Sleep Medication Question

[56Chevy]

I’ve had sleep issues for many years and regularly use a cpap machine. I was on Ambien for 15 years and my physician weaned me off it, even though it worked well for me. My current routine has been, go to bed at 11:00 pm after taking (10 mg melatonin), (50 mg Trazodone), (100 mg Gabapentin). That has worked for 2 years giving me 7-8 hours uninterupted sleep. However, for the last couple of months I find myself waking up around 4:30 pm and can’t go back to sleep unless I take an additional Trazadone and Gabapentin. Do you see any harm in that…….. or should I consider another sleep prescription?

Thank you for your help.

[daisydoodle11]

ask the doc :)

[aspen2]

The problem with sleep medications is that they change your sleep patterns and long term they can cause damage.  My sleep specialist recently prescribed me "no more than two" zopiclone per week -- because more than that can cause major issues.

I'm guessing you are discovering the same thing.  Have you seen a sleep specialist?  It might be worth it to get a referral.  There first priority is to have you sleep without sleep meds and their deleterious effects.

I wouldn't take additional sedative meds at 4:30 because that will continue the cycle the next night.  (Although if you take gabapentin during the day anyway, I wouldn't imagine that would be an issue).

I'm sure you have already checked into whether your CPAP pressure is okay .. Waking consistently at odd times is a signal to me that my pressure requirement has changed.

Not a doctor .. Just well versed with sleep disorder :).