I pretty much tried other stuff. But I have a very high tolerance to medication. Also some meds will affect me totally opposite than what they intend. As in being more hyper than I am already. I have problems with sleeping, and I get in a very miserable mood gets worse with less sleep. I believe that I need 8 hours of sleep. I feel so much better when I get good sleep.
Is there anything other than seroquel that would help me to sleep?
- Posted:
- 20 Aug 2009 by Amsel10
- Topics:
- seroquel, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, sleep
Details:
Answers (76)
clm197020 Aug 2009
Sounds like you are frustrated and rightly so! Ask your clinician if you can try Vistaril, also known by other brand name Atarax. However, the formulation that you want is not the capsule or the tablet but you do want the liquid suspension. It does not taste the best but have had lots of good luck with it, especially in this form, due to the expediated way it is absorbed and begins to work. It is in the same family as Benadryl, an antihistamine. Even if you have had some adverse responses to Benadryl, it does not necessarily mean that you will have the same ill experiences with this. If you may have already happened to try Vistaril/Atarax, consider Periactin, another antihistamine, which used used for sleep. good luck.
Anonymous 20 Aug 2009
I would suggest Benadryl but it sounds like that might actually have a hyper affect on you. Maybe you should just up the dosage of seroquel... or, my doctor actually prescribed me Klonopin to help with my insomnia. The best bet is to figure out what is causing your insomnia and attack it that way. I have been an insomniac for 5 years and have just now began to get a grip on it. Practice a routine and regular habits to get the body ready for sleep. Don't drink any caffeine after lunch time and try to go to bed and get up the same time everyday. Also regular exercise is a great way to get some of that energy out. But make sure it's not right before bedtime. Also I would suggest don't watch TV in bed. Train your body to know that when your in bed its sleep time. Laying in bed while watching TV conditions you to lay in bed awake. If meds don't help you sleep, you may be in a manic episode. Check with your doctor to help identify those symptoms.
kytteneyes
28 May 2010
I have also used xanax and worked for me as well. Klonopin was more of a sugar pill, valium gave me night mares, atavin just quite did not do the trick as well as xanax. It is worth the try to get the sleep you need.
Anonymous 27 Feb 2011
thanks for the suggestion of xanax! I have taken every sleeping pill (Just tried Sonata again with no results and bad side effects) and I cannot take anti-depressants or antihistamine. I am on 2 mg of Klonopin each night which is not working and I have had Valium and Ativan... no results. He prescribed xanax at one time but I was afraid to take it bc I heard it can cause impulsive behaviour. Have you heard of that. Im calling this mon to tell him about the sonata and ask about the xanax. Since my problem is related to PTSD and unconscious anxiety it may do the trick. I am learning triggers and how to deal with them but in the meantime I am exhausted which makes it hard to do anything. It is 3 in the am, I took a extra konopin and I have to get up at 7am.I know all the sleep hygiene tips and I am told that if you dont go to sleep in 15 min and do something boring (which this is not) and go back to bed bc otherwise it teaches you to stay awake in bed. Anyways thank you so much for this idea. Cross your fingers that he will listen and let me try it!
Rita22620 Aug 2009
Talk about not being able to sleep... I 'm an complete insomniac and it's very frustrating lots of times.I work nights and so I am up till early morning 6-7 am and so I take otc sleeping pills @4 am to be able to sleep by 6 or 7 am.Sometimes 2 pills don't work so I take 3 .Me personally don't like taking RX for sleeping so I buy my box of sleeping pills at Family dollar and they really work... even if you're hyper, I am also hyper and they work for me.Then there is a pill called Alteril u can get those online and they r awesome as soon as u pop them u feel drifting off and they're all natural also.I so feel for u cause I'm going through the same pain in the neck sleeping problem!
Sacosam
10 Apr 2010
Hi Rita; They just opened a Family Dollar store here... I think. What's the name of the sleep pills you buy there? Thanks a heap! ! Sacosam
Rita226
10 Apr 2010
They really don't have a name but it's the ONLY sleeping pill they sell .They just say "sleep aid".
21 Aug 2009
I agree with JWymore. Find out what is causing your insomnia and try to attack it that way. You mentioned being hyper. Are you / or do you think you could be ADD/ADHD for instance? I say that because an excess of norepinephrine is implicated in that and that, in itself, causes sleep problems. Low dopamine (which is also implicated in ADHD) can also cause insomnia and is in fact, one of the causes (brings on some of the symptoms) of depression.
Rita226
21 Aug 2009
I so do NOT believe in add etc... that is 1 thing I do not agree with !!! My personal sleeping problem comes from being premenopausal ... happens to a lot of women .So no ... no add etc with me:)
Junior1962
21 Aug 2009
Do you mean you don't believe that ADD exists? Anyway, your answer is academic since I was responding to the other person's original question :)
tammydonny21 Aug 2009
Klonapin or valium work good... but both come with possible side effects. valium makes me less groggy in the morning. What you should try first cause it's the simplist and cheapest is Melatonin. You buy it at local pharmacy under $10... completely natural and very safe. How I came across this is my son who is 6 has severe ADHD, and sensory integration disorder.
Junior1962
21 Aug 2009
Hi Tammy. My son also has ADHD, along with autism and intellectual disability. Just thought I would say that I totally agree with you on this: "If you only knew what it does to a child you would know you don't have ADHD!" It really annoys me when you see the mother of a 2-3 yr boy who is a normal, active child, saying, "I think he has ADHD". Such people really have no idea. I also agree that it is being overdiagnosed. It concerns me that children are being put on ritalin or whatever, when they may not actually NEED it and when the REAL causes of their behaviour aren't being investigated.
In addition, studies have shown that the disorder IS real. The brains of ADHD persons DO function differently. It is not just a 'behavioural' thing.
pfcpremosgirl
11 Sep 2009
Yes, ADHD and ADD are very very real, and carry genetic predisposition. I have ADD, as a female, symptoms present differently at times than from the way boys present. I will feel bad as long as I live that my genes may've been why my oldest son has ADHD. When I was diagnosed back in 1985, they did not give me any medication, they put me in a developmentally disabled classroom, and from there, my schooling went downhill. They treated me like my problem was with learning alone, instead of like the medical condition it was. Had I been given the proper treatment back then, I wouldn't suffer from the short attention span, flighty disposition, and inability to finish anything that I have now, I do believe. But my son has had a fighting chance. Since he was 5 years old, he has taken ADHD meds, and he is 16 now. We are doing a trial run off the meds right now, but it looks like he will need to go back on them. He doesn't do so well when he is off.
22 Aug 2009
Trazodone has been a very effective sleep aide for me for the 3.5 years I was suffering from insomnia brought on by my depression. Trazodone is an anti-depressant as well as used for sleeping issues. I too need between 8-10 hours of sleep in order to not be exhausted and irritable the next day.
I took 1 50 mg tablet and that was enough for me, but my dad was also on it for sleeping and he's much bigger than I, so he was prescribed to take 150 mg.
I woke up feeling refreshed and happy that I slept thru the night and got my 8-10 hours.
kathy999
17 Oct 2009
This is what I take to sleep and without it, I would not sleep... ever. I have taken it for 8 years now and it has never let me down. Of course our house could fall down around me and I would never know it... but at least I sleep... One thing about Trazadone it does build up a tolerance and usually takes routine dose changes, but the DRs know that it is expected and my doctor in particular handles these appropiately. I started out with one half of a 50 mg tablet and have progressed to my present dose. I now take 1-2 150mg tablets.
kathy999
17 Oct 2009
This is what I take to sleep and without it, I would not sleep... ever. I have taken it for 8 years now and it has never let me down. Of course our house could fall down around me and I would never know it... but at least I sleep... One thing about Trazadone it does build up a tolerance and usually takes routine dose changes, but the DRs know that it is expected and my doctor in particular handles these appropiately. I started out with one half of a 50 mg tablet and have progressed to my present dose. I now take 1-2 150mg tablets.
jada32622 Aug 2009
Amsel10... I personally am on seroquel also and it does me fine. However my reasons are different than yours. I see you have gotten some really good answers to help you. My husband takes temazepam for sleep and restless legs... it works really good for him. Just talk to your doctor about the suggestions we all have made to see what's best for you. I wish you luck cause I too get miserable and mean.
