A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Insomnia
Forum29 Posting


Archived Insomnia Forum29 viewing only. To post go to the Insomnia Forum Homepage


New doctor how to get help?

Posted by acrufox on June 07, 2006 at 23:34:39:

I recently decided to continue my studies south of the border (Canada) and I decided to throw caution to the wind and discontinue my 1MG Ativan before bedtime. Which I ultimately discovered...BAD IDEA. Now every night I'm lucky to get 4-5 hours of sleep a night and cannot concentrate the next day on the tasks at hand. I had 4+ refills on my ativan (generic) only to find out not only it was 1) a controlled substance 2) my prescription was nonstransferrable.

That being said I was told I needed a local doctor to write up a prescription to get it filled. So I went on the quest to locate a local doctor, unfortunately my appointment was over three weeks later and I've been hobbling along since then.

That being said what exactly should I tell my new doctor? I've been on Ativan consistantly for several years now and have noticed before my prescription ran out that it took about 1.5mg to sleep.

As much as I would like to try the natural alternatives I find they do absolutely nothing to help me. I've used earplugs, limiting the light in the room, not eating or having caffinated beverages hours before bed, getting exercise in the early evening. Bed is for sleep only no TV etc, relax and read or take a bath. I've even tried the non prescription sleep aids that do nothing short of dry me out.

Ever since I was a kid I was the nervous type. I've tried behavioral therapy, I've tried sessions with a psychologist, I've even ended up at the hospital after no sleep for days on end. I've had endless tests done on me that always come back negative for physical issues.

I've come to the acceptance that at this juncture of my life I cannot function without a benzo or some sort of a crutch. Yes I'm only 28 but I am sick and tired of doctors prescribing me anti-depressants. I've been on Paxil, Effexor and Trazedone (the permanent erection thing scared the hell out of me, I'm a guy and I like that aspect of my life, having an possible operation that renders that part of my body useless is not an option.)

So everything that's been said, how can I help my new doctor understand my situation? No I do not want to be on Ambien or Lunesta the rest of my life but I do need him to understand my position, yes it's chronic, yes I understand the habit forming, I am currently on no meds and am not functioning anyways and it's been this way for weeks now. Once I'm asleep I can get 6-7 hours easy, getting to sleep is another story. I'm fed up of conversing with people who ask me to repeat what I just said because what I said doesn't make any sence.

How do I help my new doctor understand my situation without him sending me through another round of sleep tests, sleep diaries, sleep apnea tests as well as another round of doctors who will prescribe me things like Effexor that resulted in me staring out the window and I felt the reflection was looking at me saying "this isn't who I am". I understand the risks, I understand the tolerance, I understand the dependance.

Follow Ups:


Archived Insomnia Forum29 viewing only. To post go to the Insomnia Forum Homepage

  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2006 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved