sleep DEPRIVED

[sparkle557]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all well.

I have spoken about this issue before in my previous posts and was given a lot of advice on what I can do to help me sleep.

A little background:

In January I started my full time 6mths placement (training) as a pharmacy student or a trainee. This is my second time working full time and just like the first or even worse, I have simply not adjusted to the working life/hours. This happened last year in the 6mth training period too but last year was more relaxed. This year is exam period alongside working full time.

My sleep is quite literally non existent. I have tried seeing the dr and we have tried zopiclone (barley made a dent), acupuncture (I feel like this was just an excuse for the dr to stab me with needles tbf), and due to the long NHS waiting lists and my crippling anxiety I decided to see a therapist out of my own pocket. I’ve only had one session (monthly sessions) but honestly I feel like it isn’t working.

From very little sleep I now get no sleep on most days. I am tossing and turning and just worrying about having to go to work the following morning. I really don’t like work and everything that comes with it. I feel as though I’m constantly at work and the day repeats itself over and over and I blink and everything is the same. There is not much I can do about this, I just need to stay strong and make it till July so I can sit the exams and hopefully graduate.

The sleep……is the major issue. Because I can’t sleep I am more irritable and in constant tears over everything and mentally and physically exhausted. I suffer from migraines which are usually well controlled but recently due to the lack of sleep -naturally- the migraines have become a lot worse and I am constantly taking medication to manage it.

Does anyone have any last piece of advice I can try 🥲

I have tried sleep meditation, trying to think positive (it’s a little hard at the moment), relaxing techniques, sleep hygiene…..sleeping meds…..at this rate I’d prefer if someone just knocked me out for a day or two to catch up on sleep.

Sorry for the rambling.

[Blue_81]

Hello Sparkle

Sorry to hear you are loosing sleep. I had some sleepless nights and would wake up for anything. My best friend was the show call Monk. It would accompany me for many sleepless nights. The thing that helped get good sleep was to take Gabapentin. You will need to talk to your doctor about it. Once I took it for two weeks my body started to know that by 10pm I needed to go to sleep. I got back my sleep pattern. Now I take it here and there at the very first sign im not sleeping just to keep my sleep. The only thing is that it works wonders for some and not for others but its worth a shot. Also, during the day taking Kava helps feeling relax and that will aid you at night. Try to keep your mental workload at a minimum because most likely its whats taking away your sleep. Spend more time in nature or study in a park. Not sure but that also makes me feel better which supports my sleep. Hope this helps. Best to you.