Sign In
Register
Help
Start a new topic
Add Reply
Posted 27 May 2005 - 09:38 AM
Posted by: donnareed Posted on: Apr 8th, 2005, 3:48am
YAY
Lunesta came out yesterday.
(i dropped off my script back in february)
the pharmacy called to tell me it was in.
i jumped for joy!
the pharmacist also jumped for joy. he wants to know ALL about my experiences with it. (i wonder if he's an insomniac, or just a really good pharmacist.)
anyway.
it caused mild hallucinations.
no where near as bad as ambien. just a few colors. not like conversations with people who aren't there.
and, unlike ambien, it knocked me OUT and i stayed OUT.
my husband said the cat was walking back and forth across me, sat on my head, etc. and i didn't stir at all.
not a whimper.
i think i actually slept in a rather log like manner, tee hee.
So, i just popped night number 2.
and i will let you know how it goes in another update tomorrow.
(of course, the real test is what happens on the 3rd night, which is when everything else has pooped out for me...)
night night
sweet dreams!
donna
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by: sunshine Posted on: Apr 8th, 2005, 6:17pm
How did you feel in the morning? Were you able to get up and function at a reasonable hour?
Can't wait to hear more!
Posted by: Spencer Posted on: Apr 11th, 2005, 6:34pm
I was going to ask you how your Lunesta worked. My doctor seems to think Seroquel is fine for sleep, but I'd like to be able to wake up in the morning. He doesn't think it would be powerful enough, and that's the same reason we didn't try Ambien.
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 13th, 2005, 9:50am
Thumbs down.
I tried it for 3 nights and I am now offically giving up.
It does get me to sleep fast, that is a plus, but I woke up after like 45 minutes and couldn't get back to sleep. Headache the next morning. And it still tastes like I am sucking on a penny.
If only it would have lasted me the whole night then the eveything tasting like I was licking an airplane wouldn't be so bad.
And I was so excited too
.
Posted by: StrungOutOnLife Posted on: Apr 15th, 2005, 6:50pm
If Lunesta came out on April 13th, then what's the thing we have to wait until April 24th for?
Posted by: Jnfr Posted on: Apr 16th, 2005, 3:04pm
Hi everyone--I'm new to the forum but not new to psychotropics---I too was so excited about Lunesta but I've tried it for three nights now without much success (had to take 2 3mg. tabs for about 6 hours of disjointed sleep but...I do have an ambien habit (20mg) for about 3 years so it could be some kind of rebound insomnia thingy with that plus a really good (I think) doc is taking me off doxepin and trying lexapro this week too (100 mg doxepin down from 150 and starting out for this first week with 5mg lex--so it's hard to tell--disappointed with the lunesta but I'll switch it around on different nights with the ambien and keep trying--nice to find a forum--Jennifer
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 16th, 2005, 10:08pm
on Apr 15th, 2005, 6:50pm, StrungOutOnLife wrote:If Lunesta came out on April 13th, then what's the thing we have to wait until April 24th for?
I saw that commercial today, I am pretty sure they are talking about Lunesta, since it is the same pharmecutical company, buy I don't quite understand since you can get it now.
Posted by: StrungOutOnLife Posted on: Apr 17th, 2005, 4:27pm
on Apr 16th, 2005, 10:08pm, HaloGirl66 wrote:
I saw that commercial today, I am pretty sure they are talking about Lunesta, since it is the same pharmecutical company, buy I don't quite understand since you can get it now.
They do have something for restless leg syndrome, but they haven't even named it yet.
Quote:SEP-226330
Sepracor's SEP-226330 is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Sepracor began a proof-of-concept study in support of SEP-226330 for the treatment of restless legs syndrome in the fourth quarter of 2004. This compound may have advantages over currently used dopamine agonists in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. This compound is also being evaluated as a potential novel mechanistic approach for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), RLS is a common neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings. RLS sensations are often described by people as burning, creeping, tugging, or like insects crawling in the legs. Lying down and attempting to relax activates the symptoms. As a result, most people with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. If not treated, the condition may cause exhaustion and fatigue.
According to the NINDS, some researchers estimate that RLS affects as many as 12 million Americans. However, others estimate a higher occurance because RLS is thought to be underdiagnosed and, in some cases misdiagnosed.
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 18th, 2005, 9:36am
But SEP-226330 is such a catchy name
Thanks for the info S.O.O.L.
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 1:45am
I'm still awake. And it tastes like ass. Dime & Penny flavored ass. I've given it 8 nights, that is plenty long to try.
But you may have different results if your brain cooties are different that mine.
I'll just keep looking for the right one.
Posted by: Jnfr Posted on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 5:01am
Re-elaluating the Lunesta after 7 days--
milder than ambien--not a knock-down sleep onset but also more relaxing--I can actually "snooze" for a bit after waking up
Don't have "that" taste
Thinking this *may* work after all!
Lifetime chronic insomniac- with GAD sometimes accompanied by depression and panic attacks but doing stuff easily now with my new best friend, lexapro
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 2:02pm
on Apr 22nd, 2005, 5:01am, Jnfr wrote:Re-elaluating the Lunesta after 7 days--
milder than ambien--not a knock-down sleep onset but also more relaxing--I can actually "snooze" for a bit after waking up
Don't have "that" taste
Thinking this *may* work after all!
Lifetime chronic insomniac- with GAD sometimes accompanied by depression and panic attacks but doing stuff easily now with my new best friend, lexapro
Good to hear that it works for someone
Posted by: ethereal Posted on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 12:21am
Quote:milder than ambien--not a knock-down sleep onset
Darn. I so love the nightly smack down. (Actually, I do. Since it's apparently taken me 1-4 hrs to fall asleep--almost from birth--the dropping dead asleep is so delightful and amazing. )
Posted by: Meggie_28 Posted on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 4:10pm
Well, I tried lunesta (3mg) for the first time last night and it worked pretty well. I get up really early on weekdays though so we'll see if it still works alright tonight since I slept till 11:30 this morning.
I just hope it will work as well as ambien does. I'm dissapointed to hear that it doesn't knock you out as quick as ambien does b/c I really love that about ambien. Anything is better than taking 6 benadryl to fall asleep every night though!
So far I haven't noticed a bad taste. I really hope I won't get that side effect. We'll see.
Take care all!
Posted by: Pope Plecosaur Posted on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 5:06pm
Day 1 - 3mg took 7 hours to fall asleep, slept 4 hours
Day 2 - 3mg took 2 hours to fall asleep, slept 6 hours
Day 3 - 6mg took 1 hour to fall asleep, slept 10 hours
Day 4 - 3mg took 1 hour to fall asleep, slept 3 hours
Always woke up with dry metallic taste in mouth, which did not happen to me on Ambien. I also woke up feeling groggy each morning, which Ambien did not do to me.
Rating so far - D.
Ambien rating for comparision is C+/B-.
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 11:08pm
More lunesta talk over on the misc. meds board
http://www.crazymeds...eds;action=disp lay;num=1113770310;start=0#5
Posted by: ethereal Posted on: Apr 24th, 2005, 3:36am
Quote:Always woke up with dry metallic taste in mouth, which did not happen to me on Ambien. I also woke up feeling groggy each morning, which Ambien did not do to me.
Huh. I'm not impressed, thus far. I think I'll just stick with my Ambien and guaranteed 4+ hrs. Is it really so bad to stay on it forever and ever? My T said she'd call my pdoc and lobby for an rx if he ever refuses (b/c I get really loopy when I sleep 2-3 hrs per night).
Posted by: Meggie_28 Posted on: Apr 24th, 2005, 8:58am
Ok I think I did wake up with a metallic taste in my mouth. I think I've been able to get rid of it now by brushing my teeth, eating breakfast and drinking my morning diet coke. That sucks though!
Do you guys really think you can't build up a tolerance to this stuff? That's what they told me. I'm doing a study at my psych's office to compare lunesta to other sleeping aids that I've tried. So I use it for two weeks and then go back to see them.
I have a half a bottle of ambien sitting here but I only take it occasionally b/c I don't want to build up a tolerance to it. So instead I stuff 5-6 benadryl or tylenol pm down my throat every night. I know lunesta has got to be better than doing that!
I don't know.
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 24th, 2005, 9:31am
Meggie,
Using that much tylenol PM can be very bad for your liver - too much Acetaminophen. The ingredient in tylenol PM that makes you sleepy is Diphenhydramine HCl. Which is the exact same thing as Benadryl. So you are probably better off just sticking to Benadrl as your OTC sleep aid.
Posted by: Meggie_28 Posted on: Apr 24th, 2005, 10:34am
on Apr 24th, 2005, 9:31am, HaloGirl66 wrote:Meggie,
Using that much tylenol PM can be very bad for your liver - too much Acetaminophen. The ingredient in tylenol PM that makes you sleepy is Diphenhydramine HCl. Which is the exact same thing as Benadryl. So you are probably better off just sticking to Benadrl as your OTC sleep aid.
