Did any of you Brides take a sleeping pill to sleep the night before your Wedding?

Question

I am getting married October 20,07. A few years ago, i was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and am taking medication for it which my Doc. suggests to increase dosage a month prior to the Wedding. She also suggested to maybe take a sleeping pill the night before so i get a good nights sleep so it's one less thing to worry about and not to get panicky about. I'm worried about this. I have never taken sleeping pills before. I was just wondering if any of you have opinions or have taken them to get some sleep the day before and what were your results. You see, i'm afraid that being so excited, i still won't be able to sleep during the night, then i'll be tired in the morning. Any info. would be great.

Answer 1

Do you normally have a lot of trouble sleeping through the night? I mean I'd been running ragged for days with last minute meetings, setting up the reception hall, running errands--I was utterly exhausted. At the rehearsal dinner, I was so exhausted I think I was asleep by 1030. I don't think I've ever slept as soundly as I did that night.

How stressed are you about the wedding? How organized are you? Some brides have a lot to do the last week and therefore have added to their stress level. I had finished everything I had to do way beforehand so the last week had very little stress, merely a lot of appointments to keep with picking things up and getting manicures/pedicures. Disorganized brides who fear something is not getting done have more panic--so in your case with panic disorder, I would try to make sure everyone was an organized as possible.

However if you normally do not sleep through the night, I agree you should not try one the night before. I would test out some things now and how they may interact with your medication just to make sure they don't make you drowsy or worse the next day. You don't want a medical interaction between medications!! Melatonin tablets or benadryl have been the most effective for me, but I have never tried a Rx.

If you want to try, try it out one day several weeks before the wedding just so you know how your body will react.

Answer 2

Well, based upon how nervous you are, you might want to take a sleeping pill, but you might not. The night before my own wedding last year I was soooo nervous I couldn't sleep. I didn't induce it with meds....I just stayed awake. I didn't go to sleep until 3:30 a.m. and was still so anxious that I had NO PROBLEM getting up at 6 with plenty of energy. The time I spent awake that night was a great time to reflect on things. Sometimes sleeping pills make you EXTREMELY groggy the next day, so taking it so you WON'T be sleepy may not actually work. You could be sleepy anyway. I understand you want to look your best and have plenty of energy (Cause you'll need it!) the day of your wedding. And the best way to do that is with a good nights sleep. If you do think you need to take the pill, I would suggest trying it a couple weeks or days BEFORE the wedding to see how your body will react to it. If you take a sleeping pill, be sure to take it early in the evening, so that you can devote a good 8 or 9 hours to sleep. If you take it at midnight and try to get up at 5, you aren't gonna be a happy girl. Talk to your doctor about it, research the med and make an educated choice that's right for you! Good Luck!

Answer 3

I also have an anxiety disorder, and I have taken sleeping pills before. The only one I have taken is Sonata, which I have not seen talked about very often. The pill wears off in 4 hours if you're not tired--and I can attest to that fact. It's a great pill because, if you find at 2 a.m. you still can't sleep, you can take a pill, sleep for four hours, and wake up around 7 not feeling groggy.

I took it a few times a week for a few months and did not find it addicting at all.

I agree with every poster who says you should test out any sleeping pill well before the wedding--and more than once. You don't want any nasty surprises.

Good luck.

Answer 4

This is what I did, because I was afraid I wouldn´t be able to sleep the night before the wedding too.

I ate a dinner that consisted of light protein, and lots of carbs from bread and crackers. I only drank one glass of wine, and my fiance tucked me in-he came to our hotel room at 11:45, pulled the shades to make the room really pitch black, unplugged the phone, turned up the AC a little bit, covered me up with a lot of blankets, and then made sure I wore ear plugs-something I continue to wear at night. He left at 11:55 after kissing me goodnight, locked the door really well, and I fell asleep instantly when my head hit the pillow.

