Not Sleeping

Keep experiencing nights where I wake up at 2am and then can’t sleep again till 5am. When I can’t sleep I get all worked up and end up in tears panicking at the fact that I can’t sleep. My boyfriend tries to calm me down by doing breathing exercises which works for a while but then my mind spirals into the worst thoughts causing more panic. We’re both unsure if they’re panic attacks as my breathing becomes very short and quick. Any ideas of what this is or advice to help?

[Teresaq]

Hi, home your feeling a bit better, I to experience not sleeping well. I spoke to endocrinologist and she suggested that I take calm powered with water 1hr before bed. We loss magnesium in our body which is what helps up sleep. I've been taking magnesium now. It help. Feel better

[Hidden in reply to Teresaq]

Hi Teresaq,

Thank you for your advice! I’ll look this up and give it a try!

Thanks again

[Lucky7s]

Rest assured, you've got company with the sleeping/awakening cycle! ....Exactly the same hours as mine. I used Melatonin, but my Ultra-Sensitivity reaction to sleep meds gives a hangover the next day.

I had a "sleep study" done 2 weeks ago, and surprising results given to me a few days ago: My O-2 sat levels drop to less than 70% after 2hrs asleep. During those first hours , I awaken 55 times (for 20 secs) every hour. I've used a CPAP for 3 yrs..

Now, getting nighttime 0-2 prescribed. Sleep-deprivation is eating my brain, and life!

It seems PTSD related. (29 yr usaf Veteran).

Living like this is tough.

Actually, what worked best for me was strenuous Physical Workout 2-3 hours before bed. (Ex-wife used to say, "Sex is your best sleeping pill !"). Being alone for that is difficult.

Wishing us both pleasant dreams....

[Hidden]

I'm so sorry to hear this. The first word that pops into my head as I read this is insomnia. I have multiple sleep disorders and it is torturous.

There is an oil that I use. It is called "Moor Lavender Soothing Body Oil" by Dr. Hauschka. It works wonders at calming me down within 3 minutes. It has the added benefit of making me tired.

[ciley in reply to Hidden]

lavendar is soothing~i've had sleep phobia~think about it~ since a v traumatic event as child, when things are tough like now,i have it~i believe in God and spiritual help,also cbd oil or CAPSULES HELP YOU IN DAY, AND I BELIEVE GIVES YOU BETTER SLEEP wHEN YOU GET IT , love to all sleep sufferers, worst thing in world !!

[Pineapple1986]

Hey hey.

I've been having similar issues for a bit over a month now, but mine is connected with the episode of major depression. It started off with similar issues with sleep and, within two weeks, escalated to a major depression. I have never had problems with sleep before this. I was always good. So this is taking a huge mental stake on top of already tough depressive episodes. But at least I know that in my case it is depression related. They say it will get better once depression subsides. I see a small shift already as I have been taking meds for depression and sleep. The first two depressions I was on benzos, so sleep was not an issue at all. This time I was diagnosed with Cyclothymia, and the new doc is super against benzos, and I also can not take SSRIs as they will make my hyper manic episodes worse, which my previous doctor did not know. So this is a new ride, and the meds I am taking are not as aggressive, meaning most of this journey I am getting trough on my own, working cognitively with the actual causation and not just relying on medicine like I did two previous times.

What I've learned is breathing exercises, and meditation, along with Yoga, might help.

I would recommend you monitor your issues and talk with the specialist about the cause of your insomnia. It does not come from anywhere. You either have depression or a traumatic event or significant stress or a medical/hormone condition, or some medication that you are taking. Before trying to treat insomnia, you need to find the cause and treat it first. In my case, it is depression and anxiety. I take Seraquill 25 mg for sleep. Some nights it works better than others. I still do not sleep some nights. I miss benzos because they are highly effective, but those are addictive and not good for you. So I won't recommend that route.

What I am finding helpful is:

- consult a specialist and find the cause

- treat the cause with or without meds depending on what it is

- meditate as often as possible

- do breathing exercises as often as possible

- do yoga and general exercise no matter how tired you feel, even a walk will make a difference

- take a bath 2 hours before sleep

- remember that not sleeping enough won't kill you, you can still function as hard as it is, but accepting this fact will help you have less sleep anxiety. I am working full time even when I had a sleepless night. Your body is built to sleep. You will sleep eventually.

- Try buying a fitness tracker for sleep and start a sleep diary. This app is great for such CBT-I Coach

- Try CBT-I and MBSR techniques

- When you will get a tad better and will treat the actual cause, try taking supplements such as OLLY Restful Sleep Gummy Supplement with Melatonin & L-theanine. Or any other brand. Those are natural.

- download apps like MoodPath, OAK, Simply Being.

Good luck! Know you are not alone. I am as desperate as you and am praying God that my sleep comes back. I wish you the same. If you were a good sleeper, I believe it is only temporary.

[Hidden]

Thank you all so much for your advice, I really appreciate it and will definitely consider some of your tips! Hope everyone else manages to have a peaceful nights sleep

[Pineapple1986 in reply to Hidden]

Amen!