Question
Amitriptyline that I have taken for 6yrs. used to help me get to sleep easily, now it takes me 4hrs. or longer to get to sleep when I take it, I guess my body is too use to it. I have Chronic Back Pain, but it does not bother me at night since my new cleaning job is actually helping my Pain, using muscles that hurt, but it does not hurt as much now and all the members of the Gym always lets me know they appreciate all the things I do to keep it clean and healthy. Sometimes when I take the medicine it puts me to sleep right away, so I have to plan on taking it when I am ready to sleep, I have tried all the recommended things to do like take a Bath, gentle back stretches, no caffine in the afternoon and warm milk. I have tried Paxil, Zoloft, Trazadone and it does not work and the money factor has something to do with Paxil and Zoloft. I have toxic burns on my fingers right now and that makes my sleeping problem worse, there is nothing worse than feeling like you are ready to go to sleep, then you go to bed and finally realize it is a false alarm, but the one good thing is once I get to sleep I get a good sleep and it is never interrupted. Please let me know your comments? Thanks, Cheryl
Answer
Hi Cheryl,
All the meds you mentioned are actually antidepressants, although drowsiness is a side effect. Ask your doctor about Sonata for sleep. Ambien is also good, but it is addictive.
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/library/weekly/aa070200a.htm
Another possibility, and this is available in the U.S. over-the-counter, is melatonin.
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/library/weekly/aa102300a.htm
Other than that, although you do seem to be following the rules of good sleep hygiene, here are a few tips:
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Improve_Sleep0962935071.htm
One more thing that might help you: Relaxation exercises or meditation :
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/library/weekly/aa072300a.htm
Florence
