Hi all, well here I go again another night without sleep ahead I think,have asked docs for something to help but they have said no , tried kalms a few nights ago but they didnt help, sleep well folks x
Hi there -
Here is what helps me - when I go to bed, after turning out the lights, i listen to podcasts. i have a partner who doesn't want to hear the podcasts, so i wear headphones. i really enjoy listening to radiolab, the moth - something interesting enough, where i feel happy to listen to them and keeps my mind busy so that it is not spinning off on its own. i usually fall asleep quite quickly as a result. i'll wake up in the early morning, but fall asleep to podcasts again. also, i try to do slow belly breathing exercises to calm my system as much as possible.
i wish you the best. you are not alone.
why won't he give you something to help you sleep?? Sleep is vital for people suffering anxiety. A tired mind is a anxious one. These doctors are behind a joke. Even if he just gave you enough to last a week to try and get some kind of order in your sleep,that could of Helped.
It angers me. They can see people are struggling and have the power to help but won't give it xx
Hi there, I used to listen to a guy on you tube and it was a hypnosis cd and that used to do the trick but that doesn't work so much now, thanks for your advice and hope you keep well x
Are you anxious when you are trying to sleep? How do you feel? Any change in the level of anxiety or stimulation during the day? Caffeine level? Alcohol? Sugar?
Are you taking any other medication? For instance, I am taking Celexa / Citalopram. It helps some people to sleep, but keeps me wide awake. I am only able to sleep if I take the drugs before noon.
In terms of my podcasts, when i listen to them, I'm not even "trying" to sleep. They are things I am very happy to listen to, which keeps the anxiety at bay. That's why I was wondering if you listened to something you were interested in, if it would help - it could be a news program, cooking show, sports, etc. I have a friend who listens to ham radio stations!
Also, magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant.
Hi Gillian,no idea why really, he said the way things stand with me just now it wouldnt be a good move and would only be able to give me 7-14 days woryh I said I only wanted something to take occasionally when I really needed it so that would be okay but he said no lets just try ride it out just now, most gps are a nightmare at my surgery seriously thinking of changing practices, anyway have to see cardiologist again tomorrow maybe after that if alls well I might be more successful back at docs to try getting the proper help I need, and as you said lack of sleep is not good for anybody but if you suffer from anxiety its a lot worse, take care and hope you are well x
I know how you feel .i too have chronic insomnia cause of anxiety .freaking sux.
I have been on a 2 week course of Zopiclone 7.5 mg, not one side affect, tbh not slept aswel continually like this for months, ok i have woken 5 am, but i have slept straight through from 9pm.
Apparently the short course is so you do not get hooked.
I know the feeling as have not had a full nights' sleep since injuring my lower back in 1989(just put 1898... Feels that long!!)at work.However the GP should give you something.I have Diazepam 10mgs,but to be honest nothing wins against pain,I gt about an hour or two then am up wandering around......do feel for you,what keeps you awake?
Hi Ralph, anxiety is bad enough for us without adding insomnia to the mix eh?are you on any meds?if you dont mind me asking what do you do to try and pass the night away when you cant sleep?I cant seem to manage to settle at all I get so agitated I just pace around all night which ain't ideal as we live in a small flat and the rest of the family hear me just wandering around all night, im sure they think I'm some freak of nature.
You are certainly not a freak of nature.
I think it would be a good idea to get a new doctor or if the anxiety gets too overwhelming,go to the hospital and ask to see a member of the crisis team.They cannot leave you like that. It's not fair at all.
My antiD helps me sleep most nights so at least I have that xx
It is exhausting,when you want sleep desperately and yet are unable to "switch your brain off" and,if you have pain as well,you tense up even more...the CBT counsellor I saw had me make myself feel heavy in the bed from my ankles up....sadly unlike her it did nothing for me....I was up to the top of my head and still wide awake worrying about things that are out of my control.
writing things down was another idea alongside what you are able to do about the situation and what the outcome may be....basically there is nothing that I can do....still worry and feel anxious though...am on SO many Meds and yet still feel down.
i really hope that you manage to get some positive response after your visit to the cardilogist..
Will he not think about giving you amitriptyline? I was on this on the side of citaliopram to help me sleep (it relaxes your muscles). I don't take it anymore and it's non addictive.
Melatonin is natural and no habit forming. I'm not what it's called in the UK..maybe you can google it.
Sorry so long to reply, just now going through my emails..when i cant sleep i usually keep laying there in hopes of maybe falling asleep unless anxiety kicks in then i go sit outside and try to calm down and scroll through this site or facebook .once again last night got no sleep at all.feeling pretty exhausted trying to make it through work.
Oh and i take no meds.
Ye this site is great when ur needing a little helping hand when your struggling ,whether it be with sleep issues or anxiety in general, in fact its just good to be able to chat to people who understand 100% where your coming from, anyway I hope you manage to get a decent sleep tonight x
Thank you...i pray we both do from tonight on ...
I have Melatonin as used to take it for jet lag and ended up taking it every night before my diazepam and OxyContin.
it would help me relax initially,but then for me thoughts whizz around my head and my back pain kicks in ,so I end up wandering around the bungalow,then may sit and go online as the minutes,turn into hours....so when it is time to get up and drive my 16 year old to the bus stop,I am like a zombie........
anyway,as always I digress,Melatonin is good but sadly not a great help to me....we are all different though...
I struggle with severe anxiety and did have problems sleeping - lying awake for hours with heart racing etc. I'm not on medication but have been in the past. What really works for me to help with sleep (didn't think it would!) is cammomile tea at bedtime. When i'm really stressed i drink it during the day too. I find its effects really helpful.
Hope you sleep soon.
x