3 hours sleep a night - for 4 years. Help!

[Houserabbit]

I’ve been diagnosed were severe PTSD.
Almost immediately after the severe assault that caused my ptsd I began to suffer from sleep issues. I can fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow but for the last 4 years have got no more than 3 or hours. I wake up either just after 1am or 3am if I go to bed later and cannot go back to sleep so just start my day.

I’m getting desperate. I’ve tried so many things, high dose of zopiclone doesn’t work at all, neither does amitriptyline, I’ve tried most of the over the counter offerings, herbals drinks and supplements, sprays, changing my diet, exercise, hypnotherapy, accupuncture, weighted blankets etc etc. I have weekly therapy for the ptsd with an excellent therapist.

Please does anyone know of anything that might help me...at this point, an addiction to heavy duty sleeping pills seems a low price to pay for being able to stand upright

It sounds like you've tried the majority of things I was going to recommend.

I've got a very strict routine, upstairs by 10pm, boring radio programme on a timer to switch off, pillow spray, wool heavy duvet. One thing you could try is Melatonin, which is a natural hormone, available on line, but not in the shops here in the UK.

When you wake up, can you take a proper break, make a milky decaf drink downstairs, allow yourself downstairs for one hour, then go back up and repeat the spray, radio etc.

It's the worst feeling in the world. Are you having EDMR for your PTSD, as that can stir thoughts up as well.

Keep trying, it will happen

Second vote for melatonin. I get mine from Biovea. It is probably not for use every day, maybe 3-4 times a week. It is only on prescription in UK but Biovea is an US company.

Slept for 9.5 hours after taking it, absolute bliss!

Also having a walk first thing when light is brightest helps regulate body clock.

Thank you vizlsapup..I haven’t tried that one, I’ll give it a go starting tomorrow.

Mirtazapine is a sedating antidepressant that gives the most incredible, refreshing deep sleeps. I had been suffering from the most terrible insomnia for 2 years before I was finally prescribed it - like you, I had tried zopiclone, amitriptyline and loads of other things - nothing was working at all, and many nights I was getting absolutely no sleep at all. I was completely on my knees and out of my mind with depression, anxiety and exhaustion.

From the first night, Mirtazapine worked. It’s not like sleeping pills - it gives you proper, deep REM sleep. I remember being overjoyed that I finally had a proper sleep pattern, and that during the day I actually felt - gasp! - refreshed, which was such an alien feeling to me! Ask your GP about it

I tried mirtazapine and felt absolutely awful on them, couldn’t function the next day and put on weight.