Wow Metaspitzer, that sounds soooooooooooo familiar...

I took amytriptaline for about 8 years for major depression, migraines
etc. It worked well for me, and the migraines that had plagued me for
years, went totally away.I think I was taking like 100 - 150 mg daily
maintenance doses and yes I slept like a baby when I was taking it.
Also, yes, I was being told by my dentist that the dry mouth was
destroying my teeth, but I guess at the time that was preferable to
crawling into bed, pulling the blankets over my head and never getting
up again.
Today at 56 years old, I have major gum problems...

Of course all this was years ago before I was dianosed with sleep
apnea, and now I have used a CPAP machine for the past 6-7 years,
which HELPS....but like you, my brain simply does not shut off. I
dream constantly and vividly, often not only talking in my sleep but
thrashing, kciking running and generally acting out my dreams - my
poor significant other!!!! Yes, I often have bad dreams that leave me
shrieking "Help help somebody help me!!!!" from a sound sleep. Try
that is a hotel in a strange city at 3 AM!!!

Bottom line, my nurse practitioner recently suggested Ambien as
something to try when I was talking about these problems. It helps
enormously. I don't take it every night, tho because I am afraid as
well of the possility that If I take it all the time, when I don't
take it I won't sleep at all. But as someone who has sleep problems
for many many years, I find that if I take it every third or fourth
night, so that I get a good sound night of sleep every three to four
days, I can keep on keeping on.

TC - I would recommed that you follow instructions and take it when
you are getting into bed!!! Don't be taking it and sitting at the
computer for an hour or so! I never take it until I am laying down in
bed, I pick up a book and read for while, then its nighty night
world.....I don't find it leaves me groggy the next day, but as they
say, only take it when you know you can get a full eight hours sleep.
Seems to work well for me that way.

Good luck

PS - Never found amytriptaline to be "addictive" in the sense that I
went thru wierd withdrawal sypmtoms when I would occassionally tried
stopping it to see if I would be ok without...but I believe I always
"tapered off" which is recommended for any antidepressant...

"Shutterbug" <searcher_ca@yahoo.com> wrote
Hi TC,
    Michael here ...  long time member but not posting ..
Re sleep .......  A common problem i gather .......  'Up here' in
Canada land a drug called Zopiclone is popular ..  In the US i believe
it's marketed under the name of Lunestra (sp) ....... I have been
using this for years without any sides except a real bad tinny taste
in the morning....... I also have tried the Amy stuff and also the
Trazadone with not good results.......  I'm told Zopiclone is not too
hard on the liver.....  The drug is fast acting and should be taken in
bed and if you continue to watch TV the 'Sweet Spot' can come and go
leaving you to wonder where it went....  In my case i manage to sleep
for a couple of hours, get up, raid the fridge, the sleep for another
few hours.... There appears not to be any hang over effect.....
         Wishing you happy ZZZZ's,
                       Michael ........
..........................................................
I've used Zopiclone as well.  3.75 mg dose (half a football tab) and it has
worked for me.  Just basically lay down after taking, and the twilight times
come as the day crap fizzles out.  Takes effect after perhaps ten or fifteen
minutes unless you snack in bed.  (ha ha) then it takes a bit longer. (in
bed at 9 PM and up at 5 AM to match liver circadian rhythms, nap in the
daytime if a bit short of the eight hrs)

cactus jammies