AFIB & Sleep Meds/ Insomnia
Posted , 6 users are following.
So I have had very bad insomnia for the past 5 years and am going through a particularly nasty spell of several days now without sleep. I also have afib and am finding out that the two issues are often related. My question is, what sleep meds do you find work well for people with AFIB? I have used melatonin and found that it actually caused an AFIB episode for me. I don't generally like sleep meds, but I am kind of desperate at this time. Thank you!
0 likes, 21 replies
my_cloud pat77564
Posted
Am in a similar situation. My a fib almost always starts when I am asleep and wakes me. There is always this underlying anxiety - will I get an attack tonight? So have ended up with bad insomnia. Have tried all the common sleep aids and drugs including melatonin. The only one that helps but doc will only provide a few of lowest dose when I am exhausted is zopiclone because it is addictive. Yes have read all the books, tried all the apps, exercised Until I am worn out, don,t have caffeine or use phone/ computer in the evening etc etc but still can,t sleep. All I can offer is sympathy - it,s an awful situation to be in
pat77564 my_cloud
Posted
Yes insomnia and afib is a bad combo. Thanks for sharing. I have a sleep test next week to see if I have sleep apnea. I guess zopiclone is not the best if one has apnea. If I don't have it, I will talk to my doctor about trying zopiclone. I share your frustration with all the techniques and advice about insomnia. I swear I tried about 50 things last night to no avail and felt even more wound up and frustrated than when I started. They say you will sleep better if you just don't care about it, and that may be true. But, it is very difficult to do in a situation like this. Thanks my cloud.
my_cloud pat77564
Posted
Yes I know the advice is not to get wound up but the nights are so long and when you are desperate to fall asleep it's hard. Just a few words of experience on meds prescribed by gp. When all the mild ones didn,t work -antihistamines, melatonin etc I was prescribed amitryptiline. Gave me bad palpitations which is a common side effect. The last resort from my gp was another anti-depressant mirtazapine. Yes knocked me out with wild dreams but left me completely spaced out unable to do anything the next day. Persevered for a time but couldn't get used to the side effects so gave that up. So basically have run out of tablet options and just take a zopiclone infrequently when have something very important to do next day. Unfortunately where I live deep in the country (yes no noise, street lights or othe distractions) there are no sleep clinics, sleep therapists or other therapy. Would be good to have advice from other forum members.
cantrell45015 pat77564
Posted
I also have insomnia and only sleep a few hours every night. It makes for a long night. My doctor suggested melatonin which left me groggy the next day. On occasion I take a Benadryl which affords me an extra one hour of sleep a night. Also I can only sleep on my back due to the a fib and the pacemaker. What fun. I haven't tried warm milk recently so tonight I'll give that a try. My best to you.
derek76 cantrell45015
Posted
pat77564 cantrell45015
Posted
Thanks. I also average only 3 hours per night. It can certainly be difficult. And I know it is bad when I'm hoping for 3 hours tonight instead of 3 minutes. I just ordered a new mattress. It would seem I am an easy target for advertisers and marketers when I am struggling like this.
derek76 pat77564
Posted
I doesn't matter what time I fall asleep I almost always waken exactly two hours later On a very good night three hours..
pat77564 derek76
Posted
That's interesting, I do the same thing. The sleep restriction therapy has never worked for me. In fact, it seems to backfire. If I go to sleep later I will just worry about how I won't have enough time to get enough sleep.
cantrell45015 pat77564
Posted
pat77564 cantrell45015
Posted
pat77564 cantrell45015
Posted
Well I had the at home sleep test and unfortunately I hardly slept a wink, maybe 30 minutes to an hour. I told them this at the clinic when I returned my test equipment. The doctor's office called me and told me that I don't have sleep apnea. I asked them if they could tell from that brief period of time and she told me that it has me sleeping for 7.5 hours. I told her that wasn't the case and then she said that they can't tell if I am sleeping or not with the at home test.
I was very disappointed with the experience. Then she asked if I wanted to try again and it was almost as if she was annoyed with. She did warn me that if I didn't sleep again, my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Not happy with this. If I have apnea and it is causing AFIB and/or heart problems, I want to know. I really don't care how many times the test needs to be done.
cantrell45015 pat77564
Posted
Hi Pat, sorry your sleep apnea test was disappointing. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to sleep if and when I have the test. Better luck to you next time.
LuckyPenny1 pat77564
Posted
Hi, The hospital pharmacist who came up to see me whilst in the Cardiac Unit checked and said it was alright for me to take the (over the counter) herbal remedy Kalms along with the Bisoprolol and Warfarin. I find Kalms very helpful where anxiety and sleep are concerned. But, of course depending on what medication you're taking then, it's important to check first with your doctor just in case there should be an interaction. Good luck!
pat77564 LuckyPenny1
Posted
Thanks for the info, I haven't heard of Kalms before. I found several different options on Amazon for it. Is there one in particular that you use?
derek76 pat77564
Posted
pat77564 derek76
Posted
That's another thing we have in common. Didn't work for me either. Thanks for the suggestion though
LuckyPenny1 pat77564
Posted
Hi, The only Kalms I use are the regular ones you can take in the day to ease stress and anxiety. They got me through the menopause and when I was being weaned off my antidepressants as I was told by an A&E Doctor that they interfere with the heartbeat. So, Kalms helped me greatly with the withdrawal from the antidepressants. I can only speak for myself but, I really do find Kalms very helpful.