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Posted 5/5/2015 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. In the past I was an active poster on the Crohn's section of the site. Right now I'm having a bit of an anxiety crisis and I'm not sure what to do. I've been through this many times before, I'm 38. The last time this happened to me was 7 years ago, which is the longest I've ever gone between flare ups.

My anxiety manifests itself in insomnia. I stop sleeping well, I try harder to sleep, I sleep less and my anxiety goes crazy. I'm going out of country with my Mom next month as she has to have a major operation for kidney cancer. I had a few bad nights of sleep last week and started thinking about how I need to be rested in order to support her and I stopped sleeping. Now I'm a bit of a wreck and I'm not sure what to do.

I've been using self talk and breathing exercises a lot lately, during the day and at night. Last night I woke up at 1:30 and was up until after 5AM.

As far as medication I have prescriptions for zopiclone (it's like Ambien), Atarax and Elavil. I don't like to use the zopiclone because 15 years ago I used it every day for 3 weeks and got dependent on it. Elavil has worked well before to get me through these episodes, but last week I took between 10 and 20 mg and still woke up early. I dropped the Elavil last night and used 10mg of Atarax and woke at 1:30.

I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor. What should I expect? What should I do in the meantime? I'm not crazy about starting an SSRI because they can cause insomnia and mess with my gut (I have Crohn's Disease). I also don't want to start trying to find what SSRI is best for me while I'm getting ready to go on this trip.

Please help, I need to put myself together before I leave in 3.5 weeks. No one else can go with my Mom.

thanks
Mike
Posted 5/5/2015 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Anxiety forum, I'm happy you are here but sorry you are suffering with anxiety. Insomnia is the worst, I use to sleep about 30-60 mins at a time all night long, I'd wake up constantly for years. I ended up having sleep apena and being put on a cpap machine and my insomnia went away, but I still wake up with anxiety once in a while so I know how you feel.

Are you in any type of therapy? I recommend CBT or mindfulness therapy, I think it would help you a great deal. In the meantime, good job on going to see your doctor maybe they can prescribe you a benzo, like xanax or ativan to help.

I wish I had the magic answer but I don't, I am still living with anxiety daily, but when things get too bad I watch a mindfulness video, you can search for them on youtube, I'll also post one for you that is from our resource thread. Check out the top thread titled resources for other helpful links and self help.

Again, welcome I'm glad you are here, keep posting and we will walk this path of anxiety with you. In the meantime, watch this video it really helps me I think it will help you too.

Three Minute Mindfulness Meditation Video

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDflnqo0TQs
Posted 5/5/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lisa. I did some meditation about 15 years ago during an anxiety flare and I enjoyed it and I believe in it. The video was good, I'm going to watch it again tonight. What do you think she means by 'spaciousness?'

I think you're right, CBT would be good. I will have to look into that.

Mike
Posted 5/5/2015 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what she means by spaciousness, your guess is as good as mine, lol.

I'm happy you enjoyed the video, I just found another one on youtube that I like I'll post the link for you. You can search youtube for more videos too there are thousands of them.

Happy to hear you'll look into CBT I go to a CBT group therapy and find it very helpful. I also do a mindfulness group for anxiety and like it too. I love group therapy as it let's me know I'm not alone in my suffering from anxiety and depression.

Here is the other video, it's a bit longer at 15 minutes but I really enjoyed it.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT_ZvD94_kE
Posted 5/5/2015 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to the A/P.:)

I am really sorry to hear of your sleep issue...true misery, I know!

What if any natural remedies have you tried? Melatonin, Valerian Root, L-tryptophan...ect.

How about soundwave therapy? Binaural Beats work to induce theta waves in the brain for getting into a deep sleep. (if you would like a link for this let me know!)

Here is a link that you might find helpful...all sorts of good ideas to try that are all natural.


http://everydayroots.com/sleep-remedies


 

I think that A.L.'s suggestion of asking about a benzodiazepine is also a good one...or talk to your doctor about an alternative, (non dependency risk) Rx called Vistaril. (an antihistamine used off label for actue anxiety/panic.)

Wishing you and your mom the best! Post with us anytime.

Scaredy Cat

Posted 5/5/2015 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat. I am open minded to anything, if you could post the link that would be great! I will check out those natural remedies too.

I do have Vistaril - I called it by it's other brand name, Atarax, in my original post. I've used it at 10mg at bedtime occasionally over the past few years. Unfortunately, last night I tried it but I still woke at 1:30 and couldn't get back sleeping until 5:00. I suppose 10mg may be too low for what I'm going through right now? I do like this med as it makes me sleepy and it's a low dependency risk. I like Elavil too. I'm not sure which one I should stick with to help me through this. I think I should pick one and stick with it for a while. I used Elavil last week with limited success.

I very glad I came here today.

thanks again
Mike

Edit: I just made an appointment with my GP....no openings until May 26th!!!

Post Edited (Rider Fan) : 5/5/2015 11:42:06 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/5/2015 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
...ah, I didn't make that catch on the alternative name...sorry!

Here is the link for the binaural beats. You can also find apps for your phone I believe...that may be good to have downloaded for if you wake in the middle of the night.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l13TSFrNgM


This is just one of many...so you can search for others that have background music if you like, different frequencies ect.

Best to you, and keep us posted.:)

S.C.

Posted 5/6/2015 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
try scardy cats suggested sleep aids and ask dr about buspar. low risk antianxiety med thats not addicting and works better than vistoril (attarax). its what i take and works wonders. sadly it dosnt work well for everyone.
Posted 5/6/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dan. I recall reading about Buspar the other day - it does seem like a low risk option to try. I'll keep it in mind when I get to see the dr. If he wants me to take Paxil or something like that I may suggest trying Buspar first.

Mike
Posted 5/6/2015 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you have been having anxiety you are in good company here and will get good support.

CBT is a very effective therapy and the one which has the most evidence that it helps to treat anxiety so something to speak with your doctor about. Mindfulness is also good and there are loads of videos on youtube most of which are good.

Have you ever tried acupuncture? It can really help with anxiety but you need a few sessions before you can see the benefits.

Hibee
Posted 5/6/2015 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Aom2aqmu3M

Rider Fan, I was sleeping about 1 hour a night for months this past summer. Lunesta, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, OTC sleep aids......nothing was helping. I tried the theory(Sleep Restriction) in the above vid on you tube and it worked! Anyway, I'm sorry you're dealing with insomnia- it's horrible. :)

*made your link active* :)

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 5/6/2015 10:16:42 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2015 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks WTBN. As I was lying in bed last night after waking up again at 3:30 I kept thinking...I wish things would just 'go back to normal'. I got super anxious and tense from 4:30 to 6:00 but I was able to find a good breathing pattern that relaxed me and I got a hold of myself. I slept more from about 8:00 to 9:30.

Thanks for the video. I will look into this. I've been thinking, is there a point in going to sleep at 11PM if I just keep waking up 3 hours (or less) later? Maybe I should go to bed around 2AM and try to break the cycle I'm on...
Posted 5/7/2015 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to the doctor today at 1:30. It's a walk in clinic that I've been to before.

When I go to bed I usually feel ok and feel like I'm going to have a good night. Then I wake up between 2 and 3 and can't get back to sleep and the anxiety takes over. I took amitriptyline last night, 10mg, but if that's the result I may as well not take anything.

I feel like I'm not going to be able to relax and get a hold of myself until I can get a few nights where I sleep more than 3 hours. I have zopiclone (similar to Ambien) - do you guys think it might be worthwhile to use them for a few nights to start to feel more human again and try to reset myself? I could use those days to focus on breathing and meditation. I don't like to use the zopiclone because 15 years ago I used them everyday for 3 weeks (as my doctor told me to) and I got dependent on them. It took me months to get off. If I use them for 3 nights in a row I shouldn't get dependent, right?
Posted 5/7/2015 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
RF,

Ask at your appointment today whether or not the doctor thinks you should reinstate the sleep Rx...even for a few days.

You might be better off with focusing on other long terms methods.

Have you tried or considered a short acting sleep med? These are ususally milder and shorter in duration (typically 4 hrs or so), and could get you to a place where you are able to get back to a good sleep, even if waking as late as early morning (2 to 4 a.m.)

Hoping you get some good help at your appointment today...keep us posted!

S.C.
Posted 5/7/2015 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
No you won't get dependent on them using them for 3 days. You could also try your ambien. Make sure to tell your doctor the extent of your imsomnia, they may prescribe you something else, and Depending on what the doctor says today and if they don't give you anything you could try the ambien or the zopiclone. I hope you can get a restful nights sleep tonight.
Posted 5/7/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
You could be right, taking the zopiclone for a few nights could just get me nowhere. No way am I interested in taking them longer than that. Which sleep meds are for 4 hours? Do you mean something like xanax?

Honestly the other option I'm considering is just going with nothing and focus on my thought patterns only. I mean I know I can sleep 3 hours a night using nothing...then at least I won't have to worry about the effects of the medications, getting off them eventually, etc. It's just that I thought it might be worth a shot to try the zopiclone for a few nights to 're-set' myself as I tend to get more anxious the less I sleep.

thanks
Mike

Scaredy Cat said...
RF,

Ask at your appointment today whether or not the doctor thinks you should reinstate the sleep Rx...even for a few days.

You might be better off with focusing on other long terms methods.

Have you tried or considered a short acting sleep med? These are ususally milder and shorter in duration (typically 4 hrs or so), and could get you to a place where you are able to get back to a good sleep, even if waking as late as early morning (2 to 4 a.m.)

Hoping you get some good help at your appointment today...keep us posted!

S.C.

Posted 5/7/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)

AngelLisa said...
No you won't get dependent on them using them for 3 days. You could also try your ambien. Make sure to tell your doctor the extent of your imsomnia, they may prescribe you something else, and Depending on what the doctor says today and if they don't give you anything you could try the ambien or the zopiclone. I hope you can get a restful nights sleep tonight.

Thanks Lisa. I'm working from home today. Considering how little I slept I don't feel too horrible and I'm doing a good job keeping my head on straight. I'm going to make this a positive day no matter what.
Posted 5/7/2015 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Ask or look into Sonata. (Zaleplon)
This med is quick acting with a duration of about 3 or 4 hrs...

...perfect for when waking in the early a.m.

...and no 'hang-over' effect...

S.C.
Posted 5/7/2015 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking about you RF! Hang in there. :)
Posted 5/7/2015 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SC, unfortunately that medication isn't available in Canada anymore. It used to be, but they stopped selling it here for some reason.
Posted 5/7/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh...bummer...I wonder why...

Maybe you can ask about a comparable med at your appointment?

S.C.
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