Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Postnatal insomnia - want to stop sleeping pills now - anyone been through this?

88 replies

BeckyBendyLegs · 19/01/2010 09:35

Hi, not sure whether to put this in 'general health' or 'mental health' but basically I had my third child in November and started having sleeping problems (hard to get to sleep and waking early wide awake) after Christmas. After four nights of this in a row GP gave me some sleeping pills which the health visitor told me to take for 1-2 weeks. I took 2 tablets for 3 nights and then since only take 1 tablet a night and it works but now I want to get back to myself again as sleeping pills make me feel groggy next day and basically I want my own sleep back. I have been diagnosed with mild Postnatal depression but am not taking anti-depressants but going the non-medication route with diet, excercise, family, friends, going out, etc and that side of things is working a treat as I am sooo much happier than I was at Christmas (partly helped by better sleep - albeit chemically induced). Has anyone been through anything similar and come out the other end sleeping well without resort to medication? Any tips for ditching the evil sleeping pills without getting in an exhuasted state again? I didn't take one Monday night and slept 3-4 hours. Took one last night. GP suggests taking diazepam tonight and go from there but I don't want to take that either!

Thanks for reading... sorry long story.

OP posts:
alypaly · 22/01/2010 13:25

Why are some people able to do that.... its not fair. Mind you ive been a single parent forever so its ALL down to me

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 22/01/2010 16:09

Alypaly that's hard - I think you should congratulate yourself on coping with that and doing a good job. My mum brought me and my brother and sister up alone. I didn't appreciate all she did for us until I had children of my own. Single parents don't get the respect they really deserve in my opinion. I could not do this alone.

OP posts:
alypaly · 22/01/2010 17:28

been single mum for 15 years now( my ex went off with his ex fiancee when i was 7 months pregnant with DS2) and still on my own Mr right just hasnt happened ,but ive got two wonderful boys.Wouildnt change it for the world...have loved being mum and dad to them.They are now 21 and 17
Wish i had got more children though. I love having them around...its very destressing.

alypaly · 22/01/2010 17:29

i wish i could just curl up and go to sleep in someones arms and feel safe. I think thats partof my sleeplessness,lack of a male presence to cuddle

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 22/01/2010 18:42

Aw Alypaly I hope you find someone and can curl up in their arms and get your wish.

I have three boys - boys are great, aren't they? Mine are a lot younger than yours though (6 yrs, 3yrs and lovely 10 week old DS3 who is currently watching his brothers make a sculpture out of catfood boxes and random bits of cardboard out of the recyclying bin). I can't wait to watch them grow up and develop. They are so lovely and cuddly.

OP posts:
dinosaurus · 22/01/2010 19:00

Hi Becky Bendy legs

I suffered the same problem when my son was born 9 nine years ago.

I had never had any problems sleeping whatsoever before this, even in times of stress. I think it was triggered by postnatal depression (although its a bit of a chicken and egg situation - does tiredness contribute to depression? or, does depression contribute to tiredness?!) but I found myself becoming a very light sleeper, often waking only a hour or so after falling asleep and feeling very stressed that I could not get to sleep, particuarly when by baby son was asleep and I wanted to make the most of it.

This went on for about 10 months and I was absolutely shattered. I went to the doctors and was prescribed ADS and a sleeping tablet called Zimovane (which is supposedly non addictive). I took the sleeping pills for about 6 months under monthly supervision from the doctor although the ADS. By the time I stopped the sleeping tablets the ADS had really lifted my mood and stopped my anxiety and I had absolutely no withdrawals symptoms whatsoever. I continued to take the ADs for another few months and very gradually weaned myself off them - I had more physical withdrawal symptoms with them.

The whole process therefore took about 18 months, although I started feeling better very quickly - the ADS only took a couple of weeks to kick in.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and now, I lead a very busy lifestyle, working long hours with a pressured job. However, I only very occasionally experience that old feeling of not being able to get to sleep and find that deep breathing, remaining calm and reminding myself that whatever I'm worryig about can wait till tomorrow helps. I can do this now because I'm in a positive state of mind and feel very much in control of my life, and most importantly, enjoy it! Back then however, I needed much more help and all the bog standard remedies didn't work.

I'm not sure if you want to go down the AD route, but it might be worth a try.

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 22/01/2010 20:37

Hi dinosaurus, thanks for telling me your story. I think you are exactly right - having a baby can make you a light sleeper because you are suddenely alert to your baby's cries and I think that is what has happened to me. It's distressing though, isn't it? Especially if normally you sleep so well. Whether that causes PND or is a symptom of PND I don't know but it does seem quite common.

I have now stopped taking the sleeping pills and have been tapering myself off with smaller doses of diazepam every night. The first night after stopping sleeping pills I slept for 1 hour but didn't use anything at all as thought 'yeah I can do this' - silly me! Using diazepam (that stuff is lovely - I can see why it is addictive!) I've slept pretty well. I did try ADs right at the start of my sleeping problems but they made the insomnia much worse - one of the side effects - and made me feel really ill. So I went back to the doctor and he was happy for me to stop. He thinks I just have 'mild' PND and can get myself better with a more theraputic approach. I go to a transition into motherhood group once a week and my mum has helped hugely as she is a hypnotherapist and has much experience as she worked as a nurse, health visitor, and other things in her life. I feel very lucky. I'm hoping the bog standard remedies might work for me now I have had a 'break' by using the sleeping pills. We'll see.

