I'm new here...

[Storsie]

I have chronic anxiety and depression and have relied on Xanax or Klonopin for sleep for over 20 years. My doctor switched me from Xanax to Klonopin about 3 years ago because she said it was more timed-release than Xanax. It is effective, and I'm only prescribed 30 pills per month so that I'll be less likely to use it other than at bedtime. Is anyone else on a benzo for sleep?

[Tortie2014]

Yes, I’ve taken benzodiazepines off and on for 7 years. I’ve been trying to get off of lorazepam and have really decreased usage to 1/2-1 pill a week. Never took them every night but alternated between that and a muscle relaxant. I took Xanax for almost a year during my mom’s final year battling cancer. I’ve seen a functional medicine doctor who has confirmed my suspicions that my sleep problems were related to digestion issues. I take a stronger probiotic, magnesium l-threonate, and Calm and Cool, along with changing my diet. I still have bad nights but sleeping better in general with not that much medication.

[Storsie in reply to Tortie2014]

My psychiatrist has been saying the last couple of years that it would be ideal to wean me off of a benzodiazepine for sleep. Her reasoning is based on one study that linked benzos to dementia, but I've told her I don't think my once a day dose is problematic. I certainly haven't had any cognitive issues in all the years I've taken it for sleep. I recently saw some research that said the study was most likely flawed. I don't agree with being prescribed an unlimited supply of benzos due to addiction issues, but it seems to me that once a day isn't bad. My psychiatrist agrees that other, newer prescriptions for sleep can be more dangerous. I tried Lunesta for a short time, and it actually revved me up instead of helping with sleep. There's just no easy answers...