To need medication to help me sleep most nights?

[hohumdrum]

I have a 9mo and am back at work and busy busy busy. The tablets (half a valium) were prescribed when I had an overactive thyroid and had a medical reason for not sleeping. The thyroid issue has settled down now..... but I find I really like the ease of drifting off with the medication and don't want to stop them . I'm doing all the usual things to make sure I sleep well - fresh air, exercise etc; and the tablet doesn't stop me waking up if DD cries.... is it such a bad thing? Kind of like some people 'need' a glass of wine each night? It used to be called the 'housewives helper' right? Do some people toddle along just fine with a little help like this? Or is this a really bad thing and I need to stop?

If it worries you then try to stop - I think I would worry if I moved from choosing to take a tablet to needing to take a tablet.
It's probably not a good thing to take one every night - what does your GP say and what would you do if the tablets run out or the prescription isn't renewed?
My mother takes half a Nytol every night as she's convinced she won't sleep otherwise.

It's categorically not ok to take one every night because Valium is bloody addictive.

DH is addicted to sleeping pills, trust me, you don't want that.

I would be having a word with the GP you sound as if you are dependent on them. pepperrabbit I am sure the nytol are not to be taken for more than a week then it is recommended that you see a GP as they too can be dependent causing.

Thanks eccles I'll have a more serious word with her about it.

I totally get where you are coming from OP.

But valium is a benzodiazepine and v v addictive, and a bitch to get off.

your GP should not be prescribing them repeatedly - you should be having a consultation every time - I have sleeping tabs - I get a months supply at a time (one months supply has lasted 6 months as I am a lone parent and wont take them when the kids are here) please talk to your GP x

I was recommended on here to get doxylamine succinate tablets from amazon, and I find they work as well as Valium. They're dirt cheap. The only downside is that you have to take them quite early to avoid a 'hangover' the next day. They're antihistamine based so not nearly as addictive as benzos, though I have them too in case things get rough.

You will toddle along fine until they stop working, which they will. Then you may need more, which you will take because you have got so dependent used to the 'help'. Then more. That's how addiction works.

You will have to have a few rough nights before you get back to normal sleep. Read up on good sleep hygiene. Avoid caffeine like the plague and good luck.