Hi, kinda, I did post about the meeting under the NA thread.
On the subject of insomnia:
You had asked me before about my insomnia, and it has always been caused by anxiety and/or depression. The first anti-depressant I tried was trazadone and I just loved being able to go to sleep! I think it helped a little with my depression, but I felt a little too groggy during the day and I stopped it. (I am on Prozac now) But if I use the trazadone for sleep now it makes me feel panicky for some reason. I love the way ambien makes me feel. It really helps, but I develop a tolerance really fast. My ob/gyn has been calling it in for me, but doesn't like me to be on it every night, so I have been trying to take half a pill and stretch it out a little before a try for a refill. (she might not go for it, though) I used to take Prosom and that worked pretty well too. It was awhile ago, so I don't remember the non-brand name of it. I did OD on those once, but that is a whole nuther story. (didn't want to die and knew I wouldn't on those, but was really depressed and in a bad situation and wanted to sleep for a looong time, but ended up in the hospital for a week. It was after my late husband committed suicide) I did get Halcion once and that stuff worked great, but when the doctor found out I was taking it every night for a week, he cut me off (I heard nasty things can happen to you from that stuff). When I am really dying for sleep in the past I have just reached for anything I could get, benzos, pain pills, alcohol, just for the sleep. But in the state we are in now, that of course is not an option.
To be honest, if you can make yourself do it, exercise and a good yoga video are the best for me. Just haven't been doing that lately. The kids don't go to sleep until 10 and that's the only time I get to talk to my husband, and it is hard to get motivated to go downstairs and exercise, even though I know I won't sleep.
okay, I have rambled enough. Reading this might just be the best cure for your insomnia, kinda. I'm picturing you face down in front of your computer by now.
Talk to you later and stay warm. (It was in the 80's here today!) I went to college in upstate New York and decided I had to get away from that weather (much worse than in the city).
Hi, kinda, I did post about the meeting under the NA thread.
On the subject of insomnia:
You had asked me before about my insomnia, and it has always been caused by anxiety and/or depression. The first anti-depressant I tried was trazadone and I just loved being able to go to sleep! I think it helped a little with my depression, but I felt a little too groggy during the day and I stopped it. (I am on Prozac now) But if I use the trazadone for sleep now it makes me feel panicky for some reason. I love the way ambien makes me feel. It really helps, but I develop a tolerance really fast. My ob/gyn has been calling it in for me, but doesn't like me to be on it every night, so I have been trying to take half a pill and stretch it out a little before a try for a refill. (she might not go for it, though) I used to take Prosom and that worked pretty well too. It was awhile ago, so I don't remember the non-brand name of it. I did OD on those once, but that is a whole nuther story. (didn't want to die and knew I wouldn't on those, but was really depressed and in a bad situation and wanted to sleep for a looong time, but ended up in the hospital for a week. It was after my late husband committed suicide) I did get Halcion once and that stuff worked great, but when the doctor found out I was taking it every night for a week, he cut me off (I heard nasty things can happen to you from that stuff). When I am really dying for sleep in the past I have just reached for anything I could get, benzos, pain pills, alcohol, just for the sleep. But in the state we are in now, that of course is not an option.
To be honest, if you can make yourself do it, exercise and a good yoga video are the best for me. Just haven't been doing that lately. The kids don't go to sleep until 10 and that's the only time I get to talk to my husband, and it is hard to get motivated to go downstairs and exercise, even though I know I won't sleep.
okay, I have rambled enough. Reading this might just be the best cure for your insomnia, kinda. I'm picturing you face down in front of your computer by now.
Talk to you later and stay warm. (It was in the 80's here today!) I went to college in upstate New York and decided I had to get away from that weather (much worse than in the city).
Thanks for thinking about me,
rose
Hi, Rosie
Do I don't think you are rambling, I am very greatful that you replied not only to my post but also about how your NA meeting went. I am sorry that this meeting wasn't the right one for you but keep trying and you will find the right one that you feel comfortable in.
So sorry to hear that you also have problems sleeping, and that you have had to try so many sleeping pills to be able to get some sleep. I don't have problems sleeping persay I only have problems sleeping at night. I hate sleeping at night I am a night person, I love to stay up all night that is the time I most feel the most alive and sleep during the day, my problem is society being just the opposite, I can't take college classes at 3 :00 a.m. in the morning or work at least not the types of jobs I generally do. :rolleyes:
Yeah, I went back to college don't get me wrong I love working in substance abuse but I wanted to be able to explore other areas of education while I had the oppurtunity. I will probably go back to working as a substance abuse counselor in anther 1 1/2 years after I get the two degrees that I am working on right know.
Yes, I know working out (lifting weights) always tire me out I usually spent about an hour working out and it usually makes me tired I need to quit making excuse for not working out and get back out to my garage and hit the weights.
Well I guess I will talk to you somemore tomorrow, as I better try to get some sleep or I will never make it to class tomorrow. Take care. Will talk to you sometime tomorrow night. Hope you have a great day. :)
Hey, yinksy, I figured It would be nice to tell you as you are a-rising outta bed (a good nights sleep ,I bet !! ) Top of the morning to yer Lass, and I think you will be happy to know, That I am finally going to try your ADVISE ( Irish nagging ,so to speak !! )
I have deceided from last night on, I will no longer put any type of Drug into my body, and just let this insomnia heal itself naturally. I spoke with me Pain Doc. and he said ,"WHY NOT", because all the bensos so far only helped me the first 2 or 3 days and then they did nothing for me. My next step would of been Halcion (sp. ) and I already knew from buying them off from the street that they might worke, but the addiction possibillity was very high.
