Dystonia (literally, "abnormal muscle tone") is a generic term used to describe a neurological movement disorder involving involuntary, sustained muscle contractions. Dystonia may ...
|
How can I get to sleep tonight?
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts |
My body will not stop moving; I'm on Clonazepam (2 mg at bedtime), and that, plus 2mg of Melatonin, and a lot of calcium-magnesium-citrate are usually good enough to calm me down, and put me to sleep. Apparently, though, I've built up a resistance to the Clonazepam, and I know my pdoc will not prescribe me a higher dose when I see her Wednesday AM. I know that's not "the way to go" anyway, for benzos are highly addictive, I will continue to need "more," plus, I am on a fixed income, and cannot afford more. Is there anything else that might help? Is anyone here on Lunesta? (If so, you're probably sound asleep right now). What can I do to get to sleep tonight? Otherwise, my whole "schedule" is going to be really messed up. I've got to be able to get up in the (preferably early) AM. I'm going to have to be up & at 'em by around 6AM on Wednesday, and that's just not going to work out if I'm off-schedule. If I don't see my pdoc Wednesday AM, my ship is sunk. Is anyone up? Please HELP!
Thank you very much. Posted on 06/22/08, 12:06 am |
| 9 Replies | Add Your Advice |
| View More Posts |
I'm on clonazepin also. I can't rely on it anymore to make me sleepy. I now add a rotation of antihistamines to it. Unisom, Benadryl, Chlortrimaton, and also do relaxation techniques (concentrate on breathing, meditation, progressive relaxation from toes up), white noise. 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Thank you, Shakysara, but those things won't stop the movements/pain, and I've heard that benadryl, for one, is on the "no-no" list of medications for dystonia; it can worsen the condition greatly; it can induce an acute dystonic reaction, which may lead to a more permanent form of dystonia. Further information about this & other drugs can be found at RxList - http://www.rxlist.com
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Sorry. You are correct. I checked my drug resources on diphenhydramine and found it on the list of questionable drugs for patients with dystonia. I didn't find tha statistical probability that it would cause "a more serious form of dystonia", but I wouldn't take the chance, either.
The other drugs CTM and doxylamine succinate (original Unisom) do not have the questionable indication. I'm wondering if you used WebMD? and no-antihistamines do not stop fasiculations, they only make you sleepy. I wish I could have less difficulty with sleep. You are right that any benzodiazepines can lose effectiveness over time. I have some leeway with me clonazepam use. I use more toward the end of my Botox A activity and less when my fasiculations or tremor is better from recent injections. Did you get any sleep? What did you finally do? I should have checked my resources before I recommended any meds to you. Do you have any other concerns? Mea culpa. Thank you for your comment.
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Hi Shakysara, I don't know if you'll see this, but to answer your question about what I did about last night, at about 2:30AM, I took another 2mg of Clonazepam, which, I know, is a big, fat, no-no, because it'll just make my tolerance go up that much more.
How long have you had dystonia? Do you know what caused it? You know all of these fancy words (e.g., fasiculations) that I really wish I knew, so I would feel more "in control," & able to discuss my symptomology, et al, with various doctors. How long have you had dystonia? Who prescribes your Clonazepam?
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
I have had symptoms of ST for about 14 years. I was correctly diagnosed after 7 years when my symptoms became worse due to an MVA.As far as what caused it--there is a chemical imbalance in the substancia nigra area of my brain. My use of "fancy" words is natural for me. My profile explains that. I was diagnosed correctly at Johns Hopkins and treated at the University of Oregon Movement Disorder Clinic. (I had to fly there 4 times a year for Botox.) I am currently being treated by a neurologist who specializes in ST. He is in Washington. Probably more than you wanted to know. :o)
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
Thank you for that information, Shakysara. And no, no, no; it was not more than I wanted/needed to know. I'm thinking (hoping) that you can teach me a lot about this disorder, as I've had it for just 2 years, and "formally diagnosed" with it for about 18 months. I don't even know if I have type A, or B. I've had 3 botox injections thus far, and they make my movements (head movements, that is; my whole body moves, and I'm not being treated for that--what to do) so much worse, and the tx takes about a month to take effect. How long does it take for you? Do you have any other such movement disorders throughout your body? Thank you so much for all of your help!
Love, Alexis
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
You may be interested in joining the neuropathy group.
Look for the topics that have "autonomic" in the subject line. Thought we could help.. http://dailystrength.org/groups/ne...
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
I personally take Halcion for sleep, and it seems to work fine. You also might try reading a Psalm or two from Scripture, and also drinking some milk- even though you may not like milk- I don't- or chewing up some calcium. Hope you can get some sleep!! I have a harder time when I'm due for my Botox shots, as the spasms increase. Will Think of you!! B.J. Dean
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts |
I personally take Halcion for sleep, and it seems to work fine. You also might try reading a Psalm or two from Scripture, and also drinking some milk- even though you may not like milk- I don't- or chewing up some calcium. Hope you can get some sleep!! I have a harder time when I'm due for my Botox shots, as the spasms increase. Will Think of you!! B.J. Dean
|
|
|
|
||
Hi, I tried to e-mail you a little over a month ago, & you asked that I post this in the "Neuropathy …
I have Cervical Dystonia for about 5 years now.. went thru hell till I was diagnosed including neck surgery worked …
Hello all. I haven't been diangnosed with dystonia, however, I find it very interesting along with my common symptoms …
