Should I follow the advice of the sleep specialist?

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

We can't give medical advice, but IMO I would not introduce another Rx drug that could complicate things. 

The immediate and first reaction by almost all doctors is to add more drugs into the picture, which IMO is a mistake.

Zoloft is an SSRI (AD) and they don't even know how they work.  If you watch any TV commercials the ad begins "it is believed to work by...."

I don't know how long you've been on or if you are still on?

Ultimately it's your decision to do what is best for you

Good luck!

 

I'm currently not on anything and I've never taken Zoloft.  I'm trying to tough it out and hopefully let sleep return naturally but the question is whether my 86 year old bod can hold out until that happens.  I'm really suffering from anxiety and consequent insomnia (almost zero sleep) and the doc thinks I need help in lowering the anxiety because it will take too long otherwise.

klonopinaddict, I shall share with you my new doctor experience after my former doctor retired.

I have been off of clonazepam for almost four years. Approximately 7 months ago, I had my first visit with the latest doctor. I shared with him my benzo journey and his first suggestion was that I see a counselor and begin taking antidepressants. This was what got me into the benzo trap in the late 1990s, when I went for counseling. I told the new doc I was not interested, but he reiterated his suggestion. 

 

I still have insomnia and average the last couple of weeks, perhaps 2 hours a night.

Before that, I had gotten 4-5 hours and did okay on that. Rarely did I get 6-7 hours, which would go away the next night.

I was also put on Welbutrin, when I was prescribed clonazepam and Ambien, even though I did not ever feel depressed.

I really ​I remember thinking, at the time,  that I didn't feel depressed, so weaned myself off of that after about 9 months taking Wellbutrin.

 

I'm almost 10  years behind you and sometimes think how long can I last on so little sleep. Will so little sleep hasten our deaths?

We have no way of knowing, but I do know that there will be no benzos or antidepressants in my body when I leave my earthly life.

 

Like Theway2 said, ultimately this is your decision.

I wish you the best.

NG

I'm currently not on anything and I've never taken Zoloft.  I'm trying to tough it out and hopefully let sleep return naturally but the question is whether my 86 year old bod can hold out until that happens.  I'm really suffering from anxiety and consequent insomnia (almost zero sleep) and the doc thinks I need help in lowering the anxiety because it will take too long otherwise.

 

What were you on and for how long? 

 

If you never had insomnia prior to Benzos or other Rx drugs, your sleep should return to pre-Benzo levels?

 

I went on Benzos for insomnia.  I learned I get a bout here and there once or twice per year and that's it.  Had I known that prior, I never would have went on Benzos

 

I'm 5 years off and sleep pretty darn well most nights... 6-8 hours of good sleep

 

I can handle the temporary bouts I get here and there even though they sometimes include a few zero nights.  I've only had 2 of these in the past 3 years.  The rest of the time

I slept really well. 

 

Hoping it evens out for you soon.

The general consensus around here is nothing can replace a Benzo for sleep, everything else doesn’t compare to just the power of the body to heal itself without anything interfering with out chemical make up. Once you introduce a ssri your brain has to compensate and healing is delayed. Then down the line you would have to taper of another drug. Just my two cents. Godspeed.

Thanks, buddies, for you thoughtful replies.  I agree with the consensus that I should not take Zoloft.  I don't know if I have what it takes to fight this through without drugs but I'm gonna try.  The last 2 nights I think I averaged 3hrs/night after having zero sleep for 2 days prior.  Whew, I'm pretty zonked at the moment.

Hey KA

 

I got told mertazapine would help, nope. So let’s try lexapro, nope. Ok amitriptiline will do it, nope? Oh well we’ll swap u to dotheipine this will definitely make u sleep, nope! Ok well let’s try mertazapine and lexapro together! Nope. Right we’ll we will give u some olanzipine this is definitely going to make u sleep, nope. So well up you to a higher dose. And add in effexor. ?!?

 

I finally told the psychiatrist it was clear he had no idea what he was doing. So I left and never went back.

 

Not saying it won’t help u, but it sure didn’t help me. At least I feel sane now. I sure didn’t while I was being ripped on and off all those meds.

 

 

Thanks, Shayna.  You are my lodestar. 

Thanks, buddies, for you thoughtful replies.  I agree with the consensus that I should not take Zoloft.  I don't know if I have what it takes to fight this through without drugs but I'm gonna try.  The last 2 nights I think I averaged 3hrs/night after having zero sleep for 2 days prior.  Whew, I'm pretty zonked at the moment.

 

I would research the Keto diet it can do wonders for healing and mellow out side effects, there’s definitely science behind it. At least cutting out all refined sugar and junk food, just an all around better diet. This really helped my s/x in a short time. It’s no silver bullet, but it can’t hurt

 

 

 

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated. Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

If I were going to move your post it would be the Other Medications board which would likely give you more feedback about the medications you're talking about since the Insomnia board in my opinion is less attended than many others.  But since you're getting replies and you asked me not to move it I won't but there are no guarantees another team member won't. 

 

Loved what Shayna had to say, she's been used as a test subject so you don't have to be.  I'm sorry Shayna but thank you for sharing your experience. 

Hey KA

 

I got told mertazapine would help, nope. So let’s try lexapro, nope. Ok amitriptiline will do it, nope? Oh well we’ll swap u to dotheipine this will definitely make u sleep, nope! Ok well let’s try mertazapine and lexapro together! Nope. Right we’ll we will give u some olanzipine this is definitely going to make u sleep, nope. So well up you to a higher dose. And add in effexor. ?!?

 

I finally told the psychiatrist it was clear he had no idea what he was doing. So I left and never went back.

 

Not saying it won’t help u, but it sure didn’t help me. At least I feel sane now. I sure didn’t while I was being ripped on and off all those meds.

m

 

Why did you feel he didn’t know what he was doing?  Those are the meds they normally offer. It’s normal to hv to keep trying whether it be a pill or something else until you find what works.

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

I guess I wd ask u if the ppl u are taking the advice from hv been successful so far and sleeping thru the night?  I know ppl from both sides med or no med. Zoloft has helped ppl and u won’t know unless u try.  Spring is the single most important thing in recovery. There are also symptoms from insomnia which mimic wd symptoms espec psychosis.  Weigh which has the greatest effect on u, risk/benefit. Taking any med usually means you hv to make a trade…. Like weight gain or drowsiness  it’s always a trade between what u want relief from n the side effects of meds.  Benzo ppl hv to relearn how to get ready for bed which means skills. It’s a combination of way more than meds   

One thing… if we keep looking for something we can swallow to feel better then we’re going to miss a boat load of other things that are critical to a successful recovery from any drug, espec benzos or sleep medicine. We like our drs n therapists only when what they did makes us feel better.  Meds don’t give us a whole new self we’re so happy with… lol that’s a little steep. Meds or any intervention support symptoms so that a person can keep going which is the goal.

Being so scared about what to do, who to follow n who not to counts as a source of sleeplessness n anxiety.

Hey KA

 

I got told mertazapine would help, nope. So let’s try lexapro, nope. Ok amitriptiline will do it, nope? Oh well we’ll swap u to dotheipine this will definitely make u sleep, nope! Ok well let’s try mertazapine and lexapro together! Nope. Right we’ll we will give u some olanzipine this is definitely going to make u sleep, nope. So well up you to a higher dose. And add in effexor. ?!?

 

I finally told the psychiatrist it was clear he had no idea what he was doing. So I left and never went back.

 

Not saying it won’t help u, but it sure didn’t help me. At least I feel sane now. I sure didn’t while I was being ripped on and off all those meds.

m

 

Why did you feel he didn’t know what he was doing?  Those are the meds they normally offer. It’s normal to hv to keep trying whether it be a pill or something else until you find what works.

 

Really? Does what I went thru sound like he knew what he was doing? Coz me sitting in the chair it sure felt like he had no clue and was just taking me on and off pysch meds and making a total mess which has taken me 3 years to clean up on my own.

 

Don’t question what I’ve been thru. Stick to ur own story if u want to offer it but don’t question what my thoughts are on the “care” I received. I was there, you were not.

