Learning How To Sleep Again

“What time is it this time? 2:00! Ugh! Why can’t I sleep?”

This was my basic routine morning after morning. I was so exhausted that I had no problem falling asleep, but I couldn’t stay asleep. Have you ever noticed that most of the advice you read is to help you fall asleep? But how do you sustain sleep? I spent three and a half years trying to answer that question.

My physician’s assistant prescribed the antidepressant Serzone. I slept well when I took it, but it nauseated me. I put up with the nausea for about three months because I was so desperate to sleep. However, when I couldn’t tolerate the nausea any longer, I had to give up sleep for a settled stomach. The next antidepressant I tried was Remeron. I slept well, but I was so dizzy and out of it the next day that I couldn’t go to work. After that, she didn’t prescribe anymore antidepressants.

She prescribed Ambien though, so I could at least get a good night’s sleep occasionally. It was expensive, my insurance didn’t cover it, I couldn’t take it on a regular basis, and it didn’t always help. Over the counter sleep medications weren’t any better and they left me feeling groggy the next day. I was given a prescription for Ativan which helped, but since it’s habit forming, I couldn’t take it on a regular basis. I was running out of options.

“What about the natural route? I’ll see what I can find at the local Co-op.”

I tried homeopathic tablets. One of the benefits was that not only could I take them at bedtime, but I could also take them when I woke up during the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, they had no effect on me.

I also tried Melatonin. I learned that Melatonin is good for helping a person fall asleep, but it doesn’t sustain sleep.

“What else is left? What in the world am I going to do? I have to be able to sleep. As exhausted as I am day ever day, you’d think I would just sleep through the night, but I don’t.”

I tried the herb Valerian Root. I slept well, but after taking it for only a short time, I noticed I was dizzy during the day so I had to stop taking it. However, someone at the Co-op told me that herbs often work best in combination and that I could try Valerian in a combination with other herbs. I resolved to do that. Before I could get there, though, I noticed I slept fine on my own during the nights I didn’t take anything. Valerian gave me the most natural sleep than anything. It was like my body forgot how to sleep and this herb taught my body how to sleep on its own again.

“What a relief. I’m so grateful. It’s amazing to be able to sleep again.”

I haven’t had much trouble sleeping since that time. When I have, I’ve taken the Valerian in combination and I’ve been fine during the day. It helps me get my sleep pattern back. I thank the Lord in the morning after a good night’s sleep because it means so much to me.

Laurie Glass is single and works as a legal assistant/bookkeeper. Her passions are writing as well as encouraging those who struggle with eating disorders.
See her website at www.freedomfromed.com.