Remeron or Neurontin for Sleep - Please share your experiences

[[Ke...]]

Hello BB,

 

I'm on my second week of my K to V taper and I've had insomnia for the past 6-7 months. I recently tried Trazadone and found it effective at around 50mg - 75mg but know that I will develop a tolerance to it and will just need to keep increasing the dose....

 

I spoke with my Pdoc on Friday over the phone about Remeron and he prescribed 15mg tabs. I told him I wanted to start slow at 3.75mg then 7.25mg and see how I feel. I know a lot of people on here seem to have found success with this medication in it's usefulness for sleeping and staying asleep (which I want), so I wanted to hear your experiences and dosage, positive and negative?

 

I took 3.75mg on Friday night - slept okay, multiple awakenings as usual and then on Saturday night took 7.25mg and slept alright - still the same thing, multiple awakenings and don't know if I really hit stages 3 and 4 which I desperately need.

 

I've also heard that Neurontin or Gabapentin 300 - 600mg has been very effective to help with sleep as well....I want SWS and stage 3 and 4 sleep!

 

Has anyone had any success with this medication during taper and coming off the meds? I'm feeling a little desperate and scared to say the least

 

I have no problem staying on a medication that will help me sleep as I've been on A/Ds and other meds since 14, I'm now 29 

 

Any helpful information will be appreciated.....

[[el...]]

I know that many people here have success with using Remeron at 7.5 mg for sleep.  I tried it one time, cutting the 15 mg tablet in half.  It did make me drowsy and I was able to sleep.  I woke about 6 hours later but I felt strange - all the lights had large halos around them and I felt off.  The feeling wore off in about 2 hours.  That's just me - others swear by it.

[[Ke...]]

I know that many people here have success with using Remeron at 7.5 mg for sleep.  I tried it one time, cutting the 15 mg tablet in half.  It did make me drowsy and I was able to sleep.  I woke about 6 hours later but I felt strange - all the lights had large halos around them and I felt off.  The feeling wore off in about 2 hours.  That's just me - others swear by it.

 

Hi Ellen,

 

Did you end up discontinuing the medication after one use? Have you had any success with any other medications? Insomnia is a god awful thing - yikes

[[Va...]]

Before I was in benzo withdrawal I would say no remeron. The wd is terrible. But it is not near what I expierence now. But please take into consideration ad does a lot more than make you sleep. Glad you started with low doses. I was on 15 mg and did not make me sleepy. I even never yawned. When I got down to 3,75 I got sleepy.

[[Ke...]]

Before I was in benzo withdrawal I would say no remeron. The wd is terrible. But it is not near what I expierence now. But please take into consideration ad does a lot more than make you sleep. Glad you started with low doses. I was on 15 mg and did not make me sleepy. I even never yawned. When I got down to 3,75 I got sleepy.

 

 

Hi Vanille,

 

Thanks for sharing... Have you stayed at 3.75mg Remeron? Has your sleep improved with this medication?

[[Bl...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

[[ea...]]

Everyone reacts differently to drugs. Remeron did not help me. I didn't try Neurontin but know people who did and it helped some, others not.

Why not try something NON-prescription instead?

east

[[Ke...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

 

Hello Mary Ann,

 

I'm happy to hear that you've had success with Remeron at 15mg, may I ask if you still continued the medication when you were done tapering?

 

Neurontin hits the same GABA receptors as Benzos? Really? I've never heard of this.... Does anyone know how this works? Addictive? Whoa - I guess I had no idea...

 

Anyone who can confirm this?

[[Ke...]]

Everyone reacts differently to drugs. Remeron did not help me. I didn't try Neurontin but know people who did and it helped some, others not.

Why not try something NON-prescription instead?

east

 

Hello Eastcost62,

 

Thanks for your reply!

 

I have tried many OTC meds, just about every single one with no avail. I believe my insomnia is beyond the help of these type of meds and needs prescription based until I get this benzo crap out of my system and hopefully my body will return to normal functioning... I'm praying at least! LoL....

