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I've been looking for some other CP/IP (Chronic/Intractable Pain) patients who would like to contribute to this site, whether one time, sporadic, or regularly. If anyone is interested, please email me at IntractablePainKills@gmail.com

I'm also open to any suggestions about improving the blog.

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DUE TO A GLITCH IN BLOGGER, MY POSTS DO NOT ALWAYS POST IN ORDER BECAUSE THEY POST USING THE TIME THAT I STARTED THE INITIAL DRAFT. I DO MY BEST TO CORRECT THIS WHENEVER POSSIBLE, HOWEVER SOME SLIP BY, SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ THE TITLES OF MORE THAN JUST THE MOST RECENT POST IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Sleep, or lack thereof

Recently, I have experienced a SEVERE increase in insomnia, despite multiple sleep aids. This inspired me to write a post on insomnia.

First, anyone experiencing insomnia should mention it to their doctor because undertreated pain can cause insomnia and insomnia worsens pain.

Talking to your doctor about your insomnia doesn't mean that you need to take medication, but they need to know. Plus, if you do need medication, they'll know that you've tried other things and that it's not a brief bout of insomnia. The doctor can discuss non-drug treatments with you including better sleep habits and

I don't believe in using dangerous psychiatric drugs, like antidepressants (especially trazadone) or antipsychotics (risperidone/Risperdal, Seroquel) for sleep. It's every patient's personal choice, but I developed permanent tardive dyskinesia from it low dose, short-term risperidone/Risperdal as a child. Seroquel caused night terrors

There are many treatments for insomnia that should be considered.

Melatonin
* Melatonin supplements
* Rozerem

Barbiturates- rarely used anymore

Benzodiazepines
* lorazepam/Ativan
* alprazolam/Xanax
* Valium/diazepam
* and countless others

OTC Medications
* diphenhydramine/Benadryl/Unisom- the generic Benadryl is IDENTICAL to Unisom, don't waste your money
* Tylenol PM- DO NOT TAKE FOR INSOMNIA, take diphenhydramine; this medication is intended for occasional treatment of pain & insomnia, but leads to the overuse of acetaminophen/paracetamol/Tylenol
* Advil PM- DO NOT TAKE FOR INSOMNIA, take diphenhydramine; this medication is intended for occasional treatment of pain & insomnia, but leads to the overuse of ibuprofen

Z-drugs
* Lunesta/eszopiclone - this is an overpriced waste of money and should only be used as a last resort, after cheaper, equally or more effective drugs have been tried; this is the left hands isomer of zopiclone (clinically the same drug)
* Ambien/zolpidem - this is a very useful medication, but some idiots took Ambien CR and drove less than six hours later, which caused the FDA to recommend limiting the dose to 5mg, especially in women; many doctors are unwilling to go to the more effective 10mg dose, even if you don't drive and the 5mg was worthless
* zopiclone/Imovane/Zimovane/Imrest
* zaleplon/Sonata

Steve