Andreane_...21 Sep 2009
Seems to be that u tried a lot of medications but none of them helped u properly... or actually b the cause of ur needs.. c a lot medications are r8 nw available in the market for sleeping..but i'll suggest you have a word with ur physician and ask him if you take the AMBIEN(10mg)...
I'll suggest you to take the generic ambien that is the ZOLPIDEM(10mg)..coz upto what i know and my experience says that ZOLPIDEM(10mg) gives you a bit less side effects... compared to the brand one..coz the brand one is very strong...
But bro I must tell you one thing that u r the best judge of your body so alwaz try to consult with ur physician before taking any medication... don't take this medication only believing on me... plzzz once u should consult with your doctor...
fausto blanco
12 Dec 2009
that is very true, you need to ask your doctor for ambien... this I must said ambien and ceroquil make good combination my wife is currently taking both and work...
ask your doctor. but don't stop here if is necessary change your doctor. second opinion always help... God bless you .
25 Sep 2009
I have the same problem, my phsyciatrist wouldnt give me sleeping meds, so I tried melatonin. Its natural so it works pretty well, the more chemical things tend to knock you out and you wake up groggy and not refeshed. Melatonin works, all you have to do is take it about half an hour before bed, when in bed just think calm thoughts and you drift off to sleep as if it was natural. hope this helped!
BrandonSS90
5 Oct 2009
Yes, I agree. My doctor agrees also about Melatonin, and natural things. I have tried Benadryl and that makes me feel sluggish and groggy the next morning. Tried Dramamine with a little of my Ativan, helped a lot.
rawboots
16 Jan 2010
I also take the melatonin everyday. it seems as if my body is getting used to it and it seems as if it isnt working quite as well anymore. since it is a natural med, i feel its much safer than otc meds. Is this possible, for my body to get used to it ?
bebe52228 Oct 2009
i have insomnia as well ive tried alot of different sleep aides, i have had "hang overs" to alot of them such as xanex, ativan, seriquil, the one i have tried that works for me is ambien 10 mg. i have three kids so i need to be able to wake in the middle of the night and be aware as well. i have never woken up with that heavy groggy feeling that most give me. so i suggest trying ambien there is also lower doses.. consult your doctor maybe even give it a try... good luck hope you find what is right for you.
tyson3152...
mrspremo
30 Dec 2009
Ambien doesn't touch my insomnia, and my insurance will not cover Ambien CR. The only medication, prescription wise, that does work, and allows me to wake up refreshed and not feeling like I was drugged the night before, is Lunesta, 3mg. It lets me fall asleep quickly, within about 30 minutes, and I sleep between 6-7 hours straight. I'd love to be able to sleep 8 or more hours a night, but I will take those 6-7 hours of usually uninterrupted sleep time. Ambien always made me feel awful the next day. And I never slept straight through the night on Ambien either. I'd fall asleep pretty fast, but sometime between 2-4 hours afterwards, I'd wake up, feeling just awful, and unable to fall back asleep. The only side effect I have had from Lunesta was unpleasant taste in my mouth. And thats one side effect I will take given all the benefit gained from this medication. Good luck!!
kathy999
31 Jan 2010
They gave me ambien in the hospital after I had my last child because I was NOT getting any rest and I was mean as hell to everyone (he had colic). Anyway, it did work for me... I was out for at least 10 hours. However, unfortunately tyson is correct about the insurance companies... even medicare and medicaid... They usually will only pay for a half a month and leave the rest of the cost to you. Because of its chemistry you cannot take half a tablet. They are not suppose to be altered in anyway because part of the medicine is responsible for prolonged sleep so its sustained action. If you crush or half ... you get all that medicine at once. That not only takes away from the sustained sleep, but give you everything at once which could have bad consequences. I wonder why insurance will only pay for half???
