Opinions - Doctor Question: What sleeper will be prescribed?

[Hotboxed151]

SWIM's 14 yr old brother has had problems sleeping lately and he is going for a physical soon. He would like to know what medication he is most likely going to be perscribed and any tips to get something better.Thanks for your time.

[Forthesevenlakes]

swim's bro would probably get a short term solution like ambien or sonata, they arent scheduled in the US and dont seem to have quite the addiction properties of benzos so doctors are more likely to hand them out.

as for "something better"...well...doesnt swiy think that 14 is a bit young to be trying to cop recreational psychoactives from a doctor? its probably best to let the doc decide what would be the most therapeutic.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good advice

[Abrad]

I would find it surprising if a doctor would prescribe a sedative to a 14 year old.

[Forthesevenlakes]

Originally Posted by abrad84

I would find it surprising if a doctor would prescribe a sedative to a 14 year old.

true, guess i figured theyd be as gung ho about prescribing sedatives as they are ritalin.

[Nagognog2]

Doctors were fond of, in Bongo's time, handing out pheonthiazines to little kids. Drugs like Thorazine and Mellaril were commonly given for kids who asked too many questions in school or said they weren't tired when mommy wanted them to go to bed. Bongo's doctor would merrily prescribe him big bottles of Hycodan (hydrocodone 5mg/5ml) cough syrup for a cold. I guess doctor's didn't think little kids could/would abuse such. So it likely depends on the doctor would be my guess.

Bongo threw the mellaril in the woods, but enjoyed his cough syrup.

Tell the kid not to wear a Grateful Dead t-shirt to his appointment. And tell SWIM to leave the kid's medicine alone.

[Hotboxed151]

SWIM's friend told his brother that saying a feeling of anxiousness right as he goes to bed would help him get something stronger. My mother has seen him wandering around his room at 3AM because he cant fall asleep so if she says that or something similar it will look legit, which it is.

[sourceman]

SWIM know what your brother is going through. SWIM has had sleep problem since the age of ~9-10. It is not fun at any age... hopefully the dow will try something like ambien or lunesta at first for a adolescent. SWIM think's benzo's are not the first choice for someone so young.

[Benzhead]

If SWYK's brother is going to a GP(General Practitioner) in the States, there are a number of things a GP will try before a benzo.

It is becoming more common for a GP to:

A) refer the patient to a psych. doc. for a proper evaluation.

B) see A.

Realistically, this is the prudent route for a GP to take.

If the GP doesn't wish to make a referral, then exercise, cutting out caffeine, etc. is what a likely prescription may be.

As others have posted, 14 is pretty young for psychotropics as an insomnia aid.

I would almost be willing to bet that on an initial visit, this 14 yo isn't going to get a script.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Realistic & well worded post.