Sleeping Pills post transplant

[Chris]

No, thanks. I got my own probs.

With yours and mine combined we would be unable to leave a bed no matter what. Thats no good.

Ozzy Osbournes song Zoombie Zoo comes to mind

[angela515]

 

[MyRenalRomance]

Is this a common thing for transplant recipients to be insomniacs?  The same thing has happened to my husband.

I currently take Ambien CR 12.5 mg and Valium 5 mg.  Have been on sleeping meds (of various varirities) since the 80s due to side effects of scleroderma/hypertension meds, and most currently due to dialysis.

I had a kidney transplant 5 weeks ago, and my neph just mentioned, last week, that I probably shouldn't need the sleep meds now that I have a new kidney.  He said he could understand that I was on them during dialysis, but I think he would like me to stop.  A good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold, so I'm hesitant to stop.  Some nights I'm tired by 10 pm, and other nights I could stay up all night!

[Chris]

Not sure wha to do there. The only concern if there was one would be the interactions with you anti-rejection meds or any other med. Less pills is always nice, but sometimes are necessary. You could either try his suggestion for a bit to see what happens, or keeping taking them as long as you have a doctor prescribe them and knows your current meds. In the end, you gotta do what is best for you.

I just need to remember to take my sleeping pills. I keep forgetting to take them till it is 12 am or 4 am.

[MyRenalRomance]

^  Yes, all my doctors know all my meds.  The transplant team let me take the sleeping meds in the hospital during my transplant, and know I'm still taking them, so I'm quite sure the docs would have told me if there was going to be any conflicting reactions with the anti-rejection meds.  I have two nephrologists - my original who I see on a regular basis, and my neph from my transplant center.  Both are aware of my sleeping meds RXs.

Yes, less meds are always nice.  I bet I could stop if I needed to.  I have no trouble falling asleep during the day for naps when I'm really tired (sorry to mention that considering all you're going through with your insomnia, Chris).

I guess I have the same question as Pelagia . . . "Is this a common thing for transplant recipients to be insomniacs?"  Sounds like the answer is "yes" from some of the posts in this thread (even tho my transplant center neph doesn't seem to be under that impression!)

[Chris]

I figured as much that they already knew your meds.

In my case, I see my local neph more than I do my transplant neph. Along with local gp. Going all the way to the city for all these different doctors is a pain in the royal 
So unless it's bad, which it has been, then I see the doctors at my transplant center and now I have to many up there for each different problem I have.

[angela515]

^  Yes, all my doctors know all my meds.  The transplant team let me take the sleeping meds in the hospital during my transplant, and know I'm still taking them, so I'm quite sure the docs would have told me if there was going to be any conflicting reactions with the anti-rejection meds.  I have two nephrologists - my original who I see on a regular basis, and my neph from my transplant center.  Both are aware of my sleeping meds RXs.

Yes, less meds are always nice.  I bet I could stop if I needed to.  I have no trouble falling asleep during the day for naps when I'm really tired (sorry to mention that considering all you're going through with your insomnia, Chris).

I guess I have the same question as Pelagia . . . "Is this a common thing for transplant recipients to be insomniacs?"  Sounds like the answer is "yes" from some of the posts in this thread (even tho my transplant center neph doesn't seem to be under that impression!)

Some people with NO medical problems just have different internal clocks and sleep on a different pattern then the "norm". Not everything is related to ESRD or transplant, even if your problems start after that.. As for if this is "common" for transplant recipients, it's *normal* for ESRD patients, and that is what you are with a transplant or without. I personally don't think it's related to the transplant due to personal experience and everyone in my clinic.. but it is *normal* for ESRD patients. However, I am not an M.D. so maybe I am talking out of my ass. 

[Chris]

However, I am not an M.D. so maybe I am talking out of my ass. 

Well then you would be Ace Ventura - pet Detective if you did

With me and dialysis, I didn't have the insomnia problem, so I am not normal, oh well. But also had other medical issues.
"Igor, who's brain did you take?"
"Why it's Abby, Abby Normal sir"

OK, tomorrow I will try my sleep med. I should have taken it earlier tonight, but I have to be up at 3 am and well I might be screwed if I take it now. I need to try 2 mg instead of 1 mg.Maybe I need an alarm to take that med?

[angela515]

What sleep med do you take?

Ace Ventura was my mentor.

[Chris]

Estazolam, generic for s? something, have it saved on my medication list.

[angela515]

How long have you been on it? Are you supposed to be on it long term?

I looked it up online, it says for "short-term" treatment of insomnia.

[Chris]

Neurologist gave it to me July 10, well that's the fill date. It has 6 refills of 30 pills. Problem is I forge to take them lately

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Since taking Zopiclone and clonazopam I've not had too many problems sleeping. The biggest problem is the time it takes to actually get off to sleep. (Usually between 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Once I get to sleep, if I wake up again I can just drop off again no problem.

Can somebody tell me why it takes me so long to get to sleep at night when, if I take an afternoon nap (no sleeping pills) I drop off almost instantaneously?

[bolta72]

I have the same problem, easier during the day than at night.

[pelagia]

estazolam is related to xanax according to this website:

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/estazolam.html

I have been told that xanax can be addicting. 

[Chris]

Finally took sleeping pills last night, well I took two instead of one and I was out in an hour. Only problem is I didn't wake up till 2:30 pm which led me to take my pills very late. It was a good sleep though, never woke up, not even if the cats did try to like they usually do. I think I'll try 1 and a half pill tonight.

[MyRenalRomance]

"Igor, who's brain did you take?"
"Why it's Abby, Abby Normal sir"

OK, tomorrow I will try my sleep med. I should have taken it earlier tonight, but I have to be up at 3 am and well I might be screwed if I take it now. I need to try 2 mg instead of 1 mg.Maybe I need an alarm to take that med?

   "Abby Normal"!  Love it!!!

I realize you're nearly 8 years post transplant (I'm only 6 weeks out).  Prior to being discharged, my meds coordinator highly recommended purchasing a watch w/ alarm settings so I'd remember to take my meds on time. I do wear one, since 10 am and 10 pm can sneak up on me without my realizing it.  Would wearing a watch like that help you to remember to take your sleep med?  Or you could pm me w/ your cell phone # and I would just play the song "Meds" by the band Placebo when you answered . . . "Did you forget to take your meds?" . . . LOL  Oh yeah - you have a cell phone - they have alarm features, don't they?  I think mine does!  Good luck "Igor"!






EDITED" Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,moderator

[Chris]

"Igor, who's brain did you take?"
"Why it's Abby, Abby Normal sir"

OK, tomorrow I will try my sleep med. I should have taken it earlier tonight, but I have to be up at 3 am and well I might be screwed if I take it now. I need to try 2 mg instead of 1 mg.Maybe I need an alarm to take that med?

   "Abby Normal"!  Love it!!!

I realize you're nearly 8 years post transplant (I'm only 6 weeks out).  Prior to being discharged, my meds coordinator highly recommended purchasing a watch w/ alarm settings so I'd remember to take my meds on time. I do wear one, since 10 am and 10 pm can sneak up on me without my realizing it.  Would wearing a watch like that help you to remember to take your sleep med?  Or you could pm me w/ your cell phone # and I would just play the song "Meds" by the band Placebo when you answered . . . "Did you forget to take your meds?" . . . LOL  Oh yeah - you have a cell phone - they have alarm features, don't they?  I think mine does!  Good luck "Igor"!

Well I do have a talking alarm watch, but  it is no set to go off at night due to it being load along with my cell phone. I use all the available time slots for reminders during the day, but at night I don't want to wake up or annoy parents. Last night Karol sent me a test message at 12 am my time, ohh crap that was a suprise and then finding the phone to shut off the message notifier, it is set to a song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Time Warp.

And no, I didn't take my sleeping pills last night, just my regular meds. I was to busy posting last night to take them. I'll have to look up Placebo for that song, I don't think I have heard it off hand.

[MyRenalRomance]

^     Chris,
You have great taste in movies:  "Young Frankenstein" and "Rocky Horror Picture Show"! 
Two of my faves (and, yes I can do the Time Warp!).

How'd you sleep, last night w/out your meds?

Most of the "Meds" lyrics (by Placebo) probably aren't applicable in this situation, but that chorus is just darn catchy:  "Baby, did you forget to take your meds?"  Saw Placebo last summer at Projekt Revolution. They were pretty awesome.  I had heard of Placebo, but had never heard any of their music until that day.

That was really nice of Karol to send you a text message! This is such a great commnity! 

[Chris]

I went to bed around 5 am, sometime during George Carlins last show and woke up at 6 am since 2 of my alarms went off. So I took some time to prepare to fix my bedroom closet light. Had to take stuff out of the closet, then had trouble seeing since the flashlight in my mouth did not correspond to where I wanted it while I am moving. I might take the pill tonight or a pain pill depending on how physical therapy goes tonight. If I take the sleeping pill tonight and take 2  for it to work, I better take it at 8 pm tonight.

[MyRenalRomance]

Chris,

. . . "Did you forget to take your meds?" . . .  

LOL
MRR

[Chris]

I didn't exactly forget them, they're just not in my sight

[Chris]

Didn't take pills Friday or Saturday night due to getting home late. Now it is past 4:56 am. No rest Sunday. Need meds.

[MyRenalRomance]

^  4:56 am?!!  Do you ever sleep, Chris?  How do you function?  What's your secret?

Got home late Friday and Saturday? - hope you were out late having some fun!

[Chris]

^  4:56 am?!!  Do you ever sleep, Chris?  How do you function?  What's your secret?

Got home late Friday and Saturday? - hope you were out late having some fun!

I went to bed at 7 am Sunday morning and slept till 2:30, but I didn't feel rested as I do when I take the sleeping pills, 2 of them, not the reccommended 1 pill.
I was at the IHD meeting Friday and Saturday and got home late on those two days. Left around 2 am Sunday morning after we went to Chicago. At the dinner I was presented with a 7 day 4 event pill container with alarms. Taking sleeping pills tonight though. Which reminds me I need to refill other med.