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Insomnia during flare

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Posted 7/22/2015 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Outside of being woken by urgencies, sometimes falling asleep is a really scary feeling, like my mind is confused and it's going crazy inside, it's really hard to explain but the feeling doesn't feel safe. It is driving me nuts.. Does anyone know what this is called? It's like my mind is zig zagging creating a frightful feeling. I drink plenty of fluids too btw so I'd rule out a dehydration symptom.
Posted 7/22/2015 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I had an fear of falling asleep for a few years. I started seeing a therapist and she said I had post traumatic stress disorder after I coded during an infusion. I was scared of dying in my sleep so i just didn't sleep! Therapy helped me a lot with this. I can sleep now and trust that I most likely won't die. It took a while but every night in bed, I think of all the things I am thankful for that day. It helps me go to bed on a positive and stress free note.
Posted 7/22/2015 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
understandable health anxiety plus you are on a sterroid ...
Posted 7/22/2015 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
My dr gave me pills. I start to fall asleep and startle awake. It's fight or flight anxiety. Get some sleep aids.
Posted 7/22/2015 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
It's probably anxiety combination of UC and the drugs
I have newfound terrible anxiety and insomnia with my UC
Both are much better as I'm improving and lowering my steroids
Try Ativan or the like as it will really help with the anxiety and insomnia
Posted 7/22/2015 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others; this sounds like anxiety. If you're on prednisone that is probably why the dreadful feeling. If not, speak with your doctor about a sleep aid or a benzodiazepine. There are also SSRIs that are classified as antidepressants but in fact are better for anxiety. If you would prefer to stay away from meds, I suggest journaling the zig zag thoughts and maybe talk with a therapist.
Posted 7/22/2015 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with the previous posts. I had horrible anxiety during my worst flare. I'm sure prednisone did not help, nor the severe anemia. I was only sleeping two hours per night. Yikes. Ativan helped in the short term, plus meditation. There's and app called Calm that I used, and Headspace has a free beginner's program. Both helped me. I didn't sleep better right away, but my anxiety was reduced. The single biggest thing to help was getting off of the pred.

I still have horrible sleep. I am awake about 3am almost every day. I hate it and long for the days gone by where I could sleep the morning away if I wanted.
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