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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia Due To Stress

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: Hi I am suferring from Insomnia due to stress fot the last 1 month & my sleeping time has changed from 1am to 3am.. Doctor has prescribed me .5mg restyl but still i am unable to break the sleeping pattern & sleep at 3.30am only.. please help as this is affecting my health majorly..I continue to sleep till 10am ..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
zolpidem 12.5 - 6.25 mg, 10min prior to sleep

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Please do not worry, you will be fine and will also get rid of sleeping pill after few days.

Firstly, I think restyl 0.5mg is not sufficient or suitable for you because there is problem in sleep induction and not continuation. Restyl i.e. clonazepam is good for continuity disorders of sleep.

You will be helped by zolpidem. Dose between 6.25 to 12.5 mg at night, almost 10-15 min prior to going to bed. This usually puts a person to sleep in 10-20 minutes. It gives a short and refreshing sleep for 5-7 hours only and there is no hangover. It is non addicting. You can consult your doctor for this option.

You should simultaneously try non medicating measures to get a normal sleep- avoid tea/ coffee and alcohol.

Try to fix sleep and waking hours and take a light dinner.

Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (29 minutes later)
Hi

Many thanks for the response.

I would try this today.

Also can i try melatonin GNC 3mg ? Will it help?

Regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
glass of milk at night is better than melatonin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Melatonin is good for sleep but usually it dosent bring about sleep on its own when there is clinical insomnia.
It is a supplement only...dont waste your money into it...alone it cant help in most of the cases... However, taking a glass of milk will be good! It has serotonin which is a sleep booster. Take it an hour prior to sleep.

Unnecessary supplements which just add on to the cost of treatment should be avoided.

Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (23 hours later)
Hello Madam

I have purchased Stilnoct zolpidem 6.25 mg & i will take it today. Last questions:

1. what is the dosage perod
2. Is it addictive.ow do i ween it off once my sleep problem is resolved?
3.Will there be any side effects? I dont have BP & DIABETES & I exercise regularly

Many thanks & best regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
take it 15min prior to sleep time

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Please take this 15-20min prior to sleep as it acts fast and also maintains sleep for 5-6 hours. After waking up the person is usually fresh and there is no hangover.

It is non addictive and mostly the patient is able to quit it by himslef after the problem is solved.

Try starting with 6.25mg today, but if you feel that sleep was not very good, then take two tablets together from next day.

When you want to stop reduce to one tablet for few days and finally stop it.

there are no major side effects and under normal body functioning this medicine is suitable for old people too..so, please dont worry.

Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (46 hours later)
Hi Dr XXXXXXX

As per your kind directions. i have started taking stilnoct 12.5 mg( 2 tablets of 6.25md) 20 minutes before bedtime.

On the first day i was able to sleep after 30-40 min and had 7 hrs sleep, whereas yesterday( 2nd day) I woke up at 6am ( after sleeping at 1am ) and then struggled to get to sleep. Hence i am feeling very tired as generally i get up at 9am. Is this normal as i need atleast 7 hours sleep? I am 6'2'' and weigh 95 kgs( muscular built) Please guide so that i can adjust accordingly.

Many thanks & kind regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
lorazepam 2-4 mg helps in such situations

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

According to your reply it seems that after first day there was reduced response to zolpidem...this can happen in some cases, dont worry..

In such situations I recommend lorazepam 2-4mg at night ( taken 1 hr prior to sleep) for one week, then when stressful period is over or when sleep improves, reduce the dosage by half and finally stop.

You can take zolpidem later, on SOS basis once this episode is managed successfully
.
So, you can shift to lorazepam for now as it is useless to increase the dosage of zolpidem further.. may be your body needs more meds due to weight and height (which is not enough with zolpidem presently).

P.S. -- abstain from tea/ coffee and other stimulants like liquor. Donot take a nap or sleep or even lie down during daytime ( this helps a lot). When awake at night please donot watch TV..you may read a boring book!

Good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (17 hours later)
Hello Madam

Thanks for the resposne.

Since the reply came late last night, I had continued with Stilnoct 12.5mg & had a good sleep for 6 hours & then woke up. My ideal sleep is 7-7.5 hpurs for me to function optimally.

Can you please suggest any brand for Lorazepam? Also should i go for 2mg or 4 mg? Also should i then discontinue Stilnoct totaaly for now?

Today , I am feeling better & so do you recommend a small dosage adjustment & continuing woth Zolpidem since it is non addictive.

Also there is a taste difference earlier on in the day after taking Zolpidem? Is it normal?

Kindly conclude with your final advise. Many thanks.

Thanks & regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
dont raise stilnoct,; can start lopez

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

If you are happy with a good 6 hrs sleep with stilnoct then dont shift to lorazepam.
But as you mentioned you need 7-7.5hrs sleep for normal functioning, then please take lorazepam ( brand name- lopez, loraz..).
Start with 2 mg at first night and raise by 1mg if there is less response. Can go upto 4mg..I think that would be sufficient for you.
Take it 1/2 - 1 hour prior to sleep.

There is no point in making dosage adjustment with stilnoct as this is the dose used...dont increase it further. And also, you have comlaint of taste change (can be seen with it in some people) so, it might not be very convinient for you...

For soemone who is sober and stable, not even lorazepam can lead to addiction..dont worry, most of the people are cautious enough to keep a watch over themselves!

You can take lopez , 1-2 weeks and then start reducing by 1/2 mg or 1mg per 4-5 days ( can do sooner if there is no problem) and finally stop it. You can discuss this with your treating doctor if you feel like.

I hope this helps you.
Good luck and have a speedy recovery.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia Due To Stress

Brief Answer: zolpidem 12.5 - 6.25 mg, 10min prior to sleep Detailed Answer: Hello, Please do not worry, you will be fine and will also get rid of sleeping pill after few days. Firstly, I think restyl 0.5mg is not sufficient or suitable for you because there is problem in sleep induction and not continuation. Restyl i.e. clonazepam is good for continuity disorders of sleep. You will be helped by zolpidem. Dose between 6.25 to 12.5 mg at night, almost 10-15 min prior to going to bed. This usually puts a person to sleep in 10-20 minutes. It gives a short and refreshing sleep for 5-7 hours only and there is no hangover. It is non addicting. You can consult your doctor for this option. You should simultaneously try non medicating measures to get a normal sleep- avoid tea/ coffee and alcohol. Try to fix sleep and waking hours and take a light dinner. Wish you good luck. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Neuropsychiatry