Opinions - What to tell my doctor to get an effective sleep aid

[toe]

In order to get prescribed effective sleep meds, my lab rat had to actually put into practice the rituals of what doctors will call "sleep hygiene". SWIY has probably heard this all before, but it entails:

-going to bed/waking at the same time daily, including non-work days

-using the bed only for sleep/sex (no TV/reading in bed)

-abstaining from caffeine after a certain hour (noon, usually)

-regular physical exercise, generally at least a few hours before sleepytime

-no eating right before bed

There are other rules, and the lab rat isn't particularly bright and may have screwed up some of the particulars, so SWIY would be advised to hit up a search engine for details on "sleep hygiene". And would also be advised to check out a dictionary to clarify the proper spelling of "hygiene", because it doesn't look right to SWIM.

The lab rat also found that it was generally a good idea to go accept and give every medicine the doctor suggested a shot. All doctors are different, though. With some, there is no maze. With others, there is no cheese.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good post, noticed that you had negative rep and couldn't see any reason for it in your past posts.

[Laudaphun]

SWIM once was in a car accident, a Dr. had put him on hydrocodone 5/500, cyclobenzaprine, and vioxx (Rofecoxib) for a few months...

Awhile later SWIM moved back home, scheduled an appointment with a new, random Dr. that he just pulled out of the phone book and his new Dr. took him off all that except the vioxx and gave him a bunch of garbage... This new Dr. did not even care to see SWIM's records from his past Dr, physical therapy or anything. The Dr. scoffed and said that he wanted SWIM to be on non-sedating meds so he could "function". SWIM doesn't even remember what he gave SWIM to replace the cyclobenzaprine and hydrocodone as he ripped the scripts up and threw them out the window when he left in disgust. Basically the guy was a total dick. He acted like SWIM was walking around all whacked out of his mind from a 5mg hydrocodone pill and a 10mg cyclobenzaprine pill every day, or unable to get off of the couch.

The point of SWIM's story is that as long as your Dr. isn't a total ass like in the example cited above, to get an effective sleep aid, just be honest. If your Dr. treats you like crap, then go to a different Dr.

If your Dr. seems reasonable, try what they give you and if it works then great, if not then go back and tell them it is ineffective... A good Dr. will work with you, they will most likely try the least addictive medications first (in most cases). SWIM has found most doctors to be very understanding and very few that treated him like the one in the story... actually SWIM has yet to run into another Dr. like that.

[tryptamaster]

Swim is really expierienced wih dick doctors. when swim was seeign docotrs for depression, he was veery trusting and would tell them anything. He told one he had been using benzos coke and weed.(they already knew he was a substance abuser) the doc then brught his mom in and was like "lets piss test him" so she gets a test, but not a standard nida 5, she decides "oh lets use a test that conviently includes benzos. What a bittttch. but on topic, swim thinks valerian an actually work suprisingly good and is otc, fo prescription, ambien.

[Nacho]

Originally Posted by tryptamaster

Swim is really expierienced wih dick doctors. when swim was seeign docotrs for depression, he was veery trusting and would tell them anything. He told one he had been using benzos coke and weed.(they already knew he was a substance abuser) the doc then brught his mom in and was like "lets piss test him" so she gets a test, but not a standard nida 5, she decides "oh lets use a test that conviently includes benzos. What a bittttch. but on topic, swim thinks valerian an actually work suprisingly good and is otc, fo prescription, ambien.

There IS such a thing as doctor/patient confidentiality that comes from the hipocratic oath. When I would get asked questions like "have you ever had thoughts of suicide", the doctor would always remind me my parents didn't have to know.

[tayo]

Originally Posted by laws0n

SWIM has had problems sleeping throughout the last year. SWIM's doctor perscribed SWIM Cyclobenziprine or Flexerol, and that didnt work. SWIM is now taking Amitriptyline for sleeping problems and that doesnt work either. SWIM is having troubles falling asleep and then staying asleep but mostly falling asleep. SWIM's doctor is very conservative when it comes to perscriptions and SWIM's parents wont go to another doctor. What do you think SWIM's doctor will perscribe next? and what should SWIM tell him so SWIM can get the perscription SWIM needs? SWIM is thinking about purshasing soma online as an option. SWIM already asked his doctor and he said "No Way, I dont perscribe that"

Thanks for all your advice =).

has swiy tried melatonin or doxylamine succinate? they are OTC and fairly effective, melatonin especially.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

If swiy has ever had any problems with drug abuse it might be best not to tell swiy's doctor.Swim's doctor found out about his addiction and it is somewhat difficult for swim to get things like effective sleep medications or benzodiazipenes and when swim does they are given to him in very small amounts.

[laws0n]

The first doc that SWIM went to also wasnt very thorough, he would mainly just ask questions like, do you take caffiene at night, or do physical activities before bed. The doc that finally realized I needed Somas did an in depth questioning to find out that I wasnt able to sleep due to high stress levels under circumstances of moving, parents splitting up, etc. Be sure to tell your doc why you cant sleep, and dont just say "because I get anxious" atleast around here you have to have a legit reason. And I can second them asking you if you do or ever have done or been addicted to drugs, just casually say no.

