I Can't Sleep!
By Riptide
@Riptide (2758)
United States
July 26, 2009 4:15am CST
Here I sit, at almost 5 am when I should be in bed sleeping. I am tired, but I just can't sleep. I did snooze on and off for about 3 hours, but that is obviously not enough. I'm usualy a pretty good sleeper, so I wonder if it's this medication I'm taking right now, that is making me so restless.
As some of you know, I have high blood pressure as well as arrythmia (rapid heart beat) and I was taking medication for it for over a year and was doing well.
Well, when hubby changed jobs (he works with me now) I had no more health insurance and I now have to wait for open enrollment at my job, which is in September. I ran out of meds about 4 months ago and, even though I was specifically told to NEVER just stop them, I was doing fine without them.
The medication itself is dirtcheap, about $9 for a month supply, it's the doctor visits without insurance that would have killed me. Since I was doing fine though, I figured waiting until September would be no big deal.
But now that it has been getting hot the last few days, my blood pressure has been spiking badly, which usualy results in my left foot swelling up and constant headaches. Friday it got so bad,that I couldn't even concentrate at work and at times even forgot peoples names and then my nose started bleeding.
So my friend from down the street got scared and alerted one of her friends who takes the same medication I used to take, he rushed over and gave me one. She then dug in her medicine cabinet and found blood pressure meds she was given a couple of years back, when she had heart problems. She ended up in the hospital for it and had it fixed and never even took the meds.
The meds I used to take are called Atenolol and the meds she had are called Propranolol, well that sounded somewhat close enough lol. I looked it up online and they both seem to treat the same thing, so I figured I'll give it a shot. My BP has gone down and the headaches are gone and so has the swollen foot, but now I can't fukking sleep!
On one hand I'm afraid what could happen if I take meds that are not prescribed to me and on the other hand I am also afraid what could happen if I don't take anything at all.
And to turn this froom a rant into a discussion. Have you ever have to choose between the lesser of two evils? Did you ever take stuff that you weren't sure of, if it's safe?
2 people like this
10 responses
@olydove (1209)
• United States
27 Jul 09
WOW Rip that's very scary. I've had my blood pressure rise, the swelling and the whole bit but thank God I've never gotten the confusion part. I have had to take other peoples meds in the past they were the same as mine just a lower dosage. It's not recommended and not the best thing to do but when you are faced with a do or die situation well you just do.
Here's what might work until September. If you had a regular doc, call them and explain to them your situation. Let them know your problem with the insurance and that you can't afford to pay for an office visit. Ask them if it's possible they can call you in a refill to your pharmacy just to get you through until you get some insurance.
Also are there any sliding scale clinics in your area? If so you might be able to get in for only $20. I know you want to wait until it's available through your job, but is it possible to get insurance elsewhere temporarily until then? I would be more than happy to help you research different options to find a good deal for you. No I'm not affiliated with any insurance companies, I'm just offering to help because I too suffer from high BP and swelling so I know how it can be.
As for not sleeping I would bet it's because of the medication, as well as the heat, and if you've been stressed about things that's a contributor too.
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I tried getting insurance help from the state, but apparently I make too much money, I don't see how lol.
The medical center I went to, won't work with me, I already know that, which is why I will be switching docotrs as soon as I get insurance.
The medication my friend gave me, is actually working really well. It's a months worth and it has refills left on it and she said she'll get me more if I need it.
I slept well last night, so it might just have been getting used to the meds and like you said, the heat.
Thank You for trying to help. 
The first order of business, as soon as I get insurance in Sptemeber, will be a trip to the doctor, this I promise.
The first order of business, as soon as I get insurance in Sptemeber, will be a trip to the doctor, this I promise.
@Tibor1450 (207)
• Hungary
27 Jul 09
I always have a headache, and i can't sleep because of it, and in the morning, i have to get up at 3 am... The doctor just gives me some very expensive medicines, and that's all. I hate when i am very tired, but i can't sleep because of my headache...
@cloud_kicker_32 (4635)
• United States
26 Jul 09
woww! imk feel for u hun i really do! im on alotttt of meds for my illness and back probs..andmedicare has all of a sudden just quit accepting my meds..now im back to square one and back in my wheel chair because now i cant walk..becaue idont have what i need..and as for sleeping..i cant either..because fo the pain and madd insomnia..i sleep about 5 hrs every 6 days..and im dyin noww...:( and i was afraid to take my morphine with my other pills..it causes my lungs to slow down..and i need oxygen..but if i dont have them..i scream in pain all day and night long..its a win .lose situation..so i know what ur goin threw.,.wel take care hun/.byeee! April
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
26 Jul 09
Hi Riptide, I've just typed you a long response to this, flicked over to your profile to check this is the US you are talking about, and lost my posting. So here goes with the shorter version.
The heat and your worry about your blood pressure are probably preventing you from sleeping.
Re the meds,is there no system there with meds which need to be taken all the time to simply get a repeat prescription without seeing a doctor? And how much does a doctors visit cost. Here it is free unless you choose to see a private doctor and if you make an appointment to see a doctor in a specific field at the hospital there is a flat charge of 3 euros.
I had a similar dilemna whilst taking a med, it wasn't working but I knew it had to be tapered off very gradually or else there would be side effects. I saw a dr who I could not communicate with well (language problem) and he gave me a different med and told me it was ok to stop taking the first one. I got very sick and didn't know if it was the new med doing that to me or stopping the first one suddenly. The hospital dr then advised me as they could not tell which could be the problem to stop taking everything.
Good luck with getting what you need sorted soon.
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I had a repeat prescription, which was good for 6 months, but that ran out the beginning of the year and my health insurance ran out October last year. The medical system here is not very kind to lower middle class people when it comes to insurance.
I don't make enough to pay for health insurance privately and I make too much to qualify for the state to help me pay for it and I also make to much for medicare,where the state would pay it for me.
I'll be able to get health insurance through my employer though this coming September and I should be allright then.
@Sweeten (159)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I feel your pain, I hadn't slept for almost two days because I just couldnt! Now it seems like I can't stop sleeping, just yesterday I slept for a little over 12 hours. But if I had to guess, it would be that the medication you took is keeping you awake, because if I remember correctly my aunt had the same problem, but I don't remember the medication she took..
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
26 Jul 09
I think it's just your body's reaction to the medication.
I have problem sleeping, too, and it's around 3am here on my end.
But I'm not taking medication, I think it's just insomnia that I've got.
calyxus
@jia3271 (28)
• Philippines
27 Jul 09
Hello. I do have insomnia too because of stress. I read about it and am coping well with a glass of warm milk and B complex witamins. Try progessive relaxation technique, yoga and meditation. I read from a natural healing book the orthomolecular megavitamin therapy. God bless u.
@sunny68 (1327)
• India
27 Jul 09
the pressure of modern life does take its toll. i strongly advice you to visit a doctor. unprofessional advice can be dicey. it may seem expensive to visit a doctor but since you do not know what is going on inside your body it may get worse. sorry i don't mean to scare you but it is really not advisable to take health problems lightly. my best wishes and good luck to you..take care and get well soon
