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Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

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Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#91
post #60
post #44

I’ve been taking Zolpidem for about 13 years now and suffer from addiction. I’ve sought treatment for this but it doesn’t work as now I cannot sleep without taking something. If you haven’t taken Z-type sleeping aids, I would definitely suggest not to start, as from experience the consequences outweigh the benefits. I’ve lost a considerable amount of friends/reputation/etc. from the abuse. Every experience that you h…

(Genuinely curious and not trying to downplay the seriousness at all) What would happen if you took a month off work and all your obligations and stayed home and didn't take anything for a whole month? My understanding is the human body can't go more than about 10 days without sleep [1]. So I assume at that point you would fall asleep, and then over the coming ~20 days hopefully you could normalize it and get back to…

I've actually decided to take some time off work because of my addiction issues. It's more so the cycle. I'll stop taking Zolpidem/Zopiclone for several weeks/month (the first several days -- terrible shakes, chills, nightmares, several days without sleeping etc. Zopiclone/Benzo withdrawal is far worse) After a while, I'll eventually adjust but I have insomnia/poor sleep so I'll eventually cave in due to sleep deprivation then I'll pick back up.

For the past year, I would roughly take 90mg of either Zolpidem/Zopiclone in a single night. On average, I roughly go through 100 pills a week (I have pharmacies that sell to me...I know sketch).

It wasn't always like this, when I first started taking medication after going to Stanford Sleep Clinic, I would just take a pill or two a night and have fantastic sleep. It was like this for several years but eventually my tolerance increased and my work stress/insomnia got worse with age.

I want to reiterate that I've destroyed/damaged every meaningful relationship in my life. I state this all out because I've realized that people have a strange fascination with Ambien.

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#92
post #53
post #9

Things like these makes me realize how little we know about the functioning of brain. Manipulating brain digitally would be perhaps one of the biggest technological revolution after industrial revolution.

We know very little about how the body as a whole functions, especially from a systems perspective. Sure doctors can set bones and give you drugs that are in many cases the physiological equivalent of a sledgehammer, but try asking them what the mechanism of action is of those drugs, or you have Crohn’s or rheumatoid arthritis or insomnia or pinched nerve pain in your back. They have no effing idea.

You’re talking to a general practitioner in that case, they won’t know the specific details, just in general. If you speak to researchers or specialists they do have a clue. But we still have a long long way to go

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#93
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a gross misunderstanding of what Seroquel is used for. It's one of those medications that several different side effects depending on the dosage. Yes, it can be used as an anti-psychotic. However, in most of the cases I've heard, it's used as a sleep aid. This was the case for me, too. I was on it for 10 years and ultimately went off because I grew out of my chronic insomnia. Aside from a muted personality an…

> Yes, it can be used as an anti-psychotic. However, in most of the cases I've heard, it's used as a sleep aid. I've never taken anti-psychotics. I've asked my doctor for anti-depressants a few times (usually during relationship issues) and they are not my thing. You're not a medical doctor, right? Obviously, or you wouldn't be giving out such frivolous advice. Dude... it's an anti-psychotic drug.

And? Do you even know what that means?

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#94
post #28

Zolpidem is famous for this, although it’s raised more questions than answers. This particular phenomenon has been known since the early 2000s; NYT has a good write up about it: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/can-ambien-wake-...

After taking it for sleep, I think it should be researched for way more. It’s clearly rewiring things.

I should hope not- there are no wires in your brain!

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#95
post #91
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(Genuinely curious and not trying to downplay the seriousness at all) What would happen if you took a month off work and all your obligations and stayed home and didn't take anything for a whole month? My understanding is the human body can't go more than about 10 days without sleep [1]. So I assume at that point you would fall asleep, and then over the coming ~20 days hopefully you could normalize it and get back to…

I've actually decided to take some time off work because of my addiction issues. It's more so the cycle. I'll stop taking Zolpidem/Zopiclone for several weeks/month (the first several days -- terrible shakes, chills, nightmares, several days without sleeping etc. Zopiclone/Benzo withdrawal is far worse) After a while, I'll eventually adjust but I have insomnia/poor sleep so I'll eventually cave in due to sleep depriv…

For the past year, I would roughly take 90mg of either Zolpidem/Zopiclone in a single night.

Holy crap. The typical dose is 5 mg or 10 mg. I’ve taken 10 before and I’m out.

90 mg?!?

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#96
post #72
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've taken it for over 10 years and am better than ever. Hasn't suffered any harmful side-effects either. Of course, side-effects differ from person to person. But it's worth a try. Z-drugs and benzos are way worse. Moreover, if you're severely addicted to Z-drugs like OP, the benefits probably do outweigh the side-effects. Not every person is the same, and the cost benefit analysis differs accordingly.

Antipsychotics ruined my life and gave me tardive dyskinesia.

[deleted]

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#97
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try getting prescribed seroquel instead. A lot more powerful, and will help you sleep. Less (known?) downsides as well. I guarantee you that you will be able to sleep with it.

I am happy that this works for you, but you can't really compare a Z-Drug with an atypical antipsychotic. That's some dangerous medical advice. Also (from wikipedia) on Seroquel / Quetiapine: "Despite being widely used as a sleep aid due its sedating effect, the benefits of such use do not appear to generally outweigh the side effects." https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8812/afd4bc713c03435b68f2bb... Personally I woul…

He's saying prescribed seroquel. That means he would have to consult with his physician beforehand.

This guy drove away his friends, crashed his car and had psychotic episodes. During a 13 year addiction to the zolpidem. That's way past the "there may be some side effects" phase.

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#98
post #44

I’ve been taking Zolpidem for about 13 years now and suffer from addiction. I’ve sought treatment for this but it doesn’t work as now I cannot sleep without taking something. If you haven’t taken Z-type sleeping aids, I would definitely suggest not to start, as from experience the consequences outweigh the benefits. I’ve lost a considerable amount of friends/reputation/etc. from the abuse. Every experience that you h…

I got a subscription for 1 package when I had major sleep issues as a young adult and i immediately wanted more. Best 2 weeks of sleep i ever had. Luckily the doctor did not allow another subscription

Re: Severe brain injury and paralysis temporarily reversed with a sleeping pill

#99
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yes, it can be used as an anti-psychotic. However, in most of the cases I've heard, it's used as a sleep aid. I've never taken anti-psychotics. I've asked my doctor for anti-depressants a few times (usually during relationship issues) and they are not my thing. You're not a medical doctor, right? Obviously, or you wouldn't be giving out such frivolous advice. Dude... it's an anti-psychotic drug.

And? Do you even know what that means?

If you're referring to anti-pyschotic drugs, then no, I don't - at all. I meant no offense, I was just suggesting caution that's all.

Edit: I just wanted to acknowledge that there are probably a lot of beautiful people who find this drug helpful. I didn't mean to get down on you, I struggle too. I'm sorry if I jumped the gun with my statement.

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