Posted by yxibow on December 19, 2005, at 22:54:09
In reply to Abilify (apriprazole) and insomnia, posted by miss volare on December 19, 2005, at 10:54:26
> I just can't get more than 1.5-2 hrs of sleep at a time--then i'm awake and restless. I've been on 10 mg/d. What alternatives might work besides the diphenhydramine i've been taking? I've tried Ambien and it did Nothing. Can't do benzos due to previous addiction. Maybe i should become an inventor and follow the Alexander G Bell sleep hygiene schedule!
Prior addiction does not mean that future addiction is a guaranteed means of action though I sympathize with your concern. I would try to convince your doctor to take Ambien at 20mg -- many people do, including myself.. well I actually backed off to 15mg at the moment. Your prior use of benzodiazepines may have made more cross tolerance as it is not fully out of your system perhaps.
The suggestion of Abilify in the morning is also a good one -- it causes akathisia, which you may be experiencing, in which case I would add Akineton (biperiden).
There are other more off and on-label sleep aids that I would list in order of yuck
Remeron (mirtazapine), tetracyclic, weight/hunger inducing. REM sleep potential.
Sinequan (doxepin), tricyclic, groggy first few times at least, go easy on dosing
Desyrel (trazodone), unrelated antidepressant, possible dose escalation and general groggy mirth. Priapism in males.
Cloral Hydrate.. not terribly safe.
I would try to convince your doctor on the Ambien or try Lunesta. Halcion, Restoril, or Dalmane are also benzodiazepines that are more directed towards sleep than other benzodiazepines which are more anxiolytic so the question isn't necessarily addiction but abuse to life threatening potentials if you truly cannot control addiction. That is between you and your doctorHope you get some pleasant dreams
poster:yxibow
thread:590352
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/590559.html