OP posts:
alypaly · 22/01/2010 21:41

Dinosaurus....zimovane is zopiclone which is addictive so you were lucky.

I love my boys ?men to bits....would also love 2 girls aswell,or am i mad?

alypaly · 22/01/2010 21:42

Dinosaurus....zimovane is zopiclone which is addictive so you were lucky.

I love my boys /men to bits....would also love 2 girls aswell,or am i mad?

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 09:42

I slept really well last night using herbal tablets - don't know if they are supposed to work or whether it was more psychological but I slept better with them than I did even with one zopiclone or diazepam!

Dinosaurus you were lucky. It was zopliclone I was taking. If I hadn't looked them up on the internet last weekend I probs would still be taking them now and begging the doctor for more.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 09:43

PS I would love a girl too but my baby making days are over now and I'm pretty happy with my three little men. I think I'm just not destined to have girls.

OP posts:
dinosaurus · 23/01/2010 10:13

Sorry Becky bendy legs

Didn't mean to give you unreliable info about Zimovane! You are right - there does appear to be alot on the internet about it becoming addictive.

I remember when I took it, there was the suggestion that it could become addictive, but I was in such a state and desperate to sleep! Also, I did take the lowest dose (which was then halved again after a few weeks) and my doctor monitored me every three weeks. One he and I thought the ADs had really kicked in I would then take it say, only 3 or 4 nights a week, so I guess although I could have been addicted, this was a way of helping me not to.

I am glad the herbal rememdies are working.
good luck x

alypaly · 23/01/2010 12:48

Becky how can your baby making days be over...you are only 37....mine are over Im 53

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 15:13

DH says enough is enough, he's Mr Practical 'we have no more bedrooms' and 'they cost money' etc. He would have been happy with two. He's going for the snip soon anyway.

OP posts:
alypaly · 23/01/2010 17:24

Aww ...really pleased . I am going out with DS1's GF to the cinema tonight. He is going out with his friends and we are going to the cinema I couldnt believe it when she asked me.
It will feel just like having a daughter. am i being too much of a softie

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 18:34

Dinosaurus, I'm just glad the pills worked for you and did the thing that sleeping pills should be able to do and got you back on track. My doctor did say to me that if someone is of an 'addictive personality' then they are very susceptable (sp?) to becoming addicted to them. He said to me that he didn't think I was, which I actually disagree with!!! This is why I stopped taking them so soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 18:37

Alypaly that's great! Have a good time We're just having spag bol tonight and early night as usual (with ten week old to think about that's the norm at the mo.). I do look forward to getting a bit of a social life beyond coffee mornings, school runs and toddler groups again.

OP posts:
alypaly · 23/01/2010 19:10

Dont go out very often,so its a real treat....i feel honoured to be asked out by a 20year old. They dont normally want to be seen daed with people their mothers age

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 23/01/2010 19:43

I must have been strange then because when I was that age I used to love going out to the pub with my mum and her friends! I thought they were really good fun.

OP posts:
alypaly · 24/01/2010 10:10

Had a great time at the cinema...large popcorn,bag bag of revels..Avatar was absolutely brilliant although we looked like dorks in the 3D glasses,especially me with mine on top of my own glasses. You could almost touch some of the 3D effects at times,and it was a good story too

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 24/01/2010 10:21

Sounds good! I haven't seen a 3D film since you used to get those red / green paper specs - are the glasses still like that?

I didn't have the best night's sleep last night: was awake until 1.30am. Scared I'll get into a state again... DH is confident I'll be ok and not get that bad again. Wish I had his confidence. Why is something so easy, as sleep, so hard to get sometimes?

OP posts:
alypaly · 24/01/2010 10:32

no they were back plastic things.....one cinema charges for them and the one DS1 went to on friday doesnt. Scammmmmed again.
Sorry you didnt sleep well...if its any consolationm,neither did i. It was about 2 ish ,but i just seemed to toss and turn all night. Kept looking at my sleeping tablets,but didnt.
I wish i knew what the answer was.....i could kill for a full 6-8 hours

Original poster
BeckyBendyLegs · 25/01/2010 08:15

Three hours last night ... why is this happening to me? Feel dreadful today Do I have PND? I don't know. When I've had enough sleep, I'm happy. When I haven't, I'm in the bottom of that well. I'm in a catch 22 situation.

OP posts:
alypaly · 25/01/2010 09:57

OH poor you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!are you trying to do too much....is there just one thing that is frustrating you because you now have another little one and its making it difficult to achieve things that you want to.
I ended up taking a sleeping tablet as i was sick of being awake at 1am

alypaly · 25/01/2010 10:01

my sleeplessness ended up is really severe and and when DS1 was 12months i had a complete breakdown. Ended up in hospital because i couldnt cope with life and afetr 3 months counselling it unearthed childhood abuse that had affected me subconsciously for 25 years. I had hidden it and never talked about it and then it came to the forefront with all the hormone changes and having a baby boy. I am thro it all now except for the sleep.