Insomnia, depression, anxiety

Hopefully, someday for all of us - good luck and hang in there.

@azkidney57 Many of us do not get uninterrupted sleep. Myself, it has been decades and decades, as I am a light sleeper besides dealing with a mind that will not shut down. If there is something on your mind, perhaps writing it down/about it before retiring might help. Have you tried deep relaxation on yourself, doing a "body check" starting at your toes and working towards top of your head? Is your sleeping environment conducive to good sleep? Light, temperature, noise, comfort all play a part in optimum sleep. Hoping you can suss out the issues!
Ginger

Hi Ginger, I'm afraid the insomnia is strictly the lack of seroquel. Slept like a baby as long as I took various doses of lorazepam and then the 25 mg of seroquel (weaned down from higher doses.) The last titrated dose of seroquel was on Dec 31st (happy new year.) Now I can't fall asleep before around 4a.m. and am lucky if I can sleep 3 or 4 hours. I'm going to try melatonin (I think), but not totally sold out on that idea because of possible interactions with other meds and glaucoma. My sleep environment is good, I'm trying walking, diet and prayer to get through. Need a miracle.

Another way to induce sleep comes from Dr. Andrew Weil, who I believe calls this the 4-7-8 method. Place the tip of your tongue on the back of your lower front teeth. Inhale for four seconds. Hold that breath for seven seconds, then exhale for eight seconds. Took me a bit to believe it could work, but I have found success. No idea as to the physiology of this method, and it could just redirect mental activity. Just tossing it out. Give it some time if you wish to try it.

Thanks - at this point - will try it!

@azkidney57 I have trouble sleeping too. I generally wake up too early so give in to it and go back for a nap later in the morning. When I was on oxycodone and OxyContin they kept me totally awake!

@gingerw I too can’t quiet my mind, some nights are worse than others, depending on what is happening in my life. It’s miserable.

@rainer I do use melatonin and I think it helps. It has been approved by my transplant team. I take 3mg. I have heard that higher doses cause nightmares.

@elwooodsdad there’s number of those counting methods for falling asleep. I think the real help is that they put you on a mindless activity.
JK

I mistakenly advised to place the tongue against the bottom teeth. Dr. Weil instructs the UPPER teeth, and do no more than four sequences at a time. I think the directed breathing and focus redirects the over active mind...but it works for me regardless.

I am trying everything. I will make my bed room darker and I have a fan for white noise it helps some people. My psychiatrist has a sleep regimen that I am working on. I haven’t started on sleep meds like Seroquel etc because I would like to sleep on my own. I also have a mind I can’t shut off! I am not “at ease” any more. It stems from my cancer diagnosis, my nephrectomy, the scans, scanxiety, the doctor appointments, the “surveillance”, it’s a cycle that will repeat. I realize it happens to others. I didn’t realize so many others have issues with insomnia my psychiatrist told me it’s a big issue! I average 5-6 hours of straight sleep sometimes less,never more. My PCP told me a drugged sleep isn’t a restful one. I told him he probably doesn’t have full time insomnia! My psychiatrist wants me try more natural ways before we go on to drugs. Well at least I am in good company. Thank you Ginger for your input.😊

Thank you I will keep trying ways to get better longer sleep.

@azkidney57 I agree with your doctor, a drugged sleep is not as restful. I tried sleeping pills once many years ago and hated them. I felt like a slug in the morning. Some nights I do take Benadryl and it helps but I don’t want to make a habit of it. I also take melatonin some nights. And a few times a month, if I really need the sleep I take a low-dose lorazepam. I got a new Rx for it at my PCP recently (he never makes the Rx refillable) and he commented that I really do not use them much.