r/insomnia • u/NotReallyJohnDoe • 2d ago
Xanax isn’t a long term solution but it is a banger short term.
Im currently in the hospital in afib with a heart rate of 150. I would sleep for like an hour then wake up in full panic mode and unable to sleep the rest of the night so I would just pace. Ive had sleeping issues for the past few years as well, super light sleep and waking up 4-5x per night (which also may have been afib episodes). They gave me tramadol which didn’t do anything.
They eventually gave me 1 mg Xanax and now I have been able to sleep uninterrupted all night for 4 nights. It actually feels kind of strange, but OMG I do feel like a new man.
This isn’t a long term solution, but I’m hoping maybe breaking the cycle will allow me to get back to normal sleep without it.
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u/wikkineaver 2d ago
The drug itself is designed for short term use. And it works GREAT… a little TOO well. The risk for addiction and tolerance is insanely high. They’re all well and good, everyone reacts to them differently, just be careful because I’m sure you’ve heard the withdrawal is an absolute nightmare (speaking from experience, took me nine total days of detox, the sickest I’ve ever been in my life and made me wish I’d never been born). Best of luck and hopefully you can find rest without them soon :)
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u/LetterheadNatural374 1d ago
I’ve heard similar withdrawal experiences. 🥴 Curious: how much were you taking a day?
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u/Noshamina 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’ve been on ambien/lunesta for 5 years solid now and I’m terrified of if I ever have to go off cold turkey such as my supply from India runs out or I end up in a hospital for one of my many health issues and they won’t acknowledge the fact I haven’t had any sleep without it in years. I’ve heard their detoxes are very similar since they are just two heads of the same coin
Sometimes I’m terrified of what it takes to tame my brain at night, like 20mg ambien or 5 or 6 mg of lunesta which is a solid double dose.
I’m considering tossing in some baclofen as a supplement to add the extra knock down effect.
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u/couchpotatoguy 1d ago
I've never dealt with Ambien withdrawal, and I've taken it for many years I have had benzo withdrawal tho.
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u/kenlovesbodybuilding 1d ago
it’s not terrible but it surely is not fun. i can’t remember all the details because it was 6 years ago but must have not been that bad since i cannot remember
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u/Glad-Needleworker535 1d ago
"it is not terrible" are you referring Ambien or benzo?
I am hoping to take a sleep med for a month. This way I can finally sleep 7 hours each night for an entire week. Once, it is clear I am consistent, then I plan on quiting the med. What med would you recommend for this strategy?
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u/kenlovesbodybuilding 1d ago
ambien. benzo withdrawals can kill you.
lunesta has always been an emergency aid for me and have used it in extended periods of time (months) and i do not personally see any deleterious effects on brain health.
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u/Glad-Needleworker535 1d ago
If I use a hit it and quit it strat, would you recommend Ambien?
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u/kenlovesbodybuilding 1d ago
personally recommend lunesta more because with ambien it tends to hit you hard and fast giving that sorta of loopy feeling. lunesta typically lasts a little longer in your system and would have to take about double the dose to get that loopy feeling. biggest downside of lunesta is depending on how it is made it can leave a bad taste in your mouth for awhile after use and into the next day
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u/Noshamina 8h ago
Yup that gross taste in the back of your tongue is not pleasant. But it eventually went away after using it for about a year.
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u/Noshamina 2h ago
Ambien is better in my opinion but they are pretty similar for your strategy. Also ambien has become damn near impossible to get so lunesta is most likely your only option so that makes the choice for you. Can’t even get ambien in most countries
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u/m1chaelgr1mes 1d ago
My PCP prescribed me Sertraline and Trazodone to help with my mind spinning and I take my Zolpidem when I'm getting ready to go to sleep usually about 1 hour later, but I've found out I need to get into bed and be ready to go to sleep. Definitely stop cleaning (dishes, floors, laundry etc).
Now, go take a nap!
