Follow-Up:
Sophia -- I am 48 yrs. and going through perimenopause, which physiological changes have caused me to battle with acute insomnia. At times, when I lie my head on the pilllow at night, I can actually hear my heart beating; to the point of palpitations. I have been taking Klonipin for a little over 1 year, and the doctor also suggested that I try to switch to an antidepresssant when I asked him for a few more tablets, to cover my when I am having my menstral cycle, and therefore my insomnia and uncomfortability increases. The bottom line is that if you are not careful in selecting the right doctor for you, you'll be treated for something other than the real problem at hand. I am not depressed -- I told him that; all I want to do is get a good night's rest so I can go to work and earn a living each day. I also asked a pharmacist, over the phone, who was unknown to me for information on klonipin and if there was any problem with taking it for long periods of time as my doctor had said was not recommended. The pharmacist's reply was that people have been taking it for years for exactly the reason I'm taking it, without any problem at all. The pharmacist said the only reason he could even imagine a doctor saying that it was a problem, at such a low dose as I am taking ( 0.5 mg 1- 2 tabs at bedtime ,was only if a doctor had a reason to believe that a patient was an abuser, which was not the case. I therefore switched doctors to a woman internist, and she has been very supportive of my situation, and agreed to work with me, making any changes, if need be, as my symptoms may change with time. I hope this information helps you. I also have tried various things, and still do search for natural remedies, e.g. herbs, but thus far, nothing seems to help except medicine. And I wish you luck; I don't feel that anyone should be in a state of anxiety over how to get a night's rest, when there are good medicines which work nicely when monitored by a good doctor.