To feel desperate and untreatable?!

[Shinyshiny2]

I’m really struggling and could do with some perspective from people who’ve been through this.
I have severe sleep anxiety – worrying about sleep to the point it stops me sleeping, then panicking the next day if I’ve had a bad night. This is the fourth time I’ve been through it. The previous three times it eventually resolved with fluoxetine and time, and I went back to sleeping normally.
This time feels different and I’m scared I’m stuck. I’m 8 weeks into fluoxetine (first 6 weeks on 20mg, now 30mg for 2 weeks) and I’m still very anxious, constantly monitoring my sleep and worrying about not sleeping, which of course makes it worse. I’m also seeing a sleep therapist.
When I don’t sleep well I panic badly and keep phoning in sick to work because I feel like I can’t cope. I can’t look forward to things anymore because everything feels dependent on whether I’ll sleep. I’ve even started worrying about an upcoming holiday and whether I’ll ruin it by not sleeping.
Logically I know I’ve had this before and it has passed, but emotionally I feel terrified that this time it won’t, especially as I’m still so anxious at 8 weeks on medication.
Has anyone had sleep anxiety this bad and come out the other side? Did it still lift even when you felt completely stuck and obsessed with sleep? Did medication take longer to work for you one time compared to others?
Please be honest – I just need to know this isn’t permanent. I want my life back!

Sorry to read this, OP. I hope someone helpful will be a long soon 💐

It might be worth trying a different anti-depressants like mirtazapine - although there are side effects, I found it particularly helpful when I was struggling with sleep issues as it sorted that aspect out for me pretty much instantly. Other times a short course of sleeping pills has helped.

No, it won't last forever, but I understand, it is awful. I get particularly panicky as I tend to get a lot of suicidal thoughts when I am sleep deprived.

It must be lovely to have such great mental health. Well done you!

@Shinyshiny2 sorry to hear this
Please ignore any stupid comments

I have had insomnia since my early teens. I wouldn't say I have sleeping anxiety but I was on medication for depression and anxiety for decades.

On that basis, I would say fluoxetine is not the best one for sleep and I do wonder why you've been given that one in particular? I do think it's very good. But it doesn't seem a logical one to help with this.

I understand that feeling of being unable to sleep all the time and it's very difficult because you then exist in that cycle of "tired but wired".

Do you have any opportunities to stay up all night and do what we used to call a hard reset?

NGL because they don't give sleeping pills anymore, I do some interesting experiments to get to sleep. I don't feel bad about it because when doctors won't help, they've got to realise people will resort to different things.

Last night, I took quite a collection of things to be asleep by 5 am. It's not a great situation to be in. I have managed to do all the work I needed to do today. Also, I don't drive any more, so that's one concern I don't have. If I was still driving, then obviously I would have to take a different approach.

I usually find with anxiety it will attach itself to something and in your case it sounds like it's attached itself to sleep. I would be asking the doctor for sleeping pills to break the cycle. But I realise you may not get anywhere with that.

Have you tried lifting heavy weights by the way? That sometimes helpful if it's done an hour before bed. And I need to go slow with a heavier weight. No music, no up-tempo movement that might make you more awake.

actually, I've just thought - have you tried a weighted blanket? Wasn't for me, but a lot of people like it.

How do you know she doesn’t do these things - or the equivalent?

OP have you asked your GP if they will prescribe melatonin for you? If you take it at bedtime it knocks you out! You can take it alongside fluoxetine (my DD takes both).

I’d advise taking a half dose of melatonin to start with as it is pretty effective!

Have you been offered any CBT?

How spectacularly unhelpful! I hope you never find yourself struggling with anxiety and insomnia.

OP: Melatonin has been suggested, give it a try.

A work colleague had terrible sleep problems and was recommended a program which drastically restricted the amount of time spent in bed trying to sleep. It was a fairly brutal regime, but he got results.

There's a fair bit online about it if you google sleep restriction cbt insomnia treatment.

I hope no one ever comes to you for support if they are in suicidal crisis.

Anxiety can come in many shapes and forms and I hope your therapy helps, as this is how it’s presenting for you.

A lot of people go through periods of this. Do you feel calmer immediately after getting a good nights sleep? Or is it constant whether you sleep or not? Could you get a sleeping tablet for a few nights?

My tip would be to slow your breathing down to as slow as possible, and get the headband headphones that you can sleep in. Keep trying things until you find something that helps.

You have beaten it before and I believe you can do it again.

Ask for a low dose of Quetiapine to go alongside the Fluoxetine, just 25mg. It's often prescribed off label for help with sleep but it will boost the anti-anxiety effects of the Fluoxetine too.
It's incredibly effective at a low dose as a sleep aid and will knock you out quite pleasantly.

What do you do when you can't sleep?
What's your pre-bed routine?
What do you do to lower your anxiety generally?
What's you diet and alcohol intake like?

All these things might make things better or worse and it's possible people could advise.

Years ago I had a 3 week period where I barely slept. I'm not sure why this happened, as ive always been a good sleeper. My boss who had insomnia, told me to try night nurse as it helped him. It didn't work for me.

My mum doesnt sleep very well and sometimes takes an antihistamine, which helps her. My niece bought her some melatonin from USA when she was on holiday and my mum has said it is very powerful and immediately puts her to sleep.

I hope the OP has not been scared off by the unreasonable poster who was so rude. I reported it and I'm sure others did too so they've gone.
Please come back OP
❤

Thank you. I actually sleep well when I don’t worry! I’ve had this anxiety episode occur sporadically throughout the last ten years since my son was born and it’s been rectified by taking fluoxetine everytime. I’m just worried that this will be the time it doesn’t work! I’m also going to CBT.

@Shinyshiny2 I had this problem off and on for many years, since childhood. It's like a phobia of insomnia. I don't have it anymore, just the odd bad night. What works for me is:

listening to an interesting but not exciting podcast or audiobook when in bed, with a sleep timer set to 30 minutes.

Having a 15 minute walk first thing in the morning after sunrise and a 30 minute walk just before sunset. This will reset and maintain your sleep circadian rhythms.

No caffeine or alcohol at any time.

Eating a healthy 30-plants-a-week diet with loads of dietary pre-, pro- and post-biotics. There is growing evidence that your gut microbiome has a huge effect on sleep and anxiety.

Finally, if possible, finding a less stressful job, part-time if possible.

All of this solved years of extreme sleep anxiety for me. You can definitely cure this.