Reply #16: I have to take sleep meds

[Modem Butterfly]

I have a long-term problem with sleep. I suffer from insomnia and when I do sleep, I wake up feeling like I've been hit by a truck. I don't get much restful Stage 2 sleep, so I take 50 mgs of Trazedone at bedtime. I get the best sleep of my life every night, I wake up feeling rested and relaxed. My concentration and health has improved, and my mental outlook is much brighter. If I forget to renew my 'scrip or take a nap, I feel like shit. Trazedone has changed my life.

But you know what? When people find out I take "sleeping pills", they say stupid crap like, "Did you try changing your diet? How about warm milk? You know a hot bath and a shot of liquor helps me every time I can't sleep," or worse, "Aren't you afraid of becoming addicted or overdosing? I'd rather not sleep than end up like that,"

I have had problems sleeping for most of my life. I figured it was "natural" and I didn't need anything but more sleep, more warm milk, more hot baths, more booze. I never bothered to mention it to a doctor because I figured I was doing something wrong, and I didn't want to end up addicted or OD. I lived like his for 20 years until I was diagnosed with lupus and the Rheumy just happened to ask if I had trouble sleeping. Now I actually enjoy going to bed at night. I am kicking myself for years spent waking up feeling worse than the night before.