nortriptyline for insomnia

[Sleepless]

I told my doctor that I am having trouble sleeping, I take unisom every night. She
Recommended nortriptyline. This sounds 100% disqualifying for use. It’s an antidepressant. My question is: since I am wanting to take this for sleep, not depression, will the FAA require me to go on the SSRI protocol for using an anti depressant?

further context, I’m not a pilot, no medical yet. How will this effect my future chances

 

[rk911]

try 5-10mg of melatonin. OTC.

 

[benyflyguy]

If you want to fly. Don’t take it. There are plenty ways to think about sleep without turning to the hard core stuff.

 

[4CornerFlyer]

Best not to take medical advice from anonymous strangers on the internet. However, the nortriptylene would be disqualifying regardless of intended use, and there are a number of acceptable alternatives.
Jon

 

[Salty]

Isn’t insomnia itself disqualifying, treated or not?

 

[kgruber]

Insomnia is a good thing. Do things that you alone get to do. Don't worry......be happy!!

 

[murphey]

A college chemistry textbook. Guaranteed to cure insomnia.

 

[bbchien]

Grounding med, condition that requires evaluation.....

 

[flyingron]

Insomnia is a good thing. Do things that you alone get to do. Don't worry......be happy!!

The FAA doesn't think so. They're afraid you'll fall asleep in the middle of flying. Alas, there are instances of this happening (at the commercial level even).

 

[Sleepless]

Grounding med, condition that requires evaluation.....

Dr also recommended “stacking” unisom and melatonin. Would that be a problem, one unisom one melatonin?

 

[GeorgeC]

Daily unisom is not great either.
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/media/OTCMedicationsforPilots.pdf

 

[flyingron]

Dr also recommended “stacking” unisom and melatonin. Would that be a problem, one unisom one melatonin?

The FAA recommends 60 hours off Doxylamine before flying.

 

[AggieMike88]

A college chemistry textbook. Guaranteed to cure insomnia.

So will trying to grind your way through the Aviation Instructor Handbook.

 

[AggieMike88]

Dr also recommended “stacking” unisom and melatonin. Would that be a problem, one unisom one melatonin?

Throwing medication ideas at the problem like this doctor is may not be the best for you. Based on what you’re reporting to us, he could get you into a different and deeper pickle barrel than what you started with.

Maybe it would be time and medical dollars well spent to go see a board certified sleep specialist. Your GP might be a good generalist, but the specialist may be who cracks the case and provides the best treatment for you.

Insomnia can be because of many wide and varied reasons. It might be time to “up the game” from your GP to the level of doctor who eats, breathes, and sleeps this stuff.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

As others have mentioned, you can't treat symptoms forever without knowing the underlying cause. Find that, and you may or may not need meds. I know someone who whys helped by a clinical psychologist, and sleeps like a baby now.

 

[av8npa]

I would advise you to use natural CBD oil. As for me its best solution.

Peruse page 5.

https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2019/media/MayJun2019.pdf

 

[Skip Miller]

I know someone who whys helped by a clinical psychologist, and sleeps like a baby now.

Wakes up every two hours crying?

-Skip