 

I'm praying a lot actually!

[[be...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

 

Hello Mary Ann,

 

I'm happy to hear that you've had success with Remeron at 15mg, may I ask if you still continued the medication when you were done tapering?

 

Neurontin hits the same GABA receptors as Benzos? Really? I've never heard of this.... Does anyone know how this works? Addictive? Whoa - I guess I had no idea...

 

Anyone who can confirm this?

 

I have heard it hits the GABA but never looked it up on the internet. I took a boatload of it many years ago and one day I just stopped it without a problem. But all you have to do is read some posts here about the drug and many people are struggle getting off it. But I seem to be one of the rare ones who can C/T a drug (except benzos of course) without issue. Bets

[[bn...]]

I am on Remron 15mg and it does not help with sleep. I do feel that the lower dose 7.5mg did help with sleep. I needed the extra punch as I was in a deep depression after 1 yr wd from K. The Remron has been a helpful drug.

I too am staying away from Gaba as I have heard that it works on the same receptors as benzo.

 

[[Bl...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

 

Hello Mary Ann,

 

I'm happy to hear that you've had success with Remeron at 15mg, may I ask if you still continued the medication when you were done tapering?

 

Neurontin hits the same GABA receptors as Benzos? Really? I've never heard of this.... Does anyone know how this works? Addictive? Whoa - I guess I had no idea...

 

Anyone who can confirm this?

 

I am still using Remeron after tapering. I won't attempt getting off of it until my symptoms subside. Neurontin is a GABA-b agonist. It's just another receptor site, but like benzodiazapines it can be addictive. Many fibromyalgia meds such as Lyrica are GABA-b agonists.

 

Mary Ann

 

[[Be...]]

Dr.'s Best Magnesium helps me to relax.  I only take a small bit of it at bedtime.

[[Ke...]]

I am on Remron 15mg and it does not help with sleep. I do feel that the lower dose 7.5mg did help with sleep. I needed the extra punch as I was in a deep depression after 1 yr wd from K. The Remron has been a helpful drug.

I too am staying away from Gaba as I have heard that it works on the same receptors as benzo.

 

Hi Bnzodie-

 

Thanks for your reply! So the 7.5mg worked well for sleep with you but the 15mg didn't, hmmm.. interesting, I've heard that the higher you climb with this medication - the lower the sedating effects can be. I tried the 7.5mg last night and didn't really think it did all that much for my sleep. I'll try the 15 tonight and see how I feel. Glad to hear it helped pull you out of a depression! Sounds like it was wd from 1 year off of K, if I understood that correctly?

 

Sounds like the consensus is to stay away from GABA.

[[Ke...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

 

Hello Mary Ann,

 

I'm happy to hear that you've had success with Remeron at 15mg, may I ask if you still continued the medication when you were done tapering?

 

Neurontin hits the same GABA receptors as Benzos? Really? I've never heard of this.... Does anyone know how this works? Addictive? Whoa - I guess I had no idea...

 

Anyone who can confirm this?

 

I have heard it hits the GABA but never looked it up on the internet. I took a boatload of it many years ago and one day I just stopped it without a problem. But all you have to do is read some posts here about the drug and many people are struggle getting off it. But I seem to be one of the rare ones who can C/T a drug (except benzos of course) without issue. Bets

 

Hey Benzogirl-

 

Thanks for your reply! You are the fortunate ones to be able to C/T meds! Lucky!....

Thanks for commenting on this thread... I appreciate everyone's support and input!

[[Ke...]]

Dr.'s Best Magnesium helps me to relax.  I only take a small bit of it at bedtime.

 

Hi Becksblue-

 

I think I've seen a few people post about taking a Magnesium product to help sleep... Can anyone else comment on this? Do you take it right before bed or an hour or so?

 

Thanks!

[[Ke...]]

I have had ggod luck with Remeron 15mg. I tapered off 5mg Valium and the Remeron helped me sleep.

 

Do not try neurontin! It hits GABA receptors and can be addictive.

 

Mary Ann

 

Hello Mary Ann,

 

I'm happy to hear that you've had success with Remeron at 15mg, may I ask if you still continued the medication when you were done tapering?

 

Neurontin hits the same GABA receptors as Benzos? Really? I've never heard of this.... Does anyone know how this works? Addictive? Whoa - I guess I had no idea...

 

Anyone who can confirm this?

 

I am still using Remeron after tapering. I won't attempt getting off of it until my symptoms subside. Neurontin is a GABA-b agonist. It's just another receptor site, but like benzodiazapines it can be addictive. Many fibromyalgia meds such as Lyrica are GABA-b agonists.

 

Mary Ann

 

Gona shoot for 15mg Remeron tonight and see where that takes me! Thanks for your reply, much appreciated! 

[[Be...]]

Keep It Moving, it seems to work rather quickly, within 20 minutes or so.  I don't take too much, it can cause diarrhea.  I also thought someone might try some Magnesium Citrate liquid in a bottle you can get at drugstores.  It's sold as a laxative, but maybe just a small sip or two at bedtime and see if it helps for sleep might be worth a try.  The liquid bottle stuff works great for constipation and could help to relax too. 

[[Va...]]

Before I was in benzo withdrawal I would say no remeron. The wd is terrible. But it is not near what I expierence now. But please take into consideration ad does a lot more than make you sleep. Glad you started with low doses. I was on 15 mg and did not make me sleepy. I even never yawned. When I got down to 3,75 I got sleepy.

 

 

Hi Vanille,

 

Thanks for sharing... Have you stayed at 3.75mg Remeron? Has your sleep improved with this medication?

 

No, I am of.

[[Ke...]]

Keep It Moving, it seems to work rather quickly, within 20 minutes or so.  I don't take too much, it can cause diarrhea.  I also thought someone might try some Magnesium Citrate liquid in a bottle you can get at drugstores.  It's sold as a laxative, but maybe just a small sip or two at bedtime and see if it helps for sleep might be worth a try.  The liquid bottle stuff works great for constipation and could help to relax too.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll try it out tonight.

I took 15mg Remeron last night and got really good sleep! I want to be on the lowest dose possible so I'll shoot for 11.25mg tonight and see if that still avails similar results...

 

Thanks all!

[[Ke...]]

Now shooting for 7.5mg to see if this will still hold good results... Want to be on the lowest dose possible since I'm still in C/O mode.

I assume most have started using this med during the tail end of their taper or after their taper?

[[Ke...]]

Hey BB,

 

I've been taking the Remeron at 7.25mg/night and it is definitely an improvement in what my sleep used to be but I find myself tossing and turning 3-4 times and putting myself back to sleep. I just recently made a C/O  ( it's in my signature ) so could it just be my body adjusting of is the medication not working?

 

Should I bump it up to 11.25mg... I want to stay as low as possible becuz I know I'll likely have some major sleep issues when the taper begins and will have to bump any type of sleep aid up to help just stay normal....

 

Any thoughts on this? Was this normal for others or were you in a deep sleep the entire time you took Remeron?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[[La...]]

Hi KIM,

Just weighing here on the subject of magnesium.... I'm taking magnesium glycinate, which doesn't give you diarrhea like the citrate form. I always take calcium and magnesium together -- approx. 2:1 ratio -- since they work together. I take a dose before bed of 250 mg. calcium citrate with 100 mg of magnesium glycinate. It seems to help me, but one can never tell exactly what all the factors are.

 

Since calcium and magnesium are necessary minerals for the body, it's good to get adequate amounts. If you're not getting it through food, it can be helpful to supplement.

 

Best of luck with your taper, KIM!

Lapis2