I have real trouble sleeping. Takes me ages to get to sleep then I usually wake between 2am and 3am and then that's it. I dread going to sleep as I just dream about him with her and wake panicky unable to get him back.

Is it a good idea to try sleeping tablets? Or is that a slippery addictive slope and only a short term fix and I just have to work through this?

I do wonder though if the days would be less painful and more bearable if I wasn't so tired.

Hi, I have taken sleeping tabs when I first suffered with depression, sleeplessness and depression are ­link­ed. They were a great short term remedy that did make everyday a little more tolerable and was able to resume a normal sleeping pattern without them once antidepressants kicked in. Im suffering again, as you can see, so am planning a trip to the GP to see if he can help, if you have a good one they can offer you all kinds of support from chemical to councelling, good luck xx

maysie,
Yes you do need your sleep and you will feel better for a good nights sleep. However if you are able to get to sleep by using naural methods I think it would be better for u:- ie avoid alcohol coffee bfore bed time.... have a bath use lavnder oil have a milky drink dont watch too much tv or excercise before bed...before going down the sleeping pill route. if you dont manage to get over your problem (which is quite natural during such high levels of stress)If you feel u r still uanable cope see your GP take care

Hi Maysie
If tablets help i am all for it. I have spent a year battling to get rid of my stbx
but he refuses to leave my house He has now even brought his new "friend" in for coffee still .... i went to the dr as i was having problems coping at work ( i am self employed so no time off stressed for me) He gave me Citalopram tabs and they have been wonderful things are still bad but now i feel i can cope i am sleeping better and feel a lot more positive even tho nothing has changed ! The other thing i took in the early days was Propanolol which acts as a calmer especially good at bedtime when those gremlins come out x
I am not ashamed to say tabs helped who cares as long as we survive this awful time
Love from carey

Hello Maysie
Sleeping tablets help in the short term but are ever so addictive.
Like Carey above I went to the Dr and was given Citalopram, these took some time to kick in but once they did, plus counselling sessions (via Dr), I saw the World in a different light and was able to deal with the situation with a whole new me emerging. I now sleep like a log, having taught myself how to relax and enjoy bedtime, on my own. Some say not to have the TV in a bedroom, in my own circumstances this helps me, just for some background "noise" - its not long before I slip into slumber.
As others advise, I dont have any caffeine drink after 8.30pm, if necessary I have a small glass of water. Above all I class bedtime now as my treat after a hard day and have completely revamped my bed, new pillows, new quilt cover, cushions and it generally looks more "girlie".
Have a word with your Dr, they can help, but sleeping tablets, think carefully about this.
GKx

I went on sleeping tablets when i split with him,the Dr only gave me enough i think t was a weeks supply and that was it.Then i had the problem of going to bed but waking very early around 4.30am every morning and would torture myself reading the nasty letters from his solicitors and the letters he had wrote to court.

I'am now 3 yrs down the line he is not in my dreams anymore well infact the dreams i had of him in the end were role reversal i was the dominator in my dreams i was his boss as in our marriage he was the bully and that helped , looking up about dreams that is a postive step forward me being the dominator.I unwind now days with reading it stopped my brain from going into over drive about him now i just read cos i enjoy it.

My son on th eother hand who is special needs and does'nt need much sleep i have to do certain things nothing with colours in after 7pm that includes food and drink , no TV or pc's after 7.30pm as this stimulates the brain.He is on a natural sleeping remedy melatonin only avaliable via pre­script­ion.

I do think maysie the days are more bearable when we have had enough sleep were less weepy , less ratty and we can function a whole lot better.

Maysie01 wrote:
I have real trouble sleeping. Takes me ages to get to sleep then I usually wake between 2am and 3am and then that's it. I dread going to sleep as I just dream about him with her and wake panicky unable to get him back.

Is it a good idea to try sleeping tablets? Or is that a slippery addictive slope and only a short term fix and I just have to work through this?

I do wonder though if the days would be less painful and more bearable if I wasn't so tired.

Hi,

I know what you are going through my problem exactly until recently and my dreams have finally settled down and are quite normal. This phase of the healing process won't last long and it is your subconscious' way of dealing with the problem. To deny you this is going to extend the healing process.

Most sleeping tablets as I understand it are benzodiazepines but only available from the doctors. Not recommended for depression because they are very, very addictive. Then you will have to withdraw from them leaving you with even more depression.

You can however, use things like HERBAL Nytol that are available over the counter. There will be less side effects and far less chance of addition. Please be aware that first thing when we wake is when we are most susceptible to depression and suggestion. All sleeping tablets will give you a sort of hangover the next morning. This might make the mornings worse.

We've all been through this stage and it is rather unpleasant but just something we must just get through to get better. I hope things are much better for you very soon.

Never forget how far you've come when things are easier. Remember how bad it was when you first split and be proud of yourself for being so strong.