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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
About 20 years ago I was prescribed 25 sleeping pills because I was experiencing stress and insomnia. I took oxazepam every night for 25 nights (and felt terrible). When the prescription ran out I stopped sleeping for many days. Nobody had warned me about rebound insomnia and I thought I was going to die! One night I went to bed and my whole body started to shake uncontrolably as if an invisible force had seized me. Since that time, I have been struggling with a deep-rooted phobia of going to bed. It is so bad that I am now afraid to even lie down without drugging myself first. I also experience horrible anticipatory anxiety throughout each and every day. I have tried many anti-depressants (e.g., Doxepin, Zoloft, Effexor) which only made my anxiety worse. I have also taken Zyprexa which initially helped a lot but then seemed to poop-out. Currently taking 15 mg Remeron plus 1 mg clonazepam, however I am freaking out because I am afraid of benzo tolerance and the prospect of being left without any tools to deal with the panic. I have just been to emergency because I am chronically suicidal. They recommended I try Paxil, and if that doesn't help, then Nardil. Again, I am terrified of the Paxil because of my previous experiences with SSRI's and all the withdrawal horror stories I've read on the net. As for the Nardil, I understand that insomnia is a common side-effect...just what I need given that lack of sleep has become my biggest fear. In the meantime I continue to obsess about sleep, bed and (all) ways to escape this living hell. I desperately need something that will quell the fear and that I can take on a long-term basis. I know I am my own worst enemy but I can't seem to do anything about it. Tears!
Posted by gadchik on September 23, 2013, at 14:08:30
In reply to State of Fear, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
U need to find a great cognitive behavioral therapy specialist, asap! And I think u should speak to ur dr about just taking Remeron and very gradually tapering the klonopin. Remeron promotes good sleep, and u should be fine with just that, or theres also trazodone,low dose tofranil. I was also terrified that I couldnt sleep, I became psychotic after going a month with no sleep. I had to take remeron, klonopin, and zoloft and do cbt. I now just take .5mg klonopin at night. U must get to where u can conquer this fear. Do u eat well, and exercise? That will give u some control. Suicidal feelings must be aggressively dealt with. Take care of urself.
Posted by Hugh on September 23, 2013, at 14:22:54
In reply to State of Fear, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
It's likely that the FDA will approve a new insomnia drug called Suvorexant later this year or in early 2014. It has a completely different mechanism of action than benzos or Ambien or anything else. Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist, so basically what it does is give you narcolepsy for seven or so hours.
Have you ever tried cognitive behaviorial therapy for your insomnia? Also, neurofeedback can be a very effective treatment for depression and anxiety and insomnia.
Posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 15:57:54
In reply to State of Fear, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
Is clonazepam really that bad for long-term use? It's the only thing that's holding me together at the moment.
Posted by gadchik on September 23, 2013, at 17:38:23
In reply to Re: Clonazepam, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 15:57:54
Guy, Ive been on it every day for 5 yrs. and its held me together. I tapered the other 2 because I had too much weight gain. Klonopin is the only thing I can take that has minimal side effects. Yes, Im worried about tolerance and dependence. But my anxiety was gonna put me in the ground. Im living now, and happy. I have gone back and forth about tapering k, but so far I havent done it. I had an internal medicine specialist, who knew my history, tell me that I could stay on klonopin for life(i dont think i will, but i too have intense fear of not sleeping), as long as my kidneys and liver function was normal.
Posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2013, at 18:14:52
In reply to Re: Clonazepam » Guy, posted by gadchik on September 23, 2013, at 17:38:23
Guy I agree stick with the klonopin for now. Remember I've been on low doses of benzos now for 40 some odd years and haven't increased doses, and liver enzymes are fine just had complete physical. And I Agree with Hugh that there is a new med being released for sleep. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 23, 2013, at 19:37:26
In reply to State of Fear, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
Take a teaspoon of olive oil with the remeron and clonazepam. Oleic acid is needed to produce oleamide which is a anxiolytic and sleep inducing brain chemical. You could also add a bit of time release melatonin to the clonazepam and remeron.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on September 24, 2013, at 5:23:59
In reply to Re: State of Fear, posted by linkadge on September 23, 2013, at 19:37:26
> Take a teaspoon of olive oil with the remeron and clonazepam. Oleic acid is needed to produce oleamide which is a anxiolytic and sleep inducing brain chemical. You could also add a bit of time release melatonin to the clonazepam and remeron.
>
> LinkadgeDo you think that clonazepam is more effective than Ativan as a hypnotic?
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on September 24, 2013, at 17:22:05
In reply to Re: State of Fear » linkadge, posted by SLS on September 24, 2013, at 5:23:59
I personally prefer lorazepam if used solely for sleep.
Linkadge
Posted by former poster on October 1, 2013, at 12:42:20
In reply to State of Fear, posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
>>"It is so bad that I am now afraid to even lie down without drugging myself first. I also experience horrible anticipatory anxiety throughout each and every day".<<
Wow! I can relate to that... You are not alone.
This is the end of the thread.
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