HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Sleep Disturbance While Mourning For Death Of Family Member

default
Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015
Question: Recently lost 22 year old granddaughter to heroin addiction (3 weeks ago). My mind won't stop spinning at night ....what if, what if, what if........,, and consequently I am having trouble sleeping, averaging only 3-4 hours at most each night at most. Have Xanax in house (.25) from previous prescription but learned the hard way that taking it at night (1 mg) caused withdrawal symptoms when I was required to stop it for a sleep study. Ambien is a beast for me, I get up and eat all night and don't know it, so I have refused that medication. Valium recently prescriBed to stop muscle spasms following XXXXXXX spinal fusion s1-l3. Works fine for that but doesn't stop my mind. Dr next tried 3 mg Lunesta (after the death), but often have to repeat within 2 hours just to get any sleep at all. So, today he gave me 1 mg Ativan (1 or 2 at night) to try. Mi don't like having all this in my house, and I am not sure exactly what can be used together and what should never be used together. I only know that my professional life will fail if I can't stop ruminating and get some sleep instead.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Klonopin is good option and SSRI may be added

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern for sleep diturbance.

Lunesta will only help in sleep induction/initiation but not in maintenance.

Ativan due to low potency and relatively short half life may bot be useful in severe sleep disturbance.

Klonopin have not been tried yes in your case. It is very helpful drug for sleep disturbance.You can discuss with your doctor and start the same.

As problem started after death of granddaughter and any depressive features (like rumination of thoughts) are there which needs treatment any of SSRI (escitalopram or sertraline) can be added.

You should also follow some measures for sound sleep called, "Sleep Hygiene'. You can find the same in below mentioned link.
http://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Psychiatrist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Suggest Treatment For Sleep Disturbance While Mourning For Death Of Family Member

Brief Answer: Klonopin is good option and SSRI may be added Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern for sleep diturbance. Lunesta will only help in sleep induction/initiation but not in maintenance. Ativan due to low potency and relatively short half life may bot be useful in severe sleep disturbance. Klonopin have not been tried yes in your case. It is very helpful drug for sleep disturbance.You can discuss with your doctor and start the same. As problem started after death of granddaughter and any depressive features (like rumination of thoughts) are there which needs treatment any of SSRI (escitalopram or sertraline) can be added. You should also follow some measures for sound sleep called, "Sleep Hygiene'. You can find the same in below mentioned link. http://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.