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Posted 8/5/2013 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
Anyone here ever have experience with sleepless nights? I haven't had more than 3-4 hrs of sleep every night for quite some time and I am physical/emotionally drained. I can't take this anymore! I don't want to take meds to go to sleep if I can avoid it but I don't know what to do.
Posted 8/5/2013 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Good to meet you but sorry to hear you are having sleep problems I can relate on that one and know how frustrating it is. I have had sleep problems for years which is directly linked to my anxiety which always seems to be worse at night are you the same?

If you haven't already I would go and speak with your doctor and see what advice they give you sometimes a short course of medication in enough to re set your sleep patterns. It is important to maintain a sleep regime such as always going to bed at the same time, don't watch any tv for at least an hour before bed, make sure the temperature in your bedroom is not to high, black out blinds on your windows, read before bed, only get into bed when you are ready to sleep and if you wake up get up and out of bed and then go back when you are feeling ready to sleep again.

An other important thing is to address the underlying issues of anxiety this can be done by talking therapies such as cbt or mindfulness have you ever done any of these?

I hope this info helps you and please ask any questions you have we are here to support you through this tough time.

Hibee
Posted 8/5/2013 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Asleep at 10-10:30 and wide awake 1-2 am. I feel your pain. Saturday night was especially bad.

Hang in i here, I cannot really help, I just wanted you to be assured you are not alone.
Posted 8/5/2013 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am exactly the same! Some nights I don't sleep at all and these days I can't even nap...It must be anxiety over drive...I have tried every med and Im currently on Amitriptyline 50mg, this still doesn't work :o(

If anyone can shed any advice on this I would love to know..I think I have now developed anxiety about sleep...tried all the relaxation things and bedtime routines..

You are definitely NOT alone :o)
Posted 8/9/2013 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback. I guess it's reassuring that I'm not alone on this, just wish I could make it stop. If my brain had a mute button life would be so much easier :/

Regarding your advice Hibee, I have somewhat addressed the anxiety, I'm not in therapy (it creeps me out) but I do take meds when needed (Xanax). My doctor is aware of the anxiety as telling him was obviously the only way to get meds, but I didn't mention my sleep issues at my last appointment... I don't think at that time I realized it was even an issue as the insomnia was just beginning. I have talked to my doctor about my anxiety a few times but I'm just not so sure how I feel about therapy... I'm a wimp when it comes to talking about how I feel and totally shut down when asked about emotional junk.
Posted 8/9/2013 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried some of the natural remedies?

Melatonin
Gaba
L-Theanine
-or-
Sound Therapy, such as Brain Waves (binaural beats on youtube, or found as an app)

These can be really effective. My daughter had really good results with Melatonin and the Brain Waves.

I wish you the best...I know this is a really hard thing to deal with!

S.C.
Posted 8/9/2013 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
I lived on about 5 hrs sleep for most of my life, about 6 months ago I tried benadryl just because my nose was stopped up, I slept for 7 hrs. didn't think anything about it until I read it somewhere and tried it again, long story short, I take one of the cheep ones from walmart every night, I haven't slept this well in many years.
"I don't think I would take one with a benzo" my doctor knows
all my bedtime meds and he said it was ok. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/12/2013 6:43 AM (GMT 0)
@ Larry, the major downfall to Benadryl is that in time your body may get used to it. I used to take that as well as other allergy meds to go to sleep, but then they stopped making me tired.
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