[Guest]

Please pardon this lengthy question, but I have been searching for months for a definitive answer on this subject and I want to make sure I present it clearly.

I am a struggling endurance athlete. After evaluating EVERYTHING in my life;habits, food intake,etc etc...my performance limitations are now focused on my medications- specifically lorazepam, zoloft and occassionally Zomig(5 mg) for migraines

My coach thinks perhaps my lack of progression in sport is in part due to lack of quality recovery-i.e. sleep. Although I sleep 8-10 hrs per night, it is only with the help of 1-2 mg of lorazepam, which I have been taking for years. I also take 150 mg of Zoloft in the morning, but that doesn't seem as much of a concern.

So, my question is, would such a small amount of lorazepam hinder my athletic performance and progress and specifically why?

Any informed answers/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest]

medications such as lorazepam can adversely affect sleep. Specifically they can suppress your ability to get into deep sleep. This is the more refreshing and restorative form of sleep. Zoloft and medications like it can suppress your ability to get into REM sleep, again this can be affecting your daytime performance. If not done already, you should consider seeing a sleep specialist and perhaps learn biofeedback or other techniques to treat the insomnia. Most of the insomnia medications used will have some affect on sleep.
[quote] Please pardon this lengthy question, but I have been searching for months for a definitive answer on this subject and I want to make sure I present it clearly.

I am a struggling endurance athlete... [/quote]