Too reliant upon sleeping meds.

[Youngblood]

My dad is reliant upon sleeping meds too. Not sure what type of meds you got, but his are brownish and come in glass containers and he calls them...beer.

I suppose it is common. Good luck getting off whatever ones you got going miles.

[Dizaster]

I'm a little worried about the same thing too... A few months back my doctor prescribed me these tablets that really help you sleep. He prescribed 10 as a short term thing while I was having trouble sleeping for a few days, but the actual pharmacy somehow messed up my script and gave me a box of 100. Needless to say I've been taking them every night since for months now (only need to take a half and i'm out), and it's coming up to the end of the box. I've tried sleeping without them, but my mind and body just completely buzzes all night..
They are supposed to be non addictive, and in the respect of usual addictive sleep meds, they don't make you feel totally horrible when don't take them, you just don't sleep...
And considering how addictive sleep is in general, it's going to be painful laying there all night awake with work the next day etc.

Anyway good luck Miles... It's a hard one because for something like this, a really good doctor could help you - If you were honest and upfront with them, they could work out a plan to get you off them... The problem is most doctors have their heads up their moral asses though, and if you mention you even "think" you have a sleeping med problem, they'll close up like a clam and probably not want to prescribe you anything... Some might say "just have a warm drink before bed and read a book" (i've heard this one many a time)... So then you're like "fuck this guy" and don't go back to him, and he probably thinks this hardcore pill addict got of his meds by taking a warm drink and reading a book...

So if you can find a really helpful doctor then that will make things easier, but it's difficult to find any doctors that have actual decent knowledge in such area's and have the brains to figure out a treatment that suits YOU and not just them...

[boozeboxer]

Miles the pills are cheap and easy to swallow. I don't see the problem. My side hurts if I take them and drink alot though.

[CFH]

It sounds really fucking hippie-dippyish, but meditation really helps me. I still have trouble sleeping sometimes, but meditation has helped a fair bit.

[LEGION]

Did I mention I sleep like a baby?

Actually, if I didn't have my giant air boat sized fan on and/or music, I wouldn't get a wink of sleep. Total quiet when I'm trying to sleep drives me mad. Also, it has to be freezing cold or I can't sleep. I'm actually surprised Kathy can deal with me.

[CFH]

Did I mention I sleep like a baby?

Actually, if I didn't have my giant air boat sized fan on and/or music, I wouldn't get a wink of sleep. Total quiet when I'm trying to sleep drives me mad. Also, it has to be freezing cold or I can't sleep. I'm actually surprised Kathy can deal with me.

I sleep ok as long as I don't think/worry about it, but my problem is that I almost always think/worry about it.

[LEGION]

Also, getting a blow job every night helps me sleep easy; and I get a sense of relaxation knowing I mass murdered all my little children that could have been.

[Gandalf]

I'm a little worried about the same thing too... A few months back my doctor prescribed me these tablets that really help you sleep. He prescribed 10 as a short term thing while I was having trouble sleeping for a few days, but the actual pharmacy somehow messed up my script and gave me a box of 100. Needless to say I've been taking them every night since for months now (only need to take a half and i'm out), and it's coming up to the end of the box. I've tried sleeping without them, but my mind and body just completely buzzes all night..
They are supposed to be non addictive, and in the respect of usual addictive sleep meds, they don't make you feel totally horrible when don't take them, you just don't sleep...
And considering how addictive sleep is in general, it's going to be painful laying there all night awake with work the next day etc.

Anyway good luck Miles... It's a hard one because for something like this, a really good doctor could help you - If you were honest and upfront with them, they could work out a plan to get you off them... The problem is most doctors have their heads up their moral asses though, and if you mention you even "think" you have a sleeping med problem, they'll close up like a clam and probably not want to prescribe you anything... Some might say "just have a warm drink before bed and read a book" (i've heard this one many a time)... So then you're like "fuck this guy" and don't go back to him, and he probably thinks this hardcore pill addict got of his meds by taking a warm drink and reading a book...

So if you can find a really helpful doctor then that will make things easier, but it's difficult to find any doctors that have actual decent knowledge in such area's and have the brains to figure out a treatment that suits YOU and not just them...

Good post.

Its my own silly fault. I shouldnt have let it get this far.

Im not teaching too many hours these days but my times of finishing are ridiculous. Yet, it was me that signed up to do the gig! I have mentioned elsewhere that I am possibly insane. Its the Monday that really kills me. I get home at 11pm and of course Im hungry for a meal and Im in no way ready for bed. So as soon as I get home I have anxiety because I know I need to wind down and I know I dont have that much time to do it. Last night was my usual thing. I had a long stretch teaching. Got home late, had a bite to eat and it was almost midnight already. And I have to be up in the morning to do classes at the second school. So I took a pill and I managed to be out by 1:30am. Of course, I woke up tired and feeling like a sledgehammer had hit me. My morning classes are over and I have the day free. And tomorrow free too. But I need to write a bloody essay and the clock is ticking already. I feel pressure on me to sleep at a decent time tonight because I know I need to get a lot of writing done tomorrow.

Its still hot at nights here too. The blast of summer is over but its still over 20'c at night. It doesnt sound hot but its hotter than it ever was at nights back home. Im a little bit like Legion in that I really like it to be chilly so I can wrap up well.

Its a double edged sword. Take the pills so I can effectively manage my sleep and get on with the work schedule and essay writing or else try and stop taking them and have additional stress at a difficult time when I already have a lot on my plate.

Its crap for the time being. For this month the essay and work combined are keeping me too busy to try and make any changes. Boozeboxer makes the point that the pills are cheap and do the job. You are able to keep functioning. Which is true. But at the same time I dont want to be dependant upon a silly pill to control my life.

My schedule is not normal and its the loony in me that makes me study at my age. Its ultimately the schedule that will have to go. I can manage my study fine, but I cannot manage finishing work so late in the evenings. I cannot fix myself with that nonsense so that will have to go. I will see out my contract because I want my end of year bonus. But thereafter, Im under no obligation to work and I think I will take some time out.

I used to work like a madman and eventually decided to cut down the amount of teaching I did. For some reason I decided it would then be good to do my MA and so ultimately I havent cut down at all. I teach less but also have the burden of needing to be at the books a lot. This situation has ultimately made me realise that I need to make a few changes.

Thanks for all the advice guys, its been much appreciated. Now its time to hit the bloody books and write a 4000 word essay.