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Original poster

Insomnia and anxiety

43 replies

JorisBonson · 06/07/2021 08:45

I've always been a troubled sleeper but for the past 7/8 weeks I haven't had more than an hour or two of solid sleep per night. I struggle actually getting to sleep, and the longer I lay there the more my brain spins out. Once I do manage to drift off I quite quickly wake up, and the cycle starts again.

I've just had a long weekend away with DH where I slept slightly better, but because I was having a few drinks in the evenings, and obviously that's not sustainable!

I've opened my laptop this morning to find that we're back in 5 days a week after yesterday's announcement, and it's made me have a bit of a meltdown. I have a 90 minute commute each way and, on top of a busy working day, I know this insomnia and anxiety will only get worse.

I have a call scheduled from my GP today after filling in an econsult last week. Can anyone let me know what I could expect and what I can reasonably ask of the GP?

OP posts:
MistySkiesAfterRain · 06/07/2021 11:10

They might prescribe something to help you get some sleep, these would probably only be short term use as sleeping tablets can be very addictive.

I've had Promethazine in the past which was prescribed to help after epidodes of poor sleep, its actually an antihistamine buts its non habit forming. Tolerance builds up really quickly though.

I also tried liquid melatonin which isn't available in the UK I don't think.

How is your diet? Exercise? Sugar/caffeine? Bedtime? Wake up time?

Its not ideal but sometimes I have a Saturday siesta if my sleep has been terrible during the week.

Also if my mind is racing this little trick DD told me which is to focus on the backs of my eyelids, not sure why but it really works in getting me to sleep.

The best quality sleep is between 10 and 2am apparently so I try to be asleep between these times.

Maybe the commute will exhaust you enough to sleep? Wish you well going back.

Original poster
JorisBonson · 06/07/2021 11:42

Thanks Misty. I've tried all sorts over the last month, no caffeine after midday, no caffeine at all, morning exercise, evening exercise. Work has been particularly taxing lately but it's the nature of my job and there's no getting away from it.

When I'm physically at work I'm up at 5am so in bed early, and I keep bedtime more or less the same all week.

I do have some success with herbal tablets but something in them gives me terrible nightmares which makes me even more tired - it's a battle! 🤣

Still waiting for the call... I'm toying with asking to be signed off for a couple of weeks just to try to reset myself but work is very busy right now and I think the guilt of being off would add to my anxiety.

OP posts:
snoopy8 · 06/07/2021 15:38

Hi OP, I really feel for you and struggle with this myself
.
I was prescribed Mirtazapine and this helped, although my appetite grew a lot and I put on nearly a stone in a very short space of time. I got tired (excuse the pun) of being hungry all the time and stopped.

Now I find reducing anxiety helps.... could you send a special doctors supported request to your employer to ask to be able to wfh a couple of days a week?

I also take antihistamine before bed, it's a bit hit and miss and could be a placebo, but it can help sometimes.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 06/07/2021 16:01

Oh yes mirtazipine is amazing for sleep. I was already overweight so couldn't continue. I'm sure there is a way to control the cravings, maybe lots of protein and willpower, but its hard if you are starting them when you are stressed.

ginoginellizzz · 06/07/2021 16:03

I now sleep with white noise headphones in and it has changed my life. It just cuts out a lot of the brain chatter. It took a few weeks of getting used to wearing the headphones but I have not looked back. I use the sound sleeper app and mountain river sound.

Original poster
JorisBonson · 06/07/2021 16:06

Thanks all.

I had a text instead of a call advising me to try herbal remedies, even though I had mentioned the nightmares before. So I'll do another e consult tomorrow 🙄

OP posts:
M0nkeybars · 06/07/2021 16:15

@JorisBonson

Thanks all.

I had a text instead of a call advising me to try herbal remedies, even though I had mentioned the nightmares before. So I'll do another e consult tomorrow 🙄

That's awful. Sorry to hear that, I would persevere. Insomnia is no joke and the longer it goes on the worse it gets in my experience in terms of your general anxiety, nightmares, stress. I have always been a terrible sleeper but a few years back it was really bad and I was having nightmares and burning out due to stress. The doctor gave me a week's prescription for temazepam. Even though it was only a week, being able to get a good night's sleep for a few nights in a row was enough to help me manage my anxiety and reset things. I would try again with your doctor, good luck xx

Original poster
JorisBonson · 06/07/2021 16:40

@M0nkeybars that's literally all I want right now. It's so frustrating not being able to speak to someone face to face about it. I had a bit of a cry in Aldi when I got that text - very embarrassing!

OP posts:
M0nkeybars · 07/07/2021 08:59

[quote JorisBonson]@M0nkeybars that's literally all I want right now. It's so frustrating not being able to speak to someone face to face about it. I had a bit of a cry in Aldi when I got that text - very embarrassing![/quote]

Oh no, totally understandable and I completely get why that would have been so frustrating. I really feel for you and hope that you are listened to.

A good night's sleep can make the world of difference so if you're not getting that it makes everything so hard. Take care xxx

Original poster
JorisBonson · 07/07/2021 11:30

Another e consult submitted last night. I requested a particular doctor who I've always liked in the past (she takes things like endo seriously, she's fab). Have to wait a week to speak to her 🙄

OP posts:
MiaRoma · 07/07/2021 12:30

Insomnia is awful. I have no answer that helps me long term but i quite like utube hypnosis vids for sleep to help me feel calmer ( although not necessarily to sleep)

Original poster
JorisBonson · 07/07/2021 13:08

DH is on nights all weekend, which adds to my insomnia, so I'm going to have a quiet weekend and try some mediation / hypnosis stuff to see if it helps.

OP posts:
MiaRoma · 07/07/2021 13:37

Fingers crossed @JorisBonson

Let us know how you get on. Also those subliminal message vids are quite interesting. Again on utube.

Aquamarine1029 · 07/07/2021 13:39

Could peri-menopause be at play? Insomnia and anxiety are both very common symptoms.

CrouchEndTiger12 · 07/07/2021 13:42

I was like that until I started commuting most of the week to work again.
As soon as I did I was fit for nothing in the evening.

I wasn't tired enough being around the house all day working.

It may just reset

Original poster
JorisBonson · 07/07/2021 14:22

@Aquamarine1029

Could peri-menopause be at play? Insomnia and anxiety are both very common symptoms.
God I hope not... I'm 36 with a family history of all manner of womb / hormone troubles so who knows! The GP I'm speaking to next week is great with stuff like this so I'll mention it.
OP posts:
M0nkeybars · 07/07/2021 15:28

Someone mentioned meditation etc. I LOVE the sleep stories on Calm. The shipping forecast one is particularly boring lol

Aquamarine1029 · 07/07/2021 16:06

36 is not too young for peri. Peri-menopause can last 10 years or longer before full menopause.

Original poster
JorisBonson · 07/07/2021 16:18

I'll definitely bring it up with the GP next week 😬

OP posts:
LondonGrimmer · 07/07/2021 18:16

I feel for you. I had this a couple of years ago. Ended up crying down the phone to the GP receptionist Blush and being prescribed Zopiclone sleeping tablets 10mg. I only take them now and then - a pack of 20 lasted me over a year. But they helped to re-set me. I could cope with crap sleep for a few nights but on night 4 or 5 I was broken.

Looking back, it was definitely work related stress. So I'd recommend trying to get to the root cause too. Good luck.

Entschuldigung · 07/07/2021 20:41

I am good at getting to sleep but not staying asleep. The moment I wake up in the night my brain starts whirring, going over everything, berating myself etc.

I've recently found a podcast called 'Sleep with me' which has really helped me. It's just a man talking. Sometimes he's talking while watching Bake Off. Grin He kind of goes round in circles, rambling in a pleasant way. I couldn't cope with someone trying to tell me to relax, etc. He just sort of blocks out all the intrusive thoughts and lulls me to sleep.

Worth a try!

Original poster
JorisBonson · 08/07/2021 05:15

Absolutely zero sleep last night and subsequent panic attack at 3.30. This is new. Going to take a days annual and try to bump the doctor up.

OP posts:
FlappyFish · 08/07/2021 06:06

I feel your pain. Just wanted to send some early morning support.

1000glitterydicks · 08/07/2021 06:12

I also have anxiety which is affecting my sleep.
I use a tapping meditation to help me fall asleep which works for me.
My GP put me on sertraline which does seem to help although I did feel pretty odd for the first few weeks of taking it.
I'm managing about 5 hours a night which is just about manageable.

Original poster
JorisBonson · 08/07/2021 06:16

Thanks both. I went to call my boss but couldn't stop crying so he has a big rambly message instead. I've not been on form at work lately so I hope this makes him realise why. My big boss knows and is worried.

Will call the GP later and cry at them too.

OP posts: