When it comes to sleeping I fail miserably. I can't fall asleep. I can't stay asleep. I can't get decent sleep and I sure as heck can't get enough sleep! I've been dealing with it on an off for the past ten years but the last few have been rough. Extremely rough.
It's getting worse instead of better. I find myself dragging through my days with zero energy. I get cranky. I have even lower tolerance for bs. Before I even open my eyes in the morning I find myself trying to plan and rationalize a nap. Yet a nap is very rare for me. It takes too long to fall asleep and I usually wake up feeling drugged and sluggish.
I've had stints of taking Tyleonol PM just to function and it worked for awhile. But eventually the more I took it the less it seemed to work. I didn't want to get too dependent on it and would wean myself off or sometimes just quit cold turkey. I'd lose my mind from lack of sleep and stress about it. It's a vicious cycle.
Last year I started taking Melatonin and it made falling asleep stress free and effortless. I was thrilled to have found the magic pill. It didn't help me STAY asleep but it did improve things a bit.
Fast forward to the past few months and it's not working anymore. I am frustrated and exhausted. I have limited coping skills. I am chronically sleep deprived and I don't know where to turn next. I am DESPERATE.
So desperate, in fact, that I am thinking about seeing a doctor for it. This is a HUGE step for me. I am not one to take pills. I usually just suffer through.Years and years of desperation led me to Tylenol PM and Melatonin.
Do you struggle with sleep issues? What has worked for you? I'd love some feedback from those who have taken prescription sleep meds.
13 comments:
Try "Midnight" It too will work for a while, Then when it stops, Try 5-HTP (all of these are at walgreens types of stores in the sleep aid aisle) Then switch to sleepy time tea - My favorite is "Rest" by Tazo. Then start the cycle over with Tylenol PM and your resistance to it will have gone away (That being said, If you don't have pain, just take unisom, so your not taking the extra drugs for pain) ... This has been my life, other than the brief glimpses of colds that require me to take NyQuil (Oh happy sleeping nights!) But it has to be a bad cold to justify it... and those times that I physically exhaust myself beyond staying awake... I do all of this too keep it natural, and avoid sleeping pills... Im terrified of addiction, and running through my neighborhood nekkid!
I hope you do go see the doctor! You need sleep, girl.
I've struggled with sleep issues for as long as I can remember. I take trazodone, which is a sedating anti-depressant to help me sleep and stay asleep. Most doctors don't even prescribe it as an anti-depressant because there are better medications for that. Also, it isn't addictive.
Ambien, Restoril, none of that has helped. You should definitely see a doctor. Not getting enough sleep, as you know, sucks.
Then there's also things like only using your bed as a bed (and well, for, you know), not as a place where you pay bills, use your laptop, etc. No caffeine after a certain hour, and so on.
Definitely see your doctor. My sleep issues have been periodic rather than chronic, although I've always--going back to childhood--had trouble going to sleep. But when I can't stay asleep, I need a few days of Ambien to break the cycle.
However, this has clearly been going on much longer for you, so I wouldn't say "Do what I do." I think your first stop should be with your doctor.
Good luck.
I really struggle with sleep and staying asleep and am prone to sleepless nights so I can understand your frustration.
Thanks...i am so frustrated and tired and cranky.
Thanks for the tips. I cannot stanad tea but i did pick up some new sleep aid w/o peain reliever at Walgreens today. I saw Nyquil makes a sleep aid now but I have a hard time with liquids.
I might ask my doctor about trazadone. How long did it take for you to find one that works for you? Since we moved we don't have a tv in our room and i don't even use laptop in there...just read books somtimes.
Thanks. I feel like it has gone in cycles...and i had a few months this summer when I didn't need to use anything.
Sorry you are miserable too. I just want good quality sleep.
I read in bed, too. It actually helps me sleep. Everyone is different, so it may take a while to find the "right" thing for you, but trazodone is my go-to sleep aid. Keep in mind though, that I have a medical condition and take other medications, some of which can cause insomnia. Still, trazodone works right through it. I've taken anywhere from 25 - 150 mg depending on how bad the insomnia is, but I doubt you'll need that much. I'm not a doctor, obviously, but it works. Good luck, and keep us posted.
I'm sorry your're struggling. I have been taking 1/2 of a unisom since the twins were born... I just can't fall asleep otherwise. If these kids would stop waking up at all hours I bet I could get even better sleep. I'm sorry it stopped working for you. Have you thought about an rx? I tok Ambien at a time and have to say I loved it.
Thanks...at least I'm not the only one who struggles with this. i took a Walgreens brand sleep med the other night and it worked & I am giving it another try tonight. Did Ambien make you feel groggy at all?
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