(no subject)

[remindmeofthe]

So I tried going off the Ambien last night; as I expected, I didn't sleep.



There was a difference, though, between this night and the other nights - I wasn't stressing out. I am pretty much at the point where I have accepted that this is how my life is going to be for a while, so I wasn't wound up about it like I have been before. And I still couldn't sleep. Every time I got close to falling asleep, I just resurfaced. It was an actual physical sensation; the whole experience together reminded me of bubbles in a glass of soda. This problem has been cropping up all along, I think, or at least after the first week or two. It happened last weekend at least once; toward morning I got relaxed and drowsy and still couldn't sleep. Benadryl stopped working, if it ever had more than a placebo effect in the first place, because I couldn't get my brain to join in on the sleepiness.

Clearly my problem is no longer a matter of just calming myself down. I'm going back on the Ambien tonight, without too much compunction, because if I need the help, I need the help. I have a follow-up appointment at the student health center with Ann on Monday (Ann being the nurse practitioner I've been seeing; as it looks now as though she's going to be a part of my life for a while yet, I may as well give her a name), so I can talk to her about it then.

My major problem right this second is that it is now nine AM and I have an entire day to get through before I can Ambien up and go back to bed. At least it's a day with Doctor Who in it.

Also: could I use a few more semi-colons in this post?

Comments

[xenutia1.livejournal.com]

If you need the help from meds, you need it: I once heard it compared to a diabetic who needs insulin, nothing to be ashamed of, simply correcting imbalances in your system. I'm sure the nurse will be able to give you some tips to try and trick yourself into sleep, but I've often found it's good to stop trying for a bit if you can't sleep after an hour or so. Sit and read for a bit or something (something not too exciting!), and then try again when you feel so tired you can't see anymore. It's better than lying there getting more and more distressed, at least. :(

**HUGS**

[vivien]

Hey, you've only been on Ambien a very short while in the grand scheme of things. You're taking it under advisement of a medical professional (who I am certain sees a lot of cases like yours being at a university health center), and you're taking it in the correct manner.

Right now, you're sick. You're going to get better. It's just taking a little longer than we hoped it might. *hugs you lots and lots*

[owllover711.livejournal.com]

I second all the advice about not worrying about the Ambien being habit-forming at this point. It's too early to have that happen.

And I hear you about that description of resurfacing from sleepiness; that's exactly what happens to me when I can't sleep. (Of course in my case it's not usually chronic.)