I can’t sleep anymore

[Shutterbug65]

I just can’t go on like this. Every night it’s the same. I have trouble falling asleep and once I do I wake up after a few hours. I’m nervous and I constantly worry about what will become of me. Maybe it’s because I don’t eat well, my diet usually consists of prepared food, lots of frozen dinners because I don’t cook. I eat chips or Doritos and drink two beers before bed. However in the morning I always eat a nutritious breakfast. I’m also on Xanax XR, Pristiq, and Doxepin. The Doxepin I take before bed to help with sleep.

I just want someone to be honest with me. I’m very resistant to change and I live my life in a very narrow comfort zone. And I always feel horrible in the morning with a lot of fear and anxiety. But I feel better as the day wears on.

Can anyone else relate to this?

[Lauriem4]

Yes I always feel worse in the morning then as the day wears on get better slowly x

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Lauriem4]

Same here. Every morning is awful. Full of anxiety and negative thoughts. It makes it hard to concentrate on anything else.

[Lauriem4 in reply to Shutterbug65]

Been off work last week because of it getting so bad yeah think corsitol levels are higher in morning x

[deborah27]

Ok, so you want honesty. Ditch the beer. Why don't you cook? A whole new experience is waiting for you if you give home cooking a go. You already know that you just might be sabotaging your chance for good sleep, try making small changes, tell us about them. You could just be about to embark on a new adventure! We will all support you.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to deborah27]

Everything thing you said is true. I don’t know why I don’t cook or take better care of myself, laziness I guess. I get home at 7:30 and I just don’t want to bother cooking anything. I drink two beers every evening because it makes me feel better.

I fell into this pattern years ago after my girlfriend passed away in 2010. Before that I was happy and was doing well. But now I’m not that person anymore and I don’t know how to change.

I have no friends, and no family to support me. The only companionship I have is my elderly aunt who lives with me.

[MandyC18]

I feel the same way! I actually had to get off the Pristiq because it was making me worse, I had really dark, hopeless thoughts while on it. I also had to stop eating 2 hours before bed, otherwise I would wake up all panicky in the morning.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to MandyC18]

Are you doing any better? I’m so fed up with this, nothing seems to help. Sometimes I think it’s the Pristiq or my habit of having two beers and a snack within an hour of going to bed, but I always done that. I’ve had insomnia for about 2 years now and before that I was fine. Sleep was never a problem, it came on rather suddenly and now I’m stuck in this terrible cycle.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I have insomnia

I haven't had a full nights sleep in years. They've tried diff sleep meds and nothing works. I eat s healthy diet exercise take me meds as ordered don't drink don't eat before bed. None of that was ever s factor for me just how I live my life. So, as far as my life. No it does not get better. I just learn how to function on minimal sleep.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Dolphin14]

I really hope it gets better. I don’t know how you can do it. Is your insomnia accompanied by anxiety? Mine is, and it’s always worse in the morning. It’s like I can’t stand to be lying in bed. My head starts spinning with negative and worrisome thoughts. All I want is a good nights sleep.

[MandyC18]

I am doing better. My problem with Pristiq was that if I took it at night I couldn't sleep but if I took it during the day I was an anxious, emotional mess. I had to go back to an SSRI, Prozac, instead of an SNRI like Pristiq, those always make my anxiety worse and its like I can't relax.

[MandyC18]

I also found out it was acid reflux making me feel so shitty in the mornings from eating right before bed and eating greasy or heavy foods in the evening, I also can't drink because of it. It sucks to give things up but it does help

[Shutterbug65]

Thank you. Maybe the Pristiq is causing my problems. What I’m experiencing is a lot what you described. My anxiety has been much worse since I been on it. Last night I woke up early with terrible anxiety again, I can’t stand it to much longer. I worry about going to bed every night.

[Dolphin14]

Yes, I wake with anxiety can't stay in the bed so I get up. I do use guided meditation to fall asleep I just can't sleep for more than 3 hours. Of course it's a vicious cycle because you don't so now you are more anxious and emotional. I may get lucky and fall asleep on the couch for a bit.

No one knows how I do it. I don't know how I do it. But I somehow get by.

I hope it's your med and this will stop soon for you.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Dolphin14]

That’s what happens to me. Like you said it’s a vicious cycle and I’m caught in it. I got about 4 hours last night and when I woke up anxiety kicks in and stays with me all morning. I can’t even relax enough to take a nap, I used to have no problem.

I’m just looking for answers, some insight into why this is happening. And it all came on rather suddenly, about a year ago. Before that, sleep was the one constant I could rely on. Why??

Sometimes I think I’m going to snap from a lack of sleep. Could that happen? It’s just emotional turmoil. Xanax certainly helps but I feel fatigued and slow all day. I’m also on Pristiq for depression.

If you have any answers for me please share.

Take care of yourself.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Shutterbug65]

Shutterbug 55

When did you start the pristique was it a year ago? Just wondering if it was the cause of the problem from the beginning.

You have Xanax and it does help but makes you tired during the day? Could you take a smaller dose? Cut the pill in half? See if that makes a difference with the daytime fatigue?

[Shutterbug65]

Hi, Good morning.

I started the Pristiq about 3 or 4 months ago I’m not sure. The Xanax I take is the extended release, so it will last throughout my day.

I’m just so tired of being this way. Last night was horrible, I awoke at 3:00 am and that was it for sleep. What’s wrong with me? When I wake up my anxiety goes very high, it makes it impossible to get back to sleep. I feel as though I’m the only one who is going through this.

How are you? Have you experienced anything like this?

[Dolphin14 in reply to Shutterbug65]

Hi

I can assure you that you are not alone. I just had three hours of sleep and not sure if I lay back down if I will get anymore.

My psychiatrist is not sure what to do to help me as this has been going on for so long.

Have you had a medical check up? Just to make sure there's nothing medical causing a problem?

I feel bad for anyone who has to live like this as it is very draining. I wish I had a quick fix answer but I don't.

Hang in there.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you. It’s good to know that somebody understands. I think the worst part of this is feeling I’m alone. Waking up at three or four in the morning is bad enough but being alone makes this so much worse.

I had a check up back in February and except for my high blood pressure which I take medication for I’m okay.

I too get the feeling my phychiatrist doesn’t know what else to do. I was supposed to see her tomorrow but she canceled because she’s having some kind of medical procedure done. So now I have to wait till next week. What a pain.

Well anyway it’s time to get to work.

Thank you for your sharing your experience with me. I wish I had some answers to. But it’s good to know that somebody understands.

Take care of yourself.

[Mellowme73]

life in a very narrow comfort zone. And I always feel horrible in the morning with a lot of fear and anxiety. But I feel better as the day wears on.

Can anyone else relate to this? Yes.... verbatim

Thanks

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Mellowme73]

I certainly can relate to that. It’s like that every morning for me. I only get about 5 hours of sleep. But like you, I feel better as the day wears on.

[Spiritanimal]

Hi Shutterbug65, here are some sleep hygiene tips. 1) alcohol effects your sleep cycle, suppressing REM sleep and can also trigger sleep apnea. If you want change you’ve got to do something different, so cut out the alcohol. You could try melatonin for a sleep aid. 2) turn off the tv and put away phones/screens an hour or two before bedtime and don’t keep your phone in your room. Try reading or instead. 3) Also, do you exercise? Getting some exercise in at least 30 minutes a day can really help, just not too close to bedtime.🙂