Vols wrote:
I've historically battled mild insomnia as well, not related to training, as I can remember not being able to sleep 25-30 years ago in middle school. Question is, how does one go about getting a prescription for lunesta (or the like)? Is it a matter of showing up at a GP and saying you can't sleep? .
When I first started selling Lunesta in Mesa/Gilbert and then Tucson it was pretty eye opening how little the docs I called on understood sleep and how it plays are part in many/most disease states. If I had $100 for every time I heard that insomnia wasn't a treatment concern I'd have at least $5,000, at least.
Now it seems that sleep is much better understood. Most DOs, MDs, PAs, NPs are much more well versed on sleep issues & comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, stress, pain, metabolic diseases then 8-12 years ago; the hesitation/fear of writing a controlled substance for sleep has also dissipated.
If it were me I'd go into my pcp and explain/list a few things.
1. These are my symptoms and list them off. Do you have trouble staying asleep if so ~ what time do you normally wake up, how long are you awake before falling back asleep. Do you only struggle with falling asleep. Is it both? How long after you go to bed does it take you to fall asleep?
2. I'd let them know the negative impact on quality of life - how struggling w/sleep impacts family, work & pleasure/hobbies.
3. These are the things I'd like a treatment to ideally accomplish
Some things to think about before going in.
Come in with lists. I found it was a lot easier to talk with docs both when I worked in/outpatient cardiac rehab and as a drug rep when things went A,B,C vs meandering around the point.
be specific. You don't have to be overly specific such as "I wake up 2.58x per week at 0243 on avg and stay awake for 67.45 minutes before falling back asleep". Just say I usually go to bed around 2230 and find myself struggling 2-3x per week, typically waking ~ 2-3am and it seems to be ~ 60-75 min before I fall back asleep.
You just conveyed a ton of info to help guide your tx options.
PM or email me if you want more specific info. I used to keep up with all the drug tx's in the sleep market bc insomnia was something I struggled with for > a decade. Still struggle at times, but haven't kept up with the latest tx options.
Hopefully that helps.
Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching Insta