On Temazepam For Month And Half, Could I Be Addicted?

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I am a 29 year old female, healthy, no smoking & drinking habits. I've never had sleep problem until my child was born last Oct. Since Dec I was suffering a bad insomnia and OB perscripted Temazepam 15 mg for treatment and I am still breastfeeding. As I felt very depressed even with the sleep I got I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with postpartum depression and put me on Zoloft. By the time I was already on Tema for about 4 weeks. My second visit of the psychiatrist he asked whether my sleep had improved with Zoloft (the antidepressant) and I told him I was still on Tema every night. He seemed concerned and told me I should only take Tema 3 times most per week (funny my OB did not mention only use it AS NEEDED when she first perscripted me the Tema, and I got a refill), and I needed to reduce dosage. I tried not taking it for one night, no sleep at all. For past two nights I opened an capsule and divided in half. First night I got about 3 hours or maybe less, with baby waked up off and on; last night I didn't feel like I slept at all, only near 7 am I fall asleep for about an hour. Many of you on this form going through withdraw had been on Tema for months even years, and seems to be a very slow process for weaning off. I wonder could I be addicted already, and don't know dividing the pill in half could cause more tolerance than helping weaning off, or should I just be tough and stop it completely, just deal with the rebound insomnia. I think my Zoloft had been helping me staying calm during the day, and if not for on Tema on regular basis I may already notice a positive change in my sleep. Now I have to deal with the possible Tema addiction which could be a long haul. Any suggestions?

9 Replies

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1

It's doubtful that you're addicted after such a short period of use, but your body may be used to having it already so you're dependent on it.

Learn more Temazepam details here.

These types of medications are well known for causing dependence, even in short periods of time and a gradual tapering of the dosage is usually needed.

In many cases, when tapering someone, they now have them switch to taking it every other day, then gradually widen the gap between taking it to 2 days, then 3 and etc. so that may help you.

Insomnia and depression usually go hand in hand and rectifying the depression issue may end up helping with it, too.

Does anyone else have any advice or ideas to add?

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2

Hi Lilly,

I certainly understand your concerns surrounding Temazepam, since it does have potential for dependence and addiction. But I think as long as you keep your tolerance at a normal level (by adjusting/titrating the dose as needed OR by only taking it 2-3 times a week as your psychiatrist suggested), then you'll end up having much more psychological discipline (when it comes down to taking how much you truly need v.s. any excess amount that would otherwise feel necessary after building a tolerance).

This approach should also make it much easier to quit Temazepam and get through any withdrawal symptoms or "addictive behavior".

I hope this advice helps!

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3

i have the same situation :) had a baby in november and trouble sleeping from january... also using temazepam and lexapro ( antidep). but i feel terrible during the day... so tired

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4

Update from my last post, after a visit to my psychiatrist, he told me I need to be strong and stop taking Tema. He told me to be on 7.5 mg Tema for a week, then take every other day for another week, then completely stop. He also per-scripted me Trozodone 50 mg just in case I still have trouble sleeping. I ended up taking 7.5 mg for about 5 days, then just completely stopped. I had trouble sleeping for the first night or two, and then I was able to sleep without any medication. Never needed the Trozodone and I haven't take any of Tema again since. I am glad I got out of it sooner than drugging it for another couple of painful weeks. Thanks so much for your reply, it gave a piece of mind about not been overly paranoid about the potential addiction. I am just glad it was over!

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5

Sorry to hear you have to go through this as well, just keep in mind it will be over, and don't rely on the sleep med like temazepam. I think the stress it caused me later just overweighted the benefit it helped me to sleep. Make sure not to take it for longer period, and be strong. Once the antidepressants kicks in you should be able to sleep on your own again.

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6

Great story. I'm in the same situation.Just started Zoloft 4 days ago and have been using Temazepam every 2nd or 3rd day for about 6 weeks. I'm trying to just take it every 2nd night (and basically don't sleep the other night) in the hope that the Zoloft takes effect in the next couple of weeks so I won't need any sleeping pills

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7

Temazepam even when taken as directed for as little as one week can cause withdrawals. There is plenty of info on this on the net, do some research.

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8

Addiction is only if you increase the dosage regularly. Sounds like you could be dependent though. It's a difficult drug to wean. I've been on this for THIRTY YEARS!!

I was taking it with Olanzapine, an anti-psychotic, but have weaned myself off that over a long period of time... I'm going to a community sleep clinic session to get some tips about coming off sedatives.

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9

Re: Lilly (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

Hi Lilly, my daughter who is knowledgeable in her nursing field, tells me go to a pharmacist for help on medication, not the GP, they only prescribe the medication. The pharmacist knows exactly what dosage to take.

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