Feeling So Frustrated

[Woolybluecurl]

Hi Everyone.....I'm dealing with severe insomnia that's been going on for at least 6 weeks. I'm taking clonazepam and supplements from my doc, but they don't really help that much. Last week I started an 8 week program on line called "Put Insomnia to Bed." I'm just finishing week 1, which was mostly just keeping track of my sleep patterns. I was wondering if any of you have tried this program and if it has helped you. It works using cognitive behavioral therapy and is supposed to be the best way to treat insomnia, but as I say, I'm only in week 1 and not feeling much hope at the moment.

[012703060610]

Well Klonopin is an interesting choice for insomnia. Yes, it has drowsy effects, but it is my main mood stabilizer daily. I don't feel the effects of it per se any more except I know if I forget my meds for 1 or 2 doses, my mood is irritable. This is no long term solution for me either to be dependent on Klonopin and we are still figuring this out. I would have thought with insomnia being the primary issue, a sleep med like ambien, halcion, or trazodone would be prescribed for a short period. Until you can free your mind from the lack of sleep, you may be in a bit of a cycle. I had a reaction to prednisone, which saved my life, but left me with no sleep for a few months. I mean about an hour a day if I was lucky. I became paranoid that I would die if I missed the dose as I no longer made cortisol on my own. Was on a high (manic) and moving after dose and then a flat bottom towards the end of the day (depression). It took me forever to realize that some people have this experience. I didn't even realize I was making no sense to many people and I was stubborn and not listening to my husband. I needed to be knocked out hard. My Rheumatologist, PCP and Psychiatrist all agreed that I was going to need a short term use of high dose Benzos...they were worried enough about me to all get together. I then tapered the 6mgs of Xanax a day along with the tapering of the prednisone. I ended them both at the same time......but this came after a period that I needed my mind to adjust. I needed time to catch up on sleep but also to try to piece together the days I was on prednisone and what I needed to be doing. Supplements can be good or bad but certainly are not for everyone. For example, melatonin wires me up, but L Theanine helps for sure. I have not done that 6 week program and it may be too soon for you to start.....but I know we all hear would love to know if it does work for you. Sending you peace and harmony and maybe even a good night rest today!

[Woolybluecurl in reply to 012703060610]

Thanks so much for your input.....it all gets so confusing to me, especially because I'm not sleeping. I was originally prescribed Xanax, but it made me feel terrible, so we switched to Klonopin, I think to help with the anxiety and not particularly for the insomnia. I'm also in the process of getting back on Viibryd, which worked well for me in the past, and the hope is my sleep will get better once the Viibryd kicks in. I just started on 30 mg. this past Friday, which is the dosage that worked for me before. I just feel like my body is trying to adjust to all the stuff that's been thrown at it (it's a long story, but this episode started in December when some dental work went bad and I was in pain for 4 months....family member with cancer.....another death in the family.....so the issues are seeded in the emotional traumas I've experienced). That being said, many family members also have insomnia, so I don't know how much genetics plays in all of this. I am using L Theanine along with Apigenin, which seem to help with the anxiety. Melatonin makes me sick.....as do a lot of other products I've tried. I just want to figure out a routine here that works.....I feel so lost and scared because it's like I'm out in the ocean on a life raft with no land in sight. Thanks for your good thoughts......

[Montana136]

Woolybluecurl helloI can totally relate to what you're saying. I suffer from clinical major depression, generalized anxiety PTSD and I had a very long-term problem with insomnia. I don't suffer insomnia currently but sleep deprivation is very intense it changes your personality it changes who you are changes your decision making process. I am wondering what is keeping you up at night are there racing thoughts do you have medical problems are pain for me it started when I was a kid my mom would put me to bed at 10:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. and I could not go to sleep I could not fall asleep until late and therefore I could not wake up in the morning very easily to go to school. Of course I was a kid I did not realize what was happening. I had nightmares I cannot remember if I had racing thoughts as a child but I definitely had racing thoughts as an adult. I've been on a healing path for over 30 years therapy cognitive behavioral therapy medication clonazepam Xanax many many different antidepressants even vibriid. I went through sleep studies and found out I did have some sleep apnea issues mild ones but I believe the insomnia was because of depression anxiety just in general not feeling good about myself. Fortunately clonazepam or Klonopin as they call it, did help me sleep. However if you're on it for a long time you become tolerant to it. I do not know your history very well but if you've been on it for a while that could be if possible concern . the problem could be dosage. are you completely open with your doctor about all your worries thoughts fears and problems. Including insomnia.? I highly recommend therapy cognitive behavioral therapy it can help with underlying issues but insomnia comes easier when you find some mental and emotional peace. Meditation helps sometimes for me. Meditation can be difficult but it is definitely a worthy practice if you can do it it's worth it. I have been so low I couldn't get out of bed I've been well enough to be successful at a job and being considered for promotion. I am the only one who can change me. I am worth it you are worth it. This is a very good platform for you to be on expressing your concerns issues and problems. Very supportive atmosphere I find. And I find responding to people like you very helpful. So while it is good to post it is good to share your experience even if you don't feel like you can offer help to a certain someone just engaging makes it feel good. I hope something I've said has helped you take care of yourself be good to yourself maybe depression and anxiety cannot be cured but they can be managed. I'm trying very hard and I am doing well at that at this moment. I am very grateful for that. Take care of yourself and be well. ✌️❤️🌈

