I made a Doctor’s appointment last week, as I’ve been having trouble sleeping through the night. Now my father had joked with me years ago that it was quite common as you get older. (Meaning many trips to the CR at night) I smiled and said that I was middle aged and was not too worried about that. He said, “Middle aged you think, son you’re fifty, are you planning on living to a hundred, as that would be the only way you’re middle aged now”.
While at the clinic, I spoke with my doctor and explained that I had no problem falling asleep, but it was staying asleep that bothered me, he poked and prodded, asked one or two questions, then grabbed his prescription pad and wrote out something, who knows, as I couldn’t read it. And off to the Drug Store I went, well it was seven Drug Stores, before I found one that had the pill he prescribed. On the slip it said 50 pills, and that I was to cut them in half and take one half prior to sleeping. The girl at the Drug Store looked shocked and went to talk to her supervisor, he came over and explained that by law he could only give me thirty pills; I shrugged and said “That’s fine with me.”
Back home at the house that night I took the half pill prior to bed time and quickly fell asleep, and slept the night through, and a lot of the next morning. When I woke up I was in La-La land, both foggy and fuzzy in my brain, which was confusing as I’d not had a beer in three days.
It took two attempts to find my computer, and three more to get on line. I logged on to Google and looked up the pill I’d taken the night before. Of course I know I should have done that first, but this is “Paul” we’re talking about.
This is what I found; “RIVOTRIL” for Bi-Polar Disorder. Since I knew that I lived fairly close to the Equator, kinda’ in the middle between the North and South Poles, than, that’s pretty much Bi-Polar. The Doctor had to have been right. Now I read the warning of the side effects; Clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness lightheadedness drowsiness, a false sense of well being, trembling or shaking, and slurred speech. “Hell Doc. You could’ve told me to drink a lot of San Miguel, and saved the cost of the pills.”
But nowhere on the three pages of the site could I find any reference to Sleeping Disorder. When I returned to see my now not so favorite Doctor, he smiled and said “I gave you someone else’s prescription” (I saw him fill out the RX) and he thought it was quite funny. I know it was time to jump up and go ballistic (Neal, notice I did not say “Postal”) But as my head was clear at the time I just smiled and left, he called after me and asked If I wanted the correct medicine, I said “No thank you, Sir” and stopped at the market and bought a case of San Miguel, and told my wife, this was what the Doctor Ordered!
Now, to those who would write and tell me how insensitive I am to those who suffer from this most debilitating disorder, I e-mailed a friend who suffers from Bi-Polar disorder, and sent him a copy, he replied that he thought it was funny and would I send him the pills.
Paul
Fancy that you are turning a new leaf.lol
On a serious note, I have a severe Herniated disc w nerve damage in my neck (caused by carrying that dam mail bag) that has been causing headaches. The Doc gave me some type of nerve blocking pill (elavil) to stop headaches and one of the side effects is that it makes you sleep. I take it 1 hr before lights out and I sleep right thru the night.
John;
I watched Cheers for years back in the 80’s, and I never saw Cliff with a mailbag.(lol) My Uncle was a Postal Carrier and he had the same problem, Ahh! A work related injury! (and no reference to snow)
Paul:
San Miguel is medicinal in nature… All natural ingredients. This makes it a sort of homeopathic cure, I think. Watch out!!! You may turn into a New Age Hippie! 😉
John;
Homo-what? (lol) This old hippy is staying with the San Miguel, and beads and sandals, as I’ve never been to Oklahoma.
See if you can get some Ambien paul, I suffer bouts of insomnia every once in awhile and they work wonders…I break one in half and still get a good nights sleep…kinda like San M without paying the rent of it !
Brian;
As soon as I find a NEW Doctor I’ll asked about Ambien, so far the San Magoo’s have been working great.
Here, if a Doctor gave the wrong prescription and then admitted to it later it would probably be big time malpractice suit. Glad you did not accidentally injure yourself while you were buzzed on the drug !
I agree, I think you are much better off with the case of San Miguel. No prescription required ! LOL
Bob;
In a Lawsuit here, you must be prepared to be in court until the lawyer has paid for his kid’s education.
I cant believe he admitted to giving you the wrong stuff. your better off with the san magooo. whenever i am in P.I. it always helps me sleep good that and tanuduay rum.
Mike;
I followed you advice and slept like a log last night. But the hangover is hell!
I don’t think the San Mig is strong enough. Juramie has a tito that is the local supplier of tuba to her home barangay. Maybe we can check on the LBC cost of having it delivered.
Jack;
One time I drank Tuba, and it was also the last! I know where I’d ship it too.(lol)
Always beware of a doctor who reaches for their precription pad to treat a sleep disorder! Try this: no caffiene after 11:00 am, no eating three hours before you go to bed and put two blocks of wood under the legs at the head of your bed.
Allan;
Sounds like good advice, except somehow the wood blocks get knocked loose before I fall asleep!
Hi Paul,
I alway’s enjoy your articles. I am writing you because I too was having troubles similar to what you discribe. Doctor said I have Sleep Apnia. It is more common in us “middle aged men” especially if you snore alot. It can lead to alot of other health problems. Here is web site to give you more information. http://www.cpap.com
I hope everything works out for you.
Brian
Brian;
I went to the site, and thought after seeing the sleep mask “That would sure decrease one’s sex life1.”(lol) But kidding aside, thank you for that information! Maybe I’ll also take longer naps during the day?
