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I am going days without sleeping. Some nights I can get 2-3 hours but every other night I am up for all hours. I am 32 weeks pregnant. This has been going on for over a month. I can’t nap during the day. I’ve had sleep anxiety before and Xanax helped me get through it. I can’t take anything like that while pregnant and the limited options I do have aren’t working. I feel like my body Is constantly in flight or fight mode. I obsess over sleep which causes the cycle to continue. I can barely function. How can I get over this?
Replies to "I am going days without sleeping. Some nights I can get 2-3 hours but every other..."
@clover2830 Welcome to Mayo Connect! Not being able to get a restful night of sleep is something that plagues many. Here is a link to the Sleep Health group, where you might find some good discussions to help give you ideas. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/
@colleenyoung may want to move your discussion to that group, for more input from others. As @zep mentioned, there are several remedies to try, and like anything else, it seems everyone has their own formula that works.
Also, I am wondering if the fact you are 32 weeks pregnant may be part of the concern, as your body is changing dramatically right now, physically/ hormonally/emotionally. Are you part of any group for pregnant ladies that you can bounce ideas off of? Has your doctor given you any ideas?
I hope you will come back and talk to us, tell us what you find works for you. How did you find Mayo Connect?
Ginger
Hi @clover2830, As Ginger suggested I have moved your message to an already existing discussion about anxiety and insomnia so that you can meet others talking about this same issue.
I think you might also be interested in this discussion:
- Natural sleep aids. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/natural-sleep-aids/
Kassidy, have you tried listening to soothing music or apps to help fall asleep? I find listening to a podcast helps me take my mind of the endless loops of thought that prevent me from sleeping. I set a time to 30 minutes and usually I fall asleep before the auto-stop.
Seek out a psychiatrist who can treat what appears to be extreme anxiety and depression. There are other drugs besides Xanax which will help. You need to get to root cause, so don't delay and make an appt ASAP. You are not alone.
@clover2830 Kassidy. Mirtazapine has helped with my depression. I am at the max dose of 45 mg. On its own I wouldn’t fall asleep so I also take magnesium supplement of 1–2 tablets of 250 mg each pill. I think I’m around day 5 of taking the magnesium and it is like magic. Fall asleep within half hour and deep restful sleep. I hope your doc ok’s these as safe for baby. Please keep us posted.
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Kassidy - That sounds dreadful. You have my utmost sympathy. I hope you can get some helpful advice here. Here are some things that might help. Number one, if you're online in the evening, never forget to wear blue-blocker glasses. Go out and sit in the sun early in the day, to set your circadian body clock to be sleepy at night. Take off your glasses if you wear them, so that the daylight can enter your eyes through the pupils and send a message to, I believe, your pituitary.
Try a magnesium supplement; there are many different varieties, so do the research. Exercise, but not too close to bedtime. Make sure your blood sugar is not too low when you turn in. Warm bath. Block out all light in the bedroom. Wear socks to bed so your body doesn't have to struggle to warm up your feet. (that works for me when everything else fails.) Limit TV and news. Stay in close touch with friends and family. I haven't tried this yet, but might - get one of those stuffed animals for infants that plays relaxing music, nature sounds and lullabyes. Then you can pass it down to your new little one. Best of luck to you.