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

I guess I wd ask u if the ppl u are taking the advice from hv been successful so far and sleeping thru the night?  I know ppl from both sides med or no med. Zoloft has helped ppl and u won’t know unless u try.  Spring is the single most important thing in recovery. There are also symptoms from insomnia which mimic wd symptoms espec psychosis.  Weigh which has the greatest effect on u, risk/benefit. Taking any med usually means you hv to make a trade…. Like weight gain or drowsiness  it’s always a trade between what u want relief from n the side effects of meds.  Benzo ppl hv to relearn how to get ready for bed which means skills. It’s a combination of way more than meds   

One thing… if we keep looking for something we can swallow to feel better then we’re going to miss a boat load of other things that are critical to a successful recovery from any drug, espec benzos or sleep medicine. We like our drs n therapists only when what they did makes us feel better.  Meds don’t give us a whole new self we’re so happy with… lol that’s a little steep. Meds or any intervention support symptoms so that a person can keep going which is the goal.

Being so scared about what to do, who to follow n who not to counts as a source of sleeplessness n anxiety.

 

Just wondering if you have experienced severe benzo related insomnia? It really has nothing to do with sleep hygiene or sleep related skills. I did cbti to the letter for a year and it made zero difference at all. Because when you have severe benzo related insomnia it’s physiological not psychological.

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated. Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

If I were going to move your post it would be the Other Medications board which would likely give you more feedback about the medications you're talking about since the Insomnia board in my opinion is less attended than many others.  But since you're getting replies and you asked me not to move it I won't but there are no guarantees another team member won't. 

 

Loved what Shayna had to say, she's been used as a test subject so you don't have to be.  I'm sorry Shayna but thank you for sharing your experience. 

 

No problem pamster. I am absolutely not against trying things. Clearly I have tried things. But in my experience they don’t seem to help the insomnia. It’s worth a try if u are feeling very disheartened. If I was to give u any advice about ads it would be this…. Stay away from activating ones like Zoloft. ( I was put on this when I had a miscarriage when I was younger and I felt like a zombie with zero emotions and was totally unable to sleep until I stopped taking them after a week) ..U need sedating. So tricyclics, or mertazapine are usually the sedating kind if anything is to help.

 

And sorry to anyone who disagrees but I feel Those who have taken ads have plenty of experience with these meds… more than most psychiatrists! I have taken them. They have not. Sure they have put people on them and sometimes succeeded. But they can also spectacularly fail with some patients. I am one of those very unfortunate people.

They are telling us what they do with absolutely zero field experience! How the hell would they know how they feel if they’ve never tried them! My psychiatrist told me weening on and off ads is like having the flu! Yeah the flu where u feel like u are being chased by an invisible tiger then when u finally feel safe you are unable to stop moving while having a brain that never stops zapping and thinking.  I just laughed when he said how it felt and said have u ever taken ads??? and of course his answer was no.

 

Do ur homework if u want to go down that road is all I’m saying. Sometimes there is no alternative especially when it means saving someone’s life. But listening to drs is why we are all here in the first place. They are not always right. Research anything you take yourself before taking it. If we had only know about benzo wd syndrome I’m sure we would have taken a different path. I know I would have.

I'm not giving any advice at all.

In answer to the question, tho, I took zoloft for a year.  It helped my sleep.  I had a sleep prob long before benzos.

However, I started to get arthralgia pains, and I was young at the time.  It got really bad-- my knees hurt a LOT.

At that time the internet first starting up and found a gal with the EXACT same symptoms as me also on zoloft.  We put two and two together and I stopped taking it- don't think I even tapered.  Drs. at the time said it could not cause pain.

Took me a year for the pain to go away; I thought it never would.

 

Years later, tried a zoloft just to see what it would do and IMMEDIATELY got bad back pain.  Never took it again.

 

So what it did to bring me sleep... then pain... I don't understand and don't think drs. do either.

 

 

I'm not giving any advice at all.

In answer to the question, tho, I took zoloft for a year.  It helped my sleep.  I had a sleep prob long before benzos.

However, I started to get arthralgia pains, and I was young at the time.  It got really bad-- my knees hurt a LOT.

At that time the internet first starting up and found a gal with the EXACT same symptoms as me also on zoloft.  We put two and two together and I stopped taking it- don't think I even tapered.  Drs. at the time said it could not cause pain.

Took me a year for the pain to go away; I thought it never would.

 

Years later, tried a zoloft just to see what it would do and IMMEDIATELY got bad back pain.  Never took it again.

