Need a different sleep aide

[SueJohnson]

I have developed loud pulsatile tinnitus and all the possible causes have been checked and ruled out by my doctor so I just have to live with it. But I can't sleep at all as a result.

I am taking ambien 5 mg. I fall asleep within minutes but it only lasts 5 to 5 and1/2 hours. I tried the extended release version but I stay awake for an hour or two before falling asleep.

Melatonin not only doesn't work for me but I don't like how I feel the next day.

I don't want to take benzodiazepines as I took clonazepam for decades which no longer worked in the end so I doubt they would work.

Is there any medicine that not only lets you fall asleep immediately but lasts at least 7 hours?

[Hooked77]

Sue, I have no answers for you but want to tell you that I’m in the same boat. Just went to an ENT for tinnitus in one ear and pulsitis tinnitus on the other. It’s very annoying when I’m trying to fall asleep. Being on my back versus on one side or the other helps but I can’t fall asleep that way. Sometimes I feel like “what else can disrupt my sleep “. The doctor told me to try Lipoflavonoid for a 90 day trial. I’ll try it but I’m doubting that it’ll help. I think he is doubtful also.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hooked77]

I doubt if it will help either. I tried a headband with a builtin microphone that connected through bluetooth with my iPhone so I could play sounds. I found heavy rain the best and it worked when my pulsatile tinnitus wasn't too loud. You might want to try that. Has your doctor scheduled a CT angiogram of the head and neck? That will find most of the possible causes. Also a blood test of your thyroid hormones. Good luck - it is no fun and doesn't go away on its own.

[Hooked77 in reply to SueJohnson]

I declined further testing because I look at it pretty much like tinnitus - one is stuck with it. Maybe I should reconsider testing. My Mother used to say, “old age isn’t for sissies “.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hooked77]

Boy - that's true. I'm 82 and plan to live to100. And I can imagine the doctor not wanting me to take any sleep aide as I get older.

I would get tested. Some of the causes can be serious. I discovered I had a multinodular goiter and had to get a biopsy of 2 of the nodes because they could have been cancer. Luckily they weren't. Although now I need to have a scan every year to see if any of the nodules have grown bigger and need to be biopsied. Also they can identify narrowing of the artery which can cause it. And low thyroid hormones which can cause it can easily be corrected.

I agree if it were just tinnitus which I have had all my life.

[Hooked77 in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you, Sue. You’ve convinced me to go further with it. I’m glad you did. I’m 78 and might have the genes to live a very long life. My Mother was nearly 96. Whew! That’s a long way to go!!

[Dizlizz in reply to SueJohnson]

hi Sue. Not sure this is helpful but for a short time I had very loud tinnitus and so identified the musical note which it approximated and played classical music in that key. I found it more calming and less clanging.

[SueJohnson in reply to Dizlizz]

Unfortunately pulsatile tinnitis is different from regular tinnitis. You hear your own heartbeat very loudly so it is not a steady noise. I'm glad that worked for you.

[Springfiel1]

Yes lm with you. Have overcome RLS with Tramadol but still have tinnitus in both ears. At a loss as to what makes it loud or near silent except my attention to it and stress.

Just purchased some sleep patches and will let you know.

Your posts to me about RLS were most helpful. Good luck.

[Cowbsky]

Hi, Sue

_ 70, here. Quite recently, after stopping clonazepam 0.5 (after decades), I noticed I had some tinitus. ENT precrisbed Ginkloba, and said I had stopped clonazepam too fast (some 2 months), and I should go back for a more while, which I did not;

_ it looks Ginko is working after some 15 days, only minor tinuts now; does not bother to sleep. Recently this literature says my ENT would be in the right pattern with Ginko : newsdirect.com/health-suppl...

[SueJohnson in reply to Cowbsky]

I'm glad it is helping you. Unfortunately plain tinnitus which I've had almost all my life is not my problem. Pulsatile tinnitus is when you hear your heartbeat - bam bam bam etc. It can be minor and not too loud as it was for me for awhile, but mine is very loud.

[012703060610]

A few thing have helped with my sleep....I too am on ambien but wake very quickly. Had a similar experience with on the extended release....I'd be awake for 2+ hours. I added 300 mgs of Gabapentin that is supporting my bladder issues, I am on Remeron for depression and it is huge help with sleep. The downside is weight gain if you can't control cravings. I need to gain so we switched to this. Then I take something called L-Theanine that is natural. I too cannot tolerate melatonin nor Benadryl.....they both make me feel wired instead.

[SueJohnson in reply to 012703060610]

I am already taking 1500 mg of gabapentin for my Restless Legs and Remeron makes RLS worse so can't take it. I'm familiar with L-Theanine but don't think it would be strong enough to help. I'm glad it works for you.

[012703060610 in reply to SueJohnson]

I get it. I am actually terminal and have access to 6 valium a day. I'm allergic to all pain meds. I need at least 2-3 valium at night. I had no idea that valium had anti inflammatory properties. I recently added CBD too and not sure if that helps yet!

[SueJohnson]

Problem solved !!! I have been taking 5 mg and knew there was a 10 mg, so I took 2 ambien last night and slept 7 and a half hours.