How to treat my difficulty falling asleep at 65?

Question

Hello doctor,

I suffer from insomnia that had increased in the last year. I used a lot of medications that were prescribed to me by my local physicians such as (Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, and Mirtazapine).

Initially, it is useful at the beginning and then insomnia returned. I also follow a behavioral treatment (went to the bed at 12:00 AM and wake up at 7:00 AM on a regular schedule) but the problem is persisting.

The main point is when I go to bed, I did not fall in sleep for at least three hours and in some cases stay awake till morning despite the medication that I took at night.

My main concern isI want to sleep directly when I go to bed even if I sleep for few hours only. Looking forward to hearing from you and give me a suitable advice or medication.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It seems that you have been in trouble with sleep disturbances for a quite long time. Also, it appears that you have difficulty in the onset of sleep rather than difficulty in maintaining the sleep. Before proceeding to management, I would like to know few things first:

Any history of depression or anxiety disorders at present or in past?
Any history of diabetes or hyperthyroidism or hypertension?
Any other medications apart from Diazepam for any other ailment and for how long?
Your current age?
Any alcohol or tobacco consumption?
Any habit of consuming tea or coffee, frequency in a day and time of the last intake during a day?

Kindly provide me with this information, so that I can help you in a more effective way.

For more information consult a sleep medicine physician online.

I hope this helps.

Tha nk you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is now clear that you have primary insomnia with difficulty in the onset of sleep. Lorazepam or Diazepam or Mirtazapine will not help with the onset of sleep. You should start taking following medication:

Tablet Zolpidem 5 mg one HS.
Tablet Clonazepam 0.5 mg one SOS.
Keep following the sleep hygiene measures.
Get PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and USG pelvic region (for prostate) done.

Follow up after one week and we will discuss any improvements in your complaints.

For more information consult a sleep medicine physician online.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

One HS means before sleep with water. One SOS means as when needed. You need to take Zolpidem 5 mg one tablet before sleep (approximately 15 minutes before sleep).

You can take Clonazepam 0.5 mg, if even after 30 to 45 minutes after taking Zolpidem you do not fall asleep.

You need to take these medications at least for 15 days, then after consult to provide information regarding any improvement or worsening in your complaints. Yes, these medications are safe.

And you did not mention about your gender, so I advised for PSA, as benign prostate hypertrophy is common among males in this age group which can cause sleep disturbances by increasing the frequency of micturition at night.

For more information consult a sleep medicine physician online.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.