Dealing with insomnia

[J1Vegas]

I'm consulting my doc about ADHD meds, and I know that stimulants (and some non-stimulants) can cause insomnia. The standard advice seems to be to take the meds first thing in the morning. I'm a long time insomnia sufferer and have taken sleeping meds (Lunesta) nightly for years. There doesn't appear to be any conflicts with taking ADHD/sleeping meds. I'm just curious about whether folks have started to take sleep meds after starting ADHD drugs like Ritalin/Vyvanse etc. Thanks.

[Gettingittogether]

I occasionally take Ambien. But I limit it. The problem for me is that when I take Ambien, I get really bad in sleep hygiene. I know myself: if I want to get to sleep by midnight, I have to stop any analytical work (like late job work) by 10 p.m., if not earlier. If I do analytical work--even paying bills online, right up to sleep time, I won't sleep well.

Except ... when I take Ambien. But then over time the Ambien works less and less.

So yes, I use Ambien occasionally. But I focus on sleep hygiene. I have to turn down the lights, sometimes I have to meditate, I have to find some really positive stuff to focus on as I'm going to sleep and so on. Also I have to cut off caffeine 12 hours before bedtime. When I was younger, I could have coffee later in the day. Can't anymore. Also it helps, especially in winter, to get outside to walk. Outside light really helps. I also use a bright light box which seems to regulate my sleep cycle and stop my winter blues.

[J1Vegas in reply to Gettingittogether]

Thanks very much for your help! Ambien 10 mg wasn't as effective and left me feeling more strung out in the morning. Lunesta is better for long term, and provides some benefit for depression. I would like to reduce the dose someday, but one thing at a time.

I think I can manage any sleep issues. The much bigger issue for me is potential dry mouth/constipation. I have dry mouth and IBS-C now. I may be able to adjust any worsening GI issues with my meds. A few years ago, those side effects made me quit Prozac, Zoloft, and Citalopram. From my researching of the FDA info, Vyvanse is the least likely to cause constipation.

[Gettingittogether in reply to J1Vegas]

Yes, getting older (and younger) is all about managing various side effects. Can be a pain.

[TMHart]

I’ve been on adderall since I was young (first it was Ritalin) and I’ve taken clonidine for sleep also since I was young

[J1Vegas in reply to TMHart]

Thanks! I think I can manage sleep. I'm more concerned about possible dry mouth and constipation (I already suffer IBS-C).

[Hidden]

Avocados, dates, figs… are great sources of fiber and vitamins. Nothing loves the intestinal tract more than fiber and short walks. Seriously!

[J1Vegas]

Thanks. I eat dates daily, and use fig preserves! I also take meds and milk of magnesia every day for chronic constipation. There is another med I can add, if a drug causes problems.

[Hidden]

I have had mixed IBS since I was a kid. I get severe spasms that hurt so bad it’s difficult to describe. Bentyl helps to decrease the pain from the spasms. My doctor said she could see how bad my spasms were while I was being scoped! I’m hoping that as I learn to deal with my ADHD specific symptoms, maybe my tummy won’t hurt so much. I need to eat foods with fiber, and to walk around a bit. The last thing in the world that I want to feel is GI spasms with constipation. That’s excruciating. I meant well talking about fiber and moving around, because the pain just isn’t a fun option.