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[ATLThrash]

Hi all--I hope I don't get flamed but you all seem very knowledgable about meds and I wanted to ask you something. I am considering bac for many reasons though I am sober now (I would like a lessening of anxiety and I also would like to not think of alcohol like I do). I am researching on that and you all havebeen so helpful. I have been going through a killer period of sleeplessness. I know it is not related to some underlying health issue that a doc would treat another way-- it is likely anxiety. I need ot reset my sleep pattern for about 2 weeks so the need is short term. I have tried valerian, melatonian etc and no help. This lack of sleep is impinging on my ability to meet my goals-- I need to be able to work out etc (I got heavy from booze) and not sleeping is not furthering that. I was wondering if ambien or somehting would help me sleep but I am loathe to go to a phyisician to prescribe-- am not a drug addict or anyof that but past health issues (cancers and extreme anemia from time to time) have made me hate doctors. I was wondering if anyone had a good sleep soluntion-- and a source to affect that. I have tried OTC so I think I probably need a month or so of somehting else. Any site or sources for that where I will not feel the DEA will come here--hee? Any suggestions -- natural or med are appreciated-- I want to learn-- but by way of back ground I was over[prescribed benzos for a severe consussion about 12 years ago so herbal remedies often do not work-- though there may be somehting I know nothing about. I am open! Thanks! Sorry for the typos- I am on my 3rd night awake and am out

[Otter]

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Alt

You could start with Melatonin which you can get from Biovea. It gives a good night's sleep, no problem.

If you want to go down the meds route Baclofen is the anxiety medication.

I think you should do some research into head injuries. They can result in a long term anxiety disorder. Just google "anxiety caused by head injury" and you will see what I mean So, your doctor may be missing something. Also, long term drinking can give the same effect.

Baclofen is a rough ride for anxiety. It can affect your concentration even at low levels but it may be the answer.

[ATLThrash]

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Thanks Otter-- I have tried melatonin and valerian many times to no avail. I am sure the anxiety is worsened by the head injury but it was so long ago I am not under current treatment for it -- I just have symptoms from time to time and this is a time -- little to no sleep. Considering bac for anxiety but am looking for a short term sleep solution

[Otter]

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Zopiclone will put you to sleep for six hours straight, guaranteed.

[Dosage0]

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ATL:

Just my 2 cents. Baclofen has done more for my anxiety than any previous treatment I have tried. Even at very low levels my body reacted by lowering my natural anxiety noticeably. At low levels it also helped me sleep. However, as I began to rise in dose, Baclofen made it much more difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep. Now I am still sleeping 4-5 hours a night, but I cannot stay asleep for an 8 hour period.

Dose

[windycitylady]

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Bac messed with my sleep and my anxiety.
Have you tried 1500 mg tryptophan before bed? Preferably on an empty stomach taken with a little fruit juice. Might help with the sleeplessness and the anxiety.
And I would try to push through the fatigue to continue exercising. Good for endorphins and tiring your body but also gets rid of excess adrenaline built up by your anxiety.
Good luck!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

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Hi, ATL.
I'm sorry about not being able to respond earlier.
I have found that the most effective thing I've used, and recommended, for sleep is a benzo. That doesn't seem to be an option for you?
I also think it's really important when dealing with sleep issues to tackle it from all angles. (This is usually something I would recommend for people dealing with insomnia because they are taking high dose baclofen, but seems as though it might apply...) I know it sounds trite, (and you can be annoyed if you'd like) but the single most effective thing I did, before I used ANY medications at all, was to practice all those seemingly inane suggestions: Create a ritual around sleep. Stay in bed. Lights and everything else out. Warm bath. Warm milk. Meditation techniques had a really good, really profound impact.

As to baclofen:
One of the things that is a predictor for how baclofen works is how you take it. Starting out low and increasing increments with some forethought and a plan, taking it in regular and even doses throughout the day...Those things seem to lend themselves to success in avoiding side effects and finding some relief from anxiety and sleeplessness in the low doses. It's pretty likely that you'd experience side effects in the higher doses. But that's a discussion for another time!

In the meantime, bac might be a really good option if you want to avoid benzos. More people have found relief than not.

I hope you get a hold of a good night's sleep soon. It's important enough, I think, that it might be worth a trip to the (grrrrr) doc.

[spacebebe01]

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Hi ATL, I also have had trouble with sleeping and anziety. After stopping drinking I was having terrible trouble sleeping, I took zopiclone at first I took it every noght for around a week and then took every other night alternating with phenergan. The zopiclone does give a good nights sleep no problem but I think it can have tolerance problems so would not be good long term. So while I took it for that time I also got into sleep habits, bed the same time every night, keep the lights off, no reading or tv or getting up to do other things and I have a drink of warm milk every night. I now take bac at 10mg x 3 day for anxiety and it does seem to help but also is helping me with my sleep, I now also just a a herbal sleep aid each night, still keeping the routine and the warm milk and my sleep is usually ok. I do have the bad night now and again maybe once a week or so but its nothing like as bad as it was and if I start feeling as tho I really cant sleep I can always take zopiclone now and again.

[GingerDust]

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I sleep really well on 20mg at night. The same dose kept my husband wide awake until 3:30 a.m. At higher doses baclofen really messed up my sleep though.

I hope you find a solution, ATL.

[Greg]

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I sometimes use trazodone, 50-75 mg, as a sleep aid. It's an antidepressant that has strong sedative properties, but which doesn't last quite as long as many other sedating antidepressants. It doesn't only work via antihistamine effects, but has effects at two other receptors in the brain, so it could be rotated with an antihistamine like doxylamine, diphenhydramine, Phenergan, etc and still help. Some even say it doesn't have much tolerance. Just be careful not to mix it with other serotonin-acting antidepressants, or with tryptophan or 5-htp.

[tiptronic_ct]

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Amytrypiline (sp?) Is also an anti-depressant which is also prescribed off-label for pain and sleeplessness. Worked like a charm for me when I needed it.

[ATLThrash]

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Thank you all-- I was trying to avoid the doctor and prescribing but I don't think there are sources for what you all describe except to go. Seems they always look for some deeP hidden meaning when you say you cant sleep which leads to lots of tests and rigamarole but I am about to get to where I cannot ride it out any longer.

[spacebebe01]

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It may be a good idea to visit your doc anyway, I know you said you have been trying to avoid him/her but its always better to be on the safe side and get advice if you can. I get some of my meds of the doc but I buy my antabuse and bac online as he wont prescribe them to me.