Why you just can't seem to get off the sleeping pills or supplements when you have insomnia
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- If you want to stop taking sleeping pills or supplements, it's important to talk to your doctor and come up with an appropriate plan because taking a pill or supplement contingently will make it very hard for you to reach your goal.
First of all, it's important to mention that the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)) is effective regardless of whether you are taking sleeping pills or not. So, you shouldn't feel pressured into quitting a medication or supplement before you start implementing CBT-I techniques.
Related video:
Does cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) work if you are taking sleeping pills? • Does cognitive behavio...
It can be so difficult to regain sleep confidence and get off the pills and supplements when you start taking them contingently - because, when you do this, you continue to reinforce the mistaken belief that you can't sleep without them.
The problem with supplements for chronic insomnia (and why they aren't a long-term solution) • The problem with suppl...
Picture this scenario - you have a good night of sleep so you decide that tonight you will not take a pill or supplement. You then start to struggle with sleep and have a bad night. The next night, you decide that you don't want to go through that again so you take a pill or supplement and you sleep.
Now you probably think you slept because of the pill or supplement when, in fact, you slept because of the sleep drive you accumulated over the previous night of poor sleep.
Sleep drive builds with every minute of wakefulness. The longer you are awake, the more likely you are to sleep. So, after a good night, sleep drive will be a bit lower - and this allows sleep-related worry and anxiety to make sleep a bit more difficult. After a hard night, sleep drive is much higher - and this can override any sleep-related worry and anxiety and generate sleep.
Related video:
Even if you have chronic insomnia, sleep drive always wins - you can sleep and you will sleep! • Even if you have chron...
Unfortunately, when you take a pill or supplement during (or after) a hard night, the sleep you get (thanks to your own natural biological sleep drive) is easily associated with the pill or supplement. In other words, you miss the opportunity to recognize that you can sleep without a pill or supplement.
This makes progress difficult.
So, if your goal is to get off the sleeping pills or supplements, talk to your doctor about a tapering-off plan or an elimination plan and stick to it. If tonight is a pill night, keep it a pill night. If tonight isn't a pill night, keep it that way!
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My name is Martin Reed and I am the founder of Insomnia Coach®. I offer sleep coaching services that give people with insomnia all the skills and support they need to enjoy better sleep for the rest of their lives. I also offer a free two-week sleep training course for people with insomnia at insomniacoach....
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All content found on the Insomnia Coach RUclips channel is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
For me I had bad insomnia for over a year. But it was due to anxiety. Anxiety starting getting bad, especially when it affected my sleep. Only slept 3 hours a night. Then couldn't sleep. Night time would come around and anxiety would increase turning into performance anxiety. So fear of not sleeping took over and made my anxiety worse. Once I finally realized to not fear but fear itself. And just know that my body would eventually get the rest it needs. Try not to stress. Any anxiety feelings and thoughts. To not pay attention and live life. My anxiety started healing. And so did my sleep. Year and a few months later. Anxiety almost gone. I sleep anywhere from 4 to 6 hrs. But that's all I need. I know. Pretty soon I'll be sleeping like a baby. Have no fear.
I can’t sleep without my sleeping pills pills if I don’t take my pills I never can’t fall asleep I don’t know what to do I’m really scared
@@emad7540 that's the thing. Your scared of not being able to sleep. I had nights where I couldn't sleep. And that's ok. Because I knew that following night I would be tired that I would have to fall asleep. Not gonna lie. I used Benadryl. Better alternative than sleeping pills. It's just changing your way of thinking and stop being fearful of not sleeping. It's a mind game.
Jorge Beltran i googled benadryl it has a lot of side effects
@@emad7540 better option than taking ambien Lunesta or benzos. It's only temporary. As long as you change your way of thinking and stop being fearful.
Jorge Beltran I didn’t use any other meds? You only used benadryl?
I wish everyone with insomnia knew this info. Even some sleep physicians aren't this good! I know from experience! The first sleep DR I went to told me if I spent no more than eight hours in bed my sleep would improve. Didn't speak to me at all about SR, which for me has been the most difficult yet most important part of my healing. As expected, I didn't improve until I learned about sleep restriction via another sleep DR. I do now believe that most insomniacs can be healed with SR/CBTi. Thank you!!!
