Sleeping difficulties

[AMerchant]

Hi All

For the last 3 months I have been having a lot of sleeping difficulties. It happens when there is some stress of a big event or decision coming up.

I have to take nytrol 25mg for a week or 10 days then go off for a few days but then again I can't sleep so have to go back to taking nytrol.

I spoke to my gp and he said it is fine to take nytrol on a continuous basis. Not sure this is a long term medication that I should take.

Anyone else using nytrol on a regular basis ?

The problem is if I don't take it then sleepless turns into anxiety. Also nytrol makes my eyes very dry the next day.

Previously I used to be able to handle stress without it affecting my sleep

[Spurdog1]

I hate to rock your boat, but i heard "nytol" (different?)should only be taken 2-3 days in a row. However i find paracetamol at bedtime can be used every night. I find that handy every now and again.Perhaps you refer Diphenhydramine?

[Folklady]

Hi there, there is really two things going on here stress and insomnia. I have found valerian (Kalms) can be helpful to get you through a difficult patch but, although it is in a lot of herbal sleep remedies I dont find it particularly helpful for sleep. You could try a herbal teas (sleepy teas) to see if that helps quieten your mind. The other thing I would suggest is you enrol in the sleepio program. It is free and it helps you tackle your sleep issues rather than just putting a sticking plaster over it. It is important you dont get yourself stressed about your sleep problems as that can be counter productive. I suffered with sleep anxiety a couple of years ago after coming of a medication for migraine that threw me into a horrendous bout of insomnia I got so stressed about the insomnia that it began a vicious circle. Sleepio helped. It is basically CBT for sleep. Good luck

[AMerchant in reply to Folklady]

Thank you. How do I access Sleepio?

[Folklady in reply to AMerchant]

Just go online you will find it no problem and email the team and ask if you can join.

[AMerchant in reply to Folklady]

I think I may be suffering the same. Stress or some worries may have triggered the insomnia but even when the worry is over the worry about not being able to fall asleep keeps me awake which makes the mind even more alert

[Folklady in reply to AMerchant]

It is a vicious circle isn't it. I had to be really careful with my internal dialogue. So would catch myself saying things like I won't sleep tonight. And change my thoughts to something more positive. I would recommend sleepio it teaches lots of techniques how to deal with your thoughts as well as other sleep techniques.

[AMerchant]

I tried but it would allow me because Sleepio is not offered on NHS in my postcode apparently

[Folklady in reply to AMerchant]

If you email the team at sleepio they will give you access. I had the same problem but I got on it ok. I just sent the team an email. You should find that contact email address on the website