UK – 3years+ of treatment and about to give up!

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello Folks,

First off hello to everyone as I'm new here.

To give a bit of background for the last 5years+ I have what I would class as 'poor sleep' of which 3 years I have been seeing an NHS specialist and have pretty much given up that I will get any help from them after the last recommendation was to have a couple of alcoholic drinks if this helps me to fall asleep (very shocked that a UK DR would recommend this as a daily solution).  Hence I'm posting here to hopefully get some help.

Symptoms

Restless in bed

Taking hours to fall asleep

Waking multiple times through the night

Feeling awake when I do fall asleep

Short tempered with friends and family

Low libido

Mood Swings

Constantly tired/lethargic

Rare morning wood

As mentioned over the last 3 years I have been on and off - 

Circaden (2-4mg seems to help me get over to sleep but even up to 10mg/night doesnt help me stay asleep all night and I feel groggy in the morning) Pretty much been on various doses of this for the 3 years, occasionally I tapered down to see if it made much difference.

Zopiclone (occasionally but don't like the side effects)

Temazepam (more frequently than Zopiclone, but didnt work as well - also didnt like the sides)

Clonazepam - I was on this for over a year and it did help stay asleep but I felt groggy in the morning and coming off it from a 1yr+ was an emotional roller-coaster!

ZMA - This did help me to get a few hours that felt like 'deep' sleep though I'd be awake shortly after it.

I've tried self meditation apps, Head Space etc with little luck.  I've also over the 3 years been keeping a daily log of the following - 

Tiredness (1-10)

Quality of Sleep (1-10)

Libido (1-10)

Mood (1-10)

Irritability (1-10)

Motivation/Energy (1-10)

Diet (1-10)

Stress (1-10)

Blood Pressure

Resting Heart Rate

Weight

Any medication I am on

When I did plot a graph of the above it was easy to see that my perceived sleep was better when on the Clonazepam etc.  I was also tested for low testosterone but it fell within 'normal' range (albeit a the low end).

Really at a loss to do so if anyone has anything they can suggest I am open to options, experimental or otherwise?

Thanks and sorry for the long first post!

BigPete

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  • Posted

    I defo would not go near that. It would probably drive you crazy lol

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