Insomnia, it sucks

[Buzzard]

I'm also in the camp of not having too, too much problem falling asleep, it's the getting up at 3-5 regardless of what time I've gone to bed that gets me. My previous GP, who's since retired, prescribed me Silenor. 100% worked like a charm and I took it regularly for quite a few years. Recently though, my newer GP recommended getting off it and going with Quviviq. He claims it's a better long term solution, although when I've questioned him on the differences for long term health, he didn't really have a satisfactory response, "it's just better long term".

So Quviviq is the absolute bomb for falling asleep, even though that wasn't really a huge issue, but isn't so great for the end half of sleep. I'm really missing the Silenor. Anyone else taken either?

[Jiri Hrdina]

I don't have experience with either.
I took Zoplicone for several years - which worked but gave me a headache that would worsen the more I took it. But it would ensure a full night sleep.
I switched to Zolpidem (Ambien) a few years ago which. I can take a 1/4 of one of those pills and it gets me to sleep without the side effects. However, sleep onset is more my issue not sustaining sleep. But I REALLY prefer Zolpidem to Zoplicone.

I don't take either much anymore, and even recently have managed to stop taking Melatonin every night, which I had been doing for about a decade.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I'm also in the camp of not having too, too much problem falling asleep, it's the getting up at 3-5 regardless of what time I've gone to bed that gets me. My previous GP, who's since retired, prescribed me Silenor. 100% worked like a charm and I took it regularly for quite a few years. Recently though, my newer GP recommended getting off it and going with Quviviq. He claims it's a better long term solution, although when I've questioned him on the differences for long term health, he didn't really have a satisfactory response, "it's just better long term".

So Quviviq is the absolute bomb for falling asleep, even though that wasn't really a huge issue, but isn't so great for the end half of sleep. I'm really missing the Silenor. Anyone else taken either?

I’ve taken Silenor for a while. It was meh for me. A pretty big hangover in the morning without the benefit of a great sleep. Trazodone was helpful for getting to sleep but it wore off about 4-5 hours into sleep so that wasn’t ideal.

Mirtazipine is where it is at - particularly if you struggle with anxiety/rumination at night. I, for the very first time in my adult life, regularly sleep until my alarm goes off. It has a pretty strong hangover as well but it’s worth it. Just be careful because it can make you ravenous have lots of healthy snacks around. You can pack on the pounds pretty quickly.

[Buzzard]

That's interesting, as my experience is the complete opposite. I remember doubting the doc when first recommending it, as I'd get gross hangovers from any kind of otc option. Diphenhydramine not only gives me a horrible, jittery hangover all morning, it actually does the opposite of it's intention. I'd often get restless legs, and lay wide awake on it, just an overall crap drug for me. With Silenor, not only does it keep me sleeping much later than I would, but I find zero after effects. There's maybe a slight grogginess first thing, but nothing a cup of coffee doesn't cure.


I really recommend Quviviq for anyone having problems getting to sleep. I find there's minimal hangover also. It really knocks me out, although that's not usually my biggest issue. There's an odd pattern with it too. I will sleep like a baby in bizarre segments during the night. I'll sleep for a couple hours, wake, and feel like I've been asleep eight hours. Fall back asleep, rinse repeat.


It's interesting how different everyone's sleep and what affects it is so different/random. Not too interesting at 3AM though, frustrating as hell.

[ripTDR]

I guess I don't have the extreme problems of most of you guys here, but one thing that has helped me get a nights sleep was to get a old timey clock radio and physically not have my phone in my bedroom or bathroom. Honestly, it took a while to get used to it but I definitely feel better, plus its kinda cool to wake up to some random song on the radio.