Lorazepam for Insomnia anyone?

thebrave · May 2009

Before bc i was so emotionally stable but those days are gone. I began taking effexor for the hot flashes, ended up realizing I needed them for depression. Between my new hormone starved body and Armidex my problem with insomnia returned and so I was prescribed a very small dose of lorazepam for help sleeping. I hate being on all these meds and wondering if anyone else is on this drug. I'm on Paxil now instead of the Effexor and I only take half a pill at night. Was off it for about 2 months but then additional major trauma the family is going through and realized I couldn't stop crying--back on the small dose of Paxil. I'm still concerned about the Lorazepam and if I should be trying something else or getting off it all together--although the anxiety I go through at times (also the new me) seems to be helped when I occassionally need it. Years ago before bc i was on ambien and i won't take anything like that again cuz i actually ended up having black-outs from it. I also take a benadryl at bed. anyone...ideas...thoughts?

Analemma · May 2009

There are several threads on insomnia if you do a search. You'll be surprised at how many of us take anti-depressants, anti-anxieties, and sleeping pills. I have trouble breathing at night, which makes me panicky and anxious, and I found that adding lorazepam to the lunesta, melatonin, and vicodin, along with a shot of bourbon usually will do the trick. Not always, though, as last night I was on the web at three am. Benadryl has been a friend in the past, as well as trazadone. You're pretty far out from your original dx, but I don't think the anxiety goes away. I used to be such a stickler about staying off of mood-enhancing drugs. No more. My sanity and sleep is worth whatever it takes.

cubsfan · May 2009

Hi,

I started using Lorazapam for nausea when I had my chemo. It was wonderful for the nausea and for insomnia I am on Femara and effexor for the hotflashes and since I started the femara I have had such vivid dreams. These dreams are not only vivid but can be disturbing so at least weekly I will take a Lorazepam to help me ge a good night sleep. It works wondefully. I think you deserve a good nights sleep otherwise your days are miserable. We have enough on our minds during the day a good nights sleep is not much to ask for.

Good Luck and sweet dreams,

Nancy

pabbie · June 2009

Hi-I take clonazapem for sleeping. Sleep is sooooo healing.

I also take Tamoxifen and currently started zoloft for depression/hot flashes (I was on Celexa for years). And a mood stabilizer for my irritability.

I remember the good ole' days when I was on my Prempro & Celexa and thought that was alot of pills but with daily walks the combo made be feel good. Do your drs ever say, "Oh, that's not many pills?"

Take care of yourselves.

Anonymous · June 2009

melatonin is good for insomnia--3 mg about an hour before bedtime. Doesn't make you groggy the next day and isn't addictive.

KinAZ · June 2009

Hi, I was on prozac 20mg before bc...for mild depression, upped it to 40mg after bc dx, and added lorazepam for anxiety and sleep problems....worked great for about a year, then started to not be so effective for the sleep issues so doc put me on lunesta which is a non-narcotic....works very well. i have also reduced my prozac back to 20mg.

i also take arimidex, and hate taking all this medication......but......as my docs say, sleep is very important, even now after tx........had a hyster due to large ovarian tumor, and with the arimidex...this just magnifies the sleep issued, menopause will do that.....

i manage the hot flashes for now as i dont want to throw another med in the mix, but if the time comes, i will do what i have to do to have the best quality of life possible.

mmm5 · June 2009

HI

I depended on Lorazapam for the first year, I took 1/2 every night to sleep. I got tired of it so tried Melatonin due to someones suggestion. The melotonin made my liver enzymes skyrocket. I went off melatonin and Liver enzymes went down and went back on lorazapam. I think you have to take whatever makes you calm enough to get good sleep as that is the most important for healing. That being said I understand the need not to be on so much meds. When I started Femara I also had insomnia and vivid anxious dreams I hated it, I tried Effexor hated it made things worse, although I know it helps many. When I hit one year made a decision to try vigourous exercise it was very difficult with all the SE's of the meds (Herceptin, femara, and the bisphos trial). After about one month of daily vigorous exercise, meditation, and once a week with therapist for anxiety I began sleeping much better. I no longer take lorazapam and am sleeping fairly normally now. I have a routine it is exercise in am and something relaxing like golf, yoga, walk, or swim at night. I stretch a lot for my aches and pains, take gluc/chod, fish oil and vit D3. It is not perfect I still struggle with daily anxiety but am making a daily practice of letting go. Honestly it can be very challenging ( I also come here a lot as I am still anxious) but I do feel better for the most part. I don't mean to make light of the severe anxiety that comes from all of this by saying exercise is a cure because I have suffered greatly and have had severe anxiety attacks, I am just suggesting that a personal routine that fits your needs can be helpful and show positive results.

Be well, do lots of deep breating and letting go and letting God.
Michelle

desdemona222b · June 2009

I've taken clonazepam, which is chemically similar to lorazepam, for years. I say allow yourself the peace this drug can provide you during this trying time - you sound like a very cautious person who would never take too much of it or anything like that, so it is quite safe to take. It has been on the market for many years now and helps me tremendously. Why suffer?

Lainey64 · June 2009

My onc prescribed Lorazepam for me after I complained about not sleeping during chemo. I sleep soooo good when I take it. My only fear is that I'm becoming dependent upon it so I'm trying to wean myself off it. I took 5 mg of Melatonin last night before bed and my sleep was very restless and I kept waking up with hotflashes. I was taking Tylenol PM but don't like to take medication that I don't need. I'm almost embarrased to call my onc and ask for another prescription of Lorazepam. I'm afraid they will think I'm addicted!

desdemona222b · June 2009

He probably gave you a very low dose, Lainey. Most doctors only give you a tiny dosage, not near enough to become addicted unless you abuse it and take way more than you're supposed to.

7timewinner · June 2009

Before BC, I barely took anything for a headache, lol...now, on those nights when sleep just isn't happening on it's own, or when the anxiety is too much...Valium. The lowest dosage possible, but it works.

I say, do what you have to do to get through this. Laughing

Nadine

Lainey64 · June 2009

Desdeoma, you're right. My dosage is 1 mg. I've never taken more than one at a time.

thebrave · June 2009

Thanks for everyone's honesty and input--it really helps to hear I'm not alone when it comes to the challenge of sleeping and trying to stay on top of things...

Meggy · June 2009

I take Lorasepam (Ativan, right?) every night to help me sleep. Sure hope it's not bad for us...I really need it. It's anti-nausea effects are also wonderful and during taxol and taxetere, I swear it lessened the body pain probably because it makes you so relaxed.

-Meg

susan13 · June 2009

I tried weaning myself off of the Ativan (lorazepam). When I take it I sleep ok, still wake up twice a night but at least I am sleeping some and dont' wake up with hot flashes every hour. Last nite I tried melatonin and woke up feeling very strange. My heart was racing after I got up to close some windows during a bad thunderstorm. Then I tossed and turned all night. This morning I am just not feeling right at all. Maybe conicidence, but I think I will stick to the lorazepam!

gibby · June 2009

Hi there! I also took lorazepam for the first year. A very low dose certainly helps you sleep, but I was worried about depending on it. I used to work as a pharmacy assistant and it was quite common for seniors to take gravol as a sleep aid. I tried it and it works for me. It takes the edge off at night so I can fall asleep.

echosalvaje · June 2009

Yes, I too was prescribed lorazapam during chemo. Each night when I place that tiny little pill under my tongue I think, "can something this small really work very well"? Then I wake up in the morning feeling rested and am glad to have it.

Sleep is too important during this time, down the road when life feels more balanced, then you can look at ways to walk away from these drugs.

ranD · June 2009

Hi all,

Been having nasty panic attacks, sometimes as many as 4 at night, so i am on ativan, 1 mg every 4 hours and an extra one if the attack gets out of control. ztoday I start Lexapro,will let you kno whow that goes, the every 4 hoyrs makes me really sleepy....randie

Lorazepam for Insomnia anyone?

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