INSOMNIA

[ElspethMann]

Hello everyone...I’ve been suffering insomnia for a number of years on and off...going through a bad phase at the moment. Recently been awake until 5.30am drift off and awake again at 8.00am ish...feeling like a zombie. Seeing my GP on Monday but don’t expect much help there. The strangest thing is when I go away on holiday I sleep perfectly well. Don’t have any problems just lots of inconsequential nonsense going through my head and unable to switch off. My question is would it be wise to consider a mild dose of anti depressants and has anyone tried this for insomnia. Not in my nature to take pills willy nilly and would hate to become addicted but feeling desperate at the moment. Would love to hear views on this xx

[teenarocks]

Not sure I would take antidepressants for insomnia. Hopefully your GP will have a better idea. Have you tried melatonin or amino acids especially tryptophan? Antidepressants have side effects and are very difficult to stop. I was on them for 15 years. Four different ones. They all had undesirable side effects. Coming off of them was a nightmare. They should only be used for clinical depression for this reason. I will avoid them now like the plague. If you want to try tryptophan be sure to thoroughly educate yourself on its uses and side effects. See this site.

webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp...

[ElspethMann in reply to teenarocks]

Hi teena thanks so much for that, melatonin doesn’t work for me, will look into tryptophan and stay clear of anti depressants...much appreciated x

[angedogs]

Hi,

I am the same. I have had trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep for a few years now and I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea recently. I thought the CPAP therapy would solve the insomnia problem but it has become worse. I hardly get any sleep, usually 2-3 hours or even less and it got to the stage a few weeks ago when I felt I could not longer carry on with the exhaustion, irritability and feeling low.

I went to my GP and he was going to put me on the antidepressant, Mirtazapine. I refused point blank as for personal reasons I am very much against antidepressants. He then said he would give me a different tablet to help me sleep and it was only when I collected the prescription I found it was Amitriptyline which is also an antidepressant. I was so desperate that I took it for a very short while to see if it would help. It didn't but I had an allergic reaction to it so I stopped it. Next I was prescribed Diphenhydramine which turned out to be One-A-Night Nytol and it didn't help me sleep at all. I have now been given Zopiclone which is a sleeping tablet. I have been told it is addictive and to only take it when I desperately need to catch up on sleep. So far I have taken it just once a week and it actually works but leaves me feeling a bit groggy when I wake up.

I would not advise taking antidepressants for insomnia, not even a small dose because they can have unpleasant side effects and can actually make sleeping problems worse. Good luck for Monday.

[ElspethMann in reply to angedogs]

Thanks so much for that...I occasionally manage to get some Zopiclone but I feel I have to beg for them and would never want to become addicted , how I would just love to take one every night lol haven’t had any for months now. Don’t think I will resort to anti depressants. All the best to you x

[Clarrisa]

I recently heard Ruth J. Colvin who travelled across country (states) by invitation, speak. She is looking for a publisher for her 16th book. She starts her daily exercises in bed when she wakes up. She plays tennis three times per week & goes to the gym to work out twice a week. She does not look a day over 75. She is 101 years old! "Who said I want to exercise" she told someone in the audience during question & answers. She does likewise (eats well even if she resorting to Ensure if necessary, etc.) in all aspects of her life it sounded like. How much do you exercise? I have trouble sleeping too but after hearing her speak I know I need to increase my exercise level whether I want to or not ...

[Hidden]

I was on Mirtazapine and Amitriptyline both to aid in sleep. I was unaware they were antidepressants but their side affects were so severe I discontinued both

[ElspethMann in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice think I’ll stay away from them. Apart from thyroid medication I don’t take anything else...all the best to you x

[Clarrisa]

You mentioned you sleep well on vacations. Are you going to more sunny spots & getting additional sunshine? If so is your vitamin D level less ok other times of the year? Are you adding greater variety to your diet, or eating a lot fresher while vacationing? Or have you really given yourself permission to put cares & piles of work aside, suggesting a good measure of mindfulness, meditation &/or yoga might help. Maybe it is the combination of doing better on several fronts at once plus the change of scenery. When my companion was alive he use to tell me to "Go to your special place." He returned in his mind to the beach he practically lived on as a child. This greatly helped him to sleep (That & his strict daily routine). Thanks for your post it has given me ideas to work with as I struggle to sleep now.

[ElspethMann in reply to Clarrisa]

Hello Clarissa and thank you for your time and suggestions, don’t think I will ever understand this I eat very healthily at home and when away, I’m lucky to have a few holidays...don’t work no children and no stress. It happens even when I’ve been swimming and done twenty lengths and been on long walks. After reading these very helpful replies I don’t think I will resort to anti depressants. I wish you all the best with your health and insomnia and I will get back to Mindfulness, sometimes I try to hard to sleep and it becomes more of an issue xx

[jgelliss]

ElspethMann

Do you have your recent lab results . FT3 FT4 TSH RT3 ? Nutrients as well Vitamin D , B-12/folate , Iron It can be very telling .

[ElspethMann in reply to jgelliss]

Thanks for your help I think my results are ok.

[ElspethMann]

Thanks so much Icebeaver for your useful info I think I try too hard and it becomes more and more of a problem, I’ve never been depressed think I’ll carry on without anti depressants for now. Even exercise doesn’t do the trick. All the best with your health x