Hi Paul – I have the same problem: fall asleep but wake up a couple of times during the night for no reason at all. My doc said that it might be service-related, only manifesting itself now. I said, just give me some pills, p-checker.
Lunesta is what I’m on. Does the job, but there’s a price. In order to get used to the med, you have to control the San Miguel, and slowly increase the amount of intake over time. A case of San Magoo with the first pill could cause unwanted, life changing results (like switch to “off”).
Hi Paul;
Doctors buy shares in pharmaceutical companies, and not beer companies. Can we really trust them? Mine is also service/work related, 30 years of a powerful engine throbbing beneath your feet, then I come home and it’s quiet. Seriously, I miss the noise and vibration while sleeping. I found that I sleep best in the afternoon with music playing.
Hi
I too have sleep problems. It stems from 20 years of shift work with fast turnarounds.
I suffer badly here in Canada
When I am in the Phils I have a hard time keeping awake after 9:45 and sleep straight through. It is heaven I can tell you!!!! I wake up refreshed and ready to start the day about 8am.
I am a little concerned though….I am leaving for the Phils next thursday for a Rotary dental mission.
Will my hosts think I am rude not to party with them and the rest of the rotary gang and go to bed at 10PM????
Tyleen
Tyleen;
By all means boogie with the group until 22:00 if they are also willing to stay up that late, sometimes ya gotta’ take one for the team!
Paul
Maybe you should investigate the use of”Medical Marijuana”, but from what I recall there in the RP they think “MaryJane” is some kind of hard drug.
Med Marijuana is legal here with a ID card and you can even grow 12 Plants for Med use.
Neal;
Those grow lights sure do use a lot of electricity, don’t they? In the Philippines I’ll stick with San Miguel, and avoid the munchies.
hahaha medical marijuana i know it sure is abundant near where i live in cavite my wife said they grow alot of it in tagaytay but i saw some and it was pretty low grade stuff nothing like what they have in cali i heard they even smoke the leaves here in the phils. but be prepared for the munchies at midnight. but just remeber no bail in the philippines for marijuana.not worth the risk to end up in a philippine jail
Hi Jason;
You right about that! I’ve made it to 62 without any jail time, and I’m in no rush to check one out. (Does being put in the Shore Patrol pen on the pier in Naples Italy count as jail?)
For an efficient sleeping pill, Temazepam is worth getting. ALWAYS research meds – on the internet – before taking. Rivotril can cause td(tardive diskinesia). Elavil, if I recall correctly, is a mood stabilizer, sometimes used to treat epilepsy. Overkill for a muscle-relaxant/pain-killer. I’ve found Naproxen to work best for numbing the nerves & soft tissue injuries. One of the challenges in living in such a hot climate is the lack of desire in exercising. The best, most natural, cure for insomnia, however, is physical exertion. I recommend a walking route of 45minutes+, for those who wish to maintain/improve cardio, yet, do not have daily access to a gym or the ocean.
Mike
Hi Mile;
Lesson learned about taking any pill without first researching it on the Internet. I decided I really don’t want to rely on a pill. I started walking around my purok every morning. I drink no coffee after 08:00, and no food or snacks after 18:00. Last night I slept till 04:00, after falling asleep at 21:00. Seven hours is a very lot of sleep for me.
Jason
Medical Marijuana is no laughing matter. If someone has a illness I think they should have access to all and any options to help them deal with their illness.
Before my Brother in Law died I would go with him to his Chemotherapy treatment and before we even got home from the Dr office he would have to pull over on the side of the road and vomit. By him smoking a harmless joint he would be able to control his Nausea and keep food down.
On a lighter side: Everybody knows you kill the Male Plants so they don’t pollinate all the girls and get all seeds, the Female Buds are what you are after.
Bob:
Don’t sensor me on this it only educational material.
Mike(BankaBoat)
Elavil is often used in LOW doses to deaden the nerve impulses from firing that cause Migrain Headaches. Therefore while on Physical Therapy I am taking it as the Docs orders to get thru therapy.
Hmm Moody, I have been called that before.
good day Paul.
I got back home ok. Been crazy work wise also i wiped out your e mail address if you still have mine please resend your address.
Hi Frank;
Sorry you weren’t able to fully enjoy the day, it was good to meet you, see you next trip I hope. (I sent you an e-mail)
hello paul
i think you need to go jogging after dinner or to do things that will make you tired,i live in northeast usa and alot of times in winter i cant sleep due to lack of work,this winter has been really bad here.i havent been lobstering in 1 month because its always windy and so so cold here.wish i was in mindanao right now.i think in society that people think that pills or drugs are the answer but i believe in old home remedys.if the doctor gives you pills for pain then you need 3 different kinds of pills to offset the pain pills.
Hi Ron;
If I was to go jogging after supper at my age, I’d sleep well afterwards; I think it’s called a dirt nap. I agree that I have to become more active, so I’ve started walking in the morning after I do my morning chores. The benefit to that is I found a cure to the kid’s saying “Hey Joe” to me, I say it first to them, some scratch their head, and most smile.
I’ve tried to forget those New England winters!
paul. Beleive it or not i cannot get throug th you by email please could you resend or advise another email address .Frank
Hi Frank;
It’s on the way. you had the correct address.