How can I get prescribed sleeping pills?
Been suffering with insomnia for basically my whole life, it takes me never less than 2-3 and sometimes 8+ hours to get to sleep and recently started having more nights where I just have to give up on trying to sleep after lying there for hours because I have work/uni so I end being awake for ~40 hours. I've been to doctors about it and been told things like "some people just need less sleep than others" (ridiculous imo because I'm sat in front of them telling them that I'm constantly exhausted but can't to sleep not that I "need less sleep") or that it just takes some people longer to fall asleep than others (also ridiculous imo because it affects every aspect of my life that I'm constantly exhausted) or I'm given generic advice such as read a book or drink herbal teas as if I wouldn't have tried that before coming to a doctor.
The problem is getting worse now: it used to be that I would have one night of it taking 6-8 hours to fall asleep then the next night would get to sleep in around 2 hours but now it's started happening more that I will have several nights in a row of it taking 6-8 hours for me to fall asleep before getting one where it only takes 2. If I wanted 8 hours sleep a night I would have to be in bed for 16 hours a day which obviously isn't realistic. But my doctors carry on dismissing me. I've had similar problems, particularly where they dismiss me being in pain by telling me that that's just how it is for some people ("some people get more headaches/stomachaches than others") and they are yet to prescribe me anything.
Tried OTC "sleeping pills" (which are really just antihistamines that have drowsiness as a possible side effect) and melatonin but neither have worked so I think I need prescription strength sleeping pills but can't get my doctor to give me any.
The problem is getting worse now: it used to be that I would have one night of it taking 6-8 hours to fall asleep then the next night would get to sleep in around 2 hours but now it's started happening more that I will have several nights in a row of it taking 6-8 hours for me to fall asleep before getting one where it only takes 2. If I wanted 8 hours sleep a night I would have to be in bed for 16 hours a day which obviously isn't realistic. But my doctors carry on dismissing me. I've had similar problems, particularly where they dismiss me being in pain by telling me that that's just how it is for some people ("some people get more headaches/stomachaches than others") and they are yet to prescribe me anything.
Tried OTC "sleeping pills" (which are really just antihistamines that have drowsiness as a possible side effect) and melatonin but neither have worked so I think I need prescription strength sleeping pills but can't get my doctor to give me any.
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Original post by black tea
Prescription strength sleeping tablets are addictive and start to lose effectiveness after a while. They will not be the solution to your problem.
better to have a partial solution than none though
Original post by Anonymous
better to have a partial solution than none though
see someone privately, they tend to be more willing to prescribe
Original post by Anonymous
better to have a partial solution than none though
Not when the partial solution gives you triple the chance of premature death!
Lots of info on sleeping and sleeping pills in this video:
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
Not when the partial solution gives you triple the chance of premature death!
Lots of info on sleeping and sleeping pills in this video:
Lots of info on sleeping and sleeping pills in this video:
Long term sleep deprivation also causes premature death, better to just die early than die early after a life of constant exhaustion
From the video:
"Non-pharmacolgical methods have been found to work as good as or better than the drugs..."
There's the 5 to 6 rules of sleep conditioning in the video.
Try them and see how you get on.
As well as supplemental rules on exercise, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, quiet dark cool comfortable bedroom, relaxing pre-bedtime routine, melatonin rich foods...
"Non-pharmacolgical methods have been found to work as good as or better than the drugs..."
There's the 5 to 6 rules of sleep conditioning in the video.
Try them and see how you get on.
As well as supplemental rules on exercise, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, quiet dark cool comfortable bedroom, relaxing pre-bedtime routine, melatonin rich foods...
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
From the video:
"Non-pharmacolgical methods have been found to work as good as or better than the drugs..."
There's the 5 to 6 rules of sleep conditioning in the video.
Try them and see how you get on.
As well as supplemental rules on exercise, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, quiet dark cool comfortable bedroom, relaxing pre-bedtime routine, melatonin rich foods...
"Non-pharmacolgical methods have been found to work as good as or better than the drugs..."
There's the 5 to 6 rules of sleep conditioning in the video.
Try them and see how you get on.
As well as supplemental rules on exercise, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, quiet dark cool comfortable bedroom, relaxing pre-bedtime routine, melatonin rich foods...
I have tried all the breathing exercises and sleep training and ****, I'm going to a doctor because none of that has worked
Original post by Anonymous
I have tried all the breathing exercises and sleep training and ****, I'm going to a doctor because none of that has worked
You should like me. I nhave exact same problem with sleep . Ive tried the 50Mg 1 a night Antihistamine. Tried time release Melatonin. I took both together and thats notm bad but still not enough. Managed to get some Tempezepam prescribed for 5 nights, 1st night not much better with that. Then took that and Antihistamine and still no good. Gotta go back to Dr see if they will give me something that works. Sounds like your problem. If I find something works will let you know. There isnt much difference so far between (1) The antihistamne 50mg AND the 3mg Melatonin or (2) The Temazepam AND 25mg Antihistamine. Tonight will try 6 MG melatonin and 50Mg Antihistamine .
For now will leave Temezapam out of equation.
Oh and by the way am going to take my 750MG of GABA capsule. That is meant to be good for sleep as well and is natural product, which apparently is what Temazapam does ,increases the GABA, so I ddnt take with it as may be too much GABA then.
Original post by Anonymous
I have tried all the breathing exercises and sleep training and ****, I'm going to a doctor because none of that has worked
So you've tried:
1.
going to bed only when you intend to sleep and are sleepy
2.
using your bed only for sleep (and sex)
3.
if you can't sleep within 15-20 minutes get up and go into a different room until you are sleepy
4.
repeating step 3 as many times as needed
5.
getting up at the same time every morning, regardless of how little sleep you get
6.
avoid sleeping during the day. Optionally avoid napping too
And you're trying this regime now? Because in your opening post you said "recently started having more nights where I just have to give up on trying to sleep after lying there for hours" which is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4.
And you saying "If I wanted 8 hours sleep a night I would have to be in bed for 16 hours a day which obviously isn't realistic." which again is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4 and may be the opposite of rule 1.
If at the start of applying these rules you are awake for 40 hours so be it. Followed by 1 hours sleep before you have to get up at your allotted time so be it. You just push through, whilst not operating a motor vehicle. Then you may have another 16 hours where are up, but feeling tired, before it's your bed-time when you should collapse into bed very tired and fall asleep easily enough.
And then from there, by being disciplined in applying the rules you get to a stage where you are routinely sleeping 5, 6 or 7 hours and getting up at the same time every day.
With you also applying the supplemental rules mentioned at 2:56 onwards in the video.
Original post by MillieeM2
Do you exercise? If you allow yourself to become physically exhausted, it’ll help you fall asleep
I do about 10,000 steps a day, sometimes do workout videos and at my job I'm on my feet/lifting stuff to put stock out for 8 hours a day
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
So you've tried:
And you've tried this for a whole month? Not just one or two days?
And you're trying this regime now? Because in your opening post you said "recently started having more nights where I just have to give up on trying to sleep after lying there for hours" which is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4.
And you saying "If I wanted 8 hours sleep a night I would have to be in bed for 16 hours a day which obviously isn't realistic." which again is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4 and may be the opposite of rule 1.
If at the start of applying these rules you are awake for 40 hours so be it. Followed by 1 hours sleep before you have to get up at your allotted time so be it. You just push through, whilst not operating a motor vehicle. Then you may have another 16 hours where are up, but feeling tired, before it's your bed-time when you should collapse into bed very tired and fall asleep easily enough.
And then from there, by being disciplined in applying the rules you get to a stage where you are routinely sleeping 5, 6 or 7 hours and getting up at the same time every day.
With you also applying the supplemental rules mentioned at 2:56 onwards in the video.
1.
going to bed only when you intend to sleep and are sleepy
2.
using your bed only for sleep (and sex)
3.
if you can't sleep within 15-20 minutes get up and go into a different room until you are sleepy
4.
repeating step 3 as many times as needed
5.
getting up at the same time every morning, regardless of how little sleep you get
6.
avoid sleeping during the day. Optionally avoid napping too
And you're trying this regime now? Because in your opening post you said "recently started having more nights where I just have to give up on trying to sleep after lying there for hours" which is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4.
And you saying "If I wanted 8 hours sleep a night I would have to be in bed for 16 hours a day which obviously isn't realistic." which again is the opposite of applying rules 3 and 4 and may be the opposite of rule 1.
If at the start of applying these rules you are awake for 40 hours so be it. Followed by 1 hours sleep before you have to get up at your allotted time so be it. You just push through, whilst not operating a motor vehicle. Then you may have another 16 hours where are up, but feeling tired, before it's your bed-time when you should collapse into bed very tired and fall asleep easily enough.
And then from there, by being disciplined in applying the rules you get to a stage where you are routinely sleeping 5, 6 or 7 hours and getting up at the same time every day.
With you also applying the supplemental rules mentioned at 2:56 onwards in the video.
I've tried all those sleep training methods and they don't work for me because I am physically unable to get to sleep even when I am exhausted to the point of almost collapsing. Hence why the post wasn't asking for tips on getting to sleep, it was asking for advice to get my doctor to stop dismissing me
Original post by Anonymous
I've tried all those sleep training methods and they don't work for me because I am physically unable to get to sleep even when I am exhausted to the point of almost collapsing. Hence why the post wasn't asking for tips on getting to sleep, it was asking for advice to get my doctor to stop dismissing me
It's your choice and it's your life.
You can either try applying all those rules for a month or you can give up. I'm assuming from your lack of an answer that you haven't applied the rules for a month?
If you're physically exhausted, you may want to have a look at what you're eating and drinking.
