Dr. Dan

First off, when I first saw your account I was unsure of what to expect based on previous run ins with unique individuals. Anyway, I enjoy your posts and your input.

Alright, I'm one of those young PTSD vets who can't sleep without pills. I don't really believe in using pills for very many things. I heard from other patient that their doctor had informed them that certain sleeping pills can lower testosterone either directly or indirectly. Those who I have consulted about this (one pharmacist and a general practitioner) and they both had not heard anything about this.

Is there a potential for this? Also, I have been experienced fatigue up to 12-16 hours after taking the pill while participating in sports requiring extreme conditioning. Is this typical? I do not notice it until I am in an extreme situation. Maybe adrenal fatigue? I'm talking about MMA or similar sports. 90% of the time I train in the evening, and have excellent endurance. If I have a sporting event 8am-12pm, this typically is a problem. I'm extremely tired atm, I hope that was coherent.

First of all, I want to personally thank you for your service in the Armed Forces, and I am sorry to hear that you have PTSD from your experience.

May I ask you what you have been prescribed? Depending on the medication(s) being used, there can definitely be lingering effects the following day. I am unaware of any direct T suppression with the most common prescription medications for insomnia.

I suspect that the PTSD itself exerts untoward effects on various endocrine axes, e.g. there may be hormonal changes due to chronic hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, etc.

I take it you've had bloodwork done?

- Dan

I have to agree, its good to have a Dr in the house

Originally Posted by Vaporeizied

I have to agree, its good to have a Dr in the house

Thanks!



- Dan

Originally Posted by Vaporeizied

I have to agree, its good to have a Dr in the house

Don't get me started on my list...lol

I did not want to try the "anti-depressants".

I was on lunesta 2mg, but it would wear off around 5am sometimes and I wouldn't be able to return to sleep. They changed it to 3mg and it seems to last slightly longer. If I do wake early, there is no returning to sleep. I tried ambien or however you spell it, and it had no noticeable effect.

Most of these events I do cause adrenaline to pump, but I've experienced this before. The majority of time there is mystery fatigue well beyond the norm, and is long lasting. Sometimes I feel like I can't drive home. I had one tournament 6 months ago where I didn't do much special preparation. I won 6 grappling matches in a row, felt like I could go all day, and then my elbow was torn. Everything was perfect, I even took a pill the night before.
I've had issues before, but this situation seems slightly worse. I've been taking sleeping pills for at least two years. I haven't figured out PTSD, but I am able to function during the day no problem. I've thought about flushing my system during the mornings with water in hopes to ridding the body of the drug, but I have to make weight classes and often do not drink until an hour before the event.

Thank you for the help. Many people I meet these down frown on my service.. I do not understand. It was extremely hard.

Originally Posted by jeno67

Don't get me started on my list...lol

i wonder how long that list really is

Originally Posted by Vaporeizied

i wonder how long that list really is

Actually..fairly small...somehow I have done something right over the years!

Originally Posted by Cowin8579

I did not want to try the "anti-depressants".

I was on lunesta 2mg, but it would wear off around 5am sometimes and I wouldn't be able to return to sleep. They changed it to 3mg and it seems to last slightly longer. If I do wake early, there is no returning to sleep. I tried ambien or however you spell it, and it had no noticeable effect.

Most of these events I do cause adrenaline to pump, but I've experienced this before. The majority of time there is mystery fatigue well beyond the norm, and is long lasting. Sometimes I feel like I can't drive home. I had one tournament 6 months ago where I didn't do much special preparation. I won 6 grappling matches in a row, felt like I could go all day, and then my elbow was torn. Everything was perfect, I even took a pill the night before.

I've had issues before, but this situation seems slightly worse. I've been taking sleeping pills for at least two years. I haven't figured out PTSD, but I am able to function during the day no problem. I've thought about flushing my system during the mornings with water in hopes to ridding the body of the drug, but I have to make weight classes and often do not drink until an hour before the event.

Thank you for the help. Many people I meet these down frown on my service.. I do not understand. It was extremely hard.

I'm wondering if you should be given a trial of a different class of agent for your insomnia, for example ramelteon (Rozerem). More fundamentally is the issue of why you have chronic insomnia and its relationship to your PTSD, e.g. nightmares, anxiety, etc.?

Have you had any recent bloodwork done, and was everything within normal limits?

- Dan

I will inquire about that. Hmmm basically the anxiety forces the brain to speed through daily thoughts. If I hear a song in my head, it will be a rough night. My systolic goes through the roof, I can feel my heart beating.. and there is a wakefulness this increases the longer I try to sleep.

Blood work is normal. Btw diastolic is low, often in the 68-75 range.

I saw this under possible side effects.

Rozerem may affect testosterone and prolactin. Consult your doctor if you experience changes in your period, libido, or problems with fertility.