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Sleep aid for pregnancy?

Sat, 04/08/2017 - 00:19
Never posted on this forum! Appreciate any responses. My husband and I are going to begin trying to have a baby soon. I have successfully titrating down and off of Zonisamide because there was no clear information about taking it during pregnancy. I am still taking lamictal which has been effective for over 6 years. Unfortunately the lamictal causes me to wake up about every 45 minutes and since sleep deprivation can trigger my seizures this was an issue. I take klonopin to help me sleep which has been effective. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with taking a sleep aid while pregnant? I will not take the klonopin while pregnant due to the possible effects. Any advice would be great :) Background: I have had epilepsy since middle school but wasn't aware. The complex partial seizures stopped for about 10 or so years and then I became having very typical complex partial seizures. Once diagnosed (such a struggle) I was placed on lamictal which was effective, no seizures, However, the effect of lamictal on my sleep led to me, stupidly! (I'm a nurse and I should know better) starting to "forget" to take my meds in order to sleep. As a result I ended up scaring my then boyfriend(now husband) with my first tonic clonic seizure, followed by 3 more. Zonisamide was added about 2 years ago due to new partial seizures. The klonopin has been amazing because it allows me to sleep through the night. When I do not take it I have the exact same effect as before, NO SLEEP! My last seizure was about 6 months ago, my father passed away and I believe that being awake at his bedside for over 32 hours played a role. OK long message! Sorry! Any advice is great!

Comments

you could try magnesium,

Submitted by Amy Jo on Sat, 2017-04-08 - 09:59
you could try magnesium, check recommended amounts. there are recommendations for and against melatonin, look for extended release if you decide to use it as otherwise it is only good for initially going to sleep.

I just read a study summary

Submitted by Amy Jo on Sun, 2017-04-09 - 11:55
I just read a study summary noting the component of ashwagandha that promotes sleep has been identified. While there's no always a lot of study behind non western medicine approaches, there is some promising info out there.

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