So Sick and Tired of this Insomnia - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Aster · 08-01-2002, 09:30 AM

My insomnia is getting worse. I don't know what's going on. Last week , after fifteen years of prescription drugs to sleep I tried Melatonin alone and it worked.
Hasn't worked since then. All day yesterday I felt wonderful, energetic, laughing. Then last night I got in bed at 8 to read and watch tv. At one am I was still awake and had to resort to an Ambien (5mg). I hate myself when I do that. My thoughts were racing like mad. Missing family, life review, current state of my
happiness level, just plain crapola for hours. I want to be normal; want to simply go to sleep when I want to. Is anyone else fighting this demon? I feel so down and inferior and just insane.

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Aster

Megherc · 08-01-2002, 03:40 PM

Fifteen years of prescription sleeping drugs. There's your answer. Whatever started your insomnia is not what is keeping it going now. Prescription sleeping pills have addiction/dependancy/tolerance issues, and your brain stops knowing how to create sleep on it's own. The sleep achieved on these pills is not the exact, natural sleep the brain makes on it's own.

But the brain can re-learn to create the right sleep chemicals again, but this is a long process; it is not like a broken arm, much more complicated and patience is the key. Type in benzo withdrawal in your search engine to learn about benzodiazepines; Ambien is not one but only by a receptor technicality...it acts very simular to benzos since it is so closly related to them.

Aster · 08-01-2002, 04:12 PM

Thank you, Meg. I suspected this was the case. The only positive note is I have not had to (as doctors will often tell you)increase dosage. For instance, in all these years I've never had to take 2mg of Xanax to sleep. Tonight I think I'll try 2 Tylenol PM's; I have the feeling that they'll work until about 2am but I'm just guessing. I am actually more concerned about the hours of racing thoughts I'm having at bedtime than I am about the pills. Really make me tense. But I don't believe in antidepressants; I don't think they really work. I was reading this morning that placebo worked just as well in a controlled study.

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Aster

Megherc · 08-02-2002, 01:27 AM

It's lucky you didn't build a tolerance to high doses all this time. The website I mentioned addresses racing thoughts as a withdrawal reaction. Withdrawal symptoms can last very long, but time will fade them. Do read the website; I know it's has almost too much information and links, there are some scary stories and doctor bashing, but it's very helpful. It's worth the extra time to read it all. They even have an internet support group. Check it out.

Mashiki · 08-09-2002, 10:04 PM

K...recently i had my wisdom teeth pulled out..its been like a week and some days..ever since then i havent been able to sleep until 2 am and i wake up at arond 6 or 7 am...i get about 4 hours of sleep in..and my body wont allow for anything more.
I had problems before i got them out too, i would just lay there for hours and then finally fall asleep, but i would still wake up every five minutes, and have to start all over again...
If anyone could tell me anything i could do to help me fall asleep, and stay asleep i would greatly appreciate it!