Benzo + Remeron for sleep?

[tazunemono]

Question about Benzos:

I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro and 15mg od Remeron (for sleep, mostly) for mt depression/anxiety (DSM 296.33, major depressive disorder). I'm not really happy with Remeron, it takes so long to work and I still have a lot of anxious thoughts racing through my head at bedtime. Would asking my doc for a benzo (Xanax?) in combination with Remeron be appropriate? Or, just a Benzo for sleep (e.g., Xanax)? I have heard that you can go as low as 0.25mg of Xanax with Remeron and it's lights out.

I'm having a hard time with my anxiety now, and have had a few major episodes of being very sad recently. I also have had 2 panic attacks in the last couple weeks (not a lot, I know, but they still affect me)

Appreciate your feedback. I'm currently in therapy sessions as well.

[tryp]

Hey,

I've been on Remeron before (not for sleep, though), and also on Ativan (a benzo) for sleep.

Ativan did work well for me, and I had the same problem you describe - anxious, racing thoughts. It would definitely be worth asking you doctor about.

At the moment, I use Seroquel for sleep, because the benzos don't really agree with me. I prefer it because there seem to be less issues of tolerance/addiction. However, the general consensus here seems to be that those risks are overstated and that with careful use, benzos can be great sleep meds. There are many people here who rely on them.

Anyway, definitely discuss the benzo thing with your doctor, but bear in mind that there are other options too.

Tryp

[Persephone]

When I took Remeron, it wasn't quite doing it for sleep either. Another benzo that lots of people use for sleep is temazepam (Restoril). If your problem is getting to sleep, take it about 1 hour before bedtime.

[The Emperor]

At 15mg it knocked me out for a little while, but I see what you are saying about it taking too long. If I wanted to sleep by midnight, I'd have to take it at ten. If the Remeron is working for you for something else, it's probably appropriate to want to keep it and add something else for sleep. I wouldn't just go asking for a benzo inparticular, maybe there's something else that would help as well as a benzo. I don't know, but yeah, you could ask if the Remeron isn't doing the job.

I took klonopin and Remeron together before and it would help me sleep better than Remeron alone, but not much, but then, I'm on a pretty small dose of klonlopin.

[tazunemono]

I wouldn't just go asking for a benzo inparticular

Why not? After all, I'm paying him for his opinion. If he doesn't think I should have it, then we can discuss his rationale and alternatives. I also have another appointment with a second psychiatrist scheduled a month out to discuss my current treatment plan. I think it's always wise to get a second opinion concerning healthcare options. All I know if I'm tired, losing sleep and it's starting to affect my performance at work. For my and my family's sake, I need some help now.

[The Emperor]

I was just saying that because I personally would not. Though, a benzo is something I need for anxiety fairly often, so ME personally asking for one isn't something I'm going to do, just because I am afraid of sounding like I am seeking drugs and if I did that and blew my opportunity to be able to take a drug that's the only thing that will help me so far, I'd be fucked.

But you're right. I would ask for any other drug I wanted, just not a benzo. THIS IS BECAUSE I AM A WEIRDO. Just saying.

And also, they are going to probably want to try other, non-addictive alternatives to the benzo first I'm sure, but could be wrong, that is only my personal experience in the treatment of my anxiety disorder. I have one PRN, but not daily. If you are only taking it PRN, then there's a possiblility asking for one could work.

Good luck though, I hope you do find something that works well for you. Sorry if I sounded ridiculous.