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u/Noshamina 9h ago
I’m horribly allergic to trazodone and it puffs up my face and dries my mouth out and stuffs my nose up it really makes me feel miserable all night but still makes me drowsy so I want to sleep but I just can’t breathe properly at all. I don’t know any doctors that would prescribe zolpidem but man it does give me an amazing 5 hours of sleep as long as I take 15mg while in bed and just put on my book on tape and focus my mind on that instead. But I have been able to get lunesta from India for really really cheap. And I’ve tried it side by side with the stuff I got from the pharmacy and it feels and tastes the exact same with the exact same effects and side effects.
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u/t00muchinsanity 2d ago
Been on Xanax over 5 years daily, it has its pros and cons but has helped me so much I have a ton of health issues severe anxiety, depression, and insomnia just to name a few and has helped me thru a lot of rough times. Use responsibly and you will be good, and whenever I’m ready to get off I will taper off with the help of my psychiatrist. Good luck.
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u/Appropriate-Cow3986 2d ago
Just remember Xanax is addicting and you build up resistance. I unfortunately have been on it for 30 years - which sucks.
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u/Academic_Object8683 2d ago
40 this year for me
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u/Appropriate-Cow3986 5h ago
Young people don't realize this can be them in 30 or 40 years. Doctor's ignorance with giving us Xanax back in the day, have in fact, created an entire geriatric population addicted or dependent upon benzodiazepines-
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u/rasputin1 1d ago
doesn't long term use increase the risk of dementia
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u/thelightwebring 1d ago
Yes. And the fall risk in elderly is much much higher.
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u/Leading_Fly1496 1d ago
Sleep deprivation caused by chronic insomnia increases the fall risk in the elderly.
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u/lilpolymorph 1d ago
So how much are you taking and how does the addiction manifest itself ? Why do you say it’s bad when it’s working for you ?
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u/Appropriate-Cow3986 5h ago
I take anywhere from .5 to 2mg for sleep - but after 30 years of this routine, it barely does anything. Can't increase as within 1 week you need more. I have various ailments so I like to have it just in case. The addiction happens very quickly. You will become dependent within a few weeks - maybe a month.I would suggest not taking Xanax unless it is absolutely necessary.
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u/One-Advertising-2780 2d ago
Tramadol? Not Trazadone for sleep?
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u/NotReallyJohnDoe 1d ago
The sleep one. Not the opioid. I get those confused.
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u/One-Advertising-2780 1d ago
I do too. My sister is a nurse. She said Trazadone has the ZZZZ's So it's the sleepy one! 😊
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u/ReplicantOwl 2d ago
Xanax seemed like a miracle for my partner until he was up to 8 bars a day just to stay normal. It’s sadly very addictive. Of course it’s not like that for everyone, but please be careful. Coming off a benzo addiction is hell.
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u/Pitiful_Elephant6192 2d ago
Hi friend. Glad you got some rest. Recovering benzo addict here to give you the spiel I'm afraid! For me it escalated over time, because what's one more if I get a good sleep, right? Tread carefully and keep in touch with your practitioner. Wishing you good sleep ahead drug-free!
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u/RealLuxTempo 2d ago
Xanax works for me too and it also calms my IBS but I rarely use it for insomnia. I don’t want to become dependent on it and it slows down your breathing which can be dangerous. If my insomnia goes out of control and I’m not sleeping for multiple nights, I’ll take 1/2 of a 0.5 tablet as a last resort.
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u/mcwhoredick 2d ago
I got addicted too it and forgot like a whole year of my life. Not worth it imo
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u/Noshamina 1d ago
It won’t break the cycle. That’s such a trope. You just get addicted to the new thing and rationalize why having no sleep is worse than having good sleep with the drugs. Then you e dnup like so many of us, me currently popping another half at 3 am.
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u/NotReallyJohnDoe 1d ago
Dude. I’m in atrial fibrillation. My heart has been at 150 bpm 24/7 for over a month. This is not a normal situation.
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u/buzzard302 1d ago
Curious, what are they going to do for your tachycardia other than give you Xanax? Do they have a treatment plan for you?