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Montana136]

Thanks for reaching out.....and you're absolutely right about the underlying emotional component to the insomnia. I've had a series of traumas since December, and don't think I've been able to put them to rest. I'm seeing my therapist as well as my doctor, but the issues are unresolved and ongoing, and I'm trying to find a way through to get back to my life. Everything feels like it's on hold right now because I'm so exhausted from not sleeping. I've had bouts of this throughout my life (as do other members of my family....always calls into question the genetics of it), but this just goes on and on.....and I'm so frustrated with not being able to find the solution or a routine that works consistently. That's why I'm hoping this cognitive behavioral therapy will work.....taking meds is ok for the short term, but there have to be other answers. I so appreciate you being there and giving me support. It's so lonely sometimes because people around me don't really understand what I'm experiencing (and I hope they never do). Be well....

[012703060610 in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Agree with Montana. I am also in PTSD therapy doing EMDR. It is hard and painful to pull through, but was worth it. I think we all will be in recovery our entire lives, but switching to EMDR from CBT made a lot of difference. It helped me to understand the difference of someone suffering from PTSD versus anxiety/depression. I now know why I do certain things and some trauma has finally left the brain. It is certainly a process and I like that you are being proactive!

[Montana136]

Hello again, you mentioned trauma, I have PTSD from a traumatic experience when I was young. you might want to research EMDR trauma therapy. It is or rather for me it was helpful in dealing with some of the raw traumatic emotion of my childhood. It was beneficial to me in a lot of ways. But it was also very difficult recalling remembering traumatic incidences and it would take me all day to get my emotional self back in order before my daughter came home from school. I've also had cognitive behavioral therapy which is also good but I think the EMDR was more beneficial and quicker than talk therapy. Just my opinion my experience. I've read a lot of information in the past on insomnia and sleep techniques. Like trying not to nap during the day I don't know what your circumstances is but napping was not a good thing for me so I don't do it. Going to bed at a regular time everyday getting up at the regular time every day. Relaxation techniques before sleep like on YouTube or on headphones. Melatonin which is an herbal supplement. Regular meditation and not just at bedtime but even when you wake up. White noise which is just like a fan running in the sometimes it drowns out sounds that you might be hearing. I have tried so many things. Used to be I slept so lightly cricket could wake me up. In my opinion if you have to take meds to catch up on some sleep then that's what you have to do. I took Klonopin it made me very drowsy I don't think it was meant for sleep but it helped me but I wouldn't take it every single night because I didn't want to become dependent on medication to sleep. I just utilized it so that I could get some sleep, that felt better than no sleep. Sleep deprivation is dangerous to your mind body and spirit. Not just tiring. But you are right meds are short-term solution. Good luck to you I'm here not everyday but I'm here. Do what you have to do to take care of yourself you're worth it. Be well. ❤️✌️

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Montana136]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.....I know everyone responds differently to meds/therapies, etc., which is what makes it so confounding to find the right combination. I'm sending up lots of prayers for guidance....

[snoozegoblin]

the only medication that has ever helped me with my insomnia has been trazadone. while i’ve never used this program before i’d like to say to not be discouraged! it’s only the first week! once i was uninsured and incapable of getting trazadone anymore i had to rely on creating a sleep routine for myself. meditation videos on youtube have helped. i’ve also started taking magnesium supplements which i believe have made a world of difference and has changed the quality of my time spent asleep.

good luck and i hope sleep finds you easily soon!

[tiblo]

i take colonzepam they take a few weeks to work when they do work they are great mine were taking about hour to work when i went on them they gave me a new lease of life i take one in the morning and two at night i have a great sleep on them as well i all so take venlafaxine with them