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Insomnia Help Please - too wired to sleep!

Posted , 4 users are following.

mary_ann03140
mary_ann03140

I am in desperate need of help!  I simply do not get tired enough to sleep (I am constantly wired).  I have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder.  I tried sertraline but that only made my anxiety worse (I only took it a few weeks).  I was also given lorazapem at that time, a 30 day dose, and was becoming dependent on it for sleep.  Can someone please tell me if taking an anti depressant will eventually help with my sleep?  I do not feel anxious during the day.  I am simply anxious over not getting any sleep.  This is really affecting my life as I am afraid to travel for fear of not sleeping.  I am beside myself about this and I know that worry about the lack of sleep is not helping and is only making matters worse.  I am open to any and all suggestions.  I will be seeing my doctor tomorrow but am interested to hear what others have to say.  Sleep is so important and I am so afraid of how this is affecting my overall health.  I am 60 years old and need to get this under control.  Thank you.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • apu91247
    apu91247 mary_ann03140

    Posted

    300 ml warm milk mixed well with half a teaspoon turmeric and sugar right before bed time is what helping with my sleep.Sleep issues are  temparory. dont get panicked
  • Sambo2901
    Sambo2901 mary_ann03140

    Posted

    Sertraline made my insomnia much worse. Mirtazapine, also an antidepressant can help with sleep.

    I too suffered with insomnia, for many years.  I have recently read a book recommended by my CBT Practitioner called Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems by Colin A Espie. This book has turned my sleep problems around. It’s a self help guide using CBT techniques. You follow a programme over 6 weeks. I am now getting between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 Hours a night which is a vast improvement to what I was getting. It’s really changed my outlook on sleep or rather lack of. 

    I was sceptical to begin with, but this book has helped me so much.

    Like you I never felt tired enough for sleep when going to bed and I too suffered with anxiety particularly about not sleeping. Maybe consider giving this book a try. I got it from Amazon and it really is the best £8 I ever spent. 

    Good luck.

  • liz62218
    liz62218 mary_ann03140

    Posted

    Your story is so very much like mine it could have been mine!  My anxiety is totally about fear of not sleeping. I’m absolutely fine during the day.  At night lying down to sleep is like Pavlovs dog. My heart pounds and on waking in the night.  Will I sleep or get back to sleep again.  I’ve been like this off and on for 25 years and antidepressants don’t target this specific issue at all in my experience.  I see a natural healer who also has advised me on best vitamin B C supplements and magnesium at night.  I’m currently taking 10 to 20 Mg of amitriptilene at night which makes you feel drowsy before retiring and paying a hypnotherapist for weekly sessions.  I listen to his CD at night which helps me fall asleep   but need to tackle the night awakenings and heart poundings during the night .  For me mirtzepam didn’t tackle the palpitations.  I didn’t sleep but worse felt like a zombie the following day.  

    You may may want to ask the doc about propananol. Taken 40 mg three times during the night but it doesn’t reduce the palpitations any more.  It used to CBT hasn’t worked for me.  Took so long to get on a course from GP referral and the therapist I dealt with only has experience of insomnia not insomnia with palpitations. 

    I am 59 years old and am retiring next week.  I’m hoping that will help immensely. Good luck to you.  It would be good to keep a dialogue going as I feel we may be in same boat.  Best wishes. 

    • mary_ann03140
      mary_ann03140 liz62218

      Posted

      HI:  just re-read your post from a few months ago.  How are you doing?  I am no better.  Still not sleeping well.  On an anti depressant (lexapro) that is not helping and if anything is making the sleep issue worse.  I am becoming despondent.  My doctor wants me to give the lexapro a few more days before trying something else.  Hope you are better than me!  How much magnesium do you take?
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