Anxiety can't sleep

[Helen89W]

Currently lying in bed since 9pm and still haven't fallen asleep. Im very lucky and usually I'm able to drift off but tonight it feels louder than ever and o can feel my heart racing and like a elephant sat on my chest no sign of sleep yet. The more I look at the time the worse it gets. Any advice much appreciated

[Thenoiseisreal]

White noise on your phone, earphones, airpods or just beside your bed? Body scans or guided meditation? THey normally work for me.

[Glynis-ringingears]

Try play a natural sound on your phone and use pillow speakers if don't sleep alone.Keep the sound at mixing point and not louder.

Take care

Glynis

[Nathalie_007]

ask your GP about Melatonin to help you. It is perfectly safe and non-addictive 👍

[happyrosie1 in reply to Nathalie_007]

Melatonin is illegal in the UK. Though I believe many people import it. Have a look at the website of Tinnitus UK for their take on it.

[Nathalie_007 in reply to happyrosie1]

No it’s not you can get it prescribed from a GP you just can’t buy it over the counter like you can in the USA.

[happyrosie1 in reply to Nathalie_007]

Whoops sorry you are quite right! Sorry again!

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to happyrosie1]

Popping in to add that melatonin is a short-term measure for insomnia in adults 55 years and over. People succeptible to seizures and who have autoimmune illnesses should be cautioned about use.

There are side effects, as with all medications, which are discussed at this NICE BNF link on the medication - bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/melat...

[BASBUN in reply to Nathalie_007]

My GP won’t prescribe Melatonin without a specialist intervening unfortunately

[Nathalie_007 in reply to BASBUN]

Try another GP my partner got some and it was very straight forward and he prescribed straight away

[Ottoflash in reply to Nathalie_007]

Melatonin is legal in the UK if prescribed by your GP. However, having been prescribed this for 28 days in my case I didn't have any kind of sleep reaction. I'm now trialing a new drug called Quvuviq (Daridrexant) which unlike drugs is not addictive and I have found to help with my sleeping. One tablet 30 minutes before bed and whilst it doesn't knock me out if I wake up i can drop off to sleep again and not spend hours awake.

[Mirador1]

I really feel for you. I suffered with this earlier last year. I literally had nights with absolutely no sleep at all. I'd get up, read, go back to bed and still lie there wide awake. I decided to visit the Dr and asked for mild sleeping tablets. Now if I know I won't sleep these really help. White noise and radio do not help when it's really bad. I've had tinnitus for over 30 years but recently decided to have it diagnosed following this latest problem with sleep. Have a hearing test and tympanometry test tomorrow. Hope you are able to find help

[Philip6]

Kirkland Sleep Aid pills, Costco or eBay. Non addictive and work very well. Just knowing you have them can help.

[Graham-E]

Hi Helen,

Some great advice already on here.

I was told about the practice of, if you cannot get to sleep in 15 minutes, getting up, making your bed and start over your wind down process. Things like brushing your teeth and setting an alarm to signal that you are getting ready for bed. As we painfully know phones etc make all this worse for sleep. Keeping a pad and pen beside the bed to write down all your worries and things you must do tomorrow. This is like giving your worries to someone else and can be very effective.

I find an audiobook in a timer to be amazing because who doesn’t like a bedtime story?

Very best and I hope you find a way through this without resorting to watching “Parliamentlive TV” as a sleep resource! 😊

Best and take care - G

[RobWG]

Hi

As others I use sounds to get to sleep. initially on speakers and now using earbuds

My preference is natural noise. Definitely helps me

Regards

Rob

[LadyGrey1]

I’ve experienced the same on many, many nights, it’s hellish! When the lack of sleep got so bad I was prescribed Zopiclone which is a heavy duty sleeping tablet. The doctors won’t easily prescribe it and won’t give many if they do, as it’s very addictive so they’re for emergencies only! I find they quieten the T right down to almost nothing and send me to sleep, although the T comes back the next day. This might not happen for everyone but I found a thread on an American forum where others had found the same. It sounds great I know, but it’s just a temporary fix for when things are really bad. May be worth asking your doctor.

I’m also on the antidepressant, Mirtazapine for the anxiety the T produces, which is sedative on a low dose (7.5mg) that may be all you need if you normally sleep ok.

I hope some of this is useful.

[BASBUN in reply to LadyGrey1]

Zopiclone really helps me, but told to ease off them as they become addictive. Shame as they give you a really great nights sleep without suffering anxiety over the tinnitus at night.

[LadyGrey1 in reply to BASBUN]

Yes, they are just so good aren’t they. That’s the problem, they’re for emergencies, but every night is for me right now! I was prescribed 28 but without much advice on how to take them, how frequently do you resort to Zopiclone? And do you find they turn the T off temporarily?

[BASBUN in reply to LadyGrey1]

I’ve had Zopiclone 3.75mg tablets as a back up for bad tinnitus nights for 13 years, but have only used them when really required. Recently because of fluid in my middle ear, I had really loud buzzing in my usually tinnitus free right ear. This was a nightmare to sleep with and had been taking Zopiclone every night for about 4 weeks. My Dr says I now have to ease off them for a break because they can become addictive and don’t work as well. Very upset about this as I was getting rid of the humming and even my other tinnitus for a couple of days at a time. Due to see the Dr again about an alternative if there is one! Hope things get better for you soon.

[LadyGrey1 in reply to BASBUN]

I try not to take them for more than a couple nights in a row but I simply can’t sleep without them! Apparently the bonus of reducing the T wains eventually too. I’d be very interested to know if your doctor has an alternative suggestion, I’d appreciate it if you could let me know. 🙏🏻

[BASBUN in reply to LadyGrey1]

Yes of course I will let you know. Take care.

[LadyGrey1 in reply to BASBUN]

Hi Basbun, I’m interested to know what your doctor advised after the Zopiclone? I contacted my doc as my Z is running out too and they’ve (predictably) refused more Z, and suggested Citalopram instead. This is an SSRI which I’ve heard can cause tinnitus so it’s the last thing I need! Curious to hear your update.

[BASBUN in reply to LadyGrey1]

Hi Lady Grey, I saw a mental health nurse at my Doctor’s surgery, we talked about my sleep anxiety and I asked if I could have a short course of Diazipam, she agreed and said she would send a report on to my Doctor. This morning received a text from my Doctor saying they would not prescribe Diazipam, they will also not prescribe melatonin, I don’t know why not, nor Zopiclone for the immediate future, so where does this leave me. I am using Boots Sleepeze tablets now but only the 25mg and they seem to be helping. I am expecting a telephone call appointment from my Doctor soon so we shall see what happens. About thirteen years ago I was put on Citalopram and it did not disturb my existing tinnitus, but everyone is different. Hope you are coping a little better at the moment. Remind me to get back to you after I have spoken to my Doctor. Take care.

[LadyGrey1 in reply to BASBUN]

My mental health doc called it sleep anxiety as well, which I think is only part of the issue, the reason we can’t sleep is the T! Its a vicious cycle. No, they don’t dish out Diazepam easily these days, but I found it helps with anxiety but not insomnia anyway and I believe they don’t prescribe Melatonin to anyone under 55! We were fortunate to get that amount of Zopiclone! I really don’t know where this leaves us and I don’t think the doctors know either. I’m trying the Sleepeaze too but they don’t help. Good to hear your experience of the Citalopram though, thank you for getting back.

[ghlla]

You are not alone in this! Just last night I had an entirely sleepless night, lay in bed for around 8 hours trying to sleep. That's my second full sleepless night in a week.

Generally I do find the recommendations from others do help. I have Snoozeband headphones which are lightweight and allow me to lie on my side. I listen to audio books, podcasts, sometimes just a 10 hour whitenoise playlist.

I'm also finding meditation to be helpful in general, when I don't sleep I no longer have panic attacks, the Calm app on my phone has really helped.

But I admit I'm still having the sleepless nights too often, which in turn makes the tinnitus go up to a 8 or 9 out of 10, whereas on a good day I'd rate it a 2 out of 10.