Need opinions from long time ADD'ers who have been taking stimulants

[Sitzmark913]

I have had ADD or ADHD, whatever you want to call it, since I was a kid started taking dexedrine at age of 5. I was taken off meds after puberty, which was a total disaster and after a few years of self medicating with any kind of stimulant I could find including small doses of crystal meth in my twenties, went back on dexedrine in my late twenties and have been on it ever since. I'm 45 now and I assume I will be on it as long as I live. It is still very effective for me, although I have had to increase the dosage somewhat over the years, although I still take less than the maximum receommended dosage.

Several years ago, I began to suffer from insomnia. It started as waking up early and not being able to sleep, which at the time wasn't too bad because I was the one going into work at 3am, which got me a lot of attention and subsequent advancements and I was young and healthy enough to be able to handle the reduced sleep.

Things progressed and I began taking melatonin at first, then trazadone and now I am fully addicated to Ambien....which is now starting to be less and less effective after a couple of years. I've tried all the sleep agents, even the newest one Rozerem. Doesn't work!!!!

I refuse to increase the dosage beyond the 10mg tablet of Ambien because I just can't let myself fall any deeper into addiction. I have always known that I was addicted to the dexedrine, but I had a medical reason for it...the Ambien addiction just plain bothers me and I plan to quit, regardless of the consequences. I dont drink, dont do other drugs and physically VERY fit and I really want off this stuff....but everytime I try, I just lay in bed like a zombie. I cannot sleep, it is physically impossible...no matter how tired I am or how long I try. It really worries me because people can die from long term insomnia, though by the time they do it is probably a blessing because not being able to sleep even for one night is miserable.

Anyone else having bad insomnia? Anyone have any good strategies? I can't give up the dexedrine, and am not even 100% convinced it is the problem. Like I said, have taken it almost my whole life and never had any problems sleeping until a few years ago.

[geckogirl]

I am a psychologist and psychological therapy for insomnia is effective. I would try and find one who specialises in sleep difficulties and get rid of the ambiens - drugs are a band-aid solution. I can't believe you have been on the tablet for a few years. Long-term on ambien usually means a month. You will have to taper off the ambien slowly and you will probably have worse insomnia initially. I would contact your local psychologist's registration board and get the name of a specialist.

[geckogirl]

PS. I agree that you shouldn't have to discontinue the dexedrine.

[Sitzmark913]

I do realize that I will have to get off the Ambien slowly. Anytime I try to cold turkey it, and I have tried many times, I just lay there...somtimes I can get a quick "power nap" but then after twenty minutes or so, I jolt up and that's it for the night.

I want to try some things on my own before I seek out physco. treatment. lowering the dosage slowly over two or three weeks and setting very strict sleep and wake times. I am certain that my sleep/wake clock is very messed up. This is where the new drug, Rozerem may help...supposedly it works by helping to reset your clock, kind of like a super melatonin. I have a RX for it. I am working closely with my PCP.

I quit smoking 20 years ago and I thought that was the hardest thing I ever did...this definately rivals that, but I know that in the end I will succeed.

[Sitzmark913]

Well, it's been a week since I started cutting my dose in half. So far so good. I have had some bounce back insomnia, but things are getting better. I'm in a new pattern of falling asleep at 1am, waking at 4am and falling back around 5:30 for a couple of hours. I am forcing myself to get up no matter what at 7:30 hoping that eventually, I will fall asleep earlier. I am going to try to cut it in half again in a couple of days. The fear of not being able to sleep is almost as bad as the reality of it. Still taking 40mg / day of dexedrine. Haven't begun any other sleep aide though...trazadone might be a possibility at the next stage... we'll see.

[Bean Delphiki]

If you have had any effect with sleeping pills, you do not have the type of insomnia that kills you, rest assured: that type is VERY rare, and totally untreatable. Chronic insomnia may shave some years off your life, like many stressors, but it won't kill you outright.

Have you tried a sleep study? I believe sleep apnea often appears in men at middle age, and sleep apnea can seriously interfere with sleep, causing horrible insomnia.

[Sitzmark913]

because I was afraid they wouldn't allow sleeping aids and at the time, I couldn't imagine being locked into a room overnight and not being able to sleep. I have since learned that they actually use sleep aids. I definately think it is a good idea and I will pursue it. and btw, I do realize that the type of insomnia that can kill you is rare and that I dont have it. I have seen a special about it on TV, probably discovery or something. It is obviously an awful, very sad and thankfully, very rare disorder.