I'll take all the help I can get....

[patrol629]

:new:
I'm 55. I've been drinking to get to sleep for the last 29 years. I have 3 kids. For the 2 boys pregnancies (I was 26 & 39) I did not want to drink, but I never slept. For the middle (daugther) I did sneek my Amaretto and cigarettes about 4 - 5 times during the pregnancy (I was 36). Now when I try to stop,( I stopped drinking 4 years ago) I don't sleep. I take too much heart medication (CAD)) so I don't dare try anything without asking my doctor and I don't dare tell him about my drinking cause I'm the clinic administrator. (oh joy!) If I could sleep, I wouldn't drink. If I diidn't drink I'd lose weight (cause alcohol plays with the Metabolism of a menopause woman. :-) ) This is such a nightly ritual I can't stand it. HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!! All suggestions are welcome !!!!! My will power is strong until bedtime. After 2 days of no sleep, I'm not pleasant. I'm presently 30 pounds heavier than I was at age 43. Come on, age 55, 5"1" and 159 pounds...NOT GOOD. Why? All weight gain is from drinking every night 1/2 to 1 bottle of wine. (Don't take much at this height) Tonight I came home, cooked, etc. and then panic...no alcohol in the house; how will I sleep? And when out and got a bottle. I love every aspect of my life except this. I WANT TO STOP DRINKING TO SLEEP !!!

[AMELIA]

I'll take all the help I can get....

Hi Patrol,
You sound like you are in a very difficult situation. Very little sleep, heart meds, drinking to get to sleep, working at your doctors surgery.....not good.
Not sure if I can give any suggestions other than would it be possible to find another doctor?
I am just jumping on the wagon today after another relapse. When I use alcohol, I use it to relax and then I just go to sleep (probably more like 'pass out' though).
However, worried as I was about not being able to sleep when I stopped drinking, it took about a week AF and I was sleeping like a baby. The first week I took Valerian (natural sleeping aid).
I have read that alcohol will actually disrupt sleep patterns when used excessively and long term.
Best of luck.
Amelia

[Allie]

I'll take all the help I can get....

I was just wondering that if the only reason you drink is to get to sleep, could you not try a prescription sleep medication? There are some great ones out there that will not leave you groggy the next morning, but unlike over-the-counter ones, are time-released to KEEP you asleep a full night so you dont wake up at 3 a.m. wide awake. They are dangerous to drink in addition to taking them, but I tried "Lunesta" when I first started this program. The nights I did not drink left me tossing and turning the whole night. So I took Lunesta about 30 to 45 minutes before I normally went to bed and to my surprise, it REALLY worked.

If I were you, I would just tell your doctor you are having trouble getting to sleep at night and tell him/ her that you think the menopause is the reason! They should gladly give you a script as long as it doesnt interfere with your current medications. I dont think you have to disclose the alcohol issue to your doc if you can find a way to get to sleep at night first. You may have already tried this, but these were my first thoughts!

Best of luck and welcome!
Allie

[iia67]

I'll take all the help I can get....

I will take Lunesta from time to time as well. It does work and when you wake up the next morning, you don't feel droggy. Just my two cents worth

[peaches]

I'll take all the help I can get....

Menopause is awful. My dr. gave me Lexapro for depression but I was still drinking the bottle of wine nightly. When I began this program I went with moderation tossed & turned for about two weeks. Now I sleep really good. I have only 1 or 2 glasses of wine a night. So, if you can get help for your insomnia now, later when your not drinking so much you'll be alble to sleep.

[patrol629]

I'll take all the help I can get....

I'll take all the help I can get.......

Oh my GOD...you guys were really listening to me. Thank you Amelia, Allie,iia67, & Peaches. You've given me hope and ideas that just didn't even enter my mind. I always shy away from medication and even more so since my DX of CAD and a STENT. I have this dream of being on a weight loss reality program showing other petite wine drinking women that it can be done and the added bonus is being a CAD and DID IT!! You people have given me hope that IT CAN BE DONE!! And if I kept talking...to people that really DO HEAR ME, it's a DONE DEAL !!! Believe it or not, I pray for this and...GOD has brought you to me and I'm listening. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrol629