Restoril as a sleep aid?

[coloradosilver]

Hey all,

For the past 9 months or so I've been taking nightly doses of 10mg ambien to help me sleep. About a month ago it really stopped working.

I spoke with me doctor today and he said that sometimes these drugs lose their effectiveness and wrote me a prescription for something called "Restoril" . I've never heard of it before and can't seem to find a lot of info on it.

Anyone have any experience with the sleep aid "Restoril"? and what are your impressions?

Thanks guys,

Coloradosilver

[deuces]

i think thats the one that has no risk of dependency...i've heard good things, give it a whirl myrl

[RC45]

Why take anything?

1) it costs money

2) you can either develop dependecy or

3) as you did, develop tolerance

Have you tried to change you life style to be condusive to better sleep patterns?

[5vz-fe]

Dude, 9 month on sleeping drugs is really not good. Maybe you can try something more natural.

1. Bananas. They're practically a sleeping pill in a peel. In addition to a bit of soothing melatonin and serotonin, bananas contain magnesium, a muscle relaxant.
   
   
2. Chamomile tea. The reason chamomile is such a staple of bedtime tea blends is its mild sedating effect - it's the perfect natural antidote for restless minds/bodies.
   
   
3. Warm milk. It's not a myth. Milk has some tryptophan - an amino acid that has a sedative-like effect - and calcium, which helps the brain use tryptophan. Plus there's the psychological throw-back to infancy, when a warm bottle meant "relax, everything's fine."
   
   
4. Honey. Drizzle a little in your warm milk or herb tea. Lots of sugar is stimulating, but a little glucose tells your brain to turn off orexin, a recently discovered neurotransmitter that's linked to alertness.
   
   
5. Potatoes. A small baked spud won't overwhelm your GI tract, and it clears away acids that can interfere with yawn-inducing tryptophan. To up the soothing effects, mash it with warm milk.
   
   
6. Oatmeal. Oats are a rich source of sleep - inviting melatonin, and a small bowl of warm cereal with a splash of maple syrup is cozy - plus if you've got the munchies, it's filling too.
   
   
7. Almonds. A handful of these heart-healthy nuts can be snooze-inducing, as they contain both tryptophan and a nice dose of muscle-relaxing magnesium.
   
   
8. Flaxseeds. When life goes awry and feeling down is keeping you up, try sprinkling 2 tablespoons of these healthy little seeds on your bedtime oatmeal. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a natural mood lifter.
   
   
9. Whole-wheat bread. A slice of toast with your tea and honey will release insulin, which helps tryptophan get to your brain, where it's converted to serotonin and quietly murmurs "time to sleep."
   
   
10. Turkey. It's the most famous source of tryptophan, credited with all those Thanksgiving naps. But that's actually modern folklore. Tryptophan works when your stomach's basically empty, not overstuffed, and when there are some carbs around, not tons of protein. But put a lean slice or two on some whole-wheat bread mid-evening, and you've got one of the best sleep inducers in your kitchen.

Grab those from a site btw.

[Mattk]

If you work harder during the day, you sleep better. Sleeping pills are just not good.

[zenvar]

I''ve taken Restoril infrequently. Doc gave me a script for it when I was working third shift. The thirty pills have lasted 2 years It doesn't knock you out, or at least me, just made me drowsy, helped me get to sleep...well either that or nothing. No other side effects noticeable to me.

[coloradosilver]

Originally Posted by RC45 Why take anything? 1) it costs money 2) you can either develop dependecy or 3) as you did, develop tolerance Have you tried to change you life style to be condusive to better sleep patterns?

I had a lung transplant a few years ago and some of the medication that goes with that causes insomnia.

It doesn't cost me anything because insurance pays for it.

I stopped taking the the sleep meds once and stayed awake for 3 days straight. The anti-rejection medications can have this effect.

Thank you zenvar and deuces for your useful answers!

[RC45]

Originally Posted by coloradosilver I had a lung transplant a few years ago and some of the medication that goes with that causes insomnia. It doesn't cost me anything because insurance pays for it. I stopped taking the the sleep meds once and stayed awake for 3 days straight. The anti-rejection medications can have this effect. Thank you zenvar and deuces for your useful answers!

Not trying to be an arse here, but if you have this serious medical issue, why come ask a car forum for advice?

If insurance pays for it, then go consult with a sleep clinic.

You might have provided the added "details" about your particular case to save some of us from bothering to answer with the "common sense" approach.

BTW, I had a very serious head injury 20 years ago, and my "side effect" was worse than insomnia - if I don't actually "force myself to go to sleep" I won't sleep in the normal sense. As in I could stay awake for a week or more surviing just on brief 40 minute cat naps in the early morning (4am to about 5am).

I have not taken a single sleep medication for my condition - I simply learned to get myself to sleep by lifestyle change. Take tonight for example - I am still up, have been up since Thursday - pretty much slept from 4am to 5:30am on Friday morning.

It can be done with little or no medication use - there ar ea lot of natural remedies and lifestyle changes one can make.

Good luck with your situation.

[Pokiou]

i agree with RC and 5vz. Try changing your lifestyle. IT will help more then drugs.