring steps - maybe. Sometimes it shows that I climbed tons of steps. Know when? After I ride the escalator in the mall!

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The Apple Watch does great for workouts, etc. And my Garmin golf watch works well too. The review by a science guy on utube gave the sleep function an 87% good rating after extensive testing comparing it to the one they wear on the head in sleep clinics, but I still have to second guess it. The main thing I question is it records time awake sometimes as "core" sleep, which is same as light sleep.

That's really funny it thinks the escalator is steps but I kinda get it.

Second night on Lunesta another fail, but last night (3rd night) with turning off iPad 30 mins before, drinking Sleepytime tea with honey, meditating a few minutes then taking Lunesta worked better. Slept about 6 hours. Maybe because I was so exhausted my brain gave up.

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gramps | @gramps | Nov 2, 2023

I guess there's a reason Apple products are expensive. My Garmin band was a gift from my employer - looks like they chose the cheapest model.

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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Nov 2, 2023
In reply to @rubyredsky "I too take lorazepam for sleep. Works great most evening but sometimes not at all. Wondering..." + (show)
@rubyredsky

I too take lorazepam for sleep. Works great most evening but sometimes not at all. Wondering if I am starting to develop a tolerance to this drug. 1.0 mg worked for a long while but now I am finding that I need 1.5 mg. May I ask how many mg you are taking?

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I was taking .5 mg lorazepam for sleep and it eventually stopped working. I did not want to continue to increase the dose so I weaned off it

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2 replies
rubyredsky | @rubyredsky | Nov 2, 2023
In reply to @kawanhee "I was taking .5 mg lorazepam for sleep and it eventually stopped working. I did not..." + (show)
@kawanhee

I was taking .5 mg lorazepam for sleep and it eventually stopped working. I did not want to continue to increase the dose so I weaned off it

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Are you now sleeping naturally or doing something else?

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1 reply
kawanhee | @kawanhee | Nov 2, 2023
In reply to @rubyredsky "Are you now sleeping naturally or doing something else?" + (show)
@rubyredsky

Are you now sleeping naturally or doing something else?

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I am taking 7.5 mg of mirtazapine. It’s not a benzodiazepine like lorazepam and my doctor is more comfortable with this drug

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cindisue | @cindisue | Nov 3, 2023
In reply to @kawanhee "I was taking .5 mg lorazepam for sleep and it eventually stopped working. I did not..." + (show)
@kawanhee

I was taking .5 mg lorazepam for sleep and it eventually stopped working. I did not want to continue to increase the dose so I weaned off it

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I am taking .5 to 1mg of Lorazepam too for sleep....just started a couple months ago...my question is What did you switch to? Or are you now taking no sleep meds for sleep?

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cindisue | @cindisue | Nov 3, 2023
In reply to @kawanhee "I am taking 7.5 mg of mirtazapine. It’s not a benzodiazepine like lorazepam and my doctor..." + (show)
@kawanhee

I am taking 7.5 mg of mirtazapine. It’s not a benzodiazepine like lorazepam and my doctor is more comfortable with this drug

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kawanee....how is the Mirtazapine working for you? I have a bottle but haven't tried it yet since I'm currently taking Lorazepam

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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Nov 3, 2023
In reply to @cindisue "kawanee....how is the Mirtazapine working for you? I have a bottle but haven't tried it yet..." + (show)
@cindisue

kawanee....how is the Mirtazapine working for you? I have a bottle but haven't tried it yet since I'm currently taking Lorazepam

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Working well

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raye | @raye | Nov 3, 2023

Have you had an overnight sleep study? I did, and love my sleep doc.
Have you absolutely stopped the intake of any and all caffeines?
Decaf is not non-caf. No colas, no green or black teas, no chocolate. Life can still be worth living without chocolate. I know that’s hard to imagine, but try it.

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