29 Nov 2009
I use to take Seroquel and Trazodone. For me it was a good combination. Another good note: Stop eating, drinking and watching anything that will keep you excited, after 4:00pm. Avoid caffeine, any stimulants. Milk also helped. Sometimes just going to bed, will put you to sleep. Listening to relaxing and calming music. A relaxing bath is good. Aromatherapy definitely works.
Dalton73131 Dec 2009
I completely understand where you are coming from. I too have Insomnia, I take seroquel, but not for sleep because even 400(2/200s)mgs, doesn't touch me. I went to DR. yesterday... for sleep he gave me Elavil. Have you tried that? I got a few hours sleep... it may work.
jude2008 Mom61
4 Apr 2010
800mg of seroquel? How do you function? And what do you use to sleep?
clm1970
28 May 2010
This observation and opinion is for "sarcosam." compared to the US and to the United Kingdom, the US far surpasses the children taking psychotropic medications; I quite adamantly stand by this declaration. Howevver, I am an advanced registered nurse, with prescriptive authority, specializing in psychiatry, and do not possesss any magical powers to entice "Hansel and Gretel" out of the woods to come take the medications I prescribe, Before any, any type of medication, in any specialty, are given a comprehensive assessment should be completed as the issue or situation may not even necessitate a needless, potentially harmful medication. Further, I bellieve that they are quite overused. I have a profoundly autistic child with a seizure disorder. We went without medications as long as we could, but due to her high risk of brain damage, chose those that would provide her the best convulsive coverage without causing her to glow in the dark.
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bi plor, skitzo, anexity, mood swings, depression, its a wonder drug. but the sleep is the best part
I was given high doses of seraquel to help me sleep also. I stopped taking it because I began seeing and hearing things that were not there. I took ambien until it was doing no good at all. Now I take 45 mg of remeron, a low dose of zannaflex and 2 low doses of baclofen. Now I sleep just fine. I plan to taper off the muscle relaxants slowly. Hopfully, I'll sleep on my own. I know the two muscle relaxants are not supposed to be mixed, but you do what you have to to be able to sleep.
I have tried all of these and have had no luck. I also tried trazadone and it did help. I had to stop taking it since I need to take nsaids for pain and inflamation.
I personally think the Muscle Relaxer called (Skelaxin) or now in generic metaxalone works pretty well with sleep disorders.I usually take those 3X a day along with Klonopin 2X a day for anxiety and I tend to sleep very well.I would also like to say that the main ingredient Diphenhydramine or whatever it's called without anything else added to it works TREMENDOUSLY for sleeping.Please let me know if you are able to try these medications and or suggestions I have given for you and also if anything you have been trying ends up working.KIT!!! I also added you as a friend.So you can PM me know if you want to.:)
You might try melatonin, valerian root, ltryptovan. The combonation is now on the marked OTC as Alteril. Be sure your Dr knows the seroquel isn't giving you the proper reaction you expect. He works for you and you have a right to get your meds straight.
I have tried several meds, either otc or scripts. Valarian works alittle but I am still trying other options. Everyone's chemistry is different so you just need to have a trial period to see what works for you. These suggestions by members is a good way to write down things you have tried and if any of them worked. Then you can talk to your doctor about other names of medications that you have been given so that you have more options. I cannot sleep, sometimes for three days at a time. I think it may be due to the Morphine that I am on. Still, I just try different meds, etc., to see if finally I hit the jackpot. For anyone who has insomnia, being able to sleep is like hitting the jackpot! I wish you the best in finding the right treatment that helps you to be able to sleep!
Sweetie Pie
How many mg are you on? I was on 200mg an wound up not sleeping for a week and had what I'd like to call a "MELTDOWN" it took the maximum dose of 800 mg to finally get my what people would call normal~hang in there ~Amy lost in PA
I would really try to get off Seroquel for sleep. It is not even FDA approved for that and yet doctors do it anyway. It is a dangerous drug.. and tapering off it will be very difficult. I wish I would have seen what this drug could do three years before I began taking it.
What i would say is u should really go with Restoril bcuz it helps u sleep a lot.
does vistiril make you gain weight?
