[Patty]

I haven't been able to sleep well; toss and turn all night long until it's time to get up, then I'm really sleepy. I was prescribed some sleeping pills last year by a doctor (nothing to do with IBS), but I was afraid to take them for fear of oversleeping the next morning or for fear of becoming addicted to them. Dr. told me they were not addictive. So, after tossing and turning to the point where my hips hurt from lying on first one side, then the other, I got up last night about 12:22 and decided to give the sleeping pills a try. Just want you all to know that I had the best night's sleep! I think I'll give them a try to night; just don't want to get hooked on them. Has anyone else had any experience with sleeping pills?

 

[Guest]

What is the name of the sleeping pill you are taking?

 

[Patty]

I'm at work right now and don't have the bottle, but I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

[Patty]

I found it -- Restoril. Hey, that's in the Valium family isn't it??? Addictive??? Have to taper off?? HmmmmmComments please.

 

[Patty]

Let me try this again-- the name of the med is Temazepam; brand name Restoril.

 

[Guest]

Hi you can find in health food store an herbal sleeping pill one I used to use and it feels like normal sleeping, not unusually deep sleeping which I prefer, its name "calm forte" they have the same ingredientsunder different names. You can even find it in any supermarket.------------------AJ

 

[JeanG]

Hi Patty:I think I've heard of that, and may have even taken it in the past. I have a lot of problems too, but what I have been taking for the past 2 years to help me sleep is Trazadone, which is an antidepressant but is given out a lot to help people sleep. I'm on Trazadone rather than sleeping pills because my insomnia is so chronic that I'd have to take sleeping pills all the time, and don't want to do that. It shouldn't hurt you to take them once in a while. If you're not sure, call your pharmacist.

JeanG

 

[Guest]

Ever try Valerian root?Maybe kava kava? Hmmmmmmm You can also buy Tryptophan on the net (oversees)I used to use it my doc prescribed it for me a little expensive but non drowsy .Id take 4 inositol 3 tryptophan 1 melatonin and 1/4 or clonopam .This put me out like a light.Im off all the stuff now but Im still a light sleeper .The worry of it all has made me an insomniac ,somewhat..Good luck!

 

[Patty]

Jean, actually I've done all kinds of research and find that it's used for short term sleeping disorders, but it's also used as an anti-anxiety med. I've taken it for the second night now and slept great and woke up feeling great! I think I'll try it a little bit longer until I know my body is well-rested.aj55, I'll keep that in the back of my mind as a back-up, should I need it.nyc, yeap, I tried Kava kava for a while and was pleased until it started to cause my legs to hurt; it was the strangest feeling!! Once I stopped taking it, no more leg problems. I'm hesitant about a lot of herbals because of the lack of knowledge.Thanks guys for your input.

 

[Clancy Garner]

If you really want to sleep ask your doctor for Dalmane.(sp?) They used to knock even me out.

 

[Guest]

I had trouble sleeping for a few years, and my Dr.s told me to take Bennadryl, even if it is every night. They did not want to give me a sleeping pill because I was so young (in my 20s). I stopped taking Bennadryl every night and now I just wait and wait to go to sleep. I don't want to be hooked on sleeping pills anyway and I am trying to concieve. I do sleep better now than I used to - but it is still difficult.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jean,I was wondering what dosage you take of the Trazadone and if it's a daily dosage. Also,is your sleep problem a symptom of IBS or another condition? Did your PCP prescribe it for you, or did you go to a specialist? Thanks,Christine

 

[JeanG]

Hi Christine:I'm only taking 100Mg of the trazadone at night, to help me sleep, and yes I do take it daily. If I was taking it for depression it would be at much higher dosages. I'm taking Wellbutrin for depression.I've had insomnia as long as I remember, and IBS only the past 1-1/2 years of so, so it's not connected to IBS. I'm pretty sure my psychiatrist prescribed the trazadone, not my gp. You could ask your gp, but it may have to go through someone else.JeanG

 

[babydoc_au]

Temazepam is a benzodiazepine. Other benzodiazepines include diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, flunitrazepam, alprazolam and some others. All benzodiazepines have properties in common - they relieve anxiety; they are hypnotic (sleep inducing); muscle relaxant (and a few other properties). The problems with benzodiazepines are dependance and tolerance. Tolerance means that your body adapts to the dose and requires increasing amounts to get the same effect. If used every day for 2 -4 weeks physical dependance will result, which means your body will experience withdrawl symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. This is avoided by not using it every day in the first place, or reducing the dose gradually.Rebound insomnia is also common when people stop regualar use of sleeping tablets.If you only use them occasionally they are perfectly safe. However, they are not a cure for chronic insomnia, and in the long term you are better off looking at other means of managing insomnia, such as relaxation techniques, decreased caffeine intake etc etc.

 

[Patty]

babydoc,Just as I suspected. Thanks for your tips on how to avoid the problems. I really don't want to become dependent on something and I know extended use of anything will result in a problem. I am going to take your advice and take one only when absolutely necessary. I had an endocrinologist to tell me that the birth control pill was causing my insomnia, but I think I'd rather have insomnia caused by the pill rather than by a BABY! It's sad when you reach your 40s it seems everything starts to happen! Thanks again.