Last time I shared with you how God led me to the source of my anxiety
(See Resting in the Arms of Our Savior). As confirmed by several online
doctors, Zoplicone, also known as Lunesta was the culprit, and I was to
wean off of it gradually.
As there were two dosages of this drug
available, 7.5 mg and 5 mg, I wondered if there was a 2.5 mg version
available as well, as this would allow me to reduce the dosage more
gradually, thus helping me wean off the medication much more easily. I
decided to ask the advice of a medical doctor.
The doctor was
totally shocked. "How will you be able to sleep without it? Have you
thought about that?"
"Well, it doesn't work that well any longer
anyway," I answered.
"It's true," the doctor said. "Over time it
becomes less effective. Still how are you planning to sleep without its
help?"
"There are other solutions, like natural remedies, such as
Valerian and Melatonin."
The doctor's response came with some
vehemence: "You truly believe these will work? Where did you get that
idea that Zoplicone is the source of your anxiety? It makes no sense."
As I shared the findings God had provided for me off the Internet,
the doctor's response was, "Hogwash! Zoplicone doesn't stay in your
system. It's out of your system by the time you wake up."
The
doctor then went on to say that some individuals are more prone to
anxiety than others, and that anxiety would always be a part of my life.
I would have to learn to live with it, because Zoplicone has nothing to
do with it.
I left the doctor's office shaken. I knew, however,
that I could trust my God more than all the experts in the world
together, and so I followed His guidance over the advice of the doctor.
I never doubted it would work. How different from my former life, where
doubt and lots of questioning was always my norm. God has always come
through for me. I truly had nothing to fear.
It took me seven
months to wean off those pills. Whenever I lowered my dosage, anxiety
became more prevalent for several days. I had indeed become addicted to
that medication, even though, according to the medical field, it is not
addictive. I persevered, depending completely on God, and it paid off. I
am now completely free from both Zoplicone and anxiety. The word
"anxiety" used to bring fear to my heart, but not any longer. Anxiety
was conquered only by following God's guidance.
Whenever you face
a choice between the best experts in this world and God's advice, I
truly recommend siding with God's. After all, He is the One who created
us and loves us more than we can ever comprehend.
Facing
nightmares and anxiety? Come to Him. He assures us: "Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28,
NIV2)
P. S. I now sleep better than ever before. I used to be
quite a dancer in bed, flipping and flopping from one side to the other
in what my wife termed as "the fish flop." This has changed as well. I
now wake up feeling rested, and so does she! My Father is the One who
brought me rest!
Rob Chaffart