Sleep meds & not sleeping; I think I'm headed for trouble

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.

Gabapentin 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?

| ... what non-medication related sleep hygiene routines or practices have you tried? |

I bought blackout shades, use a white noise machine, keep my bedroom at 66 degrees, tried a weighted blanket, read physical books in bed instead of using screens, no eating after 7 PM, and no exercise after 4 PM

Did you move the discussion out of addiction issues? Just curious as I know people that have had addiction issues with Gabapentin as well as Ambien.

@diverdown1, thanks for the inquiry.

Addiction and physical dependence on medication are often confused, but they are different.

Addiction involves a psychological compulsion to use a substance despite harmful consequences, while physical dependence is when the body becomes accustomed to a medication and experiences withdrawal symptoms without it. Many medications have the potential to fall into both categories, making the line between addiction and physical dependence quite blurry.

Dependence on medication is a real issue. Ambien and Gabapentin are both in that category. Your body and brain become dependant on them. I’m not familiar with Hydroxizine though, and I’ve had my own issues with Ativan in the past. First you should come clean with your Doctor so you can start tapering off some of these meds if you can. CBT-I may help but even though I take a Z class sleeping pill every night I often have periods of not sleeping. I dont want to try any other meds since it scares me. I’ve realized that I won’t die if I have a couple of bad nights, and I can usually sleep then. Acceptance and getting over the fear of not sleeping has helped me.

i'm proud of you for keeping track of all this and letting us know about it. You have come admitted all this to yourself and come clean with us in forum. This is good. Now please "come clean" with your doctor. They cannot help you if they don't have the facts. I know...I was in a horrific accident, multiple surgeries, chronic pain & still need surgeries, managing pain or sleep is a nightmare and many people- including myself - get stuck in trying "whatever works"......until it doesn't or it becomes too dangerous...which is what your situation is sounding like.
TRUST ME, your doctor has seen and heard it all. You are not the first and will not be the last. Have some compassion for yourself and make sure that you are seeing the RIGHT doctor.... It sounds like you have several, maybe your cancer support group has a therapist. Get a bonified sleep study. There's so many things to try. This will not be solved overnight....good luck. Best wishes. PS I use to be terrified of going to sleep. And sometimes I would wake myself up because I was screaming...sometimes in horrible pain, sometimes with flashbacks from the accident. I talked to a friend who has had persistent cancer and she has sleep "resistence" It's like if we go to sleep, we think we will die or dream about it or just be in worse pain than being awake. I don't know if any of that is part of your experience. A good cancer and sleep therapist can help....and your doctor can help with the cocktail of meds you are taking. That mixture is not good for the long run. Good luck

I agree with the other comments, I keep my bedroom cooler than the rest of the house. I have double blackout pull down shades AND black out drapes AND a slew of eye shades in the drawer next to the bed. I use a grey or pink noise on a sleep machine or alexa echo. On my cell phone, I use a free app called INSIGHT TIMER ( they make it hard to find the work-around for the free stuff) . I go to the SLEEP section and my favorite is
DEEP SLEEP MEDITATION WITH AFFIRMATIOINS: SELF LOVE, HAPPIENSS & INNER PEACE
by Kenneth Soares I did buy a 1 month subscription and downloaded a few. I am a clinical hypnotherapist and I love his voice and messages. He has many sleep and relaxation mediations. Some of his are free, some are not.
I have my favorite pillows, a celing fan with remote control. It's taken me a while to "figure out what works" Good luck. Some experts are now recommending adults get a cuddly bear or soft blanket - seriously 🙂