Meds For Sleep

[justpeachee]

My latest PTSD relapse has pretty much turned the night hours into hell. I have no trouble getting to sleep but I am awakened, and often, drenched in sweat, fully alert with adrenaline pumping. I've gotten rashes on my neck and scalp from the sweating, as well as multiple ear infections from the sweat that runs in my ears while asleep. The nightmares are vivid and horrific.

In the past, Celexa 40 mg has calmed my system and taken care of all symptoms. So of course that was the first thing prescribed by my psychiatrist. However, after a month, although daytime symptoms resolved, the nightmares and cold sweats persisted. After that, she prescribed Clonidine (not sure of the dosage, but I take 2 pills), taken at bedtime. It's been two weeks and I've noticed very little change in symptoms. I'm about 50/50 on the night sweats, but I'm waking more often and the nightmares are even more vivid.

I have a follow-up appointment in two weeks, at which time I'm sure she will try a new drug. However, I was wondering if anyone has had luck with any particular medication for nighttime PTSD symptoms or hasn't had luck with clonidine? Would it be worth trying a different SSRI since the current one isn't treating all my symptoms? I'd really just like to sleep through the night. I'm a lawyer and my current concentration is horrible and I'm a walking zombie.

 

[madmax]

First off celexa is for depression: Citalopram hydrobromide, known under brand name Celexa, should not be administered at doses over 40 mg per day, because it can trigger abnormal electrical activity in the heart, leading to potentially fatal heart rhythm problems (including Torsade de Pointes), the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced today. The Agency added that doses above 40mg per day do not benefit in the treatment of depression.

Anti-psychotics such as Risperidone or Geodon help with flashbacks etc...

 

[quaintpapercut]

Hi - I was just prescribed trazadone for my sleep issues but I haven't yet taken it. I did a search on the board and other members have posted that they have found it helpful. I have the same issues as you - I am able to fall asleep, but my sleep is fragmented and I wake up all through the night.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Geodon, previously mentioned, gave me the best sleep ever and I was cool as a cucumber calm. Well, relative to where I was, lol. However, whenever I mention it I add this disclaimer. It also gave me lasting muscle pain that flares up yearly now. I went off of it almost 3 years ago and today I had a flare up. Really, not fun. (Remember these antipsychotics (AP's) are in the same class as l-dopa which gave people horrible muscle side effects decades ago. The new AP's are a later generation but they can still cause muscle issues.) Thus, I only recommended if nothing else works.

Clonidine..... I initially wanted to say that it had no effect on me, but scratch that. (Its hard to keep track of what meds did what!) I took a dose that was a fraction of what they give to kids and I was acting like I was sloppy drunk, couldn't stand up, kept falling over, etc. So really, these drugs affect everyone differently.

Remeron knocks out most people and is often prescribed if you have sleep issues. The first time I was on it, it helped with my sleep. The second time I was on it I didn't sleep AT ALL. So these meds really can vary as to how they affect you.

 

[Brad1980]

My Dr gave prazosin it stop my nightmares it works for about 50% of people

 

[quaintpapercut]

Clonidine..... I initially wanted to say that it had no effect on me, but scratch that. (Its hard to keep track of what meds did what!) I took a dose that was a fraction of what they give to kids and I was acting like I was sloppy drunk, couldn't stand up, kept falling over, etc. So really, these drugs affect everyone differently.

I also have a prescription for this. Did you take this at night as well for sleeping? I have to choose one...

 

[Maggiemay]

I'm on quetiapine (seroquel) & mitazipine (remeron) both have a sedative effect, as long as I take them an hour before sleep they knock me out. I have used temazepam and diazepam (valium) to help me sleep when flashbacks are at their worst... Diazepam is also very good for calming my body down when it goes into spasm...

 

[CourageofSnow]

I take temazepam a couple of nights a week. This helps me get some sleep, however I find I still sometimes dream. On the nights I don't take it I have nightmares and wake up screaming and covered in sweat. I don't get much sleep on those nights.

I am working full time so I need to be able to function the next day with a clear head..

 

[stagnantera]

I think I need to try valium next. My doctor has prescribed me everything under the sun for insomnia.. I just took a remeron (mirtazapine)... hoping it works. 9 am here, btw

 

[BloomInWinter]

Please refrain from using texting acronyms, as per forum policy. Many people do not know what they mean. Thanks! :)

 

[stagnantera]

Umm, okay. It's an internet acronym...