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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Insomnia

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Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017
Question: I have chronic insomnia I've tired resprol ambien and nothing works do you recommend something else
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Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Other options are available

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

For chronic insomnia the approach is to try the drugs without increasing the risk of relapse. Some antidepressants like Amitriptyline or Paroxetine or Mirtazepin etc can be tried. Amitriptyline helps to regularise sleep and will give sound sleep. These are safe to use and risk if dependence is also not there.

If that doesn't work then antipsychotics can be tried. You have tried Risperidone but other antipsychotic drugs like Olanzapine or Quetiapine can help in sleep. Both are safe and free of serious side effects. Olanzapine in low doses will even help in reducing anxiety.

You can discuss with your doctor for either of the drugs I've mentioned. Apart from this I will advise you to improve sleep hygiene. Fix your time to go to bed. Stop thinking that you will not get sleep. Try not to sleep but remain relaxed. Avoid any activating substance in evening like tea, coffee or carbonated drinks. If you fail to get sleep with in 15 minutes of going to bed then better to get up and try to distract yourself. Warm water shower in evening also helps in relaxation and is a good option. Follow these steps and you will see improvement.

Thanks and Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Insomnia

Brief Answer: Other options are available Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM For chronic insomnia the approach is to try the drugs without increasing the risk of relapse. Some antidepressants like Amitriptyline or Paroxetine or Mirtazepin etc can be tried. Amitriptyline helps to regularise sleep and will give sound sleep. These are safe to use and risk if dependence is also not there. If that doesn't work then antipsychotics can be tried. You have tried Risperidone but other antipsychotic drugs like Olanzapine or Quetiapine can help in sleep. Both are safe and free of serious side effects. Olanzapine in low doses will even help in reducing anxiety. You can discuss with your doctor for either of the drugs I've mentioned. Apart from this I will advise you to improve sleep hygiene. Fix your time to go to bed. Stop thinking that you will not get sleep. Try not to sleep but remain relaxed. Avoid any activating substance in evening like tea, coffee or carbonated drinks. If you fail to get sleep with in 15 minutes of going to bed then better to get up and try to distract yourself. Warm water shower in evening also helps in relaxation and is a good option. Follow these steps and you will see improvement. Thanks and Take care