Sleep aids
 

Is Zolpidem approved for aircrew use in the UK? From a simplistic, non-medic, view it seems to be a better thing to use than Tamazepam (which, I think, is approved) because of the short half-life and short time to time to take effect, plus it's approved for use by US military aircrew.
What about Zopiclone?
I've looked for a list of approved medications but without success - any hints on where to find it?

Thanks! That gives a clear answer, but a surprising one when Zolpidem has been approved and used by US military aircrew for some time.

melatonin
 

have you tried melatonin? solgar liquid 10 mg melatonin is awfully good, i t is an amino acid and take it 90 mins prior to sleep and you will have a good night's sleep

try it on your days off just to be sure. 3 drops puts a big yankee down for the night. snoreeeeee

Like a lot of people, melatonin gives me bad dreams.

I've been taking Zolpidem for years. I shouldn't, but it helps me rest my back and that is the one formula for it feeling okay-ish, the next day.

I used the drug at first because of its very fast action. A bit under the tongue is even quicker. What you must NOT do is take the American Ambien CR and then do anything meaningful the next morning. The Controlled Release follows a quick zap followed by a trickle and this means some is still going in ages (maybe hours) later. I read one statement in the US that said you are THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A ROAD ACCIDENT the next morning, after taking it. I believe that statement.

I break a 10mg in half and then break that into about two bits. That 2 1/2 mg is usually enough but the broken off bit is there for the tongue method should I remain awake.

Now, other considerations: Hypnotic group. Mmmm, my (qualified) son and I agree it probably alters certain periods of dreaming. Dreams seem important in laying down or sorting of memory. We think zolp reduces our memory's quality. Hard to quantify, but in the periods I can kick the stuff I feel generally just a little better with tasks that make mental demands.

Also: In the long dark hours that I dread these days, I feel my ability to form images and have peaceful thoughts is not as good. Though that may be due to depression, or even old age. I'm not really addicted but kind of hooked because it's not long before I'll say, Oh, bo-locks, let's get out of here, and reach for the tablets.

Old age and booze. So many of these tablets say, no alcohol. Well, that ain't going to happen so the science gets slewed, but the worst thing is falling asleep in front of the telly. Several of my non-drinking buddies are doing the same in their mid-seventies and it's a B!##$y nuisance. Wide awake at midnight and would see the sunrise without zolp.

However, of all the sleep aids I've tried, Zolpidem seems to be the quickest, the cleanest recovery (non CR) and feeling the best the next day. All sleepers are a compromise but this is liveable-with. But, I would fight to keep it down to 3 nights a week, and long breaks off it if you can. It's just too easy to have an off switch as powerful as this, and that temptation is the problem.

I have never had bad dreams with melatonin...but then I have a clear conscience.d

Gosh, that must be nice. ;)

Look into Adrenal Fatigue as to why you can not sleep in the first place
 

Your sleep issue maybe caused by adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, cortisol & adrenaline levels & over 50 hormones. With continual stress and/or poor diet the adrenal glands become fatigue causing such things as sleep issues, mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc. A pilot’s life style..ie time zone changes, airport/hotel/airline food, stress from wx etc is most likely causing your sleep issue.

According to adrenal experts 80% of adults will suffer from adrenal fatigue sometime in their adulthood. It’s the most missed diagnosed issue by doctors. Get tested for cortisol levels, vitamin/mineral deficiency & hormonal imbalance (yes for men too) by a adrenal gland doctor.

To heal the adrenal glands you need a very good clean diet no sugar, alcohol, junk food, plus you will need adrenal vitamins/minerals, possible hormonal balancing with pill/cream, plenty of rest & relaxation & good sleep (obviously for you the last one is not going to happen until you get your adrenals working correctly again).

google Adrenal Fatigue to learn more.

Thanks for the advice. I have been aware of adrenal fatigue for a while, but have never been aware of the symptoms, I just knew that it was undesirable.
I might reduce the number of daily coffees now:\

Oh come now! We're not going to take things that far, are we?


Mind you, having had just about all those symptoms, I guess I should cut back on something. Sprouts . . . I'll cut back on those. :p

LOL Rivets....Blimey the cure is worse than the cause :}

My South African ophthalmologist prescribes Stilnox 12.5CR which is chock full of Zolpidem. Apparently it works excellently on long haul flights assuring one of between five to six hours of decent sleep with a no downside wake up.
It supposedly reacts well too with amitriptyline which, although marketed as an antidepressant, is used in small doses as a muscle relaxant and arthritic pain reliever.

Edit: Probably not recommended for consumption without medical supervision and not to be used in conjunction with alcohol. Disambiguation rules.

If it's got Zolp in it - and it's CR, you'd be busting the law to go near a car after using it let alone an aircraft. 12.5 I assume that's mg (what else?) That's one heck of a dose. 5mg should be enough to get one out of a tiredness loop.

Look at my post above. American figures for Ambien CR show a 300% increase in road traffic accidents in drivers starting their journey before mid day.


On my last script, I noticed it was part of the Benzodiazepine group. If I'd known this, I'd never have touched it in the first place. I can't believe it's misinformation as it was on the leaflet in the box.

In haste, I'll try to find more about this later.

I find Stilnox renders me useless in a cockpit next day, it affects my ability to process information. No such issues with zolpidem.
As far as affecting your sleep, the bunk does it every time-wieeeerd dreams!

jumbobelle - Stilnox is just a brand name of zolpidem. Sometimes the formulations differ between brands, as has been alluded to here, but the active ingredient is identical.

Cheers,

BM

Yes, but with respect, it's the methods used to leach out the second phase of the dose. Seriously bad idea for people that have to function in the mornings.

Best sleep aids on the market: Company manuals. They work great for me. Dead to the world in 10 minutes!

zolpidem and stilnox may be similar on paper but the way stilnox affects my performance is quite marked whereas I don't get such issues with zolpidem

Firstly, I'm not air crew though still employed within aviation.

I've struggled for years with my sleep, ever since my teenage years and have always naturally been a 'night' type of person - Trying to get myself to fall asleep before 1am is near impossible no matter how long I've been awake!

For years I've found myself working early shifts on zero sleep. I'm not sure what prevents me from sleeping, but I guess it's just lying there knowing you HAVE to sleep which prevents me from sleeping, hey ho :ok:

Eventually a few months ago I went to the doctors after a number of issues in work, related to my poor sleep, and was prescribed Zolpidem for those sleepless nights (5 or 10mg, depending how I feel).

I've been taking it for a while now, maybe once or twice a week at bed to try and get myself into the shift pattern routine for that week and it tends to work wonders.

As I'm coming to the end of my first packet (30 odd tablets?) I'm just a bit worried where I go from here? Is it feasible to get another perscription, or is it best to stop taking Zolpidem after a few months (albeit once a week).

Thanks

I don't know what your job is so I can't comment on that.

This is a benzodiazepine similar to Valium. It is shorter acting that valium BUT has active metabolites and cannot be considered risk free for anyone who is working, operating machinery, driving etc.

We now believe these drugs are addictive and many patients find it very difficult to stop taking them after prolonged use

I would never give a patient these drugs other than for a specific time and reason eg the night before an operation or for a day or so after a bereavement. Nor would I ever take them myself