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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Sleep ...
        
(Message started by: kyitb on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:17am)

Title: Sleep ...
Post by kyitb on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:17am

I don't sleep. That's not an exaggeration. I plain don't sleep. I pass out with no memory of falling asleep and that takes days of being awake. I'm sure you know how I wake up to the beast gives me a little nudge. I've tried melatonin for about a month now w/ no results.

Does anyone have any other suggestions on what I can do to get sleep? I'm also on a steady diet of advil pm. I don't want to get into the heavy sleep aids. I'm looking for something natural or at least something I don't need a prescription to because I no longer have insurance after I lost my last job...

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by phil_h on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:36am

Kevin , My md put me on trazadone 100 mgs before bedtime...Trazadone is one the old antidepressants used today for it"s sedative effects ....also seems to lessen anxiety before sleep...I take it as early in pm as 8pm...I try to get in 3+ hrs sleep before am hits begin.....Anything under a 6 , I go back to sleep 10 minutes after hit ends....A 7 and up, and the intensity of the hit overrides the rx , then I'm up. Before trazadone I got about 3 1/2 hrs per day....now I range between 4 - 8 hrs....Doesn't lessen the ch pain , just makes easier to fight off some hits and has made the kip 1 -4's bearable...that's abig difference I'm sure it's because of addition sleep...phil h

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by kyitb on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:40am

I'll have to look into it. You still wake up with them though?

Thanks for your advice it's greatly appreciated. I'm sure I know someone that's on it. I know alot of crazy people. If I do I will definitely give it a try ...

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by phil_h on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:44am

5's and up wake for the duration of the hits , I go right back to sleep after 5's and 6"s with no anxiety or dread..and I don't feel slugish in the am as long as I take it before 10pm.

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by luveemom on Aug 18^th, 2007, 10:49am

Have you tried over the counter benadryl??

just a thought

alicia

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by Corax on Aug 19^th, 2007, 4:54am

Benadryl helps. I take it sometimes but you shouldn't take it every night. I also take Trazadone. It works well and is cheap. I am a very light sleeper even with the trazadone and wake to hits pretty fast to get on the O2. After a hit is aborted I usually am able to get back to sleep without too much trouble. I've never been a very good sleeper even when in remission, the Trazadone made a big difference. I was a bit groggy in the morning for a few days after I started taking it, but quickly adjusted. I haven’t been taking it lately because I’ve been trying to use seeds to get out of the cycle and from what I read it interferes with the seed/shroom treatment.

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by DannyV on Aug 19^th, 2007, 2:20pm

I have recently been taking 1 mg of Requip before bed for Restless Legs. It has improved my sleeping patterns greatly. No side effects. I find that lack of sleep screws me up more than any drug I have ever tried. It can be scary. Real scary. I once went almost a week without sleeping and I was starting to hear voices plain as day. It was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. They went away after I got back to sleeping but the longer you go without, the harder it is to fall asleep. I force myself even if I dont feel like it. The mind starts playing tricks without sleep. Best of luck.

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by lionsound on Aug 19^th, 2007, 8:39pm

How much melatonin are you taking?

I ask because some people have found they need in excess of 12mg.....if medically okay with doc for you to try.

I was trying to find where the info about the larger doses was previously posted, but i can't..sorry about that. Hopefully someone else will provide more info if you need it.

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by alienspacebabe on Aug 19^th, 2007, 8:44pm

Just a note: trazadone can cause mammary leakage (can, not will).

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by kyitb on Aug 21^st, 2007, 7:30am

Sorry I haven't checked the thread! I"VE BEEN SLEEPING! Yeah! Woo-hoo! I pretty much slept all day today. 1st day after my 1st episode of sleep the day before. I was taking 12mgs. I was told, not by a professional mind you, to not take more than that.

I was taking over the counter sleep meds with no results.

I hear ya on the affect of lack of sleep. I was going a little crazy. Never heard anything but, was seeing shadows.

My mammaries seem ok! Hope everyone is doing well. I'm sure doing alot better!

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by phil_h on Aug 21^st, 2007, 9:11am

[smiley=sleep.gif] [smiley=sleep.gif] [smiley=sleep.gif]

Title: Re: Sleep ...
Post by TomM on Aug 21^st, 2007, 3:57pm

on 08/19/07 at 20:44:02, alienspacebabe wrote:

Just a note: trazadone can cause mammary leakage (can, not will).

Even in men? Wow!

Glad you got some sleep.

TomM