sleep without sleeping pills

Last night went well, with no external sleep aids… I was worried that I’d wake late because I didn’t fall asleep until around 3am, but I woke at 7:30 naturally. Phew. Hopefully I’ll be able to fall asleep earlier tonight.

Must not give in to naps.

(as a side note, I really miss being able to be my night-owl self…)

Tried last night, but realized I was up at 2am and still restless. Had to get up early this morning, so I just took 2.5 mg of the ambien, no trazadone. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to cut the ambien in half, and go from there. So trazadone is out. One more to go.

This week down to:
1.25 mg of Ambien (I began at 12.5 mg)
6.25 mg of Trazadone (I began at 200 mg)

I can’t cut the Ambien anymore without it falling apart to dust. But I can’t seem to just not take it yet. It makes me nervous. Wishing I could get a placebo, because my worry over the feeling of withdrawal/restlessness is probably worse than the actuality. I hope.

Don’t think I can cut Trazadone anymore either, but I’m not as worried about it.

For the past year, I’ve been prescribed sleeping pills to sleep with the insistence that this was probably the only way I’d get any. I really do not believe my doctor, and he’s been tolerating my natural remedies with slight amusement. I’ll prove him wrong though.

I’ve found that now that I actually exercise daily, eat moderately well, and avoid caffeine/alcohol in excess, it’s become much easier to feel tired at night. Amazingly, none of these lifestyle things are mentioned by the Dr. I see now, in any capacity. (I could add a snarky comment about the reason being that you can’t market good health, but really, I just think it’s the way doctors are trained these days- to believe that you have no power over your body/mind.)

Right now I’m cutting my pills—this week down to:
1.25 mg of Ambien (I began at 12.5 mg)
12.5 mg of Trazadone (I began at 200 mg)

I noticed that my dreams aren’t as vivid, which I’ve read means you’re getting better sleep (not sure if that’s true). I’ve also noticed that I feel “awake” during the day. I’ve never had problems getting up, but there was always a foggy feeling; not sleepy, but not really sharp. That’s going away.

I’m in the process of making a new valerian root tincture for emergencies, when I’m off the medicine completely. It usually relaxes me enough to do the job.

Here’s to better health.

You its worth becuase its cheaper and well you know something peopole think its a bad thing or whater.

Buenas noches, bonne nuit, guht nacht!

Sleep when tired. Don’t sleep when not tired. Perfect!

i’m doing this
for now…