[ombrétwilight]

I guess I am doctor-shopping a bit as I've spent $100 on 2 GPs so far, just to try to get Ambien/Lunesta. I told the first one (my regular GP) about my bipolar and OCD and I think that's why he wouldn't prescribe me anything other than Atarax. I lied to the second one but he said the strongest drug he carried was Atarax, which I told him did not work. He referred me to a psychiatrist in a hospital because he said he can't help me. I do have a psychiatrist at the state mental health facility but I do not like the guy so I don't want to share with him. Besides, my next appointment is in a while (public healthcare waiting list) and I don't think he will give me any pills either due to my history of attempts.

I know many of you probably disapprove of what I'm trying to do here but if I would really like to ask how to get a sleeping pills prescription from a GP.

[sideblinded]

ombrétwilight, I hear you. I may have lucked out with my GP. I will admit that I don't have any attempts as you say you do. That may be the difference. I have found that it has been much easier to get a sleeping med from my pdocs over the years. You might want to shop for a pdoc who will have the mind to consider all of your mental diagnoses. I find pdocs more open to sleep issues. I hope you find a good doc to help you.

[kaliope]

i dont go to a gp. i have gotten tons of sleeping pills from my pdocs, they have all prescribed them again and again. all i have done is said i have had trouble sleeping. i didnt have to share more than that and i have a history of attempts yet i have enough sleeping pills here to put down a horse. they just dont work for me so we keep trying something different.

[ombrétwilight]

Thank you both for replying. I'm trying to get a p-doc in a public hospital because of subsidies. Private ones are much more willing to dole out the meds but they are so much more expensive. I just don't like lying to doctors about my situation though - it makes me uncomfortable and ashamed. But I guess I have to do what I have to do.

[eskielover]

My pain specialist was the one who tried giving me something for sleep....it worked if I took it but I hated the way it made me feel so groggy the next day. I have had serious sleep problems for the last 10 years after a trauma I went through. At the time of the trauma, I was in & out of the medical hospital but when I got out, the only thing that would stop the nightmares was a huge dose of seroquel......I got off of that 7 years ago & really hate taking any meds now that I live alone.....I can't afford to have anything make me less than functional at all times.....so I still struggle with sleep but for me, what helps the best without any of the other grogginess that I can't afford was the OTC sleep aids from the drug store.

I still have problems at times with nightmares unless I am totally exhausted when I finally go to bed......that seems to be what causes me the worst sleep is the fear of the nightmares so I don't want to even go to bed until I'm ready to drop.

I cannot get them from GP or pdoc. Many docs are scared to write scrips for anything with addictive potential.

just tell them your insomnia is really bad and you would like some sleeping pills as you aren't sleeping.

beware of meds like zopiclone that can make you dependent though.

otherwise, you could try melatonin; you get that over the counter.

[mountain human]

I've been on a cocktail of Ambien, Trazadone, melatonin, Benadryl and valerian root for years...my GP has no issue with re-filling these meds forever. Although Ambien does cause a dependency, I believe that's better than chronic lack of sleep, which takes a tremendous toll on both mind and body. BTW, the best sleep I ever got was when I took Remeron for depression. I had to quit it though as I was in a fog all day.

[junkDNA]

why do u want these meds specifically?

[arich62]

Originally Posted by 8888an8888

just tell them your insomnia is really bad and you would like some sleeping pills as you aren't sleeping.

beware of meds like zopiclone that can make you dependent though.

otherwise, you could try melatonin; you get that over the counter.

Stuff like Melatonin, Benadryl, doesn't even knock me. I tried 100mg of ZZquil the other night with no sleep at all. I am also dealing with Ambien withdrawal right now as the over the counter meds will only work if you have never tried a controlled substance. Any doctor who thinks that over the counter stuff can replace Ambien or Lunesta is just plain naive and/ or stupid.

[TIGGER_]

never had trouble getting ambien from either gp or pdoc,, and I have been ip before for sui.. my real issue was turning my brain "racing thoughts" off,, xanex was good for that..now my gp had to see me in office to get that..controled drug...hope it gets better for you..lying to get drugs Rx or not is a bad habit to fall into..imo