Hello

[masane]

i suffer from anxiety and depression . i’m a severe insomniac who constantly takes pills to sleep

[012703060610]

Hi there-you've come to the right place. I have had sleep issues since high school. I remember getting Benadryl at the time once I could drive myself. Through college, I certainly drank too much and got lots of "bad quality" of sleep. Enter adult life....I am still on meds for sleep and anxiety. In addition, I am on an antidepressant. There is not shame in needing medicatation. There is the fine line though between taking them as needed versus taking them during the day or running out of your script. I am unable to take NASAIDs (Advil, alive) due to a blood issue. Certain psychiatric meds have helped with the pain.

Anyway, if you are anything like me, when I try to sleep my brain seems to be activated by all the bad things in my life. I've added to my regular meds an additional OTC sleep med with L-Theanine (all natural). I haven't ever really been about natural medicine, but L-Theanine has helped so many people I know. It comes in pills or drops. The drops are fast activating and at one point my Dr. told me to take a dropper every 2 hours during a medical flare. It did allow me to be calm but stay awake. Then once added to bed time, I have been able to get a few 3 hour blocks a night.

We are all here for you. This is a judge free zone.

[masane in reply to 012703060610]

Thank u very much! For years i was called a pill popper by my family and it took a long time for me to accept that these were needed medications. Shamefully i am addicted now but as you said before if i don’t take anything all negative issues and feelings come right into my head. i’m trying a new med call doxypine so fingers crossed

[012703060610 in reply to masane]

I have been on Doxepin and it can help with sleep. I had terrible side effects of constipation on it. It was working though however it is primarily for depression on my side. Yes drugs can be addicting, but so is everything else. My kids are addicted to iPads and screens. They see a screen and just stop and stare. My husband is addicted to a routine he needs (he doesn't have pure OCD). Let's not forget about coffee addiction which seems to be OK given the number of Starbucks in the world. I think just recognizing you are addicted and you need them is a great first step. My PCP screamed at me for starting a new Benzo. However, my Rheumatologist and Psychiatrist agreed on it given lack of sleep and energy. I am going with the guy who is treating me holistically which is the Rheumatologist. We are here!

[masane in reply to 012703060610]

Thank you! when i’m on doxepin it was the opposite with stomach cramps and frequent bowl movements!