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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on January 21, 2006, at 12:04:36
I suffer from severe anxiety and insomnia and have been taking clonazepam for several years (now at 1.5 mg/day) along with Zyprexa. I sleep through the night, but never feel very rested the next day. I have read in several places that all benzodiazepines with the exception on Xanax block Stage IV sleep(deep sleep). Does anyone know if this is true? I raised the issue with my pdoc and he discouraged use of Xanax because it is so "addictive" and because tolerance can develop rapidly, requiring constant dose increases. Again, I do not know if this is true...is it really any worse than clonazepam in terms of tolerance? If Xanax would help me sleep better I'm definitely willing to give it a try. I know it is shorter acting and requires multiple doses during the day.
Posted by ed_uk on January 21, 2006, at 12:35:19
In reply to Benzos and Stage IV Sleep, posted by Guy on January 21, 2006, at 12:04:36
Benzos disturb sleep architecture to a greater extent than zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone (Lunesta). A night time dose of Ambien or Lunesta might allow you to reduce your clonazepam dose. Just an idea.
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2006, at 19:00:35
In reply to Re: Benzos and Stage IV Sleep » Guy, posted by ed_uk on January 21, 2006, at 12:35:19
Good answer Ed. Love PJ o
Posted by cecilia on January 21, 2006, at 23:38:21
In reply to Benzos and Stage IV Sleep, posted by Guy on January 21, 2006, at 12:04:36
I think Xanax can be more addictive than clonazepam becasuse of its short half life-you can feel exactly when it kicks in and kicks out. For me Xanax was bad for sleep because I would wake up when it wore off. Maybe the new extended release Xanax would be different. Cecilia
Posted by Jakeman on January 22, 2006, at 15:31:54
In reply to Benzos and Stage IV Sleep, posted by Guy on January 21, 2006, at 12:04:36
My understanding is that xanax also blocks stage IV sleep. I've tried gabatril and neurontin to help with stage IV sleep, but I eventually stopped them because I felt cognitively impaired in the daytime. Lyrica is another option my dr. suggested, but I haven't tried that yet.
warm regards ~Jake
A double-blind study in healthy volunteers to assess the effects on sleep of pregabalin compared with alprazolam and placebo.
This is the end of the thread.
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