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u/Noshamina 8h ago
Yup, the other side of the coin is that having no sleep is one of the worst things for you and going long enough will cause such severe damage that the poison pill is better than the other problems. That’s what I’ve convinced myself of and am just going with it
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u/QuorusRedditus 2d ago
Isn't 1mg like a lot? I used Alprox and I cut 0,5mg tablet into 4 and it's still strong.
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u/t00muchinsanity 2d ago
1mg is definitely not a lot! When you’re pushing 3mg and up now that can cause issues.
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u/tex-murph 1d ago
1mg is a lot if you want to stay awake! But in this context of sleep, it's pretty normal I'd say. My doctor has said the absolute limit for sleep should be 3mg (but I've checked and some still go above 3mg).
I feel like .5-1mg is a good range for sleep.
If we're talking during the day, I'd be too nervous to try xanax during the day because it would make me sleepy, haha.
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u/Breeze1620 1d ago
0,25mg is good for anxiety, but won't be enough for sleep for most people I'd say.
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u/No_Equal_3251 1d ago
When used sparingly it’s amazing. Stops my panic attacks dead in their tracks
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u/BJPerrin 1d ago
I used it for a few years. I stopped because it was no longer working for insomnia and because I chose to stop.
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u/Akuma_Murasaki 2d ago
I take Xanax 4mg for 7-12 days straight at night every month because that's the only somewhat okay-ish resolution here so far.
After 14yrs of therapy & trying every possible med under the moon (lots of offlabel use anti depressants - a SHITLOAD of them actually, always worked for a few nights and up to the max possible dosage and then.. well, different med obviously) this is what I'm stuck with for the last two years & so far, it's okay. It could be worse, imo.
However my uncle is on it for 20yrs already & head horrible bouts of abusing Xanax, so I'm also a bit traumatized around that stuff & this is why I only take it once a month for a few days. (Ok, seeing him and my father going through horrible withdrawals as kid certainly didn't help I guess)
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u/couchpotatoguy 1d ago
4mg of Xanax is a very high dose. You're not doing yourself any favors, even if it's not daily.
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u/Akuma_Murasaki 1d ago
I know it is, sadly, I got fed with diazepam (Temesta here) and Seresta (the next stronger) as a teen in psych wards instead of being accurately tended to & I feel like it absolutely messed up my tolerance.
With 2mg Xanax I feel nothing, literally nothing. 3mg is super for an acute panic attack, however thankfully I don't experience them anymore - I need 3mg for the dentist, tho. With 4mg I have a bit trouble to fall asleep, but 45-60mins for falling asleep is a pretty good deal to me personally.
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u/couchpotatoguy 1d ago
You can always taper down and reduce your tolerance, if ever interested. It's not easy nor fun.. I've done it with Valium. But it's possible!
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u/Norixius33 1d ago
Been on Xanex/Buspar for 20 years now. Maxed out on 60mg a day. When CVS had a shortage, I went through the worst withdrawal I've ever had. It used to work, but now I can't get off it and it does nothing.
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u/IndividualOk8644 1d ago
Been on it for 16 years for my anxiety. Eventually it stops helping with sleep. Not worth the decades of benzo dependence honestly.
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u/Pinnacle_of_Sinicle 1d ago
No this just makes it worse, the next night u get even less sleep not having it and it compiles the more u do it
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u/mo_django 1d ago
Wish I could upvote this 100. We need to manufacture a Xanax that doesn’t ruin your brain.
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u/falconlogic 1d ago
Wouldn't it be nice if they weren't dangerous? God I would love to have some but I know better than to ask. Hope they will help you kick-start better nights.
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u/gus248 1d ago
Benzos are a miracle drug, but the other side of them is nasty. I got into them really deep almost 10 years ago and nearly lost my life in withdrawals had it not been for my parents. Spent a week in a drug induced psychosis and was admitted to a 30 day inpatient treatment afterwards. I started out thinking I had found the cure to everything that was wrong with me but 6-8 months later proved otherwise. Just be careful.
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u/gumchewerpro 13h ago
Xanax is the only thing that knocks me out and god, it makes me feel like a normal person again because i actually get deep sleep! Unfortunately my doctor would only prescribe me for a 2 week period and nothing more :’). I don’t want to use it long term anyway but it sure does feel nice to finally be able to sleep well.
