insomnia

[selfpity]

i have been on sleep mediations since my 20s now i 52 and i am on 1 mg sometimes 2 mg lorazepam. iread that it masks other illness.   now i off antidepressant but still continue with sleep meds. my problems is lonliness and indifferent to hostile family.  in the past i have come of it  (sleep meds and antidepressant) but was not able to sustain it. to be wide awake when the whole house is sleeping is frightening for me and the next day coz of strain.my eyes aches so bad i can't read or see anything. i resort eating to ease the pain and stomach problems.

[selfpity]

thanks so muh for your enouragement and support (whih i badly need) to go off sleep meds after 30 years.  it had made me believe it is worthwhile, thanks again for that.  i have consulted a doc who just said to stop taking it (but i intend to taper it off) he has put on bp meds (telmisartan tab. 40 mg)since he said it is high (146/96).

[martikadragoon]

I too deal with insomnia but rather than use Ambien each night I also take Unisom (sleep gels) there are nights I stay awake the whole time then I have to get up with my baby boy so when I"m ready to sleep he's ready to get up

when you detox off the sleeping meds be sure your doctor is monitoring you.

[Gettingcleanagain1221]

It did start to think that I was an insomniac for life. Then you will have one night where you will wake up and realize that u slept 6 hours straight.    Just don't pick up drinking.

[Rich99]

"""""""in the past i have come of it  (sleep meds and antidepressant) but was not able to sustain it""""   Sorry bout that.   It looks like you did battle this same thing before.    You can do it but you're gonna need medical help.  

[LeaAnn807]

I also believed I would never sleep again after my ambien detox.  I will not lie.  It took everything I had to make it thru some nights.  I went WEEKS without going to sleep for more than maybe 5 minutes every few days!!!  But I didn't taper.  That is what I am recommending you do.  DO NOT STOP ON YOUR OWN.  See a doc!  What I did is unsafe and caused seizures.  

Please, it is worth it to get off of the pills.  You will sleep again, I promise.  I am a lifetime insomniac, but I did it, and so can you!  Talk to a doctor and get some help with tapering.  You will be a new person in no time!!!

Hugs to you!

TH

[avisg]

after 3 years you are going to have to have a doctor helps .It will take your body a while to learn to sleep well without a benzo but you wont be wide awake forever .why have you decided you want to get off them

[Gettingcleanagain1221]

It's funny how addiction works Tramhater....I've been addicted to sleeping pills (ambien) too. Ironically I didn't realize my insomnia was caused by tramadol withdrawal because of the line of crap they feed you about it. Anyway, you will need to taper off your medication very slowly if you can do little bits at a time. However, you will have some rebound insomnia. Rest assured that your sleep will return eventually. I could have sworn that I would never sleep again when coming off ambien. Good luck and I'd be happy to offer up any of my experiences. Keep in mind that I am no doctor and you should consult yours.

[selfpity]

many thanks for your response. i just can't imagine spending the rest of my life being wide awake all the time with lonliness, no support etc or whether it is worthwhile. please enlighten me

[LeaAnn807]

I have been extremely dependent and addicted to sleep meds a few years ago.  They are very hard to get off of.  You would need a good taper plan and a helpful doctor.  After 30 years, it will not be easy.  

I understand what you are going through and encourage you to seek help in getting rid of the ball and chain!!! : )

You can do it!

Welcome to the forum!

TH