Is it normal for someone to get so little sleep on such strong medication?

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I have insomnia, amongst other mental health problems, and my psychiatrist prescribed me heavier meds about a year ago. At first they were kind of working, four a day. Now I've been taking them for about 15 months and I now take 6 a day, over 150mg and they're not working. I still only get about 4 - 4 and a half hours on a good night. Usually I get 3 and a half hours to just under 4 hours a day. Is that normal for someone to get such little sleep on such heavy medication in their early twenties? Been in my head for days!

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Based on 6 votes (3 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • Generic_Userboi
    4 years ago

    Yeah, medication can really mess with your sleep schedule. I have chronic insomnia, and have tried a ton of dosages of different meds to help with it. The important thing is that you get an amount that allows you to function; if you aren't, I would consider asking about a different medication.

    Everyone's body is different, and even among sleep medications there are tons of different mechanisms they use to help people fall asleep.

    The important things are that:
    A) You feel rested throughout the day.
    B) You can wake up at a time that doesn't interfere with your work, school, or social schedule.

    The rest is simply up to you, and how comfortable you feel with any remaining effects.
    Best of luck!

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it. Which medications do you take to help with your insomnia? Only if you're comfortable answering. And do you have any other useful tips or things that can help with insomnia?

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      • Generic_Userboi
        4 years ago

        I have pretty strong insomnia.

        I take 3mg prazosin, 0.75mg of alprazolam, and 20mg of melatonin nightly. It's not perfect, but it helps my sleep be somewhat more peaceful.

        Personally, my insomnia often stems from generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Because of this, I find writing a journal entry about my anxieties or fears before bed, followed by a rational assessment of them in written form that dissects what is fair to worry about and what isn't to help a great deal.

        Past that, I highly recommend keeping a routine when it comes to going to bed. By this I don't necessarily mean a specific time, but that I only enter my bed when I am about to sleep and have a set of hygienic tasks I do in a specific order before going to lie down. This helps one build an association within their mind between these tasks and sleep, leading to better ability to sleep.

        I also recommend that on any given night where you've been up for past ~1-2 hours after lying down, you get out of bed and do something that does not involve electronics for about 20 minutes. This keeps your brain from re-forming associations of wakefulness with the act of lying in your bed.

        Hope some of this helps; and if not that it improves regardless.

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  • controversy
    4 years ago

    what is the name of the medication?

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      4 years ago

      My apologies. Forgot to even mention. It is Quetiapine (:

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      • controversy
        4 years ago

        Quetiapine is more sedating at lower doses than higher ones. You also develop tolerance to quetiapine sedation.
        To realize the full effect(antipsychotic action) of quetiapine you need to increase the dosage to 400 mgs or higher.
        Insomnia can often be a side effect of other diseases; treating those diseases can indirectly treat ur insomnia.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          4 years ago

          Good insight. The thing is, I did notice one or two times in which I only took two-three tablets and found myself somewhat drowsy and tired and fatigued, more so than with 5 or 6, which is strange but seems simple enough, I guess. But then there have been many times I've taken the same amount and nothing has happened. I'm hoping my psychiatrist will up the dosage to 250, even for now.

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          • controversy
            4 years ago

            quetiapine has both sedating and activating actions. the sedating actions are due to antihistamine actions mainly, and activating actions are due to norepinephrine reuptake blockade. its pharma stuff.

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            • Anonymous Post Author
              4 years ago

              Thanks. I take Diazepam as well. There's definitely a difference.

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