Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries: Can't Sleep - Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries

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Can't Sleep I need a new drug. Rate Topic: -----

#1 User is offline   Kwag_Myers 

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Posted 08 February 2008 - 03:32 PM

Every once in a while, like last night, I have just enough pain to keep me awake most of the night. Normally, I'd just take a Tylenol PM. The problem is, I get up for work at 4:00 a.m. and if I take a Tylenol PM any later than 7:00 p.m. I can't get myself out of bed. Normally, I go to bed between 9:00 and 10:00. If I lay there for a couple hours before I decide to take something, I only need it to work for four-five hours.

I'm drinking coffee every hour, and cathing every two, just to stay awake. Any suggestions?
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#2 User is offline   kewlcatkez 

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Posted 08 February 2008 - 05:02 PM

View PostKwag_Myers, on Feb 8 2008, 03:32 PM, said:

Every once in a while, like last night, I have just enough pain to keep me awake most of the night. Normally, I'd just take a Tylenol PM. The problem is, I get up for work at 4:00 a.m. and if I take a Tylenol PM any later than 7:00 p.m. I can't get myself out of bed. Normally, I go to bed between 9:00 and 10:00. If I lay there for a couple hours before I decide to take something, I only need it to work for four-five hours.

I'm drinking coffee every hour, and cathing every two, just to stay awake. Any suggestions?



Hi

Unfortuantely I get very very little sleep due to constant (neuro, dislocation and others) pain 24/7. So I tend to make myself lay down and close me eyes when it gets to 2 or 3 am. Before then I get more uncomfortable, so I generally laying various positions whilst reading/surfing the web etc. Every so often, I zonk out for several hours - I think my body claims time..There are many different medications available, from the herbal to more potent.

Some people find that the side effects of Gabapentin - which they take for pain helps with sleeping. If you want to try something else for Neuro pain, perhaps that is an option? :H2kOther (26):


Benzodiazepines - which include temazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, and nitrazepam are POM. Long term use can lead to a tolerance or dependence upon this medication.

zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone are known as the Z drugs. However, they act in a similar way to Benzi;s.

Antihistamines which cause drowsiness are also used successfully - much in the same way as you used the Tylenol Pm. It may be more effective since you will not be used to taking it? Unfortunately, taking antihistamines etc for too long solely for the purpose of sleeping can actually back fire since they can lead to something called 'rebound insomnia'.

I hope this helps..

Even though my pain is constant and prevents me from sleeping, I don't take anything for it. I feel like I take enough ( I take opiates etc) and I have young children, so I have to be able to hear them etc..So I grit my teeth and wait for the zonked times....Just wish they came more and I could control them! ( I would make millions eh?, lol)

I hope this helps,

Take care,

K
Ex Nurse (med retired)
Connective tissue disorder & associated paralysis.
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#3 User is offline   Tired of hurting 

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Posted 08 February 2008 - 10:38 PM

Tylenal PM made me feel like I had a hang over all day.What else have you tried? Not sleeping just makes my pain worse, I'm more spasmed and can't handle the pain. I take all kinds of stuff and I'm lucky if I sleep 3 hours at a time. If you wants some ideas PM me. would be happy to share.
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#4 User is offline   Texaswheelz 

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Posted 09 February 2008 - 04:19 AM

I just started using melatonin last month after a co-worker told me about it. it has helped and i have actually been getting a good nights sleep with it and you don't want up feeling like drowsy the next day like you do with a lot of other stuff. you can get it at GNC and other vitamin stores. I bought the liquid form in a bottle and spray 3 sprays under my tongue each night, haven't been awake longer then 20 minutes i've taken it. Before I started taking it I would some times lay there for 2-4 hours trying to go to sleep.
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#5 User is offline   Motor 

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Posted 09 February 2008 - 06:07 AM

View PostTexaswheelz, on Feb 8 2008, 11:19 PM, said:

I just started using melatonin last month after a co-worker told me about it. it has helped and i have actually been getting a good nights sleep with it and you don't want up feeling like drowsy the next day like you do with a lot of other stuff. you can get it at GNC and other vitamin stores. I bought the liquid form in a bottle and spray 3 sprays under my tongue each night, haven't been awake longer then 20 minutes i've taken it. Before I started taking it I would some times lay there for 2-4 hours trying to go to sleep.


Hey folks I have tried them all. Restoril, Soma, Trazadone and Ambien to name a few. I like the Ambien with a 10mg Valium. I sleep solid although for only 6 hours, but there is no after effect like drowseyness etc. I am used to going on little sleep as when I was a cop I worked the midnight to 8am shift for several years!

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#6 User is offline   Lucky 

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Posted 21 February 2008 - 06:12 PM

Diazepam..... Nitrazepam or still no joy..... Zopiclone. zzzzzzzz
C-5 Incomplete, Diving Accident in Mexico. Walking with crutches, In controlled pain !
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#7 User is offline   handi2 

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Posted 22 February 2008 - 08:27 PM

I too am in pain 24/7 and the meds that I find helping me the most for sleep are trazodone and tizanidine. I take these before my regular dose of Effexor, Baclofen and 10mg Valium. I sleep for about 5 hours and getting back to sleep is easy.
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