1. < Mental Health

Bad nights and dreams

Posted by Ryman @ryman, Jan 16, 2019

I haven’t posted in awhile, dealing with some changes. I have an apt with a psychologist the 30th. I may cancel. I am having a lot of anxiety and depression but I can’t take those medications. I have tried many of them. So it is just whatever talking would help. I can’t sleep, I wake up every hour or so. I often wake up with a lot of phlegm in my throat and trouble breathing. Sometimes I have very bad dreams. I don’t know if a psychologist would be of any help or if I should just deal with it on my own. Thanks for any suggestions.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 16, 2019

Hi, @ryman - good to hear from you. Glad you came here to share some of the changes and challenges you are going through right now.

One Connect group you may want to check out is the Sleep Health group. Two discussions in particular that come to mind are:

- About bad dreams https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/disturbing-detailed-dreams

- About waking up during a night's sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tired-of-waking-up-at-2am/

I'd like to bring in a few members to this conversation who may have some suggestions related to dealing with anxiety and depression, especially without medications; waking up intermittently during the night; and any breathing trouble at night, such as @johnbishop @parus @contentandwell @rachelanne @pearlbaby7 @mamacita @dandy.

Sounds like you've had bad experiences with anxiety and depression medications, @ryman. Is this with side effects you've experienced? When you mention trouble breathing, is this an allergic or asthmatic issue, or something else?

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 16, 2019

@ryman @lisalucier I go through periods when if I wake during the night I can't get back to sleep, and/or I can't get to sleep initially either. These are generally if I am stressed about something, or if I am facing a very challenging day the next day, or even if I am traveling the next day.
Thankfully I am not having those problems recently, except when I wake up anytime after about 5:00 A.M. Then I often cannot get back to sleep, even if I did not get to bed until late.

If I go to bed knowing I am stressed I will sometimes take half of a Benadryl, or a 3 mg melatonin. The Benadryl does help me get to sleep but I don't think the sleep is as restful and I have to leave plenty of time for it to wear off before I plan to do anything the next day - 8 hours minimum. Very occasionally I take lorazepam. My doctor is very conservative and gives me a prescription for 10, once a year, so obviously it is very occasional that I use them.

With any of these though, you do not want to use them nightly. They are habit forming so can become a problem if taken too frequently.

Are there things on your mind that are stressing you? You mention an appointment with a psychologist coming up. Unless you know that the changes you mention, or whatever may be causing this is temporary, I would definitely go to that. It could help with stresses that are causing your problem. Hopefully, if medication is suggested it will be something mild that does not easily cause dependency but will help you to get through this. I have read too much from people trying to wean themselves from strong pills and having much difficulty.

Good luck with this, I hope the psychologist is able to help you.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
Parus | @parus | Jan 17, 2019

@ryman After so many negative experiences with medications I no longer use them. I have tried herbal teas and was disappointed as well as essential oils even various supplement combinations. I have an array of issues that rob me of sleep. The last time I spoke with a therapist I stated therapy seemed to be going nowhere and EMDR was mentioned. I am considering this...

REPLY
2 replies
bluna282 | @bluna282 | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @parus "@ryman After so many negative experiences with medications I no longer use them. I have tried..." + (show)
@parus

@ryman After so many negative experiences with medications I no longer use them. I have tried herbal teas and was disappointed as well as essential oils even various supplement combinations. I have an array of issues that rob me of sleep. The last time I spoke with a therapist I stated therapy seemed to be going nowhere and EMDR was mentioned. I am considering this...

Jump to this post

Have you tried cbd oil?

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 17, 2019

Hello @ryman, I think a better nights sleep may be key to a lot of different health problems. Have you ever done a sleep study to determine if you might have some sleep apnea problems? I've read that waking up with phlegm in your throat is a common problem and may need medical attention. It might be good to discuss with your doctor. I found some information that may be helpful to read.

Mucus and Phlegm: What to Do if You Have Too Much
-- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mucus-and-phlegm-what-to-do-if-you-have-too-much/

There are some strategies you can use to help with anxiety. I found the following article in Psychology Today.

22 Quick Tips to Change Your Anxiety Forever
-- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/201405/22-quick-tips-change-your-anxiety-forever

I hope you can give us an update after your appointment.

REPLY
1 reply
pjss48 | @pjss48 | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @ryman - good to hear from you. Glad you came here to share some of..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @ryman - good to hear from you. Glad you came here to share some of the changes and challenges you are going through right now.

One Connect group you may want to check out is the Sleep Health group. Two discussions in particular that come to mind are:

- About bad dreams https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/disturbing-detailed-dreams

- About waking up during a night's sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tired-of-waking-up-at-2am/

I'd like to bring in a few members to this conversation who may have some suggestions related to dealing with anxiety and depression, especially without medications; waking up intermittently during the night; and any breathing trouble at night, such as @johnbishop @parus @contentandwell @rachelanne @pearlbaby7 @mamacita @dandy.

