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Sleep anxiety and fluoxetine

2 replies

Shinyshoe73 · 13/11/2019 16:50

I’m just looking for some reassurance as I feel like I’m in a black hole. After having my first DS five years ago I suffered badly with post natal anxiety - it was all around sleep in that I couldn’t sleep so would obsess all day long about not sleeping then not sleep! Coupled with severe anxiety it was a horrible, horrible time. I was prescribed fluoxetine which seemed to help and I was Happy and off medication only for the same sleep anxiety to happen again eight months later. This time I was prescribed sertraline and had CBT and I was feeling amazing and came off sertraline in January of this year. However two weeks ago the dreaded sleep anxiety struck again and I’m locked in a miserable cycle of obsessing over sleep only to lie awake all night with a racing heart full of anxiety. I have done all of the sleep hygiene etc it’s just my anxiety over sleep keeping me awake which I can’t stop! I have been given fluoxetine and I’m on day 6 to address the anxiety as well as amytriptline at night to help sleep. The amytriptyline was helping me sleep apart from last night when I got myself in such a state that even a Zopiclone sleeping tablet couldn’t help. I feel completely miserable and can’t stop worrying that I won’t sleep. I guess I’m looking for some reassurance from anyone who has had this and got over it? I’ve been here before but I’m really struggling to believe it’s going to get better.

OP posts:
FatArse123 · 14/11/2019 09:38

@Shinyshoe73 I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. I had something similar three years ago, although for me it was Sertraline that triggered it. I became obsessed with sleep, with the predictable outcome of stopping sleeping! I clearly remember one night when I was panicking and I ended up taking Valium, which didn't work - I spent the few hours about to drop off then startling awake with a falling sensation in my stomach. It's amazing how that sleep-panicked state can keep you awake through anything! It was a miserable night of many and I had to go to work with no sleep. I was despairing So, you're not the only person who has experienced this. Eventually what got me out of it was adding a small amount (7.5 mg) of Mirtazapine to my Sertraline, I also think things settled down with the medication generally. It sounds like you're doing something similar with Amytriptline, but stick with it, I had the odd crappy night with Mirtazapine, it doesn't mean that your insomnia is 'incurable' or anything like that! But once you're stuck in the sleep anxiety loop it can feel really hopeless, I know.

Anyway, three years on I am quite a good sleeper, but sometimes the anxiety hits (basically if I don't fall asleep immediately!). If that happens, I find it helpful to - with my eyes closed - try and stay awake as long as possible, have a think about something broad-ranging, like the world, or a detailed life story, basically something that you won't come to the end of. Relax into it, enjoy the storytelling as it distracts you from waiting for sleep. Or, if you get anxious thoughts, tell yourself you'll entertain them for a few minutes - I think panicking about panic and trying to suppress it makes it worse, so if you're heart is racing, let it race. Think of the absolute worst that will happen if you don't sleep; you'll feel like crap, but you'll manage (I imagine). You could also wear a sleep mask, and tell yourself that if nothing else, you will be lying in the dark for 8 hours, which is a rest. Basically, take the pressure of yourself to sleep, as that never works! You can't make yourself sleep.

I also find the Sleepo app really good (not to be confused with Sleepio, which I think costs a fortune), it has soothing sounds and will play for 8 hours if you want it to. Listening to gentle sounds distracts me from the swirling thoughts.

This might sound strange, but is your duvet too hot? I recently realised that my problems starting when we got a goose feather one....

Finally - from your post I get the impression there's other anxiety in your life at the moment. I know that my general anxiety can make itself felt in sleep. Perhaps for you it's about something else? I found the Headspace anxiety pack really useful for this - it helps you see anxiety for what it is.

Hang in there OP, it will get better!

Emzylou29 · 10/07/2023 20:18

Hi @Shinyshoe73 @FatArse123 I know this is a very old thread but I am going through exactly the same thing! I have been prescribed fluoxetine 20mg and on day 19 but my anxiety around sleep etc is just awful! Did this ever get better? 😔

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