Anyone have insomnia as symptom of COVID-19?

Posted by mkqq @mkqq, Apr 30, 2020

Hi all,

So I got sick 8 weeks ago and the doctor thinks it might have been Covid-19. There was no way to be certain as the infection was already gone when I visited the clinic last week. They did a CRP test and it showed no sign of infection.

I started with a fever that lasted 3 days and suddenly on the 4th or 5th day I had a sleepless night. Then for the next 5 days I had alternating nights where I slept and where I couldn't sleep at all. For the last 8 weeks or so my sleeping has been absolutely terrible.

The doctor tells me she has seen other Covid-19 patients and some of they say they cannot sleep.

Just wondering is anyone experiencing insomnia as a direct symptom of Covid-19? Or does it always come down to anxiety and your fight/flight response? For me there is a lot of anxiety which is contributing to the problem.

Many thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@ilovemary4749

I had Delta/covid last August and even with vaccinations got really ill. Never went to hospital but had to use nebulizer as my Sats we in high 80’s low 90’s for weeks. (Collapsed lung) but had to ask for the xray. Lots of other symptoms as mentioned in these posts but the most debilitating is Insomnia. So sick, so fatigued could Not sleep was Wakeful ALL THE TIME. Cat napped, for weeks and weeks. Now 8 months out I get about 4 -5 hrs average ( not all together). Sleep study, cpap, RLS meds. Meditation apps massage melatonin. Only using bed for sleep yada yada. I fall asleepand boing, wake up, 3-4 hrs later and am Wide awake. Try to sleep. Or get io and read the paper. Do not nap during the day so I can sleep at night. Even went to an “ insomnia” specialist, nada!! Anyone try acupuncture?

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I too had insomnia during Coivd illness (lasted a month 12/07/20-1/2/21) and continue with insomnia, still. I initially was prescribed Doxepin (an old tricyclic anti-depressant that is used for inducing sleep) and it worked wonderfully, keeping me asleep all night. Then, I tried CBD gummies for sleep and they worked for a few months, then seemed to plateau, and I was waking up in the night. I took 1/2 gummy as a whole one upset my stomach. After the gummies plateaued, I went back onto Doxepin. I would prefer not to take a prescription medication and have checked into an herbal supplement, Gaia capsules and plan to order and try them on a weekend (just in case they don't work). That is my experience and suggestions. - Kim

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One of my many symptoms since long haul( it has been 4 months since my COVID diagnosis) is major insomnia. Any suggestions as to what I can take for a good 7-8 hours of sleep?
RR

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@rachelr

One of my many symptoms since long haul( it has been 4 months since my COVID diagnosis) is major insomnia. Any suggestions as to what I can take for a good 7-8 hours of sleep?
RR

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@rachelr, poor sleep is a very common symptom patients with Post COVID Syndrome (PCS) experience. I moved your message to this existing discussion where others like @kpatterson @mkqq @mamafluh @saraguev and more are talking about how to get better sleep.
- Anyone have insomnia as symptom of COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-have-insomnia-as-symptom-of-covid-19/

You might also appreciate this related discussion:
- Insomnia. What seems to help?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/josephene-i-am-having-terrible-insomnia-as-well-nothing-seems-to-help/

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@rachelr

One of my many symptoms since long haul( it has been 4 months since my COVID diagnosis) is major insomnia. Any suggestions as to what I can take for a good 7-8 hours of sleep?
RR

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Hi. In talking to others, have found gray area whether true insomnia or symptoms keeping you from falling asleep or being woke up as well by them? Practices suggested to me that have worked sound simple but consistency as we know really hard dealing with all this🙃 Really try to have set bedtime and wake up time consistent with your lifestyle you had and also if possible close to wake up light of the morning and couple hours of very dark. No electronics in the evening and exact same routine with laying in bed diaphragmatic breathing, one hand on heart other on tummy, and hopefully can say same happy, hopeful, calming thing. Mine is “Ive got this”. Be patient with yourself and allow couple of weeks to see it working with doing same routine if you wake up middle of night and try to keep doing it over and over if needed until your wake up time. Hugs to all.

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Hello,

I’m an 87-year-old man, and a year ