Sleep Aids

[Fa208]

I know that it is ill advised to continue taking prescription medication for sleep.  I have tried to get off them, but the desire to sleep wins every time after about 4 hours of tossing and turning with pain. What I do not know is the side effects? Could this be causeing nerve damage? What else are the side effects and it is better to not sleep?

[ggreg]

In general, it's okay to take the stuff to sleep.  As for side effects, it all depends on what you've been prescribed.  If you are worried about the situation, there are other less dependent medications you can take that will take the edge off your symptoms, which you mentioned pain, and so you can talk all this over with the prescribing doc and see if he can come up with a substitute for sleep meds, perhaps.  The main thing to watch out for is if the drugs you take will disrupt your REM or deep sleep.

[Fa208]

Hi,thanks for the response.  I have multiple problems right now and that is one I do not want to address at the moment.  I actually can't get more than 5 hours sleep with any drug, but that is much more than without!!! Your email helps me put that on the back burner until I find out what else is going with me. Plus, I go to pain management and have an injection about once a year for my bad back.  Have you tried that?