Is anyone awake? I can’t cope with this

[ChillyAvocado]

Lack of sleep. I cannot sleep!!!

I just got diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression. My sleeping pattern is horrific - I’m sleeping only 3/4 hours a night. Keep waiting up at between 2-3am.

Tonight I went to bed at 11:30 - woke up at 1:15. My heart is pounding and I’m not tired at all.

How do I make this stop! I’ve tried Nytol, Sleep tea, sleep spray. Nothing works.

Tbh not sleeping is making me feel more depressed

I feel for you.

Have you been prescribed anything for the anxiety?

I’ve been the same in the past. If your GP suggested you need antidepressants ask to try mirtazapine if nothing can help you sleep that can!
Take care x

have you tried getting up and walking around a bit, or doing something simple, like folding laundry.
what is your daily routine, do you have children or others whom you are responsible for, or a demanding job.
my sleep pattern is not good.
stay up too late, always meaning to amend, but don't seem able to.
think i fear not being able to sleep.

What is causing your anxiety? What steps can you take to address that.
Try CBT
Put your mobile on sleep mode.
Good luck OP

You could try exercising hard during the day.
That way even if the mind wants to be active, the body will need to rest.

I live in a one bed flat with my partner so it’s quite hard to get up and walk around without disturbing him.

My routine when I’m in the office (like I was today) is very busy - lots of walking/rushing around on tubes. Have a demanding job. So I should be able to sleep!

I have been prescribed sertraline but I’m so scared to take it (side effects). Also have propanolol.

@RLOU30 does mirtazapine make you drowsy??

I had no side effects from sertraline whatsoever for what it’s worth. Mirtazapine does make you drowsy, low dose anti ds can be prescribed as as needed sleep medication. If I take 1/4 of a minimum adult dose of mirtazapine it completely knocks me out. When I was struggling with insomnia it didn’t help as much but it did make a big difference. It’s non addictive.

Seeing a sleep dr with doing CBT for sleep was what ultimately solved my insomnia.

As a quick fix now have you tried Night Nurse?

I use this occasionally as my body seems to get into the habit of waking at a certain time. It breaks the cycle. I also find Piriton helps to knock me out

Mirtazpine is specifically told to be taken at bed time as yes it puts you to sleep pretty quickly. When I first started taking it mind I took too high a dose and I don’t even remember going to sleep I just passed out so be sure to discuss with your dr.
I am now taking 45mg (which is the highest dose hopefully I will come down soon) and it puts me to sleep gently within the hour but doesn’t make me drowsy the next day like nytol etc did.
It’s still an antidepressant and works on more than just putting you to sleep but it is for people whos depression and anxiety keeps them awake I guess
:)

@Happyhappyday that’s good to know! I’ve read so many horror stories about sertraline that I’ve always been a bit out off. Couldn’t work out if the side effects would be worth it!

Does it help you sleep and generally relax you?

So it won’t make you sleepy right away, unfortunately that is the one side effect I had for the first week or so, insomnia was worse. I also misunderstood why it was being prescribed, I thought it was as needed like mirtazapine so I was very confused/frustrated initially. Over time it reduces anxiety which then helps to get that manageable to the point where good sleep hygiene and CBT can help you get back into a good sleep pattern. I didn’t have any trouble coming off it either although I tapered over a good couple months and never moved beyond the lowest dose.

When I was kind of in an acute insomnia crisis, lorazepam made the biggest difference, but it is addictive and I was only supposed to take it for a couple weeks. That one made the worries just slide right off my brain and made me sleepy. If you can get sleep specific therapy too, I think that was also a really important part of my full recovery. I should also say I was in the US when I was treated so was able to see specialists etc easily. That said, I would’ve put the therapy on a credit card if I’d had to, in order to sleep normally again. If you had a raging leg infection making you utterly miserable, no way would you just put up with it! Sleep is so important.

Thanks so much @Happyhappyday

I have been given sertraline to start - only, I’m too scared to take it! I’m so so nervous about the horrible side effects on the leaflet :( I guess maybe the dr thinks it’s a good idea to start on this and then I can try other meds if it doesn’t work.

I’m starting to frustrate myself now - just wish I could get it together enough to get through!!

Setraline didn’t suit me. But if you don’t try then you won’t know. Have you been given CBT or other therapies/methods of coping?

Sorry - realise I’ve repeated myself quite a bit (lack of sleep!!) I phoned back the doctor and she was still adamant about me trying sertraline, even though I mentioned some of the other pills mentioned above.

Accupuncture and Mindfulness. Accupuncture was superb.

@Wolfiefan

Setraline didn’t suit me. But if you don’t try then you won’t know. Have you been given CBT or other therapies/methods of coping?

Don't read the leaflet - you will only overthink the side effects at night! Throw it away!

@Wolfiefan what side effects did you have?

I’m most worried about the feeling sick bit (also have a phobia of being sick so worrying about that!) plus that 70% of people get sexual side effects. Part of the reason my anxiety is so bad is because we are going through a rough patch in my relationship so the last thing I need is that not to work

Sounds like I will have to just give it a go and hope for the best…

I realise none of my posts are making sense and I’m repeating myself quite a bit - so sorry!

@ChillyAvocado you’re making perfect sense! No nausea at all. It upset my stomach. So I switched to fluoxetine.
The right pills can help. Along with other therapies. It’s been life changing. Saving really. Finding something that works.
Anxiety is awful. You deserve to feel better.

Hello 👋🏼.

I've recently been diagnosed with GAD & OCD.

I've had it for years but finally spoke to someone about it. The MH nurse at my GP tried to convince me I was depressed . I'm not so was angry at her for that. She then prescribed citalopram which I didn't bother going to collect. She said it takes around 10 days to start feeling the benefit of the tablet.

I chose not to take the tablet because I wanted to try CBT first. Nothing against the tablets but I wanted to try my way which I felt more comfortable with.

Have you been referred to anyone?

I had to do a self referral and lucky it was all quite quick. Got a call back 4 days later by a psychologist and on the waiting list for CBT which is about 2 months. So should start within another month.

Hope you're feeling better now x