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What Causes Persistent Insomnia?

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Posted on Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Twitter Tue, 12 Apr 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 8 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : I'm 68 and I've fought insomnia, since 1978.
My two recent sleep studies show only only problem: no slow wave sleep.
My physicians keep prescribing sleep meds, but cannot find the root cause.
My present sleep med is clonazepam (2mg), usually two per night.
What are your suggestions for getting at the root cause?

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Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
We do not know any root cause existing for such long duration

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

Till now science is not able to establish the root cause for absence of slow wave sleep and I think your physician can not tell you the right cause because it is not known to anybody including him.

Having said this clonazepam lowers the rem sleep and to some extent increases the slow wave sleep so I feel his treatment choice rational.

I understand that answer is far from satisfactory but unfortunaely we need to understand the limitations of science.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3344 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Insomnia?

Brief Answer: We do not know any root cause existing for such long duration Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. Till now science is not able to establish the root cause for absence of slow wave sleep and I think your physician can not tell you the right cause because it is not known to anybody including him. Having said this clonazepam lowers the rem sleep and to some extent increases the slow wave sleep so I feel his treatment choice rational. I understand that answer is far from satisfactory but unfortunaely we need to understand the limitations of science. I hope this helps you. Thanks and regards.