Strategies for deep sleep when you have insomnia

Can’t sleep without Lunesta sleeping pills

I have been unable to sleep without pills, of some sort, for many years. Every night I use to go to bed with dread every night. Laying in the bed night after night unable to stop the random thoughts running through my mind, unable to go to sleep, it is torture. It wears down your body and befuddles your mind. It makes every morning an unwelcome eventuality.

The clock is a enemy. Ticking away the hours , counting down the time you have left before having to get up for work again. The weekends are not any better. On the weekends you get to stay up later trying to wear yourself out so you may sleep later. All you get for that is a worn out body and an even more befuddled mind! I have taken all the advice from doctors and friends.

No coffee, no tea, no heavy meals before bed, exercise, no exercise, reading, completely darkened room, and even painting my room and adding black out blinds! Many other natural remedies, as well, did not work. In the last ten years I have resorted to presciption medication, as welll as over the counter medication.

I have tried different sleeping pills and used “Lunesta” for a year. My doctor decided I should get off of the Lunesta after one year due to addiction concerns. So for a couple of years I took “Tylenol PM” every night. I started out taking two, but, within a couple of months I was taking three a night! When it started taking four to help me to sleep I went back to the doctor.

Needless to say she wasn’t pleased with my taking so many “Tylenol PM,” every night. She represcribed the “Lunesta.” Which worked very well, however, one year later the doctor makes me stop again! Now I am back on the “Tylenol PM,” but am managing, at the moment, with only three a night. I still have no answers about what my sleep deprivation. The doctor suggested it could be due to the fact I am bi-polar and take no medication.

I also started menopause in my late thirties and that too is a factor. I suppose it could be due to either one of these factors, or perhaps something totally different, the doctors have never given me a definitive answer. I worry about the fact I take so many pills. I worry what damage I may doing myself. I need to sleep at night, so I need the pills. I have had many conversations with friends on this issue and they agree I really need to find a way to sleep without the pills.

They really haven’t any real advice as how to do that though! So, I suppose that it is about time to go back to the doctor. I know that I will be needing that “Lunesta” prescription again, real soon. I will continue to try different methods, but, I am resigned to taking medications, at least until someone finds a different answer for we who are sleep deprived.