Sleeping Meds

[Cesar68]

Hello Everyone,

I have had Viral Encephalitis for just over a year now and struggle with sleeping, much like many others. Since I was released from the hospital, i have taken Xanax, Seroquel, Mirtazapine, & Hydroxyzine. Currently, I am taking a med called Clonazepam. Most of these are also for anxiety, but have a sedative for sleeping. I've had plenty of mixed results, and stopped taking many of them.

Just curious what others are taking that helps.

Take Care.

Cesar

[kitnkaboodle]

Most of those are benzodiazepines, which should not be prescribed for sleep. Be careful with them. They are highly addictive and our bodies quickly become tolerant and physically dependent on them. I’m speaking from experience.

[Wygella]

I had HSVE 6 years ago. Sleep sadly is still an issue but I’ve avoided sleeping meds for exactly the reasons Kitnkaboodle says. Plus tried them years ago and they made me feel awful. It’s hard I know but after this long I’ve learnt to be grateful for the nights I do sleep and how to manage the nights I don’t. I know we all get fatigue (some encouragement is that really does lessen with time) but how much you do or don’t sleep doesn’t seem to make any difference. What I can honestly say is you learn to cope and manage to the point where sleeping as such isn’t an issue. Anxious whizzy brain still is at times so my personal remedy is reading - relaxation techniques but everyone does something different. Take care. And good luck.

[Paula-38]

Hi Cesar68,

I had the same type of encephalitis the day after my first birthday.

I agree with Kitnkaboodle, but also I know that Clonazepam is also used to prevent/stop seizures, I take it with Phenytoin to control my status epilepticus, I also take vitamin D3, because I can't get out with my profound disabling OCD, I've had it for 30 years, the year I became seizure free, 30 years ago.

I take a low dose of Escitalopram for my OCD. I don't take sleeping tablets, I never have.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me anything at all and I will be more than happy to answer any questions.