Sleep Aids

[masquerade]

I've suffered from terrible sleep problems for the last five or six years now, and the only thing that's really helped me so far is prescription drugs. The problem is I have no health insurance (my mother's been sending me her pills in the mail because she's taking something else now, but her prescription's run out) and it gets pretty expensive to pay for these things out of pocket. It's also a giant pain in the ass to find a doctor who doesn't give me a hard time about writing the Rx.

I'm also pretty depressed about having to rely on something unnatural every night in order to fall asleep; it's gotten to the point where I literally won't go to sleep at all if I don't take something. I just lie there worrying about everything I have to do the following day, and then when that starts to keep me up I begin to stress over the fact that I'll be a zombie in the morning, which in turns making falling asleep even harder. It's a vicious self-perpetuating problem.

Ideally, I would like to find a way to turn my brain off without drugs. I feel like a lightswitch stuck in the on position.... my body will be totally exhausted but I can't get my mind to allow me to tune-out for the night. Even with drugs it typically takes me two hours or more to fall asleep once I get in bed. What makes matters worse is that I have to share my bed with someone who is lucky enough to fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

I don't know what to do anymore. I certainly can't drink to the point of passing out everynight. Suggestions?

 

[fortydog]

I've suffered from terrible sleep problems for the last five or six years now, and the only thing that's really helped me so far is prescription drugs. The problem is I have no health insurance (my mother's been sending me her pills in the mail because she's taking something else now, but her prescription's run out) and it gets pretty expensive to pay for these things out of pocket. It's also a giant pain in the ass to find a doctor who doesn't give me a hard time about writing the Rx.

I'm also pretty depressed about having to rely on something unnatural every night in order to fall asleep; it's gotten to the point where I literally won't go to sleep at all if I don't take something. I just lie there worrying about everything I have to do the following day, and then when that starts to keep me up I begin to stress over the fact that I'll be a zombie in the morning, which in turns making falling asleep even harder. It's a vicious self-perpetuating problem.

Ideally, I would like to find a way to turn my brain off without drugs. I feel like a lightswitch stuck in the on position.... my body will be totally exhausted but I can't get my mind to allow me to tune-out for the night. Even with drugs it typically takes me two hours or more to fall asleep once I get in bed. What makes matters worse is that I have to share my bed with someone who is lucky enough to fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

I don't know what to do anymore. I certainly can't drink to the point of passing out everynight. Suggestions?

I don't have trouble sleeping, but when life gets stressful for me and I just can't clear my mind and sleep, I find meditation helpful. Have you tried this?

 

[fumpton]

have you tried any of those sounds of nature machines/CDs?

 

[Axe]

Five or six YEARS?


M, you need to go to a doctor.

 

[DaveNJ]

have you ever tried any herbal remedies? They aren't usually very strong but if all you need is a little push they might do the trick.

Then of course there is the other herbal remedy.

 

[Petrol Pete]

OK same problem

I have the same "insomnia" and yes it is frustrating. I have been taking Rx (ambien) for some time now. It is highly effective but addictive, still cannot stop. Docs don't like to give Rx forever. Also these are "controlled substances" and pharmacy won't give the meds without the Rx.

It could be underlying medical condition and you should check it out. Sleepnessness denotes a problem elsewhere. I'll try to recollect the Doctor's questions; you must be suffering from one or more of these conditions;

MONEY, NOT ENOUGH
WORK / JOB RELATED / SECURITY / STRESS
MARRIAGE / DIVORCE
HEALTH / ILLNESS TO YOU
HEALTH / ILLNESS OF ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER
SEX, LACK THEREOF
YOUR FUTURE
FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN / FAMILY MEMBER

Have you tried over-the-counter aids? Works for some.
Alchohol is a temp fix, not long term.
Don't go to bed unless you are sleepy
Do not watch television while in bed
Keep room cool, keep room dark
wake up same time each day
Do not eat late
You can have "one" drink to relax
take a warm shower / bath
have sex and have sex again

There are sleep disorders clincs all over. They monitor you to determ,ine how long you sleep. Did you know that you "could be sleeping" and you don't know it. Sometimes you doze off for say 30 mins, wake up and feel taht you have not slept a wink.

I have been advised (I did not take such advice) that what is the worst that can happen, DON'T SLEEP, yes you will be grouucy the next day. OK next night don't sleep, and folllowing that nigh. That 3rd night you will sleep......and no meds.

P.S. I tried convince my wife that best sleep clinic is the one in Las Vegas and I need to go there by myself for few days to check -in. She recommended the one in Staten Island.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Exercise about 2-3 hours before your desired time to go to bed. A couple of Tylenol PM helps sometimes too.

 

[masquerade]

I don't have trouble sleeping, but when life gets stressful for me and I just can't clear my mind and sleep, I find meditation helpful. Have you tried this?

I've tried meditating, but I can't do it for the same reason I can't fall asleep - I just can't seem to stop thinking about stuff that concerns me.

 

[masquerade]

have you tried any of those sounds of nature machines/CDs?

I have a sound machine that I love and take with me whenever I travel. It makes a pleasant white noise that helps to block out other intermittent noises in the room, but it doesn't really help as far as helping me to fall asleep.

As far as herbal remedies go - I've taken melatonin and tried drinking chamomile tea before bed, to no avail.

 

[masquerade]

I think my real problem is that I'm a worrier. I can't stop obsessing over ever little thing that's wrong or could go wrong even if I know it's not going to help at all. I think I probably need Xanax or Valium, something of that nature. It's not like there's anything specifically wrong with my life... in fact, I'm pretty happy right now overall. I just can't stop the "what ifs" and "how am I going to deal with this?" crap from invading my thoughts when I lie down.

 

[justme]

You're too smart not to know, and indeed your own posts reveal that you do know, that your problem is psychological, not physiological. Aside from the fact that sleep drugs are habit forming, I think a lot of (good) doctors don't like to over prescribe them because they don't really address the problem. That's not to say that there isn't a time and place for sleep drugs. However, you should probably have a medical professional keep track of how much you're using them and to give you guidance on optimally combining them with stress management techniques.

I definitely understand night anxiety, and the delightful bottle of illicitly gotten Xanbars in my bathroom would betray my hypocrisy in recommending the following:

Get yourself an insurance plan. They're expensive, but are likely an economically rational choice unless you are extremely risk seeking. See a real psychiatrist and explain your situation. Hopefully he'll be able to combine an intelligent combination of pharmaceuticals and therapy\advice. If he can't get you to the place you want to be, try a different one. Look into the possibility of a sleep therapist.

If you aren't sleeping well, then you're living your life well below what it should be. The fog of day and the frustration at night are unnecessary and your quality of life would improve dramatically if you could eliminate them. That improvement would more than likely more than offset any material sacrifices you'd have to make to get the correct medical treatment.

But I think you're wasting your time looking for an alternative quick fix. If you've needed prescription drugs, not much else will likely help you aside from addressing the roots of your anxiety (which likely have much more to do with your history than your present).

****************************

A few years ago I got a friend to buy me 10 (2 mg) Xanbars. I cut them in fourths and take a fourth when I can't sleep. I take a half when I really can't sleep. Anyways, he was amazed when I still had a couple pills a year later. He assumed I wanted them for recreational purposes. As I told him them, sometimes it's the only way I can get the thoughts to shut the fuck up. Having ideas and notions take their own life and go in circles. It's awful and it's frustrating not being able to turn your own head off. And then you realize that you're in another sleepless cycle and your heart begins to race. And now you're lying there, in the dark, exhausted but without any hope for sleep in sight.

It happens maybe three or four times a year lately, but it used to be closer to three or four times a month.

 

[elliot16]

I agree with most of what Justme has suggested particularly in regards to diagnosing and treating the underlying condition. People may occasionally require a sleep aid or anti-anxiety agent to help deal with stressors which disturb normal sleep patterns. However, if you require sleep aids on a regular and consistent basis then theres a high likelihood that you suffer from some other illness which is causing the insomnia. Where, I'll differ with Justme is in suggesting a path to treatment which may be less overwhelming from the financial perspective.

If it turns out that you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, depression or neurotic depression a good internist can treat those problems with competence. Medical causes of insomnia such as hyperthyroidism can be ruled out. Sleep hygiene can also be discussed. You can be started on medicine for whatever disease your primary care doctor diagnoses.

You may also decide to seek some type of talk therapy with a psychologist. This can complement the medical treatment and doesn't necessarily have to be psychoanalytic in nature. Cognitive therapy has it's place in the treatment of these diseases and may be beneficial.

If the illness turns out to be more complex such as bipolar disorder then he/she can refer you to a psychiatrist. And if the sleep problem persists despite appropriate treatment of the underlying problem a sleep specialist can then be consulted.


You can decide to pay for the medical visits and the medicine out of pocket or you can purchase medical insurance. What you need to know is that its not gonna be for free no matter which choice you make.

What you need to figure out is how much this care is likely to cost you, what your other yearly medical costs are or might be. Then you have to look at the cost of health insurance and understand whether your insurance will offer you the coverage you need for this care. Finally, you need to decide if the difference between the cost of insurance and the cost of paying out of pocket is worth living with the uncertainty.

I may be speaking heresy but you probably don't have to be worried about a catastrophic illness wiping you out financially because in many states when inpatient hospital costs rise above a thousand dollars the hospital applies for medicaid to cover the bills.

This is a tough problem you're facing and you'll need to think it out clearly for yourself to decide what the right path is for you.

 

[masquerade]

Elliot.... excellent advice. I definitely suffer from some anxiety issues. I took Xanax for awhile but it made me feel like I was stoned all the time. I got nothing accomplished. Sometimes I feel like my constant worrying is a blessing in disguise. Usually it's useless and destructive, but one in awhile it provides me with the extra drive needed to get things done.

Actually, this is going to sound weird... but what one thing I worry about a lot is what I'm going to do about all of this once I decide to have children. Not being able to take prescription meds or drink for 9+ months seems like a fucking nightmare.

 

[elliot16]

Elliot.... excellent advice. I definitely suffer from some anxiety issues. I took Xanax for awhile but it made me feel like I was stoned all the time. I got nothing accomplished. Sometimes I feel like my constant worrying is a blessing in disguise. Usually it's useless and destructive, but one in awhile it provides me with the extra drive needed to get things done.

Actually, this is going to sound weird... but what one thing I worry about a lot is what I'm going to do about all of this once I decide to have children. Not being able to take prescription meds or drink for 9+ months seems like a fucking nightmare.

Drugs like xanax, Klonipin, ativan, valium may be useful to break off panic attacks but shouldn't be the mainstay of treatment for anxiety. Many women who require psychiatric meds are maintained on medications while pregnant.

For instance, I think zoloft while not category B (safe for pregancy) is often continued while a patient is pregnant because there's a fair amount of experience that it's not teratagenic (does not cause fetal malformation). But you can cross that bridge when you come to it. Perhaps by the time you're ready to conceive you'd be in a different place mentally and you may be able to go off the drug without adverse reaction.

Beside's it's not just your problem, it's something that you and your doctors should be able to work out. So, for now, worry about getting yourself well in the present.

 

[beeker]

try 5-HTP

I started taking 5-HTP after it was reccomended to me by an accupunturist-
It is an precursor to the bodys production of seretonin- I take it twice daily-
It should be avoided if you take any mao inhibitors-

OR you could find yourself a little indica

 

[fairemily]

Elliot.... excellent advice. I definitely suffer from some anxiety issues. I took Xanax for awhile but it made me feel like I was stoned all the time. I got nothing accomplished. Sometimes I feel like my constant worrying is a blessing in disguise. Usually it's useless and destructive, but one in awhile it provides me with the extra drive needed to get things done.

Actually, this is going to sound weird... but what one thing I worry about a lot is what I'm going to do about all of this once I decide to have children. Not being able to take prescription meds or drink for 9+ months seems like a fucking nightmare.

I have had sleeping issues for about 8 years now (basically on and off my whole life) and I have been through every benzodiazepine on the market and nothing works. Xanex is the only thing that helped me through the whole night but then I overslept and had increased appetite before I fell asleep. The only thing to do is find the source of the anxiety and through cognitive therapy solve the issues. Go to the Albert Ellis institute for more information about mental self help and coping. As far as being pregnant you will probably have a whole new outlook as soon as you know and your priorities will be directed on your baby and you will find a way to cope. To worry about something that is not happening yet will increase your anxiety. Good luck and remember when your up all night you are not alone.

 

[franca]

Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet? I had trouble sleeping awhile back, so I made a concerted effort to get back on track with my nutricional needs. I made sure I got enough calcium and other minerals that were probably lacking. It really helped a lot.

 

[masquerade]

Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet? I had trouble sleeping awhile back, so I made a concerted effort to get back on track with my nutricional needs. I made sure I got enough calcium and other minerals that were probably lacking. It really helped a lot.

Yeah, my diet is terrible at the moment. I should probably take your advice and see what happens. I only have two week's worth of ambien left and I have finals coming up. Something's gotta give.

 

[ratman]

try melatonin, get it at any vitamin shoppe or gnc, no side effects

 

[fairemily]

Yeah, my diet is terrible at the moment. I should probably take your advice and see what happens. I only have two week's worth of ambien left and I have finals coming up. Something's gotta give.

Take Valerian Root also. Take 2 pills every hour starting a few hours when you want to go to sleep. I have taken up to 8 without problem as long as you space it out. The smell horrible (cat's love it) but it is a natural herb. Ambian is horrible (personally I think it not better then Unison) if you are in school since it cause memory loss.