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Original poster

Insomnia and anxiety

32 replies

Flashinggreen · 29/01/2022 05:20

Has kicked off once again this week. Usually a sleeping tab will knock back my body clock but I’ve taken one 3 times this week and they’ve not worked as well. Last night it barely gave me an hour. I’m shivering with anxiety symptoms and once again waiting for morning to come. Any advice on getting through the day and some sleep tonight? No more sleeping tabs left although I think I’ve taken them to the max his week anyway.

OP posts:
Busybees2k16 · 29/01/2022 05:50

@Flashinggreen

Has kicked off once again this week. Usually a sleeping tab will knock back my body clock but I’ve taken one 3 times this week and they’ve not worked as well. Last night it barely gave me an hour. I’m shivering with anxiety symptoms and once again waiting for morning to come. Any advice on getting through the day and some sleep tonight? No more sleeping tabs left although I think I’ve taken them to the max his week anyway.
Use mediation before going to sleep and if waking up use the same mediation exercise so that your body isn't waking up and it will keep your mind a peace to fall asleep again use headspace app! It's really good they even have a section on falling back asleep Getting up going into another room for a short minute then retuning back to be will all so help giving your body a break from the bed and then realising it is time for sleep
Original poster
Flashinggreen · 29/01/2022 05:52

Thanks I had the headspace app a few years ago and was trying to use it for daily meditation but didn’t get into the sleep ones

OP posts:
cultkid · 29/01/2022 05:54

Start your morning now or when you wake so if you wake even at 3 am go down stairs and sit on the sofa read a book watch tv if you like tv, have a cup of tea
You could try taking the sleeping tablet later so you stay asleep a bit longer

I have had years of on and off insomnia I also always sleep with long sleeves on now and on the nights I don't I don't sleep as well

Are you able to get something for the anxiety do you think that will help

So sorry you're going through this x

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Original poster
Flashinggreen · 29/01/2022 06:25

I was awake at 2 today, took the sleeping tab just after 12 as I was trying not to...it’s a real chicken and egg with the anxiety and insomnia. Also I’d had some really good weeks recently. When the 4am wakings stated this week I was anxious from the start. Sometimes it is pure insomnia and it doesn’t affect my anxiety. Really tempted to try some nytols tonight but hoping I can get a day time nap. Often that stops me from being overtired and bedtime and I sleep better:

OP posts:
cultkid · 29/01/2022 07:27

Have you tried Phenergan and then Monday GP xx

MissSmiley · 29/01/2022 13:09

How old are you? Anxiety and insomnia were my first peri menopause symptoms

NannyGythaOgg · 29/01/2022 14:47

Magnesium Glycinate 400mg an hour before bed.

Vitamin D3 helps with mood and this time of year in the UK we are pretty much all deficient.
I also find Ashwanga capsules help with anxiety

None of these make me sleepy as such, they just quiet my mind so that I am able to listen to a sleep hypnosis app - and set it to play again when I wake during the night

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 00:58

Here I am again agitated. I’m 46, started HRT 2 years ago...
Insomnia has always been part of my anxiety. First started when I was 21 with a big episode which took a year to recover from then not much of bite until I has my first son 16 years ago. Since then it comes and goes

OP posts:
Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 01:00

Which app do you use? I just tried Pzizz which did calm me but didn’t get me to sleep and now I’m agitated again

OP posts:
Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 04:40

I’ve not managed any sleep so far tonight so I’ve booked a phone call with 111. I’m exhausted but highly anxious

OP posts:
Rrrob · 30/01/2022 04:47

I’m awake too. Insomnia is bloody exhausting :(

scooterbear · 30/01/2022 04:57

Me too. I've had about 7 hours sleep in the last 72 hours. Absolutely shattered.

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 05:53

It just makes you feel so awful doesn’t it? I get flashes of feeling ok but mostly highly agitated and shakey.

OP posts:
Squills · 30/01/2022 06:04

There was a thread about this last week. Someone mentioned high levels of cortisol causing sleep problems.

I’m a lifelong insomniac. Today I woke at 12.30am and I’ve been awake since. This is the third time in a week I’ve woken at 12.30 on the other nights I made it till 2am and 3am. I wake up with a feeling of adrenaline coursing through my body and I feel ‘wired’.

I hadn’t heard of cortisol till it was mentioned here but it fits with my experience over the years. Sadly I haven’t read anything yet to suggest what can be done about it apart from taking steroids.

OP I guess your anxious feelings are like mine only I’d say I feel wired, as if I had a low level electrical charge running through me. It causes all sorts of emotions in me.

I take lots of meds but when things are really bad, as they are at the moment, they don’t work.

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 06:07

My anxiety comes and goes, can be fine for months then hits again. I hope I can get a sleeping tablet for tonight

OP posts:
Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 06:08

I get wobbly bones uncontrollably shakey

OP posts:
doubleshotcappuccino · 30/01/2022 06:11

Magnesium has been amazing for me - one tablet twenty mins before bed . No coffee after lunch.
Also headspace have a night SoS shorter audio which is amazing . Also lots of videos on YouTube for Yoga Nidra which is a deep healing guided mediation- it's amazing .. either before bed but also if you wake up feeling exhausted you can do it and it gives you the strength for the day. I also try and stick to podcasts and nothing too unsettling in terms of tv and films . I used to struggle with sleeping but am now fine unless something very stressful happening or I've drink alcohol, two glasses occasionally are fine - any more and I get beer fear/anxiety but in the middle of the night !

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 06:13

I wish I had as simple off switch and could get some sleep

OP posts:
Squills · 30/01/2022 06:22

Yes, Sleep switch! Wouldn’t that be brilliant!!

I’ve often thought that whatever it is that switches a brain from being awake to sleeping is missing or malfunctioning in me.

doubleshotcappuccino · 30/01/2022 08:56

Honestly yoga nidra is the sleep switch ! I've been doing so many YouTube videos I can yoga nidra myself back to sleep ! Just have to say it in my head- it's like a self hypnosis .. life changing

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 30/01/2022 11:47

Been waiting 7 hrs for 111 nurse to call back, did follow up call at 8am. I suppose someone with insomnia doesn’t seem high priority which is fair enough but I feel so unwell. Have had a walk in the sunshine but feel sick and very unstable.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flashinggreen · 31/01/2022 03:47

I eventually got a prescription for zopiclone 3.74, which would normally give me 5-6 hours sleep, took one at 9.30 and I was awake at 12 shaking! Read the literature and as 7.5 is a normal does I toll another about 12ish. Que lots if shaking when I woke at 3. I have at least had some sleep are least but today is going to be hard

OP posts:
cultkid · 03/02/2022 13:07

How are you?

Original poster
Flashinggreen · 03/02/2022 13:42

Hi

I’ve been sleeping loads better, with the help of tablets but feel much more human. And not too worried about not taking anything tonight which is the plan. DS2 had a positive LFT yesterday evening which adds to the fun but despite this things are looking up.

OP posts:
cultkid · 03/02/2022 13:52

so pleased to hear you're feeling a bit better xxx

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