I had two major depressive episodes (to use the shrink jargon) in the last 6 weeks. My first doctor put me on sedatives and Lunesta (nasty stuff–leaves a disgusting taste in your mouth). I slept fine for a few days, but then the insomnia was back. Then the shrink put me on a different anti-depressant and trazodone. No sleep. He had me double the dose of trazodone. No sleep. Then he added Ambien into the mix–voila, sleep. However, I really don’t like taking sleeping pills. It bugs me. So I didn’t take the Ambien last night, although I took the trazodone, and didn’t manage to fall asleep until about 4:30 a.m. (up at 8). Tonight I took neither the Ambien nor the trazodone, and well, it’s 3:12 a.m. and I’m still awake.
It’s not that I’m not tired, because I am. And sleepy too, for that matter. I just can’t get my little grey cells to slow down so I can sleep. I’m unemployed right now (quit CPS on 9/16–hallefrickinlujiah), but I make myself stay awake all day hoping that will help, but it doesn’t. And I quit drinking caffeine, but that doesn’t seem to have made any difference either.
I’ve had very good experiences with Ambien. I think much of bad periods of insomnia is from stressing about sleeping. So, when I have a few bad nights sleep in a row, I pop an Ambien, have a great night’s sleep and don’t stress about it the next night. Plus, since I know I can always take an Ambien, I tend to stress less about sleep in general now than I did six months ago. And, I hated over the counter stuff; I’d rather not sleep for a month than wake up with the “morning after unisom” feeling.
That being said, I record every Ambien I take, and only allow myself one in any given two week period. Though, generally I try to take less than one per month.
While I have not had good experiences with Ambien (it makes me feel asleep when I am awake, and awake when I am sleep) I very much agree with you about that “stressing less about sleep” aspect. Almost like a placebo effect.
I always take prescribed sleeping pills with me when I travel (have taken Dalmane and Sonata), and sometimes just knowing I have them allows me a good night’s sleep even if I do not actually resort to taking them.
I also agree about that awful Unisom hangover. But sometimes when I know I have a big day the next day, this is preferable to that wretched sleep-deprived being-half-there feeling.
I just take tiny, tiny doses of the OTC or Melatonin, yet I still wonder and worry about this. However, getting the sleep precludes worrying about OTC dangers.
Chronic sleep deprivation is horrid and dangerous and, in more ways than one, life-threatening.
I will second the books on tape for those that (try to) sleep alone. When I can’t sleep, I put on “The Lady in the Lake” by Raymond Chandler. I’ve listened to it hundreds of times and know it by heart. Following the words, I can get off the mental track my mind is on and that’s all I usually need to drop off.
I will also make up stories in my head, but if it starts getting interesting, it will keep me awake. So I use the same story over and over. Never did get to the end, though.
I’ve also tried relaxation techniques with limited success. And sometimes, I just give up and read for a couple hours.
What’s started getting on my nerves is when I mention my insomnia (usually because someone remarks that I look tired) and someone always starts saying “Have you tried …”
I understand they’re trying to be helpful. But YES. I’ve tried that. I’ve tried EVERYDAMNTHING because insomnia is fucking miserable. Warm milk, relaxing bath, Valerian, exercise, meditation, etc etc etc. Every time a newspaper article shows up with the same helpful suggestions I’ve gotten all my life someone will point it out.
At one point when I was an undergrad I went so long getting only a couple of hours of sleep a night that I totally broke down. Missed a class I’d been taking for several weeks because I suddenly couldn’t remember when it was. Burst into uncontrollable tears in the doctor’s office. The works.
And you know, people still tsk-tsk at me when I manage to sleep to the “ungodly” hour of 10am.
As an addition to my depression, or as a side affect of the meds I’m on, I have insomnia. It seems I’ll be awake for five or six nights in a row, only to crash for one night of restless sleep where I wake up 5-7 times a night (at least I’m in bed). Repeat.
My sleeping pills leave me groggy in the mornings. I actually feel more refreshed on the nights where I get 3-4 hours of sleep as opposed to the nights when I am in bed before midnight.
I am starting to like it though. I have time to practice guitar, read the boards, watch Discovery Civilization, etc. I guess this will stop at some point but as long as I feel somewhat refreshed in the mornings, I’m having a good time.
Sleep tight to all that can. The rest of us will plot to take over the world while you slumber.
Yikes. I feel better about my occasional insomnia, reading what some of you go through. (Says the woman posting at 5 AM, but I just woke up and can’t go back to sleep. I will go try again in a few.)
Those of you with the chronic insomia, have you ever considered a sleep study? I know the OP is considering it, and I did, too, when my insomnia was worse, but I never went through with it.
I had a sleep study done, but it was for sleep apnea (which I do have). It didn’t address any insomnia issues.
Right now I’ve quit taking any of my sleeping pills. I haven’t been to sleep yet, but have been up all night searching for jobs, applying for jobs, etc.