Insomnia, depression, anxiety

Hello, @amicocercante. I'm new to the Mayo clinic also, but I've found a lot of good support from knowledgeable vol. mentors and the community. Your friend is definitely in a tough spot. Knowing just what you wrote, My first reaction was to ask, is it possible for him to separate from his home life. Being in a negative environment can compound any attempts at making progress. I would also like to know the age of your friend. The kind of advice I feel I can share would definitely depend on his age. You've come to a safe/good place to seek help. I look forward to hearing back. Best, Suzanne.

Hello @amicocercante, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @suzbyrne and other members. It's good that you can help advocate for your friend's health. Your friend's story sounds similar to this TED talk by Jennifer Brea who became progressively ill with myalgic encephalomyelitis. What happens when you have a disease doctors can’t diagnose -- https://www.ted.com/talks/jen_brea_what_happens_when_you_have_a_disease_doctors_can_t_diagnose

There is a related discussion that you might want to read through to see if it is helpful.
-- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) treatments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-me-cfs-treatments/

Is it an option for your friend able to travel to a major teaching hospital or health facility like Mayo Clinic?, or is one available where he lives?

Thanks, John. We will check out these resources. Regarding his ability to travel to a major teaching hospital, it would depend on where the facility is. I don't know what qualifies as a major teaching hospital so I can't say whether there's one nearby, but he's in Italy if that helps. There are so many contributing factors to his insomnia/misery that it's hard to know where to start, but the leads I'm most interested in are childhood trauma/neglect as they contribute to depression/anxiety, a high resting heart rate of 105bpm (OK'd by his cardiologist), and a couple spots in his brain that have been quiet and benign so far, but for which he has scheduled another MRI in December. I'm also really open to the idea that he's dealing with something rare that most physicians/psychiatrists wouldn't think to consider, but only good luck or systematic investigation will tell!

Is there more you can say about the approach, resources or methods of major teaching hospitals?

Thanks, a lot.

I also have anxiety/depression and have been diagnosed with GAD. My symptoms started 9 months ago literally overnight. I woke up one morning in the midst of an extreme anxiety attack that lasted 24/7 for three months. Went straight into chronic throat burning which I still have, (not as severe), and stomach problems. Had many tests with results coming back "normal". My symptoms calmed down for a month but woke up with severe anxiety attack once again five days ago. It is ongoing accompanied by very vivid and weird dreams. I am at my wit's end and cannot seem to get well. Would appreciate any advice or info that might help. Also wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar symptoms.

I also have anxiety/depression and have been diagnosed with GAD. My symptoms started 9 months ago literally overnight. I woke up one morning in the midst of an extreme anxiety attack that lasted 24/7 for three months. Went straight into chronic throat burning which I still have, (not as severe), and stomach problems. Had many tests with results coming back "normal". My symptoms calmed down for a month but woke up with severe anxiety attack once again five days ago. It is ongoing accompanied by very vivid and weird dreams. I am at my wit's end and cannot seem to get well. Would appreciate any advice or info that might help. Also wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar symptoms.

@annie2 Having been diagnosed with GAD [like I have, too!] has your medical team offered any form of therapy or medication? Telephonic or Zoom type sessions can still provide a valuable tool for you as you navigate this time in your life. I went on a low-dose anti-depressive that also helps me.

Waking up in early morning, my brain will often times script out things that set me into a panic. For me, I have found that addressing those things head-on, not giving them the power they seek, goes a long way to helping me feel calm. I like to write and journal, and have, at times, written a letter to that fear, to "discuss" why it cannot have power over me. Have you seen the discussion thread on journaling? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/ Take a look and see if this is something you might find to be a valuable tool for you!

Some will tell you dreams are messages, or a rehash of things going on in your life. Like you, I often dream and try to dissect what I recall, to find the message. It takes some of the fearful thoughts away, when you break it down into smaller pieces. Can you try that?
Ginger

Yes, but with no answers either to the gut connection. I don't seem to have the dreams that disturb although I take medrol in the morning and there are indications that it can cause sleeplessness and vivid dreams.

Hope someone chimes in here with insights.

The 3:00 AM anxiety makes me want to be young and my mother there to comfort me. It is very distressing. I have the gut thing too. I listen to a meditation before I go to sleep, if I'm lucky I do not last beyond 10 minutes. It is found on you tube - generation calm - and it is a brain/gut/sleep meditation. There are many to choose from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRs-LV59tc9BrQMLSOoNDzg The one I listen to is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHGljHR5ZjA

Wishing you luck and answers, as we all do.

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.