Question
I started having sleep problems about 6 weeks ago. I started taking xanax, to help with anxiety feeling i was having. The medication didn't seem to work so i started take benzo sleep aids also with no results, they made it worse. Now i am off the medications for the last 12 days, but still only get around 1 hour of sleep. What can i do that is non-drug based? I checked my blood work which is normal. I've tried all the relaxation tech, melatonin, nutritional suppliments, ca-mg.I get anxious even thinking about trying to sleep because i just lay there. Any suggestions to what to do?
Answer
Unfortunately these sleeping aids when you stop them you get rebound which means insomnia,nervousness,agitation.In some people it can last up to l2 weeks,however with each week you will notice you will be able to sleep more.If you took anything it would just make matters worse.Its sort of like cold turkey,however if you have anxiety and heart racing so severe,you can go to the emergency room where they will give you a shot of ativan or you can ask your physician to prescribe some, this countereacts the rebound side effects and can help you through it,but you also cant take it everyday.The old fashioned glass of warm milk is true,it contains tryptophan which induces sleep,in the meantime avoid as much caffeine as possible,chocolate,coke,or pepsi as this only enhances the withdrawal,however you are just about at your peak be it l2 days and should start seeing it fade .You are believe it or not over the worst,though it may not seem like it,the only advice if it does not get severe where you would need the ativan would be to simply hang in there.I have narcolepsy over 30 years,and thru my life can not keep track of all the withdrawals I had to be put thru.It is truly no picnic and many cant seem to understand.Also believe it or not extra strenth tylenol many times has a soothing effect, you can try taking 2.only tylenol.some say it reduces the anxiety effect,I know it helped me.Feel free to email again and good luck,hang in there,you are almost at the end of it.Karel
