[trailrunner85]

I posted about two months ago how my issues are fixed except for my multi night per week use of Unisom. I hear people say it stopped working for them– for me, that isn’t the case. I actually believe its more mental than anything but it definitely mellows the arousal. I don’t know what to do at this point other than face this head on and throw them away.

I don’t think about sleep, I don’t google it, I no longer get upset when I struggle falling asleep, I just roll over, take a half or whole Unisom and like clockwork, within an hour I’m asleep. This has been my routine for six months now and I always feel shameful in the morning.

I previously did have the all nighters, the panic, the constant worry and researching. Its all gone and I don’t want it back.

Anyone been in my place and have success they can share?

[Bronte]

What I found worked was to allow myself to take something every other night. So if you can’t sleep you can reassure yourself that it doesn’t matter as tomorrow you know you will sleep and can make it up. Sometimes I would find that I was so accepting of this situation that I would actually sleep without taking anything.
If I found I had one good night then one bad night then I would push myself to a 2 night gap before I could take anything. This would false me to be more accepting of the bad nights.
Once you start having nights without taking the medication and you sleep, this gives you confidence to know you don’t need it.
Hope that makes sense. It’s worth a try and a good weaning method. Good luck.

[trailrunner85]

Thanks for that! I would say I use it 2-4 times per week now. I have even gone a full week without. I know I can sleep its just certain nights I wont shut off my brain– not even about sleeping, just anything.

My wife suggested something like this but only taking it on the third night. I want so bad to be done with them.

[Bronte]

You don’t need them! Just stop them. I went cold turkey with my meds (antihistamines) as they were causing diarrhoea so I had to stop them but you’ve proved you can sleep without yours.
You may get good and bad nights but try to accept what happens as you are much better off without meds.
I get plenty of nights like you described where you just feel anxious and hyper alert. I believe with patience and self compassion things will gradually get better now you accept that you can’t control your sleep. Sounds to me like you are 90% there 👍

[trailrunner85]

Thank you for taking the time to chat. I helps more than you know to hear that.

[sleep]

I use to take benadryl or tylenol pm and then I needed more and more and this scared me. I just went cold turkey and gave it up. Last night I woke up a few times and was tempted to take a benadryl but I said No, I have come too far. It feels good to not take that stuff! You can do it. I was terrified of not taking some kind of pill but we really dont need it. I got bee stung a while back and I was afraid to take a benadryl but I did, it was not for sleep. Also had a tummy ache and took an ibuprofen. I dont like to take anything now that I am off pills. I am lucky I dont have to take any meds and I am 72 years old.

[Bronte]

Yes I agree with you, Sleep. I think the sense of freedom when you stop taking meds is great! They nearly always cause some other side effect and don’t do you any good.
I think this insomnia takes a long time to work its way out. It doesn’t just disappear for most people. When you listen to Martin’s podcasts they were all saying that they just accepted that bad nights still happen. I believe the main thing is to reduce fear around sleep by constantly reminding yourself that you can’t control it, or manipulate it, it will happen naturally like breathing. Remove the focus on it and don’t analyse or measure it.
I’m still not sleeping that well but I’ve had this condition for decades. I’m just not letting it get to me and I’m getting on with my life. I try to give myself time to journal and meditate if I feel stressed and generally work on calming my nervous system to help to reduce fear around sleep.

[trailrunner85]

I didnt need one last night and today marks the start of a new month… going to give it go. Perhaps implement some sleep restriction with it as I could be yo-yoing and killing off my sleep drive on those difficult nights.

[Bronte]

Yay 🙌 sounds good. You’ll be fine.
I always find its good to get up early at the same time every day (I get up at 6am) and go to bed whenever you feel very sleepy after 10pm. That usually sets the sleep drive for me.

Good luck and keep going forwards. Be patient!

[Author]

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