June 16, 2009 - 2:57am
Hi everybody,
I'd been off the benzos for a few years and now and just starting to take Restoril again. I've suffered from anxiety/insommia disorders my entire life. My own personal recipe for a good nights sleep is as follows: drink two glasses of Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Extra w/valerian root, 100 mg of doxepin, and 30-60 mg of temazepam.
X
June 16, 2009 - 11:04am
#2
Restoril
I too take Restoril 30mg hs but not every night only when I really can't sleep. The Restoril at 60mg alone should be enough to ensure sleep. Have you had a problem with benzo's in the past if so be very careful they can hook you pretty fast. In fact if I have to take it for more than 3 nights in a row I have a prescription for Chloral Hydrate 500mg hs that I switch out. Good luck with the sleep and try not to overdo it (just concern) take care.
June 16, 2009 - 12:04pm
#3
Brand name Mallinkrodt Temezepam
Restoril is VERY RARELY prescribed in excess of 30mg / dose. There are 7.5 and 22.5 strengths that many find effective.
You're literally "drugging" yourself with 60mg.
June 16, 2009 - 11:58am
#4
15 mg
is enough for me...i take at least 3 -1 mg xanax a day...60 mg is overkill imo
June 16, 2009 - 4:00pm
#5
higher dosage levels
Hello again,
I suffer from an extreme insommnia disorder. I've had it every since childhood. How I dose myself as slowly over an hour. I'll drink one glass of hot tea and take 100 mg of doxepin (generic Sinequan), and 1 30 mg temazepam capsule. 1/2 later I'll have another glass tea and a second temazepam if I feel like I need one. I don't nessarily do this every night just as needed.
The downside to the benzos if that patients develop a tolerance and a dependence to the bezodiazepines so a higher dosage is eventually required. I've been wondering about how long the effectiveness of the temazepam is going to last
X
June 16, 2009 - 5:18pm
#6
Some of the mental health
Some of the mental health patients I work with take temazepam for insomnia/anxiety and so part of my job is to study their medications and educate them about them. One thing that has always caught my attention about this drug is that it is indicated for SHORT TERM treatment of insomnia (7-10 nights). Most resources indicate that if you need treatment beyond that period you should talk to your doctor about a different type of medication.
What has always surprised me is that most of the patients I deal with are prescribed temazepam for multiples of years. There are many better long term alternatives out there. Furthermore, the dependence, potential withdrawls and side effects and reports from aroud the world of the drug being abused recreationally make me wonder why it is used so often.
What other sleep aids have you tried?
How long did you take each?
How effective were they initially and how effective were they towards the end of your treatment?
June 16, 2009 - 7:47pm
#7
60mg isn't that bad . . . Is it?
In my opinion I believe Temazepam is a mildly effective benzo when it come to helping with sleep. . . I was switched to Temazepam 30mg from AmbienCR due to insurance reasons. . . One 30mg temazepam pill is barely effective for me when I'm trying to sleep. . . I need upwards of 45mg to 60mg to actually get some sleep (and this was before i was perscribed any other benzos . . i.e. xanax) . . . I don't think 60mg's is "overkill" or "drugging", I suppose it depends on the person-just like everything else. . .
If you feel you need to take perscription meds to help with sleep, you can definately find something else more effective. . . I perfer/and find that xanax has been the most helpful. . Followed by Ambien and then Temazepam. . .
I also sometimes also take herbal supplements to help get rest. . . But one of the most effective, natural ways to regulate sleep is to get adequate exercise sometime during the day. . .Thus doing so your body needs rest to repair itself. . so if you're able to exercise try it out
Good luck man - and get a good nite's sleep :)
June 16, 2009 - 7:57pm
#8
oneir
You are correct in your observations. For some reason Dr's have no problem giving out this medication. My Dr writes me a script for 30 of the 30mg's with 4 refills and has done this for 2 years until I told him I don't need anymore that I had at least 400 capsules at my house. He seemed shocked and asked me why I had so many stockpiled and I told him I dunno I guess cause you keep writing the script and I believe in having a little extra of all my meds just in case. So, he told me to let him know when I need more
. If there are any Dr's on this site could you answer this question? Do DR's not consider this a true medication or do they not read the package insert or what. The strange thing is this is the same doc that is so conservative in all other ways he has trouble allowing me an extra Perc 10/325 for b/t pain. Any answers from the medical field would be interesting. Thanks
June 16, 2009 - 10:26pm
#9
In other countries doctors
In other countries doctors have similiar pressures regarding temazepam as American doctors do with oxy. I've heard in Austrailia (I think, could be wrong) more pharmacy robberies target temazepam than any other drug. I think the difference in your doctor's prescribing habits have to do with legal pressure surrounding each medication more than actual differences in the drugs...
June 16, 2009 - 10:40pm
#10
Temazepam
Most highly abused benzo. in United Kingdom.
To Med Hed- Xanax is not indicated for treatment of insomnia. Ambien is not a benzodiazepine. You're talking apples and oranges.
When it comes to prescription sleep aids, you don't just "take however many work for you." That's called drug abuse, and is a quick way to a nice long dirt nap.
Back to the OP, your tolerence will continue to grow, and then you will suffer when the drug is abruptly withdrawn. You are well aware of this.
I am sorry to hear about your troubles sleeping. Best of luck to you.
June 17, 2009 - 12:33am
#11
Some people take xanax for
Some people take xanax for sleep. I know that the few times I've taken it for either dental procedures or for long flight anxiety it has made me incredibly sleepy. It may not be indicated for it though...
June 17, 2009 - 12:40am
#12
And some people
...drop Xanax in pretty girl's drinks at bars. Forgive me, but had to make the point.
Xanax may be used off label for sleep, but the short half-life makes for a quick nap, and SEVERE rebound anxiety, insomnia depending on dose and duration of use.
June 17, 2009 - 4:42am
#13
I think there's a term for
I think there's a term for the different times of insomnia. One where you can't fall asleep vs one where you can't stay asleep. Ofcourse theres the other where you cant do either. If someone simply has trouble falling asleep but can stay asleep than xanax may be a more viable option and have less of the groggy feeling the next morning
(edited)
June 17, 2009 - 10:40am
#14
insomnia x*#&s
oneir,
yes those are the two most common types of sleeping disorders. Restoril is a short ending benzdiazepine used to treat the inabilitity to fall asleep. The first time I started taking temazepam was about 15 years ago. I took temazepam for about 11/2 years. Xanax is a long acting benzodiazepine used to help the patient fall alsleep and stay asleep. Generic Xanax 2 mg was my second benzodiazepine. A few years later, I was taking alprazolam 2mg. I took a bar almost an hour before bedtime every night for approximently five years.
X
June 17, 2009 - 6:15pm
#15
X-Factor
What you just posted is totally incorrect. Xanax= short acting. Restoril= intermediate acting.
Xanax= active metabolites Restoril= no active metabolites.
Confushunn like this needs to be corrected. 
June 17, 2009 - 5:31pm
#16
lol. I saw that post when I
lol. I saw that post when I was browsing on my phone earlier and decided it would be too tedious to type it out on that tiny keyboard. Plus I figured feliks would come along and correct it soon enough...
June 19, 2009 - 2:10pm
#17
oneir
You know me better than I thought!
You brought up a good point about "sleep onset insomnia," and "midnight insomnia."
For the OP- Restoril is indicated to help you fall asleep, AND stay asleep. If it's (Restoril) is not working for you, and you have the option to legally try it, I would try Dalmane. I used it for a spell and it worked quite nicely. That's usually second line to Temazepam...
Are you in the U.K.? For some reason you strike me as a Britton. Forgive me if I'm off base.
Take care.
June 17, 2009 - 6:46pm
#18
FeliksD
I know Ambien is not a benzo, its a hypnotic/sedative. . . If my first post made it seem like I was stating it was a benzo, then I apoligize for the "Confushunn" ;) . . . I was simply just stating in order, the effectiveness of medications that have been perscribed to me for sleep. . . My post was simply based upon opinion and experience with "sleeping meds"
But maybe you can help me with this,. . .on my pill bottle it says: Take one pill as needed for sleep(directions) . . . But with my newer doctor it has a yellow stick on label that says "Chew pill before swallowing" . . . Have you or anyone else seen this direction for xanax before?
Thanx man - apples to apples :) I hope you at least reply, because I do think you are one of the more educated and experienced posters on this site and you input is greatly appreciated. . .
June 17, 2009 - 10:11pm
#19
Med Head
I understand. I never meant to detract from your knowledge at all. I sincerely hope I didn't come across that way.
Some of my posts are based on experience as well; there's nothing wrong with that. The point I was trying to make is, when it comes to CNS depressants, individuals need to use extreme caution. The Op is using 60 now, soon it will be 90, and so forth...
As for your Xanax, I have NEVER heard of that instruction. I have, however, heard of medical professionals advising patients to place conventional anxiolytics under their tounge to speed the onset (I am referring to conventional tablets, not ones intended for sublingual administration.) I'm referring to Xanax and Klonopin; drugs used in panic disorder where rapid onset of action is required. So while I haven't heard of this before, it's not something that shocks me. I'll ask one of my girlfriends, she's a PharmD.
Thanks for the compliment by the way. I would say the same to you. Have a nice evening.
June 18, 2009 - 2:20pm
#20
Med Head, please....
Med Head, please let us know when you find out what that means.
I have never heard of it either or even seen one of those labels.
Have a nice day to all! 
ooops wait am i man in this jargon, ok here 
June 18, 2009 - 10:25pm
#21
She is....
She/he (FelixD), is quite the "smart" cookie we have on board, isn't she/he? I must admit! Now, I have to go feed my tiny lovable pet. 
Gee, a Restoril would be nice ``` all this talk about them, aaah don't need them, got my Xanax. 
G'nite to all & Good Health!
Yep, keep typing FelixD:) :) :) :) Terrific information!!!
June 19, 2009 - 2:13pm
#22
For the record,
I'm a he 
. I'm glad you found the information useful.
Hope you're doing well Marlboro girl.
June 19, 2009 - 6:36pm
#23
Uhhh.
To: FelixD
Uhhhh, Thanks man.?!. 
Thank you very much for asking, yes I am doing ok.
Did you notice that you are at the 300 mark in the post? WOW! That's good man!
Celebrate, a little anyway:) :) :) :) SEE YA!
First off, let's see if we're on the same page with your drugs and dosage. Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant as well as an antianxiety agent. According to Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses 5th ed. 100 mg at bedtime is a high moderate dosage for those accustomed to it. Temazepam (Restoril) is a sedative/hypnotic benzo with an initial bedtime dosage of 15-30 mg. The Drug-Drug interaction is Additive CNS depression when taken together. If you are a smoker the effects of Restoril may be lessened.
Since you haven't posed a question I'm not sure why you posted. The above info should be in the package inserts, did you read those? Judging by the time of your post, 1:57 MDT, either it's not working or you're on the night shift. Combining these two drugs at your stated dosage and also given that you are "just starting to take Restoril again" after "a few years" I'd say that you are at mod-severe risk of CNS depression.
With Restoril there is also a problem with accumulation of the drug with chronic dosing, thus increasing the possibility of CNS depression when taken with Doxepin. Restoril has a 10-20 hr half-life and it might also cause an adverse CNS reaction of paradoxical excitation. Doxepin has a half-life of 8-25 hrs which again may increase the possibility of CNS depression.
I am not a Doctor and my advise is not meant as a medical diagnosis/prognosis/therapy. All info above was obtained from the above source. Take care and good luck.......