If you do end up taking a sleeping pill, I would suggest Ambien (something I took after my Mom died and I could not sleep for months)-and I only suggest this if it does not interact with the drugs your doctor has prescribed-sometimes anti-depressants interact the wrong way, and try it way before your wedding night-maybe only take a half a pill to see if it leaves you at all drowsy the day afterwards.

My sister has panic disorder, and this can be debilitating, so maybe make lists of things that have to be done before your wedding, and a few days before, have almost everything checked off that list-this way, your mind will be more at ease, and you´ll be more apt to relax.

Answer 5

My miracle sleeping pill?? GRAVOL. Pop an adult gravol about an hour before you want to go to sleep. They are only meant to last for 4 hours instead of 8, so they'll help you fall asleep, but you'll be wide awake in the morning.
I did this about 25 times when I took an overnight bus to and from university. The Gravol helped me get to sleep right away, but by the time I got to my stop (8 hours later) I was awake and ready to go. I never felt groggy, even after sleeping on a bus. Give it a shot before the wedding to see if it works for you.
Hope that helps. Happy Wedding!

Answer 6

I've have had a Rx for Ambien for 3yrs.......but I don't take it on a regular basis.....maybe 1 a month........My Dr. says I won't become dependant but I have kids and don't wany to chance it so I only use it when I absolutly have to. You better believe I'm taking 1 the nite before mine.(sept.8th) I would suggest whatever Rx they give u, take it a few times so u know how your body reacts or if you need to change the dosage or brand. Your anxiety and panic issues make your needs different from the general public. I would listen to your Dr. He/She knows your needs best. The general public doesn't understand your problem and will tell you to just calm down, act normal, you won't need the pills. Don't let them guilt you....they don't know your health problems. You need to do whats right for you.

Answer 7

i had a friend who had to put on her daughters wedding. her doc did the same thing your doc did, upped her dosages. by the wedding day, this woman could not even function. she was so drugged up she could barely make it to the event and has almost no memory of it. the guests were basically left to fend for themselves and by the end of the day her daughter was in tears at the sight of her mother sitting dazed in a lump in the corner. i was so disgusted with her i ended our friendship.

i dont care if you take my advice or not, but, now is exactly NOT the time you want to be taking more ! drugs. sweetie everyone panics before big events. it is because you care about the outcome and it is a good sign. not a bad one that needs to be quelled with medicine! and for petes sake, dont start taking sleeping pills!! if you take a sleeping pill the night before your wedding i guarantee you will be ill and groggy the next day and worse, have almost no memory of your wedding.

i dont care what your doctor says, dont take one more pill than you absolutely need. not one. face your wedding with a clear head and heart. i completely understand the need to take pills. i personally cant get on a plane without a xanax. but that is the only time i ever take such a pill. and its purpose is to make me not care and be "out of it"

so, just think about it, and stop being so afraid, be brave, this is your day and your time and the world is made for you! be brave and beautiful. stop thinking about disaster, think more positively. if your mind fills with stuff make detailed lists of all you have to do, doing that will clear your mind. i promise this works. try reading the book ' the power of positive thinking' it is an old book but good. also, believe it or not, wheat grass shots found at a health juice store are miraculous for moods. my best wishes to you.....

Answer 8

The one time I took a sleeping pill, I was completely groggy the next day.

If you have never taken a sleeping pill, I suggest that the first time NOT be the night before the wedding. You need to see how you react to it first.

Answer 9

Depending on the pill it can make you drowsy the next day. Try the pill out well before the wedding and see if you feel ok the next day. Don't start taking them regularly as most are addictive, especially the benzodiazopines, altho they work well when used very occasionally.

Good luck with your wedding. Have a great day!

Answer 10

do what the Dr says, ask him for the sleeping pill Rx. I dont suggest Lunesta only because it left a metalic taste in my mouth. ICK.


I get worried like that too... we dont move for another 42 days. but I am alreadsy compulsing on the things I have to do around the house before we move! lol (paint, pull off wallpaper, pack, replace light fixtures, buy blinds... etc etc etc...lol)