Sleep issues never ending

[WorstSleeper]

I’m so fed up of struggling to sleep night after night.

GP gave me 7 zopiclone a few weeks back. I took them over a week to try and get me back in to a healthy pattern. They worked well at the time (except I hallucinated one night! Luckily not scary). However now that I have none left, I’m in exactly the same position as before and I know it’s unlikely I’ll be prescribed them again. Also on 100mg Sertraline.

Some context:
Not working at the moment due to depression, however am feeling much better recently and plan to start looking for jobs again soon. So don’t have a set routine. However I try to get up in the morning and come to bed at a reasonable time. Have cut down on caffeine - still go for the occasional coffee with friends but no longer have it in the house.

Trying to use phone less in bed - instead I’ll listen to podcasts or read on kindle (doesn’t have the same blue light).

A lot of time I come to bed knackered but then as soon as I start trying to settle it seems like my brain suddenly jolts awake. I’m not even really thinking about anything in particular but sometimes I will work myself up and get anxious.

It just takes hours and hours to drift off and it’s frustrating and I’m exhausted every day which does impact my mood and that bothers me since I’ve been doing better generally and feel pissed off this is affecting it!!

Any advice or even just a chat with others that have been here would be much appreciated

I'm experiencing something similar. Currently off work with depression.

I've been on 50mg sertraline which I take in the morning for the past week and was also given 7 tablets worth of zoplicone that were supposed to last me a month ( I have two left)

Didn't take one last night and didn't get to sleep until about 4 in the morning, then was up a few hours later. I've been having horrible auditory hallucinations just before I go to sleep as well which I know is triggered by my lack of sleep!

I don't have much advice, all I can say is you're not alone

I sympathise, are you active during the day? do you exercise? If not maybe try doing classes at the gym, they are very distracting and I find give my overactive brain a break while I keep up with the instructor and helps me sleep better at night. Other bonus is you'll feel better for it overall health wise.

It’s awful isn’t it Bippity?
I hope the sertraline helps - I’ve found it to be better than previous SSRIs but know it’s different for everyone.

I wish I could just take a zopiclone every night but of course know I can’t, understand they’re habit forming Etc etc.

I’m sorry your hallucinations are awful, mine were a side effect of the zopiclone but were harmless - just seeing shapes, colours etc.

Hope you get some rest soon.

Sorry you are struggling. I'm awake but no big deal for me. I like being the only one up.

Gold, I’ve been thinking that I should exercise more - currently don’t really.

I can’t really affird a monthly gym membership or anything atm and think I am too anxious to attend a class full of others. But I enjoy swimming and might try pay as you go a few times a week. Thanks!

Hi Op
Long walks are great too, ditch the car, get off the bus a few stops earlier etc.

Also worth checking out gyms in your area that offer free weekly trials so you could sign up and try a few? On my fb feed there's a yoga place offering 20 consecutive days of yoga for £15 which I'll be doing when I get back from hols.

All the best.

Good idea Gold, I will have a look. Can’t have a lie in later this morning as have an appointment and plan to walk there and back which will be a good few miles. Hopefully an early rise and a decent walk will help with tomorrow’s sleep, probably unlikely but fingers crossed

There are a few lifestyle things you could try - eat a decent diet, get 20 mins fresh air and exercise a day (walking is great), cut down on screen use before you go to bed, drink less caffeine and alcohol. Failing those, you could ask your GP for melatonin 2mg controlled release capsules. It's a sleep hormone that you take half an hour before you go to bed - it does help you fall asleep but mostly it helps you stay asleep through the night.

I used to have no problem with falling asleep but I would routinely wake at 2am, 3am, 4am, etc - and once awake, that was it until the alarm went off. Now I have vague memories of being briefly awake during the night but I always fall asleep again until the alarm goes. I'm feeling much better for it.

If you'd rather try a non prescribed version, look for tart cherry capsules - it's a natural extract with high melatonin.