FDA approves new type of sleep drug, Belsomra

[DeGenesis]

Nope.

Maybe it's the sustained release. I might try that and take it with a light meal.

NAC thins mucus which is why I figured it gives me acid reflux.

Treating serious treatment-resistant OCD is one of the strongest supplement indications (out of any supplement) in my mind (a few good studies). Very nice that it clears your mind. I think I am in a hyperglutamatergic state (there are a few threads here on that subject I think) and NAC is very good if you have too much glutamate.

Time to study the orexin system.

EDIT: Thoughts, not recommendations.

 

[Valentijn]

Very nice that it clears your mind.

It doesn't "clear my mind". It stops my brain from constantly buzzing. Probably due to reducing glutamate levels.

 

[DeGenesis]

It doesn't "clear my mind". It stops my brain from constantly buzzing. Probably due to reducing glutamate levels.

What do you mean by buzzing? I am very interested. If I need more clarification after that and you are willing to give it I will PM you .

 

[Valentijn]

What do you mean by buzzing? I am very interested. If I need more clarification after that and you are willing to give it I will PM you .

It's a fairly common ME problem. Trying to sleep and your mind won't stop running at high speed despite exhaustion. And then if slightly waking up to turn over or use the bathroom, it makes it impossible to fall back asleep.

 

[physicsstudent13]

It doesn't "clear my mind". It stops my brain from constantly buzzing. Probably due to reducing glutamate levels.

do you mean that NAC damages brain function and slows the brain down? it may improve respiratory control, maybe I've taken it too much for too long. in mouse studies it damages the heart and lungs but it is used in acute emergencies for paramecatol poisoning

 

[Valentijn]

do you mean that NAC damages brain function and slows the brain down? it may improve respiratory control, maybe I've taken it too much for too long. in mouse studies it damages the heart and lungs but it is used in acute emergencies for paramecatol poisoning

No, I mean that NAC should be reducing glutamate levels, and the over-stimulation which might be caused by an excess of glutamate.

 

[catly]

FYI, I received an email today from Merck stating that this drug is now available, it doesn't say but I guess that's just in the US.

Here is a link to the patient brochure.

Of course I don't know how much it costs or if insurance covers it and unfortunately it is a controlled substance which is a pain, but I might just forward this to ME/CFS specialist to see what she thinks.

As noted earlier in this thread, and from the patient brochure, the drug works on different neurotransmitter pathways, the Orexin pathways, that are related to wakefulness. The theory being that these pathways, which are supposed to wind down when you go to bed don't work correctly therefore leading to insomnia. The drug is supposed to be safe for long term use.

 

[August59]

FYI, I received an email today from Merck stating that this drug is now available, it doesn't say but I guess that's just in the US.

Here is a link to the patient brochure.

Of course I don't know how much it costs or if insurance covers it and unfortunately it is a controlled substance which is a pain, but I might just forward this to ME/CFS specialist to see what she thinks.

As noted earlier in this thread, and from the patient brochure, the drug works on different neurotransmitter pathways, the Orexin pathways, that are related to wakefulness. The theory being that these pathways, which are supposed to wind down when you go to bed don't work correctly therefore leading to insomnia. The drug is supposed to be safe for long term use.

I'm going to look into it thoroughly and if it pans out I'll ask my sleep doctor if I can trial it when I go to my appointment in a few weeks.

I don't have much to loose since I'm only sleeping at the most 5 hours a night and very seldom am I able to take a decent nap.

 

[Misfit Toy]

@ggingues- did remeron put weight on you? i became an oompa loompa on that med. I was so pudgy. Plus, it never really helped my sleep. Trazadone made me so nauseous. Elavil made me manic. Elavil helped in the beginning but I was overly energetic and exhausted on it.

Restoril helps me. Ativan, too. I switch it up.

 

[*GG*]

@ggingues- did remeron put weight on you? i became an oompa loompa on that med. I was so pudgy. Plus, it never really helped my sleep. Trazadone made me so nauseous. Elavil made me manic. Elavil helped in the beginning but I was overly energetic and exhausted on it.

Restoril helps me. Ativan, too. I switch it up.

Not sure, I gain weight easily, I try to eat low carb but do like to eat some sweets (dark chocolate) and some times more

GG

 

[physicsstudent13]

does this increase delta wave sleep or treat centrals and seizure like PLMD events hypnic jerks?

 

[physicsstudent13]

No, I mean that NAC should be reducing glutamate levels, and the over-stimulation which might be caused by an excess of glutamate.

I was taking NAC for over a year and I never had great clarity on it. I think I have complex asthma according to my research neurologist friend

 

[Insomniac]

Has anyone here tried Belsomra yet?

Not only does the website say it is now available but there are free trial offers and saving coupons on the website.
http://www.belsomra.com/

 

[heapsreal]

Im not even sure its approved in australia yet or will be.

But would be nice to hear some reviews on it.

cheers!!

 

[heapsreal]

http://forums.webmd.com/3/sleep-disorders-exchange/forum/2581/5

These reviews dont look promising and the patients are chronic insomniacs that have tried everything. Might be different for a newb with sleep problems but for chronic insomnia its not good.

I think the z-drugs are the most effective, just wish they would bring more to the market so it was possible to roate between them and avoid tolerance issues, i get sick of the propaganda on sleep meds as im sure there are some people who have negative effects but they would be greatly out weighed by the amount of people these drugs help.

 

[minkeygirl]

Without z drugs, benzos and a bunch of other stuff I would never sleep. Not an exaggeration. I would not sleep

@deleder2k i alternate between ahout 10-15 things every night. Rx and various otc stuff. I do this to avoid tolerance and dependency which is what usually happens when you take the same thing every night. I have miraculously been able to take trazodone every night at the same dose but I don't risk it with other stuff

I've just added kava to the mix of things with good results. I can't fall asleep, stay asleep and wake a few times so I need help.

 

[minkeygirl]

I don't take 10-15 things a night. I have that much to choose from. But I usually take 4-6 things each night

 

[Soundthealarm21]

@minkeygirl

it's literally the same for me. I could stay awake 24 hours a day if it wasn't for a pill knocking me out.

 

[minkeygirl]

@Soundthealarm21 I know its nuts. My bedside table looks like a pharmacy shelf!

 

[catly]

I checked my insurance coverage right after I got the email from Merck that Belsomra was available--initially it said it was covered with a $10.00 copay so I got a prescription for it. That took a few weeks and in that time it went from being covered to not being covered so I never filled the prescription. Merck does have coupons which would mean for me a one month supply would be $90.00. I think I'll just sick with my Zolpidem for now. I also just would not sleep without it, and fortunately it still works good for me.