Insomnia, Elavil, reduced sex drive (Garyf's Case)

[webslave]

If Xanax is not helping, try Elavil. Ask your doctor.

[scoobysnacks]

Do you do any form of exercise on a regular basis? I found that when I wasn't exercising during the first 6 months of this I had trouble falling asleep, now I turn out the lights and I'm out.

[garyf]

thanks again guys... I will ask my doc... I do exercise but had to give up jogging and tae kwon do and I do a steep incline walk or the arch trainer at the gym...and some yoga

[Rufus]

What are your symptoms?

[garyf]

Hey Rufus..symptoms I would describe as a clenching of the muscles in the pelvic floor that won't let go when I try to sleep, ejaculation helps sometimes....also hot baths and internal massage.....hard to describe why this won't let me sleep but it makes it hard....bothers during the day too...but I think I just block it out and do what I have to

[Clay]

One mg of Xanax seems like a lot. Maybe you could substitute some Elavil. I finally just started Elavil and it really is good. I take .25 Xanax off and on during the day and at night now too, but have been able to stop the Ambien.

Much as I hate all the drugs, I do think I'm getting better by not having to deal with the pain.

At one point I couldn't get to sleep without listening to a relaxation CD for half an hour at least, in bed.

[garyf]

thanks clay.... I am trying to cut the Xanax....just not sure about more drugs.... I tried ambien for a while....but it didn't work...made me want to sleep....but the spasm would not let me nod off....like slow torture

[webslave]

Gary, just do not mix-n-match these drugs. In combination they may have a powerfully suppressive effect on consciousness and may affect breathing or the abilty to move your body from a position in which you cannot breath. Elavil has the advantage of being a mast cell protector, muscle relaxant, and subdues nerve pain, so definitely worth a try!

[garyf]

thanks web....if sleep doesn't improve i will give the Elavil a try

[freddyj]

When in pain, to initiate sleep I take 200-400mg Ibuprofen, plus a shot of Nyquil (Tylenol plus anti-H). Then do something to take my mind off the discomfort while the NSAIDs kick in. That's all over the counter. So you wouldn't need new scripts. And if you wanted to include your Xanax on very bad days I suspect you will sleep.

My problem is that I frequently wake 4-6 hours later, mid sleep cycle, feel an urge to go to the bathroom, get up and go, then by the time I lay back in bed I'm awake but want to sleep. Anxiety about being unable to do so creeps in, wakes me up even more. was wondering if anyone has suggestions about dealing with night-time awakenings. Not necessarily pain related because my discomfort is relieved after using the john.

thanks

[garyf]

Hey Freddy. Got a CD by Dr Andrew Weil and Rubin Naiman PhD called Healthy Sleep. I use the section called Managing Unwanted Wakefulness. I listen to this while doing deep tae kwon do split stretched. Combined with the breathing exercising in that section it helps me return to sleep as I wake up during the night also. Deep stretching is very relaxing and their explanation on healthy sleep gave me a new perspective on sleep. Hope this helps

[elitynski]

Thanks for the recommendaton on HEALTHY SLEEP CD - I'm going to pop over to BORDERS books and see if I can pick up a copy.

It looks very good and as I'm learning that getting good sleep is important in the healing process.

[ectobia]

Have you tried cognitive therapy? It was as effective for me as Ambien, which I read a study showed to be the most effective medicine.

Also Ambien is not addictive like Xanax nor Elavil with less side effects.

[ockerdoc]

Have you tried herbal remedies, I use valerian, I usually take 4 (400mg tabs) before I go to bed, they''re really good for helping me drop off and they have no side effects. They are also good for nerve pain.

[strobers]

There is nothing worse than not being able to get to sleep.

I use the following:

Seredyn
Amoryn
Mellodyn

The Seredyn is for chronic worry and anxiety. It's a proprietary blend of different herbs.
Amoryn is for depression, but it takes a couple of months until you feel a difference. Like the Seredyn it's a propriety blend of different herbs.
Mellodyn is a sleep aid, also a propriety blend of herbs.

I use all of them and they work great. If I'm having a real bad day, I'll take two Seredyn and two Amoryn with a half a .5 Klonopin and I'm good to go.

Do a Google search and you can read more about them. They work, otherwise I wouldn't be recommending them.