So, when you get on the computer ,tell me what you think.. And I really did believe your advice ( No Doubting TOMMY this time ), but it just took awhile to make its way into this thick Irish head of mine. But I am "secretly" glad you never gave up on me....
Hey, yinksy, I figured It would be nice to tell you as you are a-rising outta bed (a good nights sleep ,I bet !! ) Top of the morning to yer Lass, and I think you will be happy to know, That I am finally going to try your ADVISE ( Irish nagging ,so to speak !! )
I have deceided from last night on, I will no longer put any type of Drug into my body, and just let this insomnia heal itself naturally. I spoke with me Pain Doc. and he said ,"WHY NOT", because all the bensos so far only helped me the first 2 or 3 days and then they did nothing for me. My next step would of been Halcion (sp. ) and I already knew from buying them off from the street that they might worke, but the addiction possibillity was very high.
So, when you get on the computer ,tell me what you think.. And I really did believe your advice ( No Doubting TOMMY this time ), but it just took awhile to make its way into this thick Irish head of mine. But I am "secretly" glad you never gave up on me....
Hope to hear from you soon....
( A changing Me )
Kinda-Unwell
I LOVE YOU, big man!
Seriously though, Kinda - why not? You have absolutely nothing to lose? (And everything to gain?) I assume you checked with your "pain doctor" about cutting the benzos? But - I think you reckoned you were not yet hooked on them? But - for goodness sake - dont just stop if you have been using long term - or you may have seizures and other dreadful withdrawal symptoms. But - if you get the all clear from your doc - then great! Go for it!
Took me 7 months to taper off benzos and then I c/t off the opiates. It is not a wonderful experience - but a magnificent one to get behind you! You will have to be prepared for a few rugged days with little or absolutely no sleep (I know you will feel hellish) ............ but then - just when you think you cant take anymore (I found it almost intolerable) and will just try "something" again to ease the pain................ sleep starts to come. (When you feel like this - just tell yourself you will give it one more night) A couple of tortuous hours the first night or two - then you get hope and confidence that the old brain is actually healing............. suddenly one morning you wake up and realise you have slept for 4 or 5 hours................ and then you are away............the sky is the limit!
I just cannot tell you how "high" you can get on sleep and feeling good! Its unlike anything else!! Do you remember that feeling of waking in the morning - fresh, clear headed, ready to face the day and all its challenges....... and more? Again - a "master of the Universe"?
Keep focused on the task in hand, my blue eyed hero!
Looking forward to hearing how you are getting on! Dont give up - the prize is yours for the taking now.
yer Lass
ps - the most unhelpful phrase ever said to me during my battle for sleep was "no-one ever died of lack of sleep!" LOL.
HI ya, Me Lass... I didn't think I was gonna hear from you today. You usually post to me much earlier. I bet you probably over-slept (Like 10 or 11 hours), just to rub it in my face, huh. LOL !!! Well It began yesterday, not one type of pill entered my body. Of course that also means I haven't slept either.... I figured what the heck, the Ativan wasn't working for me anymore, no matter what the dose or even when I over-medicated, I didn't like how I felt the next day. The next step would have been to go on to Halcion (SP.), and I know that is really heavy-duty stuff. And besides, like you said, I just want to get back to "normal" . Athough I haven't been normal most of my life.....
So you see ,all that persistent "advice" (Irish woman's nagging ! LOL!!) you have been giving me finally paid off. I'll always be grateful to you yinksy for constantly being there for me.... But like you said ,I guess I should give the Pain Doc a call and make sure I can just plain stop taking everything.
Did you read my good morning post to you. ??? I'm due to have a blood test in alittle while, to see if my thyroid and other thing are alright. The Pain Doc just doesn't understand why I develope such a quick tolerance to all these pills. Opiates and Benzos.???
If you are still about give me a buzz back,okay.??? Hey, by the way, you never made any mention of that quote from Perry French about those Mournes mountain you once mentioned to me.(????)
No - didnt oversleep this morning - but I did have a wonderful 7 hours straight (LOL) - but I have 2 of my kids here today - staying over - so I am doing all those motherly things - ie - mostly cooking!
Glad to hear you are on course.
A little warning about the thyroid etc - apparently it is very common to be diagnosced with thyroid problems while on benzos. Might be worth your reading up on it online in the Ashton Manual (just type Ashton Manual into google - tis available online)? I refused to have any tests carried out (my doc was mad!) while tapering -and now that I am off and clear - I dont now seem to have any symptoms that merit my having tests.
Good on you Kinda - stick with this? Its going to be tough for a wee while - but sooner that you think it will all start to come right. But only now that you have decided to do without all the chemicals (incl all suggestions of other sleep aids like remeron or trazodone etc. Halcion is now banned in the UK!) - taking any chemical will just put off your recovery I am totally sure.
Hah - those Mountains of Mourne - or as a friend once put it - those "bum shaped hills of Antrim"
