Bert's Blog

Sometimes You Lose

Dec 2

Written by: Bert Weiss
12/2/2008 8:43 PM 

 

I hate to lose. Always have. As a general rule I’ll prepare whatever I have to in order to give me the best chance of winning. And I hate quitting. I hate quitting even more than losing. Nothing worse than not giving everything before you finally give in. But for one of the few times in my life I’m giving up for awhile. I can’t break this freakin’ sleeping pill habit. I’ve tried on an off for months now and I’m broken. I’m tired. I’m cranky. I suck during the show.  I can’t complete thoughts or sentences. I can’t focus during conversations. I’m annoyed. My fuse is short. I’m whiney.  And I’m freakin’ tired of trying right now. I’ve lost for now. The doctors tell me there’s really no harm in taking my dosage every night for as long as I want. I just hate the thought of being on them. When I can’t take them I’m just gonna have to live with it and not freak out. And on the nights I can take them I just want to get some decent sleep.   I’m giving up for now. 

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7 comment(s) so far...

Re: Sometimes You Lose

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are GREAT on the show. I have heard you speak while on (and off) of the crap. But I can relate. I am on a bunch of prescription stuff and I know what it is like to just "not feel right inside my head" - sometimes you feel like a different person. As if your a fly on the wall and you are watching yourself, but not navigating your thoughts or actions. You are a winner. And I have admired you for a long time now. I have heard you talk about your childhood and your not so great father and I am just amazed at how you became the successful person that you are. As long as the docs say that it is safe, take your pills and get some sleep! I would, however, feel better saying that if I knew that you have gotten the "safe" disclaimer from more than one doctor. Get a second opinion and make sure that it is safe. And ask about long term. (Take Wendy's diet pills for example: long term effect is that there have been cases of people getting diagnosed with ulcerative colitis) Could something like this happen from what you are taking? I would find out. If not, then do what you gotta do and be happy! You did not loose. You win. Because you have your quality of life back. Take care.

By stacy on   12/22/2008 4:39 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

Hi Bert,

I was on Ambien for a while and could not believe that if I did not take it that I could not sleep at all. I decided to stop taking it cold turkey because I don't hear my kids at night and that is not smart. The Dr. put me on Rozerem which is supposed to be more natural (it is still medication) and help my sleep cycle. It seems to be working and although it is not perfect maybe with time I will get back to my old sleep pattern. Good luck!!

By Tracey on   12/22/2008 4:39 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

Don't give up hope...

I know everyone is emailing you suggestions....
This is what has finally worked for me after 15 plus years of struggling.
I actually wake up in the same position I fell asleep in at night....
I use weights to provide needed feedback on my back.
I bought two 10 pound weights and put them into an empty zip up pillow case. This is laid over my lower back every night. An occupational therapist I work with suggested it after watching me bounce around the room and crave stress to be an effective worker. It has something to do with needing additional sensory feedback to regulate my mind and body.
Try it...it can't hurt. Good luck-Christine

By Christine E on   12/22/2008 4:40 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

I am so sorry that you feel so defeated. I will pray that you find what works for you to figure this out!

By jennie on   12/22/2008 4:40 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

Bert, I listen to the show everyday. I too have this insomnia issues and have been on ambien for a couple years now and I freak! if I run out. But it is worse....my Ambien doesn't work so well anymore so I am still freaking tired everyday!. I feel your pain......

By valerie on   12/22/2008 4:40 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

To be as open as you are about less-than optimal aspects of your life is a testament to your commitment to your work and life. I've been in Atlanta about as long as you have been doing the Bert Show and when you are not "feeling" the show, you apologize and are genuinely upset about it. I know you feel defeated by not being able to kick the Lunesta habit, but you are the Lunesta for so many others.

You make people look forward to getting up, getting out and getting going. You guys (and girls … gotta be P.C.) make us laugh, cry, hope, hate and love all within the few hours we are stuck in traffic, dealing with that boss with the uni-brow, rejecting the advances of the overly-uptight IT guy or waiting in that endless elementary school carpool lane.

You put uniqueness and originality to an otherwise uneventful existence for most people that feel stuck in hopeless routines. Good or bad; you give us something to talk about. Thank you for that and when you are ready to be Lunesta-free, we will still love you and listen throughout.
In the meantime, take some Lunesta and get some sleep you whiny bitch! :)

By Ricky Williams on   12/22/2008 4:40 PM

Re: Sometimes You Lose

Have you ever tried Melatonin? That did it for me. It's non-narcotic and though I take that and a Tylenol PM every night, I don't feel as bad as if I were taking prescription pills. There are TONS of people who have sleeping issues - don't feel so bad.

By Julie on   12/22/2008 4:41 PM

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Next Up On The Bert Show...
About Bert Weiss

Hey Y'all.
 

I can't believe that it's been over seven years since I started "The Bert Show" in Atlanta. Before Q100, I was part of the support staff on morning shows in San Diego, Washington, DC and Dallas.   Q100 gave me my first shot at hosting a morning show. I was so nervous to come to Atlanta.   I remember my fear of failure being so intense the first few months that I actually went on anxiety medication.  Ridiculous, right?
 

Seven years later I'm really proud of what the Bert Show has done.  When the show started, we literally were the last ranked morning show in the city.   Thanks to you guys we've come a long, long way since then.
 

So much has changed in my life since we got here. My son Hayden is now 6. I have a 19 month old, too: Hollis. There are so many transplants here that in a few years he may be the only kid in his class to say he was actually born in Atlanta.   Parenting has brought out the best and worst in me. Parenting exposes my emotional baggage but also brings out the best in me.  Watching the person that my sons are growing into is a happiness that I never could have imagined.  
 

My wife and I celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary this year.  
  

My real love is traveling. My wife and I have traveled all through the Caribbean, Bahamas and Europe.  If there's a beach I want to be on it. Even better if there's a beach I'd like to be surfing then be on the sand. I also love Costa Rica and Brazil. If the US government told me I had to leave the country tomorrow I'd choose Brazil to live.  You haven't experienced a New Year's until you're on the beach with over a million people in Rio de Janeiro.

Give us a try in the morning. We're on from 5:30 to 10am.

Random Bert Facts
  • My hometown is San Diego.
  • My favorite TV shows are Entourage, Rob and Big, Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy and Lost. 
  • I'm scared to challenge myself to quit drinking entirely for a month.
  • My iPod is filled with Bob Marley, Justin Timberlake, Wyclef, Sean Paul, LL Cool J, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt and Black Eye Peas.
  • Although I've never been diagnosed I'm sure I have ADD.
  • I've never had a full can of any soft drink.
  • I'm scared of snakes and rats.
  • I'm secretly nervous every time I have to do speak in front of large crowds.
  • My biggest struggle is with sleeping and time management.
  • Favorite movie is probably Shawshank Redemption.
  • Favorite Comedy is Old School.  
  • Halle Berry tops the "Get out of Jail Free" list.
  • I never learned how to jump rope.
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