Question 1

what is the definition or description of: primary insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Insomnia: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life.
*http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/home/ovc-20256955

Question 2

do doctors see a lot of patients with primary insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Is the sun hot?: Do bakers use flour?  Do crayons color?  Do babies cry?  Do cows moo?  Do lawyers argue?  Do cops like coffee?  
Yes.

Question 3

i have primary insomnia (which runs in my family).  sleep hygiene has not solved the problem and i don't use caffeine.  what should i try next?

Accepted Answer

Try something else: If you are willing to consider sleeping aids, there are tons of them. Plain Benadryl and like drugs (hydroxyzine or doxepin) may work for some. Then you could try ambien, lunesta, the new "non-addictive" rozerem, (ramelteon) benzodiazepines such as temazepam (restoril) and finally sedative benzo's such as lorazepam/xanax. However, you always want to weight addictiveness vs. Benefit. Herbals - valerian root.

Question 4

do all ppis have insomnia as a side effect? taking prilosec for gastritis; it caused insomnia even though taking lunesta (eszopiclone) for primary insomnia. thanks.

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Just about any medication could theoretically affect your sleep however often the side effects listed for drugs come from things patients report during clinical trials which may or may not be from the drug. Personally i don't believe ppis cause insomnia and there may be something else at play with your sleep.

Question 5

i have primary insomnia (which runs in my family).  why is it worst at the time of the month leading up to my menstrual period?

Accepted Answer

Female hormones: Before we have our periods, our female hormones - estrogen and Progesterone - drop. Less estrogen can mean less energy. Less Progesterone can mean less sleep.

Question 6

can i take seroquel indefinitely for chronic primary insomnia? 12.5 mg has stopped working after 18 days. should i increase it? ambien (zolpidem) no longer works for me. neither does trazodone.

Accepted Answer

Chronic Insomnia: I understand your need to have good sleep.
Ambien loses effectiveness after about a month.
Trazadone is not specific medication for insomnia.
Seroquel can have serious side effects. 
Insomnia is a symptom of  stress in your life for which Therapy, Breathing and Music Relaxation, Yoga, Meditation are beneficial.
See Psychiatrist for Intensive Therapy, discuss anti-anxiety medications and follow.

Question 7

hi i am currently being seen for anxiety and depression - effexor xr 75 and zoloft 100 mg. i am still experiencing trouble sleeping, concentration, and restlessness. i see my primary this friday and have been seeing her for almost 6 months. any recommendations on what to ask her to try or maybe increase for these issues?

medication?

Accepted Answer

TAKE ONE AND MAXIMIZ: I do not think that the medication regimen that you are on would be my choice. You should take either the Effexor or the Zoloft and not both. There is duplication My suggestion would be to maximize the Effexor and taper off the Zoloft. Effexor has a dual mechanism of action when you increase and it can go up to 225mg or even300mg. Perhaps see a psychiatrist that specializes in this.

Question 8

insomnia-tried every medication it seems. it works sometimes but only for maybe a week or two then i'm back up for days on only hours of sleep.

Accepted Answer

Sleep hygiene: Getting up at same time every day, 7 days per week, regular exercise but not right before bed, and going to sleep at the same time every night. If you aren't using stimulants and this doesn't help, see your doctor for a work up of the problem.

Question 9

i was prescribed 1mg lorazepam for my anxiety & insomnia issue on need basis. in last 1 week, i have tried this medication 2 times & each time it has failed to work completely. how is that even possible? isn't it supposed to work for insomnia?

Accepted Answer

: Given your age, habit forming effects and the potential of destroying sleep architecture benzodiazepines would be a poor choice  in the long term management of insomnia. Life style changes specifically increasing outdoor physical activities along with sleep hygiene are best in the long range.

Question 10

what medication is good to use longterm for insomnia?

Accepted Answer

No to Sleeping Pills: The best longterm treatment for insomnia is the work to retrain your brain to sleep. There is no good sleeping pill that is safe for the long term.  One can and one must learn how to breath themselves to sleep or to retrain the brain to sleep naturally.

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Doctor answers about:

Primary insomnia medication

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: primary insomnia?

A member asked:

Do doctors see a lot of patients with primary insomnia?

A member asked:

I have primary insomnia (which runs in my family). sleep hygiene has not solved the problem and i don't use caffeine. what should i try next?

A member asked:

Do all ppis have insomnia as a side effect? taking prilosec for gastritis; it caused insomnia even though taking lunesta (eszopiclone) for primary insomnia. thanks.

A member asked:

I have primary insomnia (which runs in my family). why is it worst at the time of the month leading up to my menstrual period?

A member asked:

Can i take seroquel indefinitely for chronic primary insomnia? 12.5 mg has stopped working after 18 days. should i increase it? ambien (zolpidem) no longer works for me. neither does trazodone.

A member asked:

A member asked:

Insomnia-tried every medication it seems. it works sometimes but only for maybe a week or two then i'm back up for days on only hours of sleep.

A member asked:

I was prescribed 1mg lorazepam for my anxiety & insomnia issue on need basis. in last 1 week, i have tried this medication 2 times & each time it has failed to work completely. how is that even possible? isn't it supposed to work for insomnia?

A member asked:

What medication is good to use longterm for insomnia?

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