insomnia

[KookyNo1]

Hi all. I’ve been diagnosed with AF and I’m now taking Apixaban, 5mg , Bisoprolol 1.25mg, and Furosemide 20mg. Since taking these pills I have suffered with insomnia, if I get more than three hours sleep a night I would be lucky. I’m due to see a cardiologist on 21st August. I am really struggling with the sleepiness and was hoping someone might be able to help on this forum. Thank you in advance PC

[Luludean]

o kooky , I sympathise!!!! I go to bed 10 30ish . Go straight to sleep. Then wake 2 lie there thinking , then totally awake st 5. Dream at least2 complicated dreams every night. Slept badly since heart surgery in 2000. On Apixaban, Digoxin and Losartan . I have persistent , mainly controlled AF.

I don’t. nap in the afternoon and I am not sedentary. Exhausted from thinking , dreaming and worrying. Going to health shop yoday to get some Melatonin . Have you tried that? L

[Cat-222 in reply to Luludean]

Can you take Melatonin while on your medication? I am struggling to know what supplements to take while taking Apixaban and Bisoprolol

[Luludean in reply to Cat-222]

Cat, I will check in pharmacy!!

I do not think my insomnia is due to the drugs I am on now. Flecanide and amioderone definitely gave me nightmares, steroids certainly cause insomnia too. But my disturbed sleep started with a vengeancec in 2000 straight after mitral valve surgery and never went away.

Also if one is a worrier , nightime is when the angst takes over.

[Cat-222 in reply to Luludean]

Thank you for your reply. I think my medication is causing my insomnia. I am OK getting to sleep but wake up between 3.30 and 4 sweating and feeling anxious. It’s horrible and debilitating especially when you have to go to work in the morning. I used to sleep really well.

Do you take any supplements to help your immune system?

[Luludean in reply to Cat-222]

Hi Cat, I take no supplements , only vit D in the winter. I eat carefully and well . I love the sun and light evenings! .

I am under rheumatology as well , not a good experience , some of those drugs (I am not on any now) really affect ones body !! Hope you start sleeping through! L

[Desanthony]

Some people say taking bisoprolol in the evening is preferable as it stops them feeling fatigued during the day when they take it in the morning. Don't know if that would help you at this stage and before changing from taking it in the morning to evening I would check with your GP surgery.

[Ppiman]

I think it’s likely the bisoprolol. Ask your GP, perhaps? I have insomnia, too, so know how you feel. It’s a dreadful condition but I’ve had it longer than I’ve been taking the drug.

Steve

[patleit]

I sympathise with you and Luludean I too had the same issues, with me it is the anticoagulant. I was on Xarelto first and that was when I went from sleeping all night to broken sleep and the scary dreams, I then changed to Apixaban but the dreams and broken sleep continued. No doctor or Consultant I spoke too would accept that the anticoagulant was the cause. I have experimented with various products, spray magnesium, lavender products, which all helped somewhat. I now take the Bach Night Rescue spray and wear a melatonin patch(which I bought from Amazon) and also have a lavender diffuser on my locker. I am now sleeping much better and have less disturbing dreams . I am taking anticoagulant since 2015 and those side effects started then but now happy enough with my nighttime regime

[marcyh]

I've never heard of a melatonin patch, patleit. Interesting.

What works for me is 300 mcg (micrograms) of melatonin. I was taking 3 mg and it didn't seem to help. Someone online said I was taking too much but it was the lowest dose my pharmacy had. So I've had to order it online. I can often tell when I crawl into bed whether I'm going to sleep or not so I take it as needed. Insomnia runs in our family but I also know meds affect me. I definitely sympathize. It's extremely vexing and we become exhausted physically and mentally.