Buprenorphine and insomnia

[Johan10]

I am hoping for some advice to point me in the right direction before talking to GP or consultant. For 40 years I've suffered with sleep problems which in later life became much worse due to RL.Having gravitated to Buprenorphine for the last 6 months this has been mostly eliminated by a single 0.2mg sublingual tablet.

On3 starting it I achieved 7 hours sleep but over time this has been eroded by gradually waking earlier and earlier. The last few weeks I've managed just 2 to 4 hours and last night zero.

There are no other influences (medication, health, life generally) that correlate with the sleep decline.

Buprenorphine is so effective, stopping it would be a very backward step. I have no problem with taking sleeping tablets but it would need to be long term and I'd be concerned at tolerance and reaching the maximum dose.

Any thoughts or help gratefully received. Thanks. Johan

[SueJohnson]

There was a recent post on the same subject although it was another opioid healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[Johan10 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for the reply Sue. Since I read that post the other day there have been some replies concerning Buprenorphine which are interesting. I am trying to establish if it is Buprenorphine causing the insomnia and the answer seems to be yes.

I could ask about using Pregabalin, a small quantity might be OK, I did have problems previously with raised platelets on Gabapentoids.

Dr Fackrell has suggested Clonazepam which I am concerned at taking due to a build up of tolerance if taking permanently. I wondered if there was experience in the group of tolerance, causing the need to continually increase the dose, with those who take sedatives eg Lunesta and Clonezapam etc?

Thanks again.

[SueJohnson in reply to Johan10]

The problem with clonazepam is it has a long half life of 40 hours so you can be tired the next day. I have been taking lunesta for a year and a half and haven't had to increase the dose nor has it been any less effective but I am sure others will answer who have taken a sleeping pull longer.

[Johan10 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks. That's good to know. I hope that continues.

[Huntingleroy]

Hi Johan , yes Bup definately causes insomnia for me. Jules suggested Pregabalin which I finally got my Gp to let me trial and just 25mgs before bed is helping with no side effects luckily

[Johan10 in reply to Huntingleroy]

Many thanks for the reply, I'll certainly discuss this with the GP. I'm glad you get some help from it. Cheers.

[Typicallygaslit]

I’ve been on Zopiclone and Diazepam for decades and they still work for me. Some doctors refuse to describe these of course and especially in conjunction with the opioid, but I’m lucky my GP hasn’t denied me any of this. I cut them up and take as needed when I wake up at night or too early.

[Johan10 in reply to Typicallygaslit]

Many thanks that's very reassuring. I think consultant will agree to one of these and GP will then go along with it. All the best to you.

[707twitcher]

Cannabis helps me some.

[Johan10 in reply to 707twitcher]

Hi there thanks for that. Another one to consider. Glad it helps.