Eating more beetroot, rocket, fenugreek, for example may help with the strength and stamina.
Your doctor - if he or she is doing their job properly - has avoided giving you sleeping tablets because they work no better than applying the rules already discussed and they come with an additional risk of premature death.
If I were to give you advice on how to get around your doctor in order to get a sleeping pill prescription, then I would be breaking the written rules of this forum.
Edit: What might help you is if you had a "sleep buddy". Someone reliable and trustworthy that would be there in your home, applying the sleep rules with you.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
It's your choice and it's your life.
You can either try applying all those rules for a month or you can give up. I'm assuming from your lack of an answer that you haven't applied the rules for a month?
If you're physically exhausted, you may want to have a look at what you're eating and drinking.
Eating more beetroot, rocket, fenugreek, for example may help with the strength and stamina.
Your doctor - if he or she is doing their job properly - has avoided giving you sleeping tablets because they work no better than applying the rules already discussed and they come with an additional risk of premature death.
If I were to give you advice on how to get around your doctor in order to get a sleeping pill prescription, then I would be breaking the written rules of this forum.
Edit: What might help you is if you had a "sleep buddy". Someone reliable and trustworthy that would be there in your home, applying the sleep rules with you.
You can either try applying all those rules for a month or you can give up. I'm assuming from your lack of an answer that you haven't applied the rules for a month?
If you're physically exhausted, you may want to have a look at what you're eating and drinking.
Eating more beetroot, rocket, fenugreek, for example may help with the strength and stamina.
Your doctor - if he or she is doing their job properly - has avoided giving you sleeping tablets because they work no better than applying the rules already discussed and they come with an additional risk of premature death.
If I were to give you advice on how to get around your doctor in order to get a sleeping pill prescription, then I would be breaking the written rules of this forum.
Edit: What might help you is if you had a "sleep buddy". Someone reliable and trustworthy that would be there in your home, applying the sleep rules with you.
I have tried every type of "sleep training" I can find, each one for several months and they don't work because all are designed to just make you exhausted enough that you can eventually get to sleep, which does not work for me. Even if I exhaust myself to the point of collapse, I get one full night of sleep then the cycle of being awake for 40 hours repeats. Again, I have tried methods like in the video multiple times for months at a time and they don't work.
I’ve been there myself. I also know what it is like to feel like doctors are dismissing my disordered sleep pattern. However they are right to not want to prescribe you sleeping tablets. They are sticking player solutions with side effects and you quickly develop a dependency.
What time do you get up each day?
What is your routine in the couple of hours before bed?
How much caffeine do you drink?
What stresses do you think are causing your insomnia?
Do you play computer games, spend time online, etc?
What time do you get up each day?
What is your routine in the couple of hours before bed?
How much caffeine do you drink?
What stresses do you think are causing your insomnia?
Do you play computer games, spend time online, etc?
Original post by Gazpacho.
I’ve been there myself. I also know what it is like to feel like doctors are dismissing my disordered sleep pattern. However they are right to not want to prescribe you sleeping tablets. They are sticking player solutions with side effects and you quickly develop a dependency.
What time do you get up each day?
What is your routine in the couple of hours before bed?
How much caffeine do you drink?
What stresses do you think are causing your insomnia?
Do you play computer games, spend time online, etc?
What time do you get up each day?
What is your routine in the couple of hours before bed?
How much caffeine do you drink?
What stresses do you think are causing your insomnia?
Do you play computer games, spend time online, etc?
Get up at 7-8 each day, I would usually watch tv before bed but I have tried the no screens for 2 hours before bed for about a year and it made no difference, barely ever have caffeine, no stresses causing it and it is a physical problem not a mental one, and I spend a normal amount of time online, completely eliminating screens/the internet isn't at all possible in 2024 as I have to study on my laptop for about 8 hours a day when I'm at uni
Original post by Anonymous
Get up at 7-8 each day, I would usually watch tv before bed but I have tried the no screens for 2 hours before bed for about a year and it made no difference, barely ever have caffeine, no stresses causing it and it is a physical problem not a mental one, and I spend a normal amount of time online, completely eliminating screens/the internet isn't at all possible in 2024 as I have to study on my laptop for about 8 hours a day when I'm at uni
Then get back to your doctor and emphasis that you feel it is physical. Ask for a referral to a specialist. Explain how much it disrupts your life.
But don't rule out that there is a psychological/behavioural aspect to your insomnia. Keep hammering away at the sleep hygiene techniques. It took me a couple of years to completely fix my sleep pattern.
It's usually a case of going back and explaining what you've tried, what you do on an ongoing basis, and what you're still suffering with and what impact it's having.
Sleeping pills probably aren't going to work here, as there's more than likely something underlying going on, so when you come off them you'll be back to square one.
Sleeping pills probably aren't going to work here, as there's more than likely something underlying going on, so when you come off them you'll be back to square one.
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