Lunesta no longer working....

[cgregg718]

Hello,

I have had insomnia for at least 15 years and in 2006 started taking Lunesta. It worked very well for many years. I have had to suffer from some side effects like a hangover in the morning to cognitive issues like short term memory loss. Overall getting my sleep has been worth those side effects but now I’m finding That it is no longer working for me. I will lay in bed for three hours before I may dose off in a light sleep, toss and turn, it may get some cat naps here and there. I will enter a deeper sleep around 5:30 am or so which is what I need the most. Has anyone ever heard of long-term use of Lunesta and it not working anymore?

[asmckay]

Yes. It seems that it damages cell receptors. In most countries ezopiclone (Lunesta) is recommended for 2 week prescriptions only. The US is an exception. You might find this study interesting. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... There are studies that show that Lunesta can be used for 6–12 months without evidence of problems (eg, tolerance/dependence) in younger people. I haven't seen any longer term studies. I work with sleep tech (Zeez Sleep pebble). It can take time recover from the rebound insomnia effects of stopping sleeping meds, and it is possible. I'd love to work on this..

[cgregg718 in reply to asmckay]

Thanks I’ll look at the link!

[Tortie2014]

Any of those sleep meds are not great for long periods of time, but I know You have to get to sleep when that’s what you know is working. I took flexeril for 20 years and traded off with Xanax and lorazepam the last five of those years. Since I have been seeing a functional medicine doctor, I am pretty much off those meds- only take supplements now and sleep better than I ever did. I changed my diet and take more B vitamins now to support my tendency for anxiety at night.

[cgregg718 in reply to Tortie2014]

Thanks!