I was on 300 mgs of Seroquel for Bipolar prblms along w other meds. and when I complained about my restoril not giving me more than 5 hrs sleep a night, my doc kicked up my Ser. to 450 mgs. The only thing it did was make me gain More weight and sleep less! I started to take less of it, and am down to 50 mgs. a day of Ser. and trying a new med. and a new sleeping pill, haven't got it yet, get it today. I have been batteling sleep loss for as long as I can remember, been on every pill, only thing that works honestly is to damn near overdose! It is my greatest wish to get more than 5 hrs sleep a night! I wish u luck!!!
Ambien puts me to sleep almost every time. I'm not your Dr., so please check with him/her first. (of course your going to talk to your Dr.. How else would you get the prescription?) Silly me. I know a lot of people who take it with the same success. The generic name is "Zolpidem." Other's on this site have given any other info I would. So, just do what you need to do to get sleep. Dr. Amen, from Amen Clinic says that we need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I guess even if we think we can operate on 4 hrs. of sleep a day, we're wrong. I'd be a itsy bitsy irritated if I were you, too. Now, go. Get some sleep. Good nite.
Try Trazadone... works great and is not addictive.
I have been on a low dose 50mg of seroquel for 7 years. I went to an Phsy ARPN who upped my seroquel to 150mg. It became too much but he would not take me off of it. I went to a real doctor, a pychiatrist. she told me to taper off the seroquel and then take trazadone, but the trazadone is not putting me to sleep. I am so frustrated. any suggestions? I want to go back to seroquel, but I know it is not good to take long term.
Higher doseses of Seroquel do not make you sleep better!! I use to take 1800mg but my Doc used it to inhance my mood not for sleep now I only take 100mg for sleep and it does help me sleep better than when I was on the higher dose. Good luck.
Trazadone helped me a lot, in addition to lamictal and ambien,klonopin and trazadone. I no longer need the trazadone. And the other meds are manageable and under control. I cannot emphasize how vital it is to talk to your Dr. about these meds. He/She will know what is best for you. It takes some time to find the combination/combination's of meds. that are right JUST for You. You'll see.
I too restle with out sleep 2-5 hrs if I am lucky. I read somewhere that it is in fact bad do read, watch tv etc, in bed. You should only sleep in bed. But I have tried that and lots of other things. I am currently on ambien 10 lousy mg, and it does'nt help. I am going to be trying resoril? I think it's called. I am also going to go to a sleep clinic without sleep you can go insane. You need your sleep, it;s the time your brain can regenerate. I hope we all can find our soulution. Good luck with your problems, god bless you all. Time helps to heal wounds!!
New to this group (and recently diagnosed with bipolar, hallelujah). My doctor gave me 5 mg. Zyprexa as the only thing to help me sleep. Does anyone take this, and will it eventually work? I can't live on no sleep to 2-3 hours per night for 3 or 4 days straight. I agree that most people need 7-8 hours of good sleep each night, but I'm beginning to worry that it'll never happen for me again. My doctor said to wait and see if the meds are working. My overall mood is better, feeling (and behaving) a lot less in a manic state, but my mood also worsens with less sleep. I'm not on anything else except Lithium 3mg. daily and Ativan for anxiety attacks.
clonidine was one of my last resort sleep meds and it works... no wt gain side effects and it can also be used for anxiety
Seroquel is a dangerous medicine in my opinion. The WILL make you sleep thats for sure. But when I have taken them I get night terrors! I consider them worse than any bad dream, because of the real feeling. The day after is always like a hangover. I feel sorry for anyone that has to take this med. It is like a horse tranq to me! Best of luck to you!
My Neuro wanted me off Seroquel 300XR. I was scared to death cause it was the only thing that knocked me out to get some rest. Nothing else worked, not Trazadone not Ambien not ANYTHING. I had been taking Seroquel for about a year and it ruled my life. I was usually out for 8 to 10 hours, and didn't like the drugged feeling SO I went down to 150mg for a week and added Neurotin 300mg (yes my Neuro said it was ok) but I think I am having withdrawl symptoms, horrible headaches, and itchy. Hoping it will pass. I'm hearing most people are on 50 to 100mg for insomnia. What the crap man? Now the Neurotin stops the limbs popping and they suspect I have M.S. Stupid psych people. Lol. JK!