Insomnia, depression, anxiety

Posted by azkidney57 @azkidney57, Jan 11, 2020

So here I am it’s 4 am I have been awake since 3 am I often wake up. I can’t go back to sleep. I can’t text my friends I could be they would ask why I was texting so early. I tried my usual sleepy time tea, Clonazepam, deep breathing etc etc and I still wake up! I remember when I was I in the hospital I would call the nurse and I would have morphine injected into my IV port and that would help me sleep. I can’t have morphine. OxyContin also made me sleepy. Can’t have that anymore I ran out. It would be so nice if I could get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Maybe someday.

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kathymcl | @kathymcl | Oct 21, 2020

I don’t know if you have tried Melatonin as yet. With anxiety and depression, I was having the same symptoms. I use 3mg of Melatonin before bed and I definitely sleep through the night, other than maybe a washroom run. And it’s an over-the-counter item.

missmolly58 | @missmolly58 | Oct 21, 2020

You are speaking my life!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 23, 2020

In reply to @missmolly58 "You are speaking my life!" + (show)

Hi @missmolly58, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Can you tell me more about your experience with insomnia and depression/anxiety?

heatherm | @heatherm | Oct 23, 2020

I too, have been a frequent sufferer of insomnia. Meletonin has given me some relief in the past, but I have learned it's not a good idea to be on it for long periods (over 2 weeks). I've tried most of the other suggestions, with no long term relief. More recently, since cannibis (a natural remedy?) has become easily and legally obtainable in Canada, I am finding it a helpful solution for sleeping problems due to severe back and leg pain. I never tried so much as one puff in my youth, so I never dreamed I'd be a regular user as a senior ( only for sleeping). I can buy chocolate squares ( a nice treat) or oil. It doesn't really take away the pain, but it helps me relax enough to sleep. When I wake up in pain during the night, I supplement my regular prescription pain relievers with an NSAID, but on an ice pack, and usually, I go to sleep within half and hour to the morning. Believe cannibis is also legal in several states or for medical purposes.

Hank | @jesfactsmon | Oct 24, 2020

In reply to @heatherm "I too, have been a frequent sufferer of insomnia. Meletonin has given me some relief in..." + (show)

@heatherm
If you aren't already, try taking 200 or 300 mg of magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate before bedtime. It seems to help some people get to sleep more easily. Otherwise you might try valerian root extract (an herb which acts as a relaxant). My wife suffers insomnia on certain nights. She now pretty much will not go to bed until she feels "sleepy". That might not be until 4am some nights. But she says if she goes in before she feels sleepy, she's very likely not going to get to sleep. She gets up at 9:30 am each morning, regardless of when she gets to sleep. She usually goes in by 2:30 or 3am. Best, Hank

lsittll | @lsittll | Oct 24, 2020

Valerian root naturally induces sleep. However, it does need to be used with caution because it can be addictive and you can develop a dependence on it.

marcyp85 | @marcyp85 | Oct 26, 2020

Have you tried guided meditation? I use a free app called Insight Timer. There are a large variety of guided meditations for sleep and anxiety, and more.

trieste | @trieste | Oct 26, 2020

In reply to @marcyp85 "Have you tried guided meditation? I use a free app called Insight Timer. There are a..." + (show)

Thank you for the great suggestion. I've downloaded the app and will definitely check it out.

mariajean03 | @mariajean03 | Nov 1, 2020

In reply to @contentandwell "@azkidney57 I have trouble sleeping too. I generally wake up too early so give in to..." + (show)

I'm on 325mg. Seraquel @ bedtime but dream all nite. I wake up having a nite mare. Any one else have this problem with Seraquel? I know it's a good anti depressant so don't think I should stop it? Is there anything I could take if I decide to decrease the Seraquel? Maria.