 

So what it did to bring me sleep... then pain... I don't understand and don't think drs. do either.

 

Great post. X

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

.

 

I guess I wd ask u if the ppl u are taking the advice from hv been successful so far and sleeping thru the night?  I know ppl from both sides med or no med. Zoloft has helped ppl and u won’t know unless u try.  Spring is the single most important thing in recovery. There are also symptoms from insomnia which mimic wd symptoms espec psychosis.  Weigh which has the greatest effect on u, risk/benefit. Taking any med usually means you hv to make a trade…. Like weight gain or drowsiness  it’s always a trade between what u want relief from n the side effects of meds.  Benzo ppl hv to relearn how to get ready for bed which means skills. It’s a combination of way more than meds   

One thing… if we keep looking for something we can swallow to feel better then we’re going to miss a boat load of other things that are critical to a successful recovery from any drug, espec benzos or sleep medicine. We like our drs n therapists only when what they did makes us feel better.  Meds don’t give us a whole new self we’re so happy with… lol that’s a little steep. Meds or any intervention support symptoms so that a person can keep going which is the goal.

Being so scared about what to do, who to follow n who not to counts as a source of sleeplessness n anxiety.

 

Just wondering if you have experienced severe benzo related insomnia? It really has nothing to do with sleep hygiene or sleep related skills. I did cbti to the letter for a year and it made zero difference at all. Because when you have severe benzo related insomnia it’s physiological not psychological. 

 

 

Yes I did. Nothing they gv me helped except 1 drug but insurance wdnt cover it.  Health insurance was dictating what the dr was allowed to offer me according to my complaints or what was wrong.  It’s nobody’s fault that a med dsnt work for me.  It’s certainly not his fault. It’s no diff than If I take a cpl of Tylenol for a headache n it dsnt work n I still hv a headache.  The meds he was offering is standard for these complaints. That’s all he can do is offer. Nobody can force you to take a pill or any other form of treatment.

Ppl want to take something by mouth to fix even for thoughts, we want quick fixes plus it’s cheaper to your health insurance just to take a pill.

It’s nobody’s fault. Def a bad rap. What if a piece of advice on this platform dsnt work. What if not trying it dsnt work either… who’s fault is it? 

We need a law that requires full disclosure about meds so that the patient is fully aware of what he’s taking n all the risks. Ultimately, the responsibility to know what we’re taking or what is being done has been put on the patient.

My career was damaged as well … they said it was cuz I put the pill in my mouth that was prescribed for panic attacks, my dr didn’t.

There’s no guarantees in life to anything. It’s not fair either but that’s life on life’s terms.

 

 

And sorry to anyone who disagrees but I feel Those who have taken ads have plenty of experience with these meds… more than most psychiatrists! I have taken them. They have not. Sure they have put people on them and sometimes succeeded. But they can also spectacularly fail with some patients. I am one of those very unfortunate people.

 

I will never take an SSRI based AD. I might as well take Cyanide.

 

I was ok with the TCA based AD's, which I researched high and low and ended up trying Mirt, which I can say was a lifesaver for me. It allowed me to get 2hr bursts, even if I was a zombie the next day, but those became 3hr, and 4hr, etc etc.

 

IMO Mirt is not really an AD unless yo take the full dose or more. It's just a Unisom on steroids at low doses.

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

I think lots of docs prefer off label prescription just because there are less controls. A low dose hypnotic once in a while imho is *on average* less harmful than being put on an AD.

Yesterday I saw a sleep specialist who recommended that I take Zoloft to reduce the anxiety that's causing my insomnia.  He agreed that benzos cause more harm than good in the long run but said his patients had good results with Zoloft.  He also indicated that he had many patients just like me who had tried a variety of sleep aids without long term success but the Zoloft helped them.  I'm very skeptical about this approach and now I'm even more anxious about what I suspect is more bad advice from the medical profession.  Any feedback from my fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.  Pam, please don't move this to an obsure site where I won't get any response.

