Desperate to sleep

[Catsamaze]

The more I feel that I have to sleep the less sleep I get. If I could just not care about it I’d probably sleep more. But I find I am exhausted most of the time. I’m getting off klonapin and I know that’s not helping. And I’m taking an MAOI and that also causes insomnia. And my doc says that insomnia itself causes more insomnia. There’s a big psychological component to it. I fall asleep easily but I can’t seem to stay asleep. I hate being so damn tired! I know there’s a separate community on HU for sleep issues but this is my community. Anyone else in this predicament and what have you been doing about it? What helps? Thanks.

[Hb2003]

I have had a spoonful of honey before I sleep it helps a lot

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Hb2003]

I’ll take any excuse to have honey! Thanks

[Hb2003 in reply to Catsamaze]

Your welcome 😄

[Hb2003 in reply to Catsamaze]

It has helped me a lot 😄 hopefully it will work for you

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

Both good pieces of advice, thank you , Luna. Part of me wants to go faster with the klonapin but I know I have to take it relatively slow. I need to be reminded of that.

[Trying1268]

Hi Catsamaze,It sounds like your issue is not falling asleep but staying asleep. This means that there is a reason for your sleep being interrupted.

I had the same issue, mine was noisy neighbors up at odd hours. The best thing for this is a white noise machine. It gives your brain something to concentrate on, and blocks out all other noises outside the room.

You can get ones that play nature sounds, soft music, fan noise, or white/brown noise. Just google the sounds I listed and you can research what you like. I found out that I actually liked the calming sound of a box fan (who knew?!?)

I hope this helps.

Be Well.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Trying1268]

Thank you, Trying1268. I do have a fan that is sitting in the closet. I’ll pull it out and give white noise a try.

[RCJH8610]

I’ve always had difficulty staying asleep, and it is awful. My doctor prescribed Trazodone and it works like a charm. I fall asleep and sleep soundly throughout the night. Sleep is so important to your physical and mental health so you definitely need to find a solution soon. Sending positive vibes your way. ❤️

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to RCJH8610]

Thanks RCJH. Alas, Trazadone at 100 mg didn’t help me so I got off that, and am getting off klonapin. We’ve added gabapentin and keeping my fingers crossed!

[Lazy_dog_lover]

Exactly. If I tell you not to think of a purple gorilla, you are now thinking of a purple gorilla. The more you perseverate on not sleeping, the less sleep you get.

Have you done a sleep study to see if you are getting to REM or have apnea? I was only at 62% quality sleep. ENT will fix my deviated septum to improve sleep. I started doing guided meditations.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Lazy_dog_lover]

Love your username. I had a sleep study done a year ago and you can guess what happened: I slept like a baby that night! I do have some sleep apnea and have a cpap for that. Glad you are having a procedure to fix that deviated septum.....that should really help you.....thanks for replying...

[Hidden]

Hi Catsamaze, Yes, I’m a light sleeper & it sucks. I drink sleepytime tea before bed, wear earplugs, & keep to the same sleep/wake schedule as much as possible, but it doesn’t always work. If I wake in the night, I try to read a book or do deep breathing exercises. Good luck.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Bbw. The one thing I’m good at is going to bed and getting up in the morning at the same times every day. Reading is good but not on the cell...I have to be more disciplined about that......

[Blueruth in reply to Catsamaze]

Cat, don’t worry about the time you go to bed. If you get up at the same time then go to bed when you are tired. We don’t always need the same amount of sleep. That will probably help you stay asleep. When I tracked my own sleep with an app I discovered I only need 7-7.5 hours. I don’t even set an alarm clock anymore.

Another tip is music or podcast... some audio. I like rain or maddow. For some reason maddow puts me to sleep. Maybe because she always starts with a story 😂 The podcast not the show.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Blueruth]

I absolutely LOVE Maddow, Blueruth! She keeps me awake, though, because I want to hear every word......

[Hidden]

Hi Catsamaze, I have fibromyalgia and arthritis so am in a lot of pain some nights which stop me from sleeping. Sometimes I sleep for 15 hours as I'm exhausted over doing nothing. But I totally get what you're saying. Have you tried sleep CDs/Dvs, books. Do you think that your GP would prescribe some sleeping pills just so you could get some sleep for now?

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lin’s. Sometimes it’ll take me 3 nights to get 15 hours of sleep! But I know that sleeping too much is also problematic in a different way. I don’t have fibromyalgia but I have heard how incredibly painful it can be and I hope you can get some relief. My doc has offered moderately high dose benzodiazepines but I want to avoid them if I can. Klonapin has certainly helped many people but not me...that’s why I’m tapering off of it. I have some CDs that do help, just not consistently. Thanks much for writing

[MidnightBriarRose]

Hi, Catsamaze,I couldn't help but notice some of your posts, as I, also, struggle with some of the same things you do, ie sleep issues and health anxiety. And i have the same problem you do, with sleep, as i fall asleep very quickly, but have a hard time staying asleep. And I never feel rested when I wake up. I've never had a sleep study done, but i had a psychiateist tell me, years ago, that people with OCD and or anxiety tend to have sleep issues. And i do believe that my sleep issues may be either, directly, or indirectly, related to my OCD. And, for me, because i have an obsessive fear of taking sleep meds, i have not been able to get any help from anything that is prescribed. As i have had a few things prescribed for me, in the past, but became too afraid that i might get side ecfects, so I ended up not taking the meds. But my new Therapist just recommended that i try L-Thiamine, as an all natural alternative, as she knows that i want to stay with only all natural supplements. So i am getting ready to try that, as i have read that it can work wonders for improving sleep. So maybe you can give it a try, too and see if it helps. Anyway, take care and i hope your sleep gets better soon! 🌿🌹🌿

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to MidnightBriarRose]

Thank you, MBR, for a wonderful post. I will certainly try L-Thiamine. Let’s compare notes about our experience trying it. I really appreciate your taking the time to write

[MidnightBriarRose in reply to Catsamaze]

You are very welcome, Catsamaze! And comparing notes sounds great! I haven’t started taking it yet, but am going to start today. So I will look forward to comparing notes with you! Until then, take care and have a great day! 😀

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to MidnightBriarRose]

You too, MBR!