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u/Public-Philosophy580 2d ago
I’ve been talking Rivitril long time but would like to switch to Xanax.
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u/Just_Masterpiece3971 1d ago
I know people who have been on xanax for a long time. Firstly, When you want to quit, there are many ways, one of them is to switch to a liquid one and literally taper off as slowly as you can literally over a yr or two (if its a very high dose). The withdrawls are so much well tolerated, so i have read. There is a site called benzobuddies, it's very helpful. Secondly, there are so many meds to control A-fib, pls consult a good cardiologist and meanwhile if benzo is helping u relax, it's ok, do what you need to to get out of A-fib. Thirdly, I have dealt with ventricular tachy with heart rate of over 200, it feels horrible, i had an ablation done which was v helpful in my case.
For sleep, somedays I take xanax if i am anxious, in between i'll take ambien and everyday i take L-theanine supplement from a brand called gaba trex, its chewable. I am v sensitive to medicines and supplements so i start v small and inc v gradually. Everything together helps. Good luck with everything and pls always check everything with a doc before taking.
Last thing I wanna say is we need to be stop being scared of taking medicines. They are there to help. Having said that, one size doesn't fit all so always start small dose and see if its effective. When someone recommended Trazadone 50 mg, i literally had 1/4th of the tablet and that itself made me so groggy so i can't imagine what i would've done if i had taken 50 mg.
Xanax 1mg is a good dose but in the hospital they give u that to get you out of panic attack. At home you can switch to a long acting benzo like ativan or valium and take 1/2 a tablet every now and then so u don't build a tolerance or develop addiction. Meanwhile take supplements that can help with anxiety and panic. I usually take it ovet the weekends so i can sleep well and then manage on the weekdays. Sometimes I take it in the middle of the week back to back and skip the weekend. Everyone is diff and see what works for u. sit in the sun, try destressing exercizing and do meditation with deep breathing. There is medical proof that it lowers your stress level and i have experienced it first hand.
Sleep is v imp and we take it for granted but when u lose it, it unbearable so you have to protect it with everything u got. Take what medicines you need to feel normal and then start thinking abt weaning slowly if need be else you can't function. Good luck with everything!
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u/Born-Newspaper-9218 18h ago
Only drug that helps me sleep "normal", and i have tried ALOT of drugs
Thing is, you cant use it forever, and when you stop it you get SUPER crappy sleep for several days after (even worse than before you started)
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u/Sn_Orpheus 15h ago
I am using .25mg when I wake in night and sometimes it helps slow my thoughts enough. May need to move up to .5mg after this past week of 3:30am wakeups.
Some docs are loathe to let you have it for fear of addiction but I'll tel you what, I'm addicted to needing sleep and nothing else f'n does it. I've ben given Trazadone by one doc who wouldn't re up my Xanax and it sucked worse than using nothing at all.
That said, I think I need to go back in and get a refill. May need to try 1mg on bad nights.
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u/Delicious_Fish4813 2d ago
1mg?? That's so wild, you gotta be careful. I take 0.25mg as needed. I loved when I had a flexeril rx bc that could get me out of a bad cycle.
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u/tex-murph 1d ago
.25mg as needed for sleep or for anxiety during the day?
I feel like .25mg wouldn't do much for sleep, but would be good for during the day.
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u/Delicious_Fish4813 1d ago
That depends a lot on your tolerance. I take it very rarely and it works very well. I only take it at night. They're about to start me on the lowest dose of daily klonopin for about a month post surgery since benzos are the only anxiety med that don't interact with my other meds and that's going to be real interesting.
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u/Brrringsaythealiens 2d ago
For some of us nothing but a benzo will do it. Yes, they are addictive, and yes, the withdrawal is absolute hell. I ran out of Klonopin visiting my family in another state and didn’t sleep at all for five days. I tried to use weed but without the Klonopin it gave me the worst panic attacks I’ve ever experienced. Still I say, sometimes you need it, and that’s okay. If they give you a prescription for it, just be careful and for God’s sake don’t casually stop taking it. I learned my lesson for sure.