Sleeping remedies?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi again,

Since my anxiety attack last week it seems to have messed up my sleeping pattern. I can fall asleep in seconds on a night time but i wake up every day at 4am and its impossible to get back to sleep. Instant stomach churning and excitement forcing me out of bed.

So if I get up at 4, i go out for a run and keep my mind busy. By about 8am im battling to keep my eyes open. But if I try to sleep I wake up in panic. I have to wait until late in the day before I can get even just 15/20 minutes rest.

I was on Mirtazapine for 6 months which has aided my sleep but since Im not on that now Im not sure how to fix the sleep issues.

Anyone have any tips on breaking this cycle? I dont wanna have to get more drugs from the DR. Although im keen to try natural remedies.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Check out Melatonin if you haven't already, that's a natural sleep inducer vitamin. Also, I would say maybe try not going for a run at 4am when you wake up, bc to me it sounds like you would just be waking your body up even more. Whenever I have sleeping problems I get so aggravated, but I try to just lay in my bed with my eyes closed, even if I'm wide awake. I just figure even if you're not sleeping your body is still resting while you are laying there, so you're getting some sort of rest still. That's how I see it anyway lol. And I do notice on nights when I do that, even if I only get like 5 hours of sleep, I still don't feel as tired as you'd think I would. So I feel like there's some truth to this theory of mine haha.

    • Posted

      Hi I have been waking at 4am for months would be okay if I could lay there and rest but oh no intense anxiety which is agony carries on and on what a pain no tips but sympathy
    • Posted

      I second melatonin, I've just tried it out and while the lozenge/pill tastes like crap; I've had a pretty good night sleep when taking it.

      (Apart from getting night sweats from whatever else is wrong with me).

    • Posted

      I suppose there is some truth behind physically laying there to conserve energy! Lol.

      Will try this melatonin. Got some valerian root again. What the heck lets try it.

      And its impossible for me to lie in bed as if i do this my anxiety builds up so strong i go into dispair. No matter how hard i try! I found the running calms me and prevents me from panicking.

      Although once im home from the run im constantly falling back to sleep for about 10 seconds before waking up in panic. This subsides after about 4/5pm.

  • Posted

    Hmmm okay, for that then I would suggest maybe just using xanax temporarily. It not only can make you calm down but it also can make you drowsy/sleepy. So that might be perfect for you right now, at least until you can get some shut eye and get back on a normal schedule. My friend was having similar issue as you, she took xanax before bed for a week or two and it helped her fall asleep. She would take another during the night at like 3am if it wore off and if she woke up again panicky. Maybe try that if melatonin and such don't do the job?

    • Posted

      Thank you for this suggestion. It means alot
  • Posted

    I agree with the others that recommended Melatonin, it's a natural sleep inducer. I used it all the time when I was flying overseas and needed to get to sleep in Japan that first night. It promotes sleep and leaves you with no 'hangover' or drowsy feelings. If you can get it with Valerian Root, all the better. But it's usually only good for 4-5 hours of sleep, so you better leave half the pill and a glass of water by your bed. When I wake up at 3-4:00 am, i take the other half (3 mg is the usual nightly dose), close my eyes and wait 10 minutes until I get drowsy again.

    • Posted

      Heading out today to buy the melatonin.

      Tried the Valerian last night. Definitely felt a kind of more deep sleep.

      Didnt address me waking up 1 hour then 3 hours later though. Will try taking it when I wake up in the middle of the night.

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