5 replies to this topic

[Heh]

I have been having what borders on nightmares (among other problems) for a while now, making it miserable for me to even think of falling asleep. Sometimes I'm not even fully awake and it starts. I'm currently only taking Depakote for intrusive thoughts (completely ineffective, but I've tried so many things without success that I don't know what to do). There is a chance Depakote may be causing this problem, but I put that to the side, as the problem was present even before I started taking it.

Edited by Heh, 13 February 2014 - 02:03 AM.

[Adaptogen]

cyproheptadine, if you don't mind daytime drowsiness and appetite increase

[socialpiranha]

prazosin

[BlueCloud]

Yes , cyproheptadine is worth a try.
http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/9606583
http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/1900585

I've used it sometimes for my insomnia, it's pretty powerful. Don't take more than 2mg the first time you use it, otherwise it will leave you groggy the day after. Also, it takes about 4 hours after dosing before you can feel it's sleep-inducing effect, so plan accordingly. And lastly don't take it more than a couple of times a week as tolerance develop rapidly and it looses it's efficacy quickly.

[jadamgo]

If depakote isn't helping with anything then don't take it. For both intrusive thoughts and nightmares, SSRIs often work. The SNRIs may work even better.

[Sciencyst]

Diphenhydramine for some people will reduce dreams, for others it will make it worse.

Taurine taken before bed noticeably helps my sleep quality but reduces my ability to recall dreams.

I suppose benzos are sometimes given for nightmares, and taurine is slightly GABAergic (positive allosteric modulator), so I'd say it's worth a shot.

Also meditating into sleep can help significantly, as it allows you to release anxieties before they follow you into the dream realm.