I am 73 years old. I have been on sleeping medication for over 50 years. I am currently taking temazepam 30 mg. I was taking 45 mg until 2018. I became an insomniac due to a variety of reasons. One was in an orphanage I was in, they punished me by walking the hall for hours every night I urinated in bed. After going back to live with my parents, I was subject to violent abuse for several years. I started taking sleeping medicine in the next home I was in. I didn't take it every night. The nuns would only give me a sleep med if I went three or more days without sleep. Then I when I joined the military and married as series of unfortunate events sent me to the hospital and was prescribed Valium then changed to temazepam. I have been on those for over 30 years. The most I have gone without sleep was 19 days. The VA has reduced my medication in 2018 to 30 mg and haven't had at least three consecutive nights of sleep. Do you know of a good medication that will help me get through the last few years of my life? I am looking for a medication that is equivalent to or better than temazepam.
Ambien - Help, I am looking for a sleep medication that is as good as 45 mg or better?
Question posted by walkingzombie on 8 Sep 2022
Last updated on 8 June 2024
3 Answers
If you have been up for 19 days as you stated then that is not good. Since you have been on temazepam 30mg/45mg for over 30 years and now getting no results, then I’d recommend Ativan 2mg for sleep at night or ambien 10mg although keeping you on a benzodiazepine is probably the best choice since you were on them for 30+ years. Given ambien 10mg is about the same potency at temazepam
30mg or stronger, they just metabolize through everyone’s body differently. I think they took you off of the 45mg temazepam because I think they stopped making it in that dosage. So I’d ask your doctor how he feels about Ativan 2mg once at bedtime and go from there. Report back!! Be well and get your rest! Ativan can be a life saver for a lot of people who are chronic insomniacs. Wishing you the best hope this helps
pharma guy 101
Hi. I hope you are still with us. I have no current medical certification right now (but I am in school to receive one). I am not an MD so I cannot prescribe medication but I will tell you my personal experience, and I will tell you what works best for me. The best sleeping pill that I have ever been on was eszoplicone 3mg (brand name: Lunesta 3mg). It will put you to sleep, and keep you asleep. Do not take it unless you can get a full nights rest. Take this medication AT LEAST 2 hours after eating.
This drug belongs to a class of medication’s called Z-drugs.
The medication temazepam (brand-name: Restoril) is a benzodiazepine. One SHOULD NEVER been on benzodiazepines, long-term. I do not know why they have kept you on it so so long. Actually I do know why they have kept you on this medication for so long but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.
Ask your doctor about Z-drugs. The three major ones are 1) zaleplon 5mg/10mg (dose 5mg-20mg) Sonata is the brand name 2) zolpidem (comes in MANY different forms with many brand names in many different dosages) but The IR version comes in 5mg/10mg and will help you fall asleep; the ER version comes in 6.25mg/12.5mg and will help you fall asleep and stay asleep 3) eszoplicone 1mg/2mg/3mg (brand name is Lunesta). This only comes in one form. Lunesta (out of the 3 I just mentioned) it will help you get to sleep and stay asleep, but you need to take it on an empty stomach if you can get a full nights rest as well.
I have tried all 3. The best one that worked for me was eszoplicone 3mg.
I hope this helps someone.
z-drugs are very closely related to benzos and also build up tolerance. Also lunesta at a dose of 3mg is extremely powerful and some people who are new to the drug along with geriatric patients may fall or do things they have no memory of at all. I’ve tried lunesta 3mg also, it does work great but keep in mind Z drugs and benzodiazepines are in the same family, they are very similar and cross-tolerant. Neither “Z drugs or benzodiazepines should be used for more of then for 2-4 weeks unless the benefits outweigh the downsides. Both can cause tolerance, dependence and having to try and find these drugs in illicit venues. As long as your doctor knows what’s going on you will be fine. Best wishes and I hope you sleep well.
If these don’t work gabapentin 100-300 mg before bed works great for some, along with remeron are worth at least talking to your doctor about. Best wishes and sleep well!
Pharma guy 101
There is an antipsychotic, Seroquel (quetiapine) used off label for sleeping disorders/insomnia.
I am 53, suffer from bipolar disorder an severe insomnia, this med helps with my bipolar condition and it helps with the insomnia quite well, I know everyone reacts differently to meds.
I suggest you ask your Psychiatrist about giving this med a try.
"Health professionals commonly prescribe Seroquel off-label when insomnia is caused by another psychiatric disorder (secondary insomnia). Seroquel has also been increasingly prescribed for stand-alone (primary) insomnia due to its sedating properties."
I think you should ask your doctor about remeron it’s has ALOT less side effects the seroquel and some of seroquels side effects can never be cured (maybe manged) tardice dyskinesia for one is a shaking if mostly the hands and face you will grind your teeth involuntarily movements of your neck and eyes and it cannot be cured even managing it can be a nightmare I never would recommend that personally I’d remeron I think you will be pleased at the quality of sleep you’re getting and the mood you wake up in plus there’s almost 0 side effects, except drowsiness. Another drug you can ask about is low-dose gabapentin for nighttime. 100-300mg at night with food and you may sleep through anything
Best wishes and hope to hear back for you!
Pharma guy 101
I think you should ask your doctor about remeron it’s has ALOT less side effects the seroquel and some of seroquels side effects can never be cured (maybe manged) tardice dyskinesia for one is a shaking if mostly the hands and face you will grind your teeth involuntarily movements of your neck and eyes and it cannot be cured even managing it can be a nightmare I never would recommend that personally I’d remeron I think you will be pleased at the quality of sleep you’re getting and the mood you wake up in plus there’s almost 0 side effects, except drowsiness. Another drug you can ask about is low-dose gabapentin for nighttime. 100-300mg at night with food and you may sleep through anything
Best wishes and hope to hear back for you!
Pharma guy 101
Hi,
Thank you for your concern, much appreciated.
I have been on meds for over 30 years and have tried many, as most of us have,once again thank you.
Stay safe, masso
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ambien, insomnia, temazepam, sleep, medication, sleeping
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