Sounds like you've had bad experiences with anxiety and depression medications, @ryman. Is this with side effects you've experienced? When you mention trouble breathing, is this an allergic or asthmatic issue, or something else?

Jump to this post

Last night I prayed for a good nights sleep and worked on my positive thinking ( everything will be all right ) and I slept better

REPLY
Ryman | @ryman | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @ryman - good to hear from you. Glad you came here to share some of..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @ryman - good to hear from you. Glad you came here to share some of the changes and challenges you are going through right now.

One Connect group you may want to check out is the Sleep Health group. Two discussions in particular that come to mind are:

- About bad dreams https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/disturbing-detailed-dreams

- About waking up during a night's sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tired-of-waking-up-at-2am/

I'd like to bring in a few members to this conversation who may have some suggestions related to dealing with anxiety and depression, especially without medications; waking up intermittently during the night; and any breathing trouble at night, such as @johnbishop @parus @contentandwell @rachelanne @pearlbaby7 @mamacita @dandy.

Sounds like you've had bad experiences with anxiety and depression medications, @ryman. Is this with side effects you've experienced? When you mention trouble breathing, is this an allergic or asthmatic issue, or something else?

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. I will check out the discussions you mentioned. Yes, I have had side effects with the meds. I think my trouble breathing comes from the phlegm. I don’t know if that is alergies or if it has to do with GERD. I have read acid can cause the phlegm. Thank you for your help.

REPLY
Ryman | @ryman | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@ryman @lisalucier I go through periods when if I wake during the night I can't get..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@ryman @lisalucier I go through periods when if I wake during the night I can't get back to sleep, and/or I can't get to sleep initially either. These are generally if I am stressed about something, or if I am facing a very challenging day the next day, or even if I am traveling the next day.
Thankfully I am not having those problems recently, except when I wake up anytime after about 5:00 A.M. Then I often cannot get back to sleep, even if I did not get to bed until late.

If I go to bed knowing I am stressed I will sometimes take half of a Benadryl, or a 3 mg melatonin. The Benadryl does help me get to sleep but I don't think the sleep is as restful and I have to leave plenty of time for it to wear off before I plan to do anything the next day - 8 hours minimum. Very occasionally I take lorazepam. My doctor is very conservative and gives me a prescription for 10, once a year, so obviously it is very occasional that I use them.

With any of these though, you do not want to use them nightly. They are habit forming so can become a problem if taken too frequently.

Are there things on your mind that are stressing you? You mention an appointment with a psychologist coming up. Unless you know that the changes you mention, or whatever may be causing this is temporary, I would definitely go to that. It could help with stresses that are causing your problem. Hopefully, if medication is suggested it will be something mild that does not easily cause dependency but will help you to get through this. I have read too much from people trying to wean themselves from strong pills and having much difficulty.

Good luck with this, I hope the psychologist is able to help you.
JK

Jump to this post

Thank you. I try to avoid meds if I can because of reactions to them. It seems to be a family thing.that makes it hard for me and for my doctors. I may see the psychologist to see if she can help without meds.

REPLY
Ryman | @ryman | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @parus "@ryman After so many negative experiences with medications I no longer use them. I have tried..." + (show)
@parus

@ryman After so many negative experiences with medications I no longer use them. I have tried herbal teas and was disappointed as well as essential oils even various supplement combinations. I have an array of issues that rob me of sleep. The last time I spoke with a therapist I stated therapy seemed to be going nowhere and EMDR was mentioned. I am considering this...

Jump to this post

I had never heard of EMDR. It sounds interesting, different. If you try it, let me know.

REPLY
Ryman | @ryman | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @ryman, I think a better nights sleep may be key to a lot of different..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @ryman, I think a better nights sleep may be key to a lot of different health problems. Have you ever done a sleep study to determine if you might have some sleep apnea problems? I've read that waking up with phlegm in your throat is a common problem and may need medical attention. It might be good to discuss with your doctor. I found some information that may be helpful to read.

Mucus and Phlegm: What to Do if You Have Too Much
-- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mucus-and-phlegm-what-to-do-if-you-have-too-much/

There are some strategies you can use to help with anxiety. I found the following article in Psychology Today.

22 Quick Tips to Change Your Anxiety Forever
-- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/201405/22-quick-tips-change-your-anxiety-forever

I hope you can give us an update after your appointment.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I will check out those links. They sound helpful. I have had a sleep study. The first one my heart rate fell to 20 and I now have a pacemaker. I redid the study and was told I don’t have apnea. Thank you so much. I will give an update.

REPLY
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