Need a little help on this subject.

heather2411

Need a little help on this subject.
Here is a little back ground for you to better understand me and my situation.
My mom died almost 6 years ago in November.
My son died a year ago on my chest.

I have had nightmares since I was in 3rd grade up about my mother dieing. Then after she died the nightmares started to go away until they were completely gone. Well a year ago I watched my son die on my chest and all I wanted to do is save him but he was to little. I started having nightmares again but this time they were worse then before. They are so bad I will not say on this form what they are about all I can say is it is horrible and about my son.

My doctor put me on a sleeping pill because I can go 2 weeks without any sleep. I am restless through these days then I will pass out and have another nightmare this has been going on since my son died a year ago. Everyone's body needs sleep and mine by far was lacking sleep.

With this sleeping pill it has its good side affects and bad side affects
Good Side Affects
1) It puts me right to sleep
2) No more nightmares

Bad side affects
1) MAKES YOU HUNGRY (even after I eat I want more my body tells me I am starving) I have even gained 5 lbs since I started taking it 2 weeks ago.

QUESTION
Do I continue to take this pill or talk to my doctor about getting on a new pill?

Concerns
I have heard there are a lot of different sleeping pills out there but I have heard horrible things about them.

ImCommited4Life

I am not a Dr by any means, but i personally think if the pills you are on right now let you sleep And take away the nightmares, you should stay on them for a while at least. you have been thru a lot emotionally, and you need time to heal. good luck to you hun... im so sorry for what you have been thru

ellenasl210

If you want to change a pill don't be afraid to tell your doctor your problem and he should be more than happy to work with you and find the pill that works well for you(: (coming from a girl who takes lotsa pills haha)

Also, no sleeping pill is good, it messes with the sleep cycle and REM sleep, however some people do need it, like yourself. If you trust your doctor, you'll trust him not to give you a pill that would do you any real harm(:

jerbear1962

I have to agree with sticking to the pill, talk to your doctor about being hungry. Try to eat more roughage and foods that fill with less. Maybe more veggies...good luck.

samlankford

I would stay on the sleeping pills, it maybe a side effect that will subside with time (the hunger issue) But I would speak to your dr about it as well just to be safe... I have some times where I won't sleep for days/week at a time.. My neuro gave me a sleeping pill that is for severe insomnia... even that sometimes won't work... MS can be a PIA sometimes...

kimberliiw

Sleeping pills should just be a short term bandaid. You've been through a traumatic experience and need help getting through it. Was this a GP that gave you the prescription? I really think you need to go to a therapist of some sort. I lost a baby several years ago and went through three months of severe depression and was to the point of knowing I needed help when I started coming out of it on my own. Please seek some support. The sleeping pills will get you some sleep but they're not going to help the underlying problem. My thoughts are with you.

Smokey19

I am so sorry to hear about all that you have been through emotionally. I've been so emotionally upset that I didn't sleep for 3 wks. and that's not good. My doctor put me on meds to help me sleep and stop the nightmares after my husband died. I did gain a little wt. but my body just had to have the sleep to get me back on track. I have been in counseling for about 4 yrs. and have learned so much through personal and group therapy. Journaling does help get it all out of your head. Also, going to your safe spot (mine is fishing at a beautiful lake with my current husband) before going to sleep. I would also suggest talking to a psychiatrist/psychologist about your nightmares and fears. It has really been helpful for me. I suffer from major depression and ptsd and they have helped me find ways to cope and overcome my problems. Please feel free to add me.

AZKristi

I would give the pills more than a few weeks. Lack of sleep can totally mess with your endocrine system. Now that you are getting the sleep you need, focus on that for a while and just try to make healthy choices when you are hungry. If you gain a bit of weight as your adjusting to your new sleep schedule, its not the end of the world. You'll be able to lose it more easily now that you are sleeping than you when you were sleep deprived.

heather2411

I am seeing a therapist. Mason was my 4th baby to die. I have had 3 miscarriages and Preterm labor with Mason at 5 months. I have been diagnosed as PTSD. I talk to any and everybody about what I have went through and the nightmares. My therapist says I need time to heal from all that I have been through. I do not feel I am on a band aide of any sort. When people have no choice but to take a pill for sleeping people tend to say it is a band aide. I however do not feel that way do what your body needs best. I went a whole 9 months of not being on any pills for my sons death and now I have had to come to the realization that there is no other way. I have talked about everything with my sons death and also my mothers death.

XXXMinnieXXX

Sleeping pills should only ever be a temporary solution. What you need to do is go get some therapy and deal with your issues. I feel for. You, I'm an insomniac too and it's making me. Feel really ill right now. Go talk to your doctor about maybe changing them for now, but also getting therapy with a view to coming of them!

Zara:flowerforyou:

Seen your other post... Good your getting therapy. What a horrendous situation... I good antidepressant can make all the difference. I had to try 7/8 to get the right one. Mirtazipine / Zispin has really, helped me. It works for anxiety and depression and at least for a while helped with sleep.

Xxx

AmberJo1984

First of all... I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine the pain you are going through.

Secondly... I am not a doctor, so I can't really give you advice on what you should or shouldn't take. But... I am on Ambien (as needed) for sleep. It doesn't seem to make me more hungry. I'm still eating healthy. However... I will say that you need to talk to a doctor. I wouldn't think that the medicine itself would be causing you to eat more. If it is, you should find something else... but, please seek a doctor's advice.