Insomnia medication on retreat

Peter Peter, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 27.4.2022 3:31
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 27.4.2022 3:31

Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 6 Liittymispäivä: 21.4.2022 Viimeisimmät viestit
Hello,
I am doing both mahasi noting and TMI for about two years now. I have been to a few Mahasi retreats, about two weeks each.
I am a terrible sleeper (Genetically Predisposed I am afraid). During daily life, I use a low dosage of sleep medication about 5 times a week. This keeps me thriving and does not seem to affect my mindfulness during my daily 1 hour meditations.
What is your opinion on continuing this medication during retreats?
I use oxazepam (5 mg) or quetiapine (aka seroquel, 25mg). The latter being prescribed off label by my doctor    to treat insomnia. I take it in turns so not together.
All the best,Peter
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Chris M, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 27.4.2022 9:11
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 27.4.2022 7:49

RE: Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 5404 Liittymispäivä: 26.1.2013 Viimeisimmät viestit
JMHO, but if you use it in your daily life then keep using it on retreat. I can't envision a reason why it would be a bad thing to continue.
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Noah D, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 27.4.2022 11:31
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 27.4.2022 11:31

RE: Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 1211 Liittymispäivä: 1.9.2016 Viimeisimmät viestit
+1 to what Chris said.  Also seroquel may be having slight mood stabilizing & anti anxiety effects (even if that's not the reason your taking it) that you wouldn't want to suddenly remove while on a retreat.
Robert L, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 27.4.2022 16:44
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 27.4.2022 16:44

RE: Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 73 Liittymispäivä: 10.2.2019 Viimeisimmät viestit
Oxazepam is a benzodiazipine, sudden stoppage could lead to severe withdrawal symptoms and death. So....+1 on continuing it while you're on retreat. 
T DC, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 28.4.2022 0:08
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 28.4.2022 0:08

RE: Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 522 Liittymispäivä: 29.9.2011 Viimeisimmät viestit
Basically, from a meditation perspective it's not at all necessary to stop your meds.

And from a medical perspective, best to talk about it with your provider.  ;)
Peter Peter, muokattu 2 Vuodet sitten at 28.4.2022 14:49
Created 2 Vuodet ago at 28.4.2022 14:49

RE: Insomnia medication on retreat

Viestejä: 6 Liittymispäivä: 21.4.2022 Viimeisimmät viestit
Thank you all for your answers. I really do appreciate it!
with much metta,
peter