Oh how I miss sleep

OK, so I've been on nortriptriptyline for about three weeks, and I must say, it has actually helped with my pain. My headaches are at a minimal and my muscle pain is pretty much gone.

My problem still lies in my sleep. I have no problems getting to sleep. I go to sleep between 9:00 and 10:00, but usually closer to 10:00. I am still waking up between 3:00 and 4:00 am EVERY morning. Last night I actually woke up at 1:00 am. Each time I wake up, I cannot get back to sleep. Then all day I am a zombie because I am so tired. I've tried everything. Hot bath, lavender pillow spray, sleep aids, vitamins, reading before bed. You name it, and I am still wake up come 3 or 4.

I started thinking maybe it was the Topamax that was causing it since it started around the time I was taking it. I am only on 50mgs, so I went off of it for about two weeks and there was no change, so I am back on it. I made the mistake of skipping a dosage of the nortriptriptyline and the next day I was in severe pain and quite nauseated, so I don't dare come off that.

I sent a message to my doctor for help. I work full-time and can barely function some days because I am so tired. Today I came in two-and-a-half hours late just to try and get some sleep, which I really didn't.

Is there anything else (over-the-counter) that I can try to help get a good night's rest?

Yea, I've been taking Melatonin each evening as well.

Hey holmesla, I am sorry to hear about your sleeping issues. My chronic pain from my RSD has left me with insomnia for years and I tried every over the counter and prescription medication possible to no avail (OTC's are useless). I would go for days without sleep and then usually around the middle of the third day crash and sleep for a little and then the cycle would restart. Even that sleep I did get after crashing did not make me feel any better it was not good sleep it was fake sleep as I would get up and feel like I didn't get any sleep at all. Over the years though its become a normal thing but I was recommended to try the use of the generic of Ambien called Zolpidem and this is something that actually I would recommend for you. As long as you have 8 hours to devote to sleep take it before you go to bed and it should help you. Sadly I had to stop using it because of a complication but its the only worth while sleeping med I would recommend. Good luck to you.

Thank you. Last night I tried it all. Muscle relaxer, benadryl, and Melatonin. Went to lay down at 8:30 and probably didn't get to sleep until 10:00. Then I woke up at 12:30 and honestly I don't think I ever did go back to sleep. I thought about staying home today to sleep, but I didn't bother because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. It's no use. I will try and nap on my lunch break. Usually I don't sleep during that time, but just resting my eyes sometimes helps.

I really hope the hear from my doctor today. It is annoying you call and leave a message and then don't hear back from them that same day. I know they are busy and all, but this really sucks!

I have managed to stay positive through the pain, but with days like this, or should I say nights like this, I feel myself slipping closer to depression, and I don't want to go there. I am just so tired all of the time that I am not myself. I need to snap out of it.

It's funny you mention Cymbalta. I went on that four years ago when my pain first started and that actually caused me insomnia.

The pain I am or was dealing with is muscle pain in the neck and shoulders along with tension and migraine headaches. The nortriptriptyline seems to be helping with the pain, so that is good.

I finally just heard from the doctor and she wants me to up my dosage of the nortriptriptyline from 20 mgs to 30mgs. I am willing to give it a shot, but somehow think it won't work since it seems my sleep has gotten worse since getting on it. Crossing my fingers it works.....

Oh i hear you on the no sleep, i haven't slept well for years. It certainly makes coping thru the day much harder..

Recently i was started on another antidepressant called Remeron, which is taken at night as it makes you sleepy, so i have

had some better nights. 

Suzane

Post Edited (tmjpain) : 9/14/2011 3:32:34 PM (GMT-6)