Ambien? Lunesta? HELP!

[bssofro]

My father has ALS and FLD.
My father is up and down, up and down during the night.

He has tried everything, AMBIEN, RESTORIL and LUNESTA.
These dont seem to be working.
We have only tried them each for 1 night.
How long do these usually take to become effective.
The packaging says 7-10 days until they are effective.

Please let me know your experiences. The caregiver is exhausted.

thanks

 

[Phil M]

bss, if he sleeps during the day, see if he can stay up, and try to get back on a night time pattern? I have a muscle relaxer called soma. I'm not sure if it is safe for your dad, but they always put me down. I just don't like taking them.

 

[guguy]

I have been taking Ambien for years. Initially 10 mg pills, then generic 10 mg Ambien and now Ambien 12.5 mg cr (controlled release). I take one pill nightly orally. I cut it in half and take both halves at the same time because it seems to work faster this way. I am not groggy the next day and Ambien is not narcotic so doctors are not hesitant to prescribe it. I fall asleep within 20 to 30 minutes after taking it. Sometimes I get up and raid the refrigerator which is not a good thing but because I lost 25 pounds in less than 3 months I figure I need as many calories as I can get. Not everyone does this nocternal snacking but some do. I think it is because sleeping and eating both have something to do with serotonin levels.

 

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He should be evaluated by a pulmonologist/sleep specialist or his neurologist. Sleep disorders are not uncommon in ALS. Treatments can vary depending on the cause of the sleep problem. A sleeping pill may or may not be the right prescription

Glenn Singer, MD
Director Sleep Disorder Center
Broward General Medical Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL