Posted by F43 on June 26, 2008 at 16:31:37:In Reply to: Re: Kava? posted by Cairo on June 25, 2008 at 18:20:11:
I feel strongly enough about this issue to post again, as I suspect my earlier post on pharmaceutical meds was overlooked in what's turning out to be a long and interesting thread.
(http://www.sleepnet.com/insomnia34/messages/933.html)There is a strong anti-med sentiment on this site. So be it. One of the wonderful things about this site is that there is such a diversity of opinion and experience, all of it freely expressed. One is free to take or leave suggestions and comments as one wishes.
But count me among the few voices here that objects to people making generalizations about using pharmaceutical medications as bad, and to passing judgments against those who use them.
The take-home message from this forum is that there is no single path to recovering from insomnia. Everyone must find their own way. In my recovery, Zopiclone has played a hugely supporting role. I'm grateful that I found an understanding physician who prescribed it, and an incredibly knowledgeable and supportive psychiatrist who encouraged me to take it as long and as often as I needed to. And told me I would know when to stop. (I did.) I'm also grateful that I managed to set aside my own fears about short- and long-term side effects and consequences (will I become dependent? will I lose my memory? will I destroy my sleep architecture? am I going to develop cancer?) to take it, as often as needed. I share with most people an abhorrence of taking meds for any condition. Yet I've learned through experience with a number chronic conditions that pharmaceutical medications (and for other conditions, surgery) have sometimes been the very best treatment for me, producing the least side effects and consequences, and keeping me healthy.
Every single one of us has to weigh so many pros and cons, and wrestle with so many anxieties, in choosing a course of treatment or action (or non-action) for our conditions, whether they be insomnia, or anything else. Every person on this site deserves to be supported for making what they feel are the best choices for themselves, at any given time.
Janet