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Insomnia from anxiety

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Posted 10/29/2010 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Alright so in addition to crohns I have aspergers which cause mild to severe anxiety...any advice? I just took 1mg of Xanax and 0.5mg Ativan (an hour and half ago) and I'm relaxed finally but still can't sleep...not the first time either ive taken something like this before with still trouble sleeping..
Posted 10/29/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and sorry to hear that you aren't sleeping well, that's miserable. I don't know about medications, and how they can affect sleeping patterns. I do know that anxiety alone can keep you awake. Personally, I can always fall asleep no problem, but wake up during the night, and early morning.
Remember the basic rules for a good night's sleep:

Don't eat, drink, or exercise too close to bedtime
Save your bed/bedroom for sleep purposes only-no hanging-out in there, or watching t.v. in bed
practice gradually winding down from the day to get the mind and body ready for sleep. Reading=good...t.v./computer=bad

There are some natural sleep remedies that work for some. Melatonin, evening primrose oil, ect.. but please check with your dr. to make sure that they're not going to cause an interaction w/ your C.D. or anxiety meds!
I hope that you can get some rest soon. Let us know how it goes.
Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/29/2010 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

We have a wise member on this forum with Asperger's and I am sure he will post to you as he is always so kind and responsive to others with this syndrome.

I just wanted to stop in and say welcome to the Anxiety and Panic Forum.

Kindly,

Kitt


 

Posted 10/29/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys...socially I'm almost 99% normal..most don't know anything is wrong with me unless I specify (most view me as confident and intelligent and very social :p). However...my anxiety and insomnia as well as attention issues have been a mess lately! I don't like rediculous amounts of medication but based on my personal anylasis that's gonna have to change (I'm going into the medical field so I read about this for fun haha). I had to call in sick today for work and leave school early because these issues were bad today...

@scaredy cat, my primary care doctor and GI doctor have a good relationship and i have actually tried all those things. PC doesn't appear to know much about crohns so she runs everything by him first.
Posted 10/31/2010 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Medicalkid

Good to meet you and glad you have found this forum as you will gain great support and advice from the members here. Sorry to hear you are having problems with insomnia as I know how debilitating it is as I suffer with insomnia and go through periods of not sleeping well and when tired my anxiety is a lot worse. I take Serequel 50mg about 1hr before bed which does help me get to sleep but still do wake up during the night ask your doctor about this med it is an anti psychotic so also helps you to wind down. I also have Asperger's Syndrome and over the years developed a very complex series of what I called coping strategies but which my psychiatrist would call avoidance strategies to deal with all the traits of this syndrome which left me with GAD. I can recommend CBT as a way of helping you to learn techniques to deal with your anxiety and keep it at a more manageable level which will hopefully get you some more sleep, just a suggestion.

Keep us posted, Im not on hear as much as I used to but do pop in to see how people are.

Ben
Posted 11/2/2010 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
@hibee

Yes I've had extensive cognitive behaviorourl therapy as I used to be completely socially inept...I also had some hypnotism done. It has worked but I seriously have some annoying anxiety provoked habits that negatively affect my ability to perform at maximum proficiency in a variety of categories sleep being one of them sad smurf rolleyes Point being I've tried much more alternatives than some of the "stressed" people who walk into a doctors office and instantly get thrown a prescription for Valium and Xanax....some days I can't sleep or I can't focus because I'm so nervous about something else. At the same time however I'm not looking forward to getting written up for drug seeking behavior by any of my doctors.
Posted 11/4/2010 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
So I went to my primary care doctor today and we discussed my cuurent treatment plan. I originally wrote a well written letter about my anxiety but in person was better. I feel like she doesn't think I am a drug seeker and she wants to continue using the Ativan which I think will help :-)
Posted 11/4/2010 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Great job! I'm glad that it went well for you, and I hope that you can get the sleep you need now. Let us know how it's going soon.
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/4/2010 1:24 PM (GMT 0)

hi

I hope every thing gets better for you and you get some much needed sleep.

Ben

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