 

Lovely, I haven’t read through this whole thread so I’m not sure what others have said but here is my 2 cents worth,

 

No,  I wouldn’t add another man made chemical to the mix. Not now, not ever. Your brain has been battered & bruised, it is healing. Sure not at the rate that you or any of us would like but it is healing. Yep you have anxiety - totally normal after what you’ve been through & what they’ve put you on.  I am not a doctor - but I do know that the sleep specialist reaching for an AD is just another attempt at a quick fix. We want quick fix’s during BWD, who wouldn’t - this is totally normal.

 

I’m not dismissing the absolute hell you find yourself in with this horrendous insomnia.  I read somewhere you’ve had some nights of 2 - 3 hours of sleep without taking stuff.  Honey this is absolutely amazing. I know it’s not a lot of sleep - or even enough sleep - I know you want more - as any of us would.  Small steps.  Sometimes, most of the time we want big giant leaps in BWD - this is normal, we are human. But rarely do we get big giant leaps. We get small, tiny, miniscule steps & this can be beyond infuriating. I get it - trust me I do. Sometimes we get small steps forward & then feel like we have giant steps backwards. This process seems hugely unfair & wrong & just maddening.  But what we learn from these tiny, miniscule steps is patience, tolerance, acceptance, gratitude for the tiniest, littilist smidgeon of progress, & these lessons & many many other of the harder than hard lessons we learn during the at times torturous road that BWD is - all of those many, many lessons make the healing we will all get - that you lovely will definitely get at the end of this - so much sweeter.

 

There is no magic answer during BWD.  We all want it - it’s normal. A doctor is trained to help, to fix, to plaster over.  IMO - at best Zoloft will plaster over what is happening.  Your brain is doing it’s very best to heal itself from being so bruised & battered with other chemicals doled out by well meaning doctors who, like the sleep specialist, have good intentions & want to help. 2 - 3 hours on some nights unaided at almost 4 months out is amazing. It’s awesome, I know it doesn’t feel like it is & I get that,  you can bash me over the head for saying this - but I am bl—dy proud of you & your healing brain. 

 

Time, it’s always been time that gets us over the lime - it’s just my opinion sure. No I’m not a doctor & maybe one day they will find the magic cure for BWD. A quick fix we all crave. But until then we got time - & I know you’ve got the strength, courage & tenacity to walk that road. You are beautifully brave beyond measure.

 

I was told I should go on Zoloft,  it would br the magic pill that made BWD better. I chose not to. This is your decision though & whatever you Choose to do I support you.  Xx

 

 

Thanks, Bess, for your thoughtful comments and encouraging support.  Regarding my BWD, I was on Klonopin for 25 yrs as prescribed and kicked it 6 yrs ago after tapering for a year.  However, never fully recovered from the many manifestations of withdrawal and they persist somewhat to this day.  I think my GABA receptors have been permanently altered for the worse.  I think my current insomnia stems from the anxiety engendered by the acid reflux problems I've had over the last 2 yrs.  I've had many invasive diagnostic procedures addressing this issue and it seems that there's no clear-cut way to deal with it.  I think my insomnia is a product of the stress produced by this situation coupled with the fragility of the benzo-damaged GABA receptors.  I think my only recourse is to learn somehow how to reduce my anxiety level naturally, a tall order for me.  Meanwhile, sleep is very elusive - none last night. 

KA I’m so sorry ur suffering so much. I got 1 hr last night. Had a nightmare about my daughter and couldn’t get back to sleep for the life of me. This is indeed horrible.

 

6 years out from Benzos maybe you are in a position to try something?

 

Have u been to a naturopath? You could try ashwaganda or kava perhaps? If I were you I would start trying some natural methods for anxiety. Maybe try those first? Xxx

 

Andros is great with these kind of suggestions. Andros do you think maybe u could suggest something? Xx

Hi Shayna, warrior mom. Well, at least you got an hour's more sleep than I did.  I was nodding off in a chair listening to a book on tape about 10PM and, thinking that was a good sign, went to bed, but no sleep came.  I usually drink chamomile tea before bed to try to relax but that doesn't help.  Regarding other herbal remedies and naturopaths, I confess to skepticism about therapeutic validity of these approaches.  I think the only way out for me is to learn how to manage stress without drugs which, at my age, will undoubtedly be a hell of a challenge.  I'm starting with a therapist next Thursday, no meds.  As I recall, it didn't work for you but I have to give it a shot.