I take non prescription sleeping medication almost every night I'm I risking my health?

Question

I take non prescription sleeping meds almost every night. I have been taking this kind of meds every since I was 13. I have been taking it on and off. But, last month, I decided to take it again after being off it for a year or so. My mother intoduced me to the sleep meds at a very yonug age because I have had trouble sleeping since my ealry teens. I'm 21 and still have trouble sleeping I'm a light sleeper. I'm now off the meds because I have been too busy to go get more at the store. But, I'm having trouble sleeping as usual. If I take them regularly I'm I risking my health if so, then why? They are nonprescription medication called Unisom.

Answer 1

What you are doing is very dangerous. Your body can develop a dependence on the drug, and it can also screw up your blood pressure big time. I have something similar in my cupboard right now, but, even though I am having a hard time sleeping at the moment, I don't automatically go for it. It is only there for extreme emergencies.

Try drinking warm milk, listening to soothing music, taking a hot bath, and, if you have a husband or boyfriend, getting him to massage your feet before bedtime. You also may want to take a long fast walk, followed by a hot shower, about three hours before you hit the sack. You have a great life ahead of you. Don't screw it up by becoming an over the counter med junkie. Hope you can get some zzzzzzz's soon.

Answer 2

I would speak with your doctor, and maybe he/she will be able to help you. When I got out of basic training for the Navy, I could hardly ever sleep! The doctor prescribed me Zolpidem (I think now they call it Ambien) and I used that for about a week and after that, I slept better, even off the pills. Over the counter sleeping medications are notorious for carrying the risk of dependancy, and that is a definate risk to your health. Have you ever tried the natural sleep aid called Melatonin? Occasionally I still have trouble sleeping, and Melatonin helped me fall asleep. Its less harmful than Unisom and Tylenol PM. Also, you could try drinking Sleepy-Time tea (it has pictures of sleeping looking bears on the front) before bed-time. It is caffeine-free. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Try not drinking coke, tea, coffee at night, if you can, don't drink it at all. Avoid sweets, especially chocolate, and before you go to bed, drink plenty of water, cool water and keep some at the bedside. Sometimes you are restless because your body is starving for water. It can't get rid of your toxins, not just from medications, but from foods, etc...Circulate some fresh air, open a window if its cool. IF not, turn on the cooler. YOu need to get rid of the old air in the house and get some fresh air. The brain will like that, and you will sleep better. Stop taking those pills, you are hurting your body at a young age. These pills are hard on the liver.

Answer 4

Personally, I would rather drink chamomile tea or warm milk before going to bed.

I dont think is healthy to get your body used to some kind of drug! I dont believe this is good for the long run.

Try to trick your body/mind.... Say if you usually go to bed at 10:00PM try to make it an hour later! Also, try to exercises, this is a plus, believe me.

Try to meditate once or twice a week.... light a candle, close your eyes, and meditate!! This will clear your soul and conscious.

Also, go to the doctor and check... just in case ;)

Answer 5

You've become dependent. I think you know the answer to your own question as most of the over the counter sleep aids indicate on the bottle or box that you should not take them as a matter of routine. So you should really be consulting your doctor regarding this problem.

Answer 6

You may think you need the pills to sleep, but whats indeed happening, is your addicted to them. sleeping pills are highly addivtive, and in the long term can cause some serious damage to your insides. I would go see a doctor and arange for an alternative sleeping aid..ie: more activity during the day to tire you out, etc...but please..go see a doctor.

Answer 7

Later on in your future i think it might end up causing anxiety...well at least from the research i did ...it does happen with most sleeping pills...jut be careful and go talk to your dr...plus all sleeping aides tell you not to use more than two weeks...

Good luck (check out the link)

Answer 8

It is bad, later you will have health problems, relax and try and sleep, go for brisk walks then you will fell tried and sleep, when your body does extra work you might be tried and get sleep, avoid medicines daily, once in a while ok

Answer 9

accept the fact that you are a light sleeper. i remember a friend of mine who said that life is already so short and we spent 3/4 (cannot remember the exact portion) of it sleeping. if only we dont need to sleep so much. He does not believe in sleeping.

Answer 10

Your not supposed to take non prescribed sleeping pills for more than a month w/out talking to your doctor.