Yeah, I've actually stopped taking the tylenol pm. When I was taking it I would only take like 3 tylenol pm's and 3 benadryl's. Now I just use benadryl and simply sleep. I'm hoping that this lunesta will help me come off of that stuff though b/c I've been doing that for years and it's just gotten worse and worse!
Thanks for the concern, I appreciate it!
Posted by: HaloGirl66 Posted on: Apr 24th, 2005, 9:15pm
on Apr 24th, 2005, 10:34am, Meggie_28 wrote:
Yeah, I've actually stopped taking the tylenol pm. When I was taking it I would only take like 3 tylenol pm's and 3 benadryl's. Now I just use benadryl and simply sleep. I'm hoping that this lunesta will help me come off of that stuff though b/c I've been doing that for years and it's just gotten worse and worse!
Thanks for the concern, I appreciate it!
Good luck with the lunesta!
Posted by: Meggie_28 Posted on: Apr 25th, 2005, 9:24am
I've had it with the lunesta! I can't stand the nasty taste!!! It's just so...ewww!
by: HaloGirl66 Posted
Posted on: Apr 25th, 2005, 9:49am
on Apr 25th, 2005, 9:24am, Meggie_28 wrote:I've had it with the lunesta! I can't stand the nasty taste!!! It's just so...ewww!
Me too, it is quite afwul. I gave it 2 weeks and it never went away - blech.
Posted by: EricaMae Posted on: Apr 27th, 2005, 7:46am
Ohhhhhh I took my first Lunesta last night and , sweet marvelous joy ... I SLEPT!!!
I can't tell you the last good night's sleep I had. I haven't tasted any weird bad taste, I am just so excited to have slept !!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY
Ambien had worked well for me, but only lasted 3-4 hours and then I was wide awake wandering the house. I have been so waiting for this Lunesta. Let's hope the effects are more than just placebo, will keep you posted
Posted by: Meggie_28 Posted on: Apr 27th, 2005, 11:02am
on Apr 27th, 2005, 7:46am, EricaMae wrote:Ohhhhhh I took my first Lunesta last night and , sweet marvelous joy ... I SLEPT!!!
I can't tell you the last good night's sleep I had. I haven't tasted any weird bad taste, I am just so excited to have slept !!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY
Ambien had worked well for me, but only lasted 3-4 hours and then I was wide awake wandering the house. I have been so waiting for this Lunesta. Let's hope the effects are more than just placebo, will keep you posted
I hope the lunesta works for you EricaMae!
I don't know what I'm going to do. I've quit taking the lunesta and I'm back to taking benadryl and simply sleep. I'm only taking like 3-4 of them though instead of 6. Sometimes I'll take trazodone too but that doesn't seem to help just by itself.
I'm just afraid to start taking ambien everynight b/c I don't want it to lose it's effectiveness. I love my ambien and I don't want to end up losing it! Also, I don't want to run out too fast either b/c my dr. will only prescribe 15 pills at a time and they're so damn expensive!
Posted by: zolofty Posted on: Apr 28th, 2005, 9:07am
Has anyone ever tried Zopiclone AND eszopiclone(Lunesta) ? (Of course, not at the same time)
What differences did you note ?
I know only zopiclone.
Posted by: Jnfr Posted on: Apr 28th, 2005, 9:41am
Yes--I tried zoplicone last year, I liked it well enough to re-order (wasn't too happy with ambien at that point) but they weren't selling it anymore--
if I remember, the sleep quality was the same and so far the lunesta isn't any longer-lasting for me--
no where near the 8 hours in the commercial--
this could be due to adjusting to lexapro for the last 2 weeks and gong off doxepin
Posted by: PinkToo2grrl Posted on: Apr 28th, 2005, 12:34pm
OK, so I was especially jazzed last night, but sleep didn't kick in until 3 hours after taking 2mg of Lunesta last nite. This is my second night on it, so it can't be a tolerance already. I so hate this. All I want to do is sleep. please? just a little bit?
OK I finally did, and slept thru till 7am, which IS a tad on the miraculous, but that lying awake staring at the ceiling thing is enough to make me wanna stick a fork in my eye. I quit doing coke for a reason (a million years ago), and THAT was the reason, come on now!
Posted by: PinkToo2grrl Posted on: May 6th, 2005, 8:01am
I have been trying out lunesta this week, and I gotta tell you. I think it may suck. See it knocks me out alright, but it is apparently preventing some level of sleep that I desperately need to feel rested. Because I haven’t felt rested, at all. I was so tired yesterday that I put my head down on my desk and cried.
just an fyi ymmv
E
Posted by: zolofty Posted on: May 6th, 2005, 11:28am
I've had positive experiences with zopiclone, which is a lot like Lunesta. If you think Lunesta prevents you from getting some deep sleep/REM sleep you could consider taking half a regular dose. Or even less. When I first started on zopiclone, I found it to be strong stuff, and I had already become tolerant to several benzos.
You won't become tolerant to it as quick as with some benzos, but tolerance will develop. So, try to use the Lunesta not too often.
Good luck
Posted by: bluemchen Posted on: May 15th, 2005, 1:37am
Hi,
I'm kinda new to this board, meaning that this is the first time I'm posting.
I've been having difficulties falling a sleep since I can remember.
I tried Hydrozyxine for a month and it stopped working, then my dr. prescribed Ambien which gave me some kind of depression in the morning.
Trazadone didn't do shit for me.
Now I've been on lunesta for quite 3 weeks, my dr. prescribed 2 mg, which didn't seem to help at all, so I started on 3 mg, which also didn't do anything.
But I've found a way to make the lunesta work, all I do is take a half pill (1mg) 30 minutes prior to going to bed, and then another 1mg once I'm already in bed and let it just dissolve in my mouth and then drink some water, it puts me right to sleep.
Posted by: roxyhead Posted on: May 15th, 2005, 11:29am
on Apr 28th, 2005, 9:07am, zolofty wrote:Has anyone ever tried Zopiclone AND eszopiclone(Lunesta) ? (Of course, not at the same time)
What differences did you note ?
I know only zopiclone.
As far as I know, in general, if zopiclone is available where you are, then eszopiclone probably isn't. Of course, if you're ordering from a different country, that's different.
My mother saw a Lunesta ad the other day, so came and asked me if that'd help...I told her we don't have it, but we have Imovane, I have no idea if it'll help, I have no experience with insomnia that isn't rapidly killed by a single Benadryl... So Lunesta commercials are getting over the border now.
Posted by: sunshine Posted on: May 25th, 2005, 8:52pm
Zopiclone is not available in the U.S. I've been on Zolpidem (Ambien) for two solid years and on and off for a few years before that. Zopiclone and Ambien are not in the same class (Zopiclone is in a class of its own, but works similar to benzodiazapines; Ambien is a non-benzo hypnotic, as is Lunesta).
Based on my personal experience and research, it is not easy to build up a tolerance to Ambien - even with extended use. It's been my experience that it's far easier to build up a tolerance to Diphenhydramine HCl (Benadryl).
I've also tried Zaleplon (Sonata) in the past. It has a shorter half-life than Ambien. If your problem is falling asleep (as opposed to staying asleep), this is a good place to start.
Alone, it didn't do anything for me (my biggest problem is falling asleep, but staying asleep is a secondary problem). As part of a cocktail that included Ambien and Remeron, it worked great.
I'm starting Lunesta (3 mg) tonight. I'll add my experience after giving it a few days.
Posted by: sunshine Posted on: May 26th, 2005, 8:23pm
Day 1:
Jury's still out. No metallic taste - whew! Maybe for a little while after taking it, but nothing that lasted until the morning.
I didn't fall asleep easily - it took at least an hour. Wasn't a great night's sleep, but I've had worse. A little groggy in the morning. Kinda out of it all day, but I think that's more from starting up the Wellbutrin again (I felt the same way after starting it up the first time).
Posted by: Stormy_ds Posted on: Today at 2:00am
I couldn't resist. My pdoc gave me some samples of Lunesta today and I just took one like 30 minutes ago. I just started having a HORRIBLE perfume taste in my mouth. Everything and anything that goes into my mouth tastes like nasty perfume. I'm not really all that tired either. I like my xanax personally but I'm gonna give it a try.
Stormy
Posted by: KnowingBurns Posted on: Today at 4:28am
Tonight was my first try with Lunesta. I took one 3mg pill around 11:15. I fell asleep (but didn't feel 'knocked out' at all) a little after midnight. Then I woke up at 1:30 and haven't been back to sleep since (currently 4:30).
I'll give it another shot tomorrow, but I'm not hopeful.
Posted by: Stormy_ds Posted on: Today at 10:17am
I slept very lightly all night long. My boyfriend would move and then I would wake up. I think I woke about 5 times during the night and I don't remember dreaming. I think I never hit the REM state.
Stormy
This post has been edited by HaloGirl66: 01 April 2006 - 03:51 PM
MultiQuote
It is very useful for a lot of us.
Or trazadone : 
