I switched medications

**Gman1524** · January 31st, 2006, 02:52 PM

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but I will try posting this here.

Everyone knows by now that I exist virtually on no sleep. Despite eliminating caffeine from my diet, and getting plenty of exercise I have terrible problems sleeping. I usually get by on about three and a half hours a night. Some days I feel fine. However, other days I feel like death. On some days, usually Saturdays, I am up for over 24 hours straight. I start feeling tired about hour 26. Then I can sleep soundly. If I don't do that I sleep no more than two hours at a time, and have been doing so since I was a kid.

I work a lousy night shift job which I have never gotten used to the hours. I'm sure it contributes to my inability to sleep. Also, it is pretty stressful. My boss is a twit who depends more on me than he does the oxygen in his lungs. I'm sure that also contributes to my inability to sleep.

I was on Ambien for a while. At first, it worked wonderfully. However, after some time I think my body adjusted to it and I was right back where I started, sleeping no more than two consecutive hours. I gave up thinking I was destined to be a vampire.

My metabolism is extremely high. I could chew on sticks of butter, and not gain any weight. I suppose that doesn't help either.

Well, today, after getting two hours sleep last night I decided to go to the doctor's. She took my blood pressure. It was 96 over 60. That's good, right? When I used to run cross country it was 90 over 60. It hasn't changed all that much.

She decided to put me on Lunesta. She thinks that might help. Anyone ever use it?

Cats sleep about 18 hours a day. I must be the one cat that never sleeps.

**Justsomedude** · January 31st, 2006, 03:34 PM

I don't have a solution for you, Gman, but I'm in the same boat as you; except in my case, I don't get enough sleep. Wether it be 8 hours or 14 (that would be weekends) I always feel tired (and it get's worse with less hours of sleep). My situation is pretty much like yours; my metabolism's also high, I swear that I'm burning everything and anything that I've eaten in the past few minutes just by breathing. I don't work a night shift (although I would prefer doing so, as I've done it before), but I also have a boss who couldn't find his way out of a wet paper bag. But like I said, the only diffirence is that you don't get any sleep and I don't get enough.

So I'd like to throw my hat in this ring too. Hopefully, someone can help, if not solve, our problem. Hang in there, buddy.

**Hercalees!Hercalees!** · January 31st, 2006, 04:31 PM

Lunesta has two big drawbacks. 1) A side effect noted by about one half of participants in clinical trials is a very unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth that's noted about two hours post dose and can last well into the next day. Not really a horrible thing, but maybe something to look out for. I've heard it described as like having a mouthful of nickles. 2) Lunesta has a very long elimination half life (6 hours). Essentially, it takes a long time for the drug to leave your system. So in six hours, you will have eliminated only half of the drug from your system. It results in a "hangover" like haze/ tiredness upon waking up that can last for a couple hours.

If the regular Ambien isn't working out for you it's worth a shot with it. Give it at least a couple days before you make up your mind to stay on it or switch back. If the Lunesta can't do the job, there is a new Ambien available. It's the same drug in a controlled release formulation (ingeniusly called Ambien CR). It won't put you to sleep sooner but it will keep you asleep for a full 8 hours without waking up earlier than you want to. It has a two layer coating, one of which disolves right away to put you asleep and the next disolves more slowly to distribute another shot of the active ingredient a few hours later. I would also suggest not taking any sleep medication too soon after a meal (give it two hours or so). Having a full stomach will increase the amount of time it takes for the medication to reach proper plasma levels and become effective.

Shift work is tough. It's one of the biggest causes of insomnia in the country. I'm sure you already know most of these, but here are some non-drug tips for better sleep-
Only sleep and have sex in your bed.
Take the TV out of your bedroom.
Make your bedroom really dark and cool.
Don't drink alcohol or eat before bed.
Don't exercise before bedtime.
Do get exercise earlier in the day.

jeevesthe8th · January 31st, 2006, 05:15 PM

how are lunesta and ambien CR for long term use? ive bounced around on sleeping meds over the past few years to little results. usually end up constantly upping dosage, or getting too dependent on them and am screwed when i go off (even if i ease off).

**Hercalees!Hercalees!** · January 31st, 2006, 05:36 PM

Regular Ambien used to be approved for only short term use, the new CR can be used longer. Lunesta can be used longer as well. What did you take before? Honestly, really no sleep agent is supposed to be taken long term (for more than 30 days). If insomnia is chronic, it usually points to an unresolved issue that is either physical, mental or societal in nature. Any MD worth their title should work on finding and resolving that cause before administering meds long term. In G's case, he has a societal cause (that can't be cured w/o finding a new job) in that he works a shift job and the normal cycle his body wants to follow is screwed up. If you're constantly changing your wake/ sleep times your body gets confused and never really adapts.

**Gman1524** · January 31st, 2006, 08:17 PM

Anyone hiring? Gman needs a new job.

**Doughboy** · January 31st, 2006, 08:32 PM

Sorry G dont know much about meds, but it seemed like Hercalees gave you some good info.

Ive been searching for a job for over 4 years and havent found one yet so I feel ya on the job thing. I know you wanna quit, how bout looking for work now so then u can quit and have another job lined up.