Anyone suffer insomnia

[ThyroidDeb]

I know rest is best for liver but last few months I have had insomnia. I have had before but it usually works itself out. I can get to sleep but can't stay asleep. My doctor gives me xanax but that is so short term and I'm afraid of dependence or worse, addiction. She has tried me on various antidepressants but side affects are terrible and it adds to insomnia. My usual dosage was .25 or 1/8 which worked with occasional use but it's been so long it's not enough, now up to .5. Anybody have any suggestions that are safe for me and my liver and something that works. I have tried and am doing meditation and breathing without much success once I wake. Works some when trying to fall asleep. Thanks

[nash2 Partner]

I struggle with insomnia too. The only thing that works for me is Ambien but that has a lot of side effects so I try to avoid it. It is a devilish problem.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to nash2]

It's awful, I don't know about you but when I lack sleep my anxiety is high. Drives me nuts. I can get to sleep but a couple hours later when I gotta pee, then I can't get back to sleep. My doctor gave me hydroxyzine but it makes you so drowsy the next day. She gave me xanax but the isn't a great choice either. I drink tea which helps to get to sleep but not when I wake.

[Livmar]

Hi, I drink an extra warm cup of almond milk about an hour before sleep. I also take Magnesium citrate 400 mg about 30 minutes before I go to bed. I also do not sleep during the day. I sleep like a baby at night. This works for me. Best of luck.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Livmar]

I take glycinate and drink hot sleep tea, I can't sleep during the day either even if I wanted to. I don't know what changed, I used to sleep good most of the time.

[kensimmons]

Reading something that I do understand (more or less) but that is a bit dry puts me to sleep in just a few minutes and I stay asleep until the morning apart from sometimes getting up to use the bathroom. I will read a dry article about economics in Latin America or something, ten minutes later I am asleep.

Also, only use your bed for sleep (and intimate things of course). A lot of people eat in bed, watch tv, put their laptops on their laps and do office work, email, etc.

Don't do that! It makes your mind think "this is the "do stuff" place (the bed). If you only sleep there (and its okay to read to lull you off) your mind will start to think "oh, this is the sleep and relax place". Doctors have talked about this for years. Also avoid the TV and Computers for 30 minutes before you want to sleep. Read a book, newspaper, take a shower (that helps many), etc.

[Learning-2eat]

Staying asleep is one of my biggest issues. I take melatonin and a magnesium supplement every night. Falling asleep is usually easy enough, but regardless of what time I go to bed, I wake up an hour or two and struggle to fall asleep again.

About the third night of this my body finally gives in and I will have a better nights sleep.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Learning-2eat]

I haven't tried melatonin. I read so many different ways it should be taken. How much and how long before bed? My body doesn't seem to wanna give in. This use to happen occasionally, been months now. Thanks

[Learning-2eat in reply to ThyroidDeb]

I take 5mg and a magnesium supplement about an hour before bed. Falling asleep is usually pretty easy, but staying asleep is a problem for me.

I use magnesium as it helps with leg cramps and in some cases sleep but I my stomach doesn’t tolerate certain kinds and there are a of varieties.

Do some research on the different types of magnesium and see if it works for you.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Learning-2eat]

Do you feel groggy from melatonin?

[Learning-2eat in reply to ThyroidDeb]

No I don’t. My usual bedtime routine is 9:30-10:30, arising 6:30-7:30. But I can also be awake for 1-2 hours in the middle of the night.

You might try a lower dose of 3mg and work your way up if necessary.

[Rosebud1027]

Have you tried limiting what you drink in the evening so you don’t have to wake up to pee? I drink nothing after 7 pm.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Rosebud1027]

I used to but now I drink a cup of tea formulated for sleep just before bed. It seems to work but yes, gotta get up to pee. I have a relaxation ritual every night to relax. Which by the way, is a pain. Not but 8 months ago I could watch TV turn it off and go to sleep with my cat. Now poor kitty has to stay out, which doesn't always work, he scratches at the carpet, because it might keep me from falling asleep. I would periodically get insomnia but eventually it would ease up this time it hasn't. I guess partly because I have to decide, live with anxiety and insomnia or keep suffering side affects trying to find an antidepressant that might work. Of course insomnia is a side affect to those.

[Rosebud1027]

Looking at your name made me think, have you had your thyroid checked recently?

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Rosebud1027]

Yes, every 3 months I have all my blood. I am on 50 mcg levothyroxine, doctor says all that checks out.