[tayo]

again, give melatonin a try... sometimes drugs aren't the answer, hormones are

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Swiy could try rozerem,it is very much like melatonin infact swim thinks it is some sort of melatonin extract.It does help one to sleep though it has absolutely no recreational value.In swim's opinion the finest of the sleepaids and the funnest is zolpiderm.

[toe]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Suspiria

Swiy could try rozerem,it is very much like melatonin infact swim thinks it is some sort of melatonin extract.It does help one to sleep though it has absolutely no recreational value.In swim's opinion the finest of the sleepaids and the funnest is zolpiderm.

ROZEREM (ramelteon) is a melatonin receptor agonist with both high affinity for melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and selectively over the the MT3 receptor. . .Ramelteon has no appreciable affinity for the GABA receptor complex or for receptors that bind neuropeptides, cytokines, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, acetycholine, and opiates, which is why it is no damn fun.

Italicized commentary by editor.
All other material taken rote from the prescribing packet nestled in with the eye mask, ear plugs, sleep diary, and ramelteon samples in 12-night Rozerem propag- er, I mean- starter pack.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Yes swim got the sample pack from his doctor,it came with the eye mask and all the goodies.This was when swim was going through some nasty withdrawals and fortunately his doctor was somewhat understanding and gave him some tranxene(chlorazepate)aswell.With the trippy commercials swim thought rozerem would be cool,well it wasn't very cool at all.Swim would reccommend this medication for sleep but if swiy wants a little something more this is pretty much useless.

[cyndi]

For insomnia and not bs like abusing it, ambien hands down. It is the best sleep med imo. Swim wakes up without a blah effect. Nice and rested. Lunesta gives you a bad taste in your mouth, remeron doesn't work. I usually ask for a script of ambien and the doc will write it. Don't take too much and if tolerance builds up, lay off it a day or two. Benzo types are very addictive so swim doesn't recommend them.

[Disturbed]

Don't know if you have ever heard of Phenibut but swim has been trying this stuff for about a month now and it's working great. The best part is it's legal and can be purchased at XXXX I believe the website is called. Much better than ambien I heard because there is no hang over in the morning just wonderful dreams

Reputation Comments on this post:

Do NOT post sources

[Disturbed]

oops I made a booboo looks like I already got myself an infraction. SOrry about that won't let it happen again. Anyway I hear phenibut is worth a try.

[tayo]

at least it wasn't a source for a no-script needed site, just a bodybuilding commercial site.

[Henfer]

that can go the other way around too, SWIH has had a doctor who woould not care about you really. SWIH went to him, talked about his sleeping problems, and SWIH had the feeling like the doc just wanted to get his patient to go home as soon as possible (he wasn't like that some years ago, was very caring etc.). So he gave SWIH just a prescription for the biggest package of some Diazepam that's avaible and sent him home.

fortunately SWIH knew about Diazepam withdrawal from his father (see previous post this thread) and changed doctor and now is trying different stuff. zopiclone, zolpidem, mirtazapine are through and not helping really much or too much sideeffects. SWIH still has the diazepam and uses it from time to time to chill out, but not more than 1-2x a month.

SWIH has some tilidine (opiate) from time to time, and opiates in general are the best sleeping aid for SWIH, but the addiction thing, you know...

[0utrider]

im sry this might be an old thread, but i found a "tek" (or kinda) about how to approach doctors a few days ago, i cant find it anymore though, was using the search, anyone know what thread i mean?

[ECU7]

SWiM found that simply telling his doctor that he couldn't sleep was sufficient to get his prescription for Ambien. He did try a sample of Rozerem first, without success. He says he called the doctor back and at that point was prescribed Ambien. SWiM realizes, however, that not all doctors might be as willing to prescribe it, for whatever reasons.

[Solinari]

From my experience a doctor will go with those "sleep hygiene" things first (never heard if it being called that but it makes sense) so it would be best to say these things have been attempted. Then the doctor might go for something that will cause sedation like an antihistamine, some antidepressants or even an antipsychotic, all of which have low abuse potential because of the anticholinergic effects which are generally unpleasant. Then the doctor might go for a nonbenzodiazepine such as zopiclone or zolpidem, then if the insomnia persists it is possible they will go for a benzodiazepine.

Actually the first thing i got was a homoeopathic sleep aid but i can't recall the name of it then i got chlorpromazine which was a bit horrible. After that i got zopiclone which was fairly effective but the taste it left was nasty (zimmy breath i call it), so i was eventually given temazepam. I still get the temazepam and try to use it sparingly so it doesn't entirely lose its effectiveness at the same dose.

Of course, as this is my own experience a doctor might not give anything like that or maybe they will go straight to a benzodiazepine but only for short term treatment.

[tigger]

Zopiclone. Or Phenergan 75mg over the counter

[humdroid]

SWIM has had benzo and sleeping prescription sleep aids prescribed in the past, but SWIM feels a visit to the doctor is not necessary.
SWIM bought valerian a few years ago, and has never looked back. SWIM feels it works as well as valium 5mgs yellows.
SWIM isn't the type of person who falls asleep natually easily, but SWIM was very surprised at valerians effectiveness.
It also works out cheaper than the script.

[Nacho]

I just tried Melatonin last night and the night before. It works wonders.