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Sleep meds & not sleeping; I think I'm headed for trouble
During prostate cancer treatment, the medication I had to take caused bad insomnia as a side effect. I'd go to bed at 11, not fall asleep until 1-2 AM and wake up at 4 AM.
I was prescribed Ambien by my oncology team. It worked--for about two months. So I figured I'd boost it a bit by taking 10 mg of Melatonin with it. That worked, again, for about two months.
So I added 300 mg of Gabapentin that my brother-in-law gave me because he pretty much has an unlimited prescription and doesn't take it. This worked for a couple months. So I doubled the Gabapentin to 600 mg.
Then, a couple months later, I added hydroxyzine a psych nurse practitioner prescribed me for anxiety and half an Ativan from my GP also for anxiety, which became a whole Ativan and now I'm taking five different meds to sleep and, while they work, I wake up feeling like I've been run over by a bus.
I've kind of dug myself into a hole and am not sure how to get out of it. I don't want to be taking so many drugs to sleep and I know they're not good for me in the long term. I know that most of them, other than Ativan, are not addictive but it sure feels like they are.
Anyone have any ideas on how to stop taking them AND be able to sleep? I'm afraid to even tell my GP I'm taking all of them especially the Gabapentin because I'm obtaining it in an unauthorized way.
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I’m sorry to read about your dilemma with medication, it’s not an uncommon thing but can be dangerous if you’re medicating yourself at the same time your doctor is doing so, I hope you looked up interactions and side effects before taking them. If you go over the meds you’re taking, see which one you can stop but do it slowly and see how you feel, the other option is to tell your doctor what is going on and see how he can help you with stopping some of them especially if they aren’t helping you. I know that sleep is so important but it can get disrupted at times and when this happens we look for solutions, usually meds and they are not always reliable.
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1 ReactionGabapentin can be an issue. I take it as well for pain management, but it is not something that can just be stopped. I tried and found it to cause extreme agitation. I have been taking 100 mg of Trazadone for years. I was first introduced to it in treatment years ago. It is an old antidepressant but it used a lot for sleep issues and insomnia. Perhaps ask your doctor about it. It is prescribed because it is not addictive and does not cause mood altering feelings. I hope this helps. Your honesty is refreshing!!
It sounds to me like you already know you're in trouble.
If you are unable to quit on your own you may need to enter a facility that deals with addiction and can moniter you as you stop using the chemicals.
If you feel at all suicidal call a detox center and that will get the ball rolling for stopping with the medications.
When you find yourself in a hole you can not get out of the first thing you need to do is STOP digging. I'd start with your GP.
Good luck.
@scottbeammeup, you have a lot that has been on your plate and continues to be. Not being able to get one restful night’s sleep is awful, having days, months, or years of not getting restful sleep is a nightmare in of itself. Sleep is so important to our overall health and at times not getting it can feel like desperate times call for desperate measures.
@frouke, @diverdown1, and @ziggypop all have offered you wonderful feedback and thoughts to move forward with and consider.
I moved this discussion into the Sleep Health support group, as it sounds like the ultimate issue is sleep. There are many who have struggled with medication and sleep health as well as people who are trying to get off medications prescribed for sleep.
Although many medications are not addictive in the typical sense of the word, many medications can create tolerance and physical dependence after period of use and increase in dosages. Transparency and open communication with all your providers are of the upmost importance. Without those, your sleep, physical health, and mental health will be at risk.
You might want to explore CBTi (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia). Read more here:
• Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/in-depth/insomnia-treatment/art-20046677
@scottbeammeup, what non-medication related sleep hygiene routines or practices have you tried?