Insomnia and anxiety

[JorisBonson]

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?

Oh honey 😢 yea cry at the GP it's an absolute disgrace that they keep fobbing you off like this 😡

I find listening to an audio book of something fairly interesting but not riveting helps. Its stops me worrying about not sleeping in the middle of the night and I usually drop off again. Stephen Fry narrating a Harry Potter book has been the best so far. I really hope you find something that helps. I have had insomnia for years and years and it's awful. The thing that helped me most was retiring but you're too young for that .

I've been signed off for 2 weeks so there's something, but need to figure out how to break that to my boss later...

@JorisBonson

I've been signed off for 2 weeks so there's something, but need to figure out how to break that to my boss later...

That's great. Take this time to focus on yourself and take time out. Do not feel guilty about taking time out of work, you'd be no good to anyone if things get any worse and you need time to get back to yourself. They'll understand.

You said your OH is on nights this weekend - go for a long woodland walk on Saturday afternoon and just totally pamper yourself on Sat night - a long bath or shower, candles, incense, face mask, nails, music or audiobook, light-hearted movie, new PJs and fresh sheets... the works. just forget about everything and focus on yourself for a bit xx

Thanks @M0nkeybars. Chickened out and broke the news to my boss over email and he was very sweet, he's tried to call me this evening but I don't feel ready to speak to him yet so I'll call in the morning. It feels good knowing I don't have to stress about day to day stuff for a little bit

@JorisBonson that's good to hear. Take care 😘

In a similar situation I was prescribed sertraline and it has worked wonders - it's taken the edge off the anxiety hugely and now I get a lot more sleep. I generally still wake once in the wee hours but can get back to sleep quickly.

I also have anxiety and seems to be coming out of a particularly bad spell where I was also given setraline. I thought medication route would finally take me out recent dark place but side effects made me feel so much worse. I ended up having more anxiety and panic over taking it. I then read about magnesium. Bought bottle from Holland and Barrett and take one 250Mg with dinner. Ever night taken it had best night sleep. Was out of it so quick and never woke during night which 1st for me. Had few nights where forgot and had rubbish again. So for me completely relaxed me for sleep and worked for me.

Thank you @Lau52, I'll definitely look into that

I still haven't spoken to my boss, he did send me a lovely message on Thursday night, I've been so spaced out I forgot to call him 🤣

Still not sleeping for more than a couple of hours but feeling better that I have nothing to stress about the morning after. DH is on nights but is great when he's here (and awake!).

I went for a swim today which was lovely. My fitness isnt great so waiting to see if less stress + exercise helps tonight. Still got a call with the GP on Wednesday, I'm hoping she'll give me something short term just to get me back on track.

So glad to hear you have a bit of time off to rest and reset, Joris Hope all goes better with the nice GP on wed, I found it helpful to write a few things down so I didn't forget. Take care

Little update - finally spoke to the lovely GP, who was again lovely. She said it's a bit of a chicken and egg, has a small amount of anxiety caused the insomnia or has the insomnia caused the anxiety etc.

I've been prescribed sertraline for 6 months to see what that does, and they will taper me off if I don't get along with it.

Had a quick naughty check of work emails today and had a wonderful email from my big boss so that was another positive.

Definitely feeling more myself just by not having to worry about anything, and next week I'm going to go back into a proper routine if regular bed and wake up time. DH has been great and had been encouraging us to do healthy, wholesome things together when he's not at work - we've been swimming and kayaking and yoga tomorrow. Took me out for dinner on Monday as it's one of my favourite things.

He's working all weekend (sad) but I think I'm going to treat myself to a gallery on Saturday and seeing a friend on Sunday.

All positive!

Ah yay, thanks for the update @jorisbonson - I've been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing.

I've had awful sleep lately (took one of my sleeping tablets last night) and think it's due to low level/subconscious anxiety around covid/work/school... I was put on Fluoxetine a few years ago but didn't get on with it. I hope you find the Sertraline helps (a few of my friends are on it / Citalopram) and find it brilliant.

Good sleep hygiene is so important, and I'm glad you've got lots of healthy positive things to look forward to over the next few days too

Thanks for the update @JorisBonson I'm so glad to hear you're getting the support you need from your doctor, your work and your hubby.

It's so good to hear ❤️❤️❤️

Keep looking after yourself and you'll feel so much better before you know it xx

Hello lovely folk,

Still plodding along. Went back to work on Monday and the insomnia and busy nighttime head has gone ballistic, but my GP assures me it's an early sertraline side effect and should die down (not even been taking it for 2 weeks and I really hope that's true).

Work are still being great (I'm being babied a bit and I won't argue). WFH for the rest of the week which I'm looking forward to.

Hope everyone is well!

I'm glad to hear you're getting some support @JorisBonson. I hope it all gets better for you soon

I've been ok the last few nights, but had a big work thing today that went Ok, but not as good as I would have hoped. I have mega anxiety now and know I won't sleep :(

OP, I'd be so grateful if you could keep updating us on progress. As name suggest, I suffer from chronic insomnia so know all too well how you feel. As it's been going for so long, despite doing absolutely everything recommended, including sleep programme, it's started to become normality, and I have accepted it, but it still poison my life on a day to day basis.

The only thing I have tried is antidepressants. I was prescribed setraline, but made the error to take it at night and it was worse than ever. After 3 nights, I thought I would need to be admitted as I felt I was going crazy. I was told that there were others to try and taking it in the morning would help, but I'm reluctant to try again.

I really hope that this makes a difference to you. It's incredible how everything in life is better once you sleep well. Let us know how you get on.

Hi Joris. How are you getting on with your insomnia and anxiety?