Being told not to spend more than eight hours in bed sounds like it might be reasonable advice in some circumstances (a bit of a half-hearted attempt to explain the concept of sleep restriction/sleep compression) but I suspect it's not going to be as helpful as simply allotting an appropriate amount of time for sleep based on your average nightly sleep duration!
Thank you for your kind words and for your contribution to the channel. I really appreciate your comments and feedback.
The worst part is the anxiety and panicked and fatigue and high blood pressure and pulse and more and more!
All of that stuff is very difficult, Ann! And, since it doesn't feel good we often try to fight or avoid it - and that can sometimes make it even more difficult.
How is your blood pressure during anxiety? And body aches?
No I can't sleep without meds tried it for days lay there tossing and turning all night
This was very helpful. I’m not ready yet but am making good progress overall with your program. Eventually when I’ve extended my sleep time and have a bit more confidence I will try going off the 3 medications / supplements I’m on 😮! I’m learning this all takes patience and thankfully I’m sleeping much better than a few months ago. This video gave me some more info and helps me have realistic expectations. Thanks!!!!
I love it - it sounds as though you're on a workable path forward!
Been on Seroquel(Quetiapine) for 8 years now. I tried to gett off and found myself sleepless for at least 6 days at the door of ER. So, for me, if I do not take them I cannot sleep until I take them, so the sleep circle you were talking about doesn't work for me. What should I do in that situation? I am only 24 years old, too young for that and I've no idea what to do. Could you please help?
I'd suggest talking to your doctor about the best way to get off the Seroquel if that's one of your goals.
I have the same condition, taking quetiapine for around 5 yrs, tried several times to quit but to no avail. Just hoping someone there could help. God bless
Hi how are you doing now?
How are you now ?
I have the same issue
Please talk about detox symptoms that might arise when getting off sleeping pills. As I triturate down I’m feeling like I got poisoned. I’m not talking about sleep deprivation here. I’m talking about headache and horrible belly ache as well as hurting everywhere.
Unfortunately that's not my area of expertise and would best be discussed with a doctor. Sorry to hear about how difficult things are for you right now - I hope things improve soon.
It would be interesting to see the results if one could get a placebo pill that exactly matches the sleeping pill and mix them with a covert record of what you really took
Hi martin m a patient of chronic insomnia and major depressive disorder from oast 13 years and m on anti depressants and sedaties from past 12 years ....the problem is getting worse and medication gas stoppwd their efficatcy one me ciz m a addicted to rhem badly...i used to take lotr of anti depressant sedaties anti anxiety and many more and increase my doses than the prescribed dose coz prescribed dode isnt affecting me...now increased dise isnt affecting me at all and m unable to do anything in my life....pls do help me coz suffering from serious chronic psin and heafaches and cant skeep at nights ..
My wright is continuously deacreading and i have a deaf pale color i hope you'll help me in this critical siruation waiting for ur answer asap...
Sorry my key pad sucks hope you'll undersatand the nag coz i cant write properly coz my hands are shivering...due to weakness and insomnia...and severe medication
Things sound really difficult for you right now, Faiza. So, first and foremost, I think it can be really helpful to make sure you are kind to yourself. If and when you feel ready to do so, it might be worth seeing if you can start to do some things that are important to you and that might help start to move you toward the kind of life you want to live - even in the presence of pain, struggle, and difficulty. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Is there a chance to get of Zolpidem while still having to take Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism?
Martin, what if the situation is you are dealing with withdrawal symptom insomnia from sleeping pill? Can you still do CBT i with that case?
Since sleeping pills don't tackle the sleep-related thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate sleep disruption, but CBT-I techniques do, you will likely find CBT-I helpful whether you are taking sleeping pills or not!
Just tried 2 nights in a row off Eszopiclone. I've been taking it for over a month. No sleep. 2nd night attempt resulted in very choppy, broken light stage sleep with countless awakenings. I expected it would be difficult, but I fear getting off pills is going to be a big problem for me. Glad to hear others have had success.
The first few nights are usually the most difficult. How are you doing since you posted?
@@InsomniaCoach I hope you are right! My sleep has gotten slightly better, but the acceptance has really improved mood tremendously. I don't fear a sleepless night as much anymore, and it helps to alleviate pressure at night.
However, I still struggle to obtain decent sleep when I taper down to a lower dose of my sleep medication. I will try to stay consistent with the tapering, and I need to get better about restricting time spent laying in bed.
@@wtDrake Totally normal to experience some temporary disruption every time you change that dose - it's a symptom of your brain doing its job of looking out for you; monitoring and evaluating for the effect of the change.
@@InsomniaCoach Thank you, Martin. I'll be sure to remember your key point that the disruption is temporary. I know many of your clients have succeeded weaning off pills, I should be able to as well.
@@wtDrake You're welcome!
Thank you. I decided to leave zolpidem (ambien) after 6 months and am eliminating 1mg every 2 or 3 days. I‘m just ok with the fact I‘ll have insomnia or barely sleep for quite sometime, but my body will eventually surrender.
Nothing can defeat sleep drive - sleep drive always wins! So, you can sleep without medication and you will sleep without medication! You've got this!
Hello Luana. I have almost literally the same situation you have I've been on it for 7 months. I'm actually going to start the detoxing cold turkey on tommorow when I have the weekend so 72 hours to try to get off before the work week. I would love to hear an update and any advice you have.
A. P. Hi A.P.
I have swapped zolpidem for quetiapine/seroquel and it has worked well, since I have Bipolar. I‘ll try to get rid of seroquel once I‘m on vacation. But already this is better than zolpidem.
@@luavasconcelos1637 are they both habit forming?
@@a.p.2018 Well, it's an antipsychotic. I do think it has some habit forming, like all psychodrugs.
Hi, do you think FFI or SFI is the disease that cannot fall sleep? Like lost completely the ability to fall sleep naturally?
Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is not chronic insomnia and is thought to be more of a neurological issue rather than a sleep disorder (it's characterized by a complete inability to sleep whereas people with chronic insomnia still sleep, but don't get as much as they feel they'd like or need). So little is known about FFI because it’s so statistically insignificant it virtually doesn’t exist - so I hope this might be one less thing for you to worry about.
@@InsomniaCoach it seem like I lost completely ability to sleep..I can stay awake for long time without sleep. Am worry. What u think?
@@teresahoang6593 Everyone with insomnia can stay awake for a long time without sleep, but they always get some sleep in the end, just as you do! The genetic mutation that causes FFI is thought to exist in just 50 families in the entire world and is not connected to insomnia in any way other than the confusing use of the word "insomnia" in the name. You are probably more likely to be struck by lightning 13 times and to win the lottery jackpot 10 times - all in the same day - than to have a condition that might not even actually exist.
Im taking Bondormin for 2 months for my insomia,its so addicting,i tried my best to stop it but my insomia gets worst.I dont know what to do,everynight im scared going to bed.Not getting sleep is one of the hardest.
If you're looking for a new approach, you might want to give my free sleep training course a try: insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/
same here I've to take slp aid to sleep..its really terrible lying on bed for hours but doesn't sleep at all..
I can get up to 2 day with no sleep with no sleeping pills should I see how long it gets to. I rarely yawn and no drive to sleep as a result I do not sleep at all.
When we've been awake for long enough, sleep will always happen! In terms of losing that sense of sleepiness, you might find these videos helpful:
How to improve sleep when you don't feel sleepy and don't know how to get sleepy - ruclips.net/video/TaFD4ivgLKw/видео.html
What to do when you feel sleepy early in the evening but don't feel sleepy when it's time for bed - ruclips.net/video/_o-y80hs16c/видео.html
I am scared that long term ambien has changed my brain and it will never sleep. Like I have ptsd around this.
It doesn't matter how long you have been taking Ambien - you can never lose your natural ability to sleep, Lana!
Hi lana- are you off ambien already?
@@InsomniaCoachthank you for saying that.
Hi I have a question....as I am suffering from insomnia since a month...I am trying to do these CBT I Techniques as well...but I have to travel back home in a couple of weeks. It will be a 12 hours of time difference..what do you think will it help me or will it make it more worse?
It is normal and to be expected that your sleep will be disrupted when you travel. I don't think that you need to delay implementation just because you will be traveling in a couple of weeks. You might find this video helpful: ruclips.net/video/kt3ttytl7wQ/видео.html
My doc put me on Alprazolam for my anxiety-induced insomnia and told me to do sleep restriction therapy and go to a psychologist to address my anxiety at the same time. Will the sleeping pills interfere with the sleep restriction therapy?
Sleeping pills only interfere with CBT-I if you take them contingently - more on that here: ruclips.net/video/pnOZ8BrYeno/видео.html
I hope this helps!
How do i get of zolpidem and alxam please help with advice thank u
That would be a question for your doctor, Jacques.
Hi jacque were you able to get off zolpidem?
So I have been getting 3 hours of sleep it’s day one no pills is this really what needs to happen?
The early days are often the most difficult. How have you been getting on since you posted?
I’ve sleuthed the internet and literally NO ONE offers a solution on line to Ambien addiction without recommending their “program”. If there was a real solution it would be advertised publicly.
I suspect there might be some legal concerns here - and I would be wary about enrolling in any program that claims to treat or cure any form of addiction, unless it is offered by a licensed healthcare provider. Have you discussed your concerns about Ambien addiction with your prescribing physician?
Heather Ashton Protocol - goole, it is for free and is legit
@@InsomniaCoachwith all due resoect, it is licensed healthcare providers that get people in this mess.
That makes alott of sense Man thanks for all you do for me an everyone else God bless 🙏❤️ i have been struggling with sleep for a long time. Ive been on Seroquel for years an ive been trying for months to get off it
You're welcome! Glad the video was helpful!
My problem is I also have mild epilepsy but insomnia causes me to have myoclonic seizures. I have to take ambien and want to get off but afraid to have seizures. I have literally tried everything else. I have also not slept for days and my anxiety got worse and I couldn’t sleep either worse.
I would suggest working with a behavioral sleep medicine specialist to help improve your sleep, due to the presence of epilepsy and your history of myoclonic seizures.
I have and no one has really helped.
Why do you want to get off ambien?
i have chronic insomnia since late april of this year, due to depression and stress. i have tried to sleep without medication and it always worked but since days i cannot make my mind shut off and i won’t sleep :( i take pills now since 2 nights.. its all stress and psychological problems, nothing wrong with my body. please anyone, i need help
What do you think you might be able to do to reduce stress and take your mind away from thinking and worrying about sleep?
I guess if this doesn't work, just like with me, I presume its becoz of an underlying/undiagnosed medical condition
If what doesn't work, Joy?
I have this issue with zopiclone its affecting my memory and struggle to think of anything. Iv tried vqrioys other sleep aids in stead of zopi and my body will be feeling them but only zopi actually switches my brain off so i whn i try not to have zopi i end up taking the zopi on top which makes it difficult to wake up. I cant risk not taking zopi as i have to drive kids to nursery/school and mrs to work wkend. Theres jus seems no end. The question is can we live full lives with zopi
From your comment, it almost sounds like zopiclone is creating all the symptoms you are trying to avoid by taking it (unrefreshing sleep, daytime fatigue, etc). I wonder if a more effective long-term treatment for your chronic insomnia (such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia - CBT-I) might be worth discussing with your doctor?
Brilliant
Thank you!
Yh il tell my brain that every night when I’m still awake at 7 In the morning while taking 4 Zopiclone’s a night which no longer works as well insomnia is bad right now I’m stuck in this rut so just saying this stuff isn’t helpful
It sounds as though you aren't finding the sleeping pills helpful, Leon - so I wonder if a different approach might be worth considering, or discussing with your doctor?
I don't want to stop my sleeping pills. But if my doctor just wants to cut the dose in half, what do I do? 😭 Not sleeping well 😭
wt kinda meds did u take?
Did you share your concerns with your doctor? You might find my free two-week sleep training course helpful: insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/
Rubbish, it's not that easy
It's definitely not easy, Craig!