What do you take to sleep!

[Chinaadventure]

I'm currently on medications that have side effects of insomnia. I'm trying to figure out a routine or something else to add to my tool kit to help me sleep. I have not had a good night sleep in over a month and I'm usually up by 4:00 in the morning. I then spend the day exhausted and battling fatigue and bouts of heightened anxiety. I feel like it's a vicious cycle, I need the meds to help me with my anxiety but then they impact my sleep which causes fatigue! Any thoughts?

[Hidden]

Hi,I don't take anything to sleep, but there are sleep hygiene steps you can take. Have you talked to your doctor about your insomnia?

[Chinaadventure in reply to Hidden]

Yes, he gave me something to supplement and add on to my current anxiety medication Lexapro. It's supposed to help boost the Lexapro but it's not something designed specifically for insomnia. It didn't seem like he wanted to go down that road when I asked.

[Hidden in reply to Chinaadventure]

If this is really bothering you, you need to assert yourself and keep on him. I know how hard that is to do, though.

[Chinaadventure in reply to Hidden]

I've only been on the new medication for about a week so we'll see how it goes. Then he said we would reevaluate. I was on Lexapro about 10 years ago I was in a dark place similar to the way that I am now and the Lexapro and a number of other medications works to get me out. I stayed on the Lexapro for a number of years and then switch to trintellix because of the weight gain from Lexapro. Currently dealing with major life events like everybody else is elderly parents the pandemic in the loss of a job. Just want to get off this roller coaster ride and have some balance back again in my life. I hate the way that it impacts everything that I do. I guess I am very fortunate that right now I'm working from home so I have the ability to take a break or just to decompress what I need to. Thank you very much for caring and taking the time to listen. ❤️🙏

[Hidden]

You're welcome. I hope the new medication works out. I'm glad he'll do a follow-up with you.

[Hidden]

I'm currently on Trazadone for sleep. I understand the Lexapro is new to you and I hope the sedation effects it is causing will get better with time.

[Valleyheath]

phenergan. They are antihistamines not additive and my consultant recommends them! Can get them over the counter!

[Kelkel00]

I could’ve written your post myself! I think the lack of sleep really heightens the anxiety, too!

I am about to talk to my doc again because it’s just about every night no matter when I go to sleep—I’m awake and fighting sleep from usually about 4am-7am. It’s incredibly exhausting!

[Hb2003]

honey ☺️

[bonkers65]

Remeron. It's a anti-depressant

[AnonymousUsername13]

amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001VVXM2?

Those really help me but sometimes i alternate to these, which work well also (the ingredient in NyQuil that knocks u out, minus the alcohol):

amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045XGE9E?

[Blu-sBoo]

Hello,

I don't take anything to sleep because i don't want it to interfere with my current meds Lexapro, however, when i started taking Wellbutrin as a booster i had the classic side effects and one being insomnia. It got really bad so i spoke with my doctor and he suggested i take this particular medicine at a different time of the day. I started taking it at night before bed and when the meds were at their peak it was the middle of the day. So for me that worked well. Perhaps changing the time, you take the medicine will also make a difference for you so that you don't have to take a supplement.

[moxoni237]

Hi China l would consider asking you’re Gp about the possibility of changing youre medication if it is causing side effects to youre health which you are trying to stop any triggers that may add to the impact of you’re rest and tranquility cause and effect well-being it is for you’re self care and help with mindset and act of gratitude removing that upset of joy and relativity which serves you’re higher purpose

[punkster]

I, too, wake up early (4:30) almost every morning. I had to resort to adjusting my bedtime to 9:30. Fortunately, my husband is very accommodating and agreed to go to bed early also. We have been doing this a few months and now I can't get him to stay up any later. I have just resigned myself to the fact that as you age your biologic rhythms change. I no longer get anxious because I haven't slept enough hours. I usually hit a low point at about 3:00 pm (while I'm at work) and have to take a walk or do some breathing exercises to revive me.

[hanginginthere55]

Melatonin helps me

[Chinaadventure]

Quick update, slept till 6:30 this morning! First time in months. I'm not sure if everything is kicking in or if I was just exhausted. Just happy to get some sleep finally. Going to continue with this routine and see what happens. I'm still weaning off of Zoloft and going on to Lexapro. So that could also be a reason that this is all happening. I know none of us want to be on medication but that is the only thing that is helping me at this point. Thanks for all the warm wishes support and recommendations. We have to stick together!!!

[Kelkel00 in reply to Chinaadventure]

so happy to hear you had a good night’s rest!

[Lazy_dog_lover]

Search up Dr. Huberman AND sleep on YouTube. He is an expert. He will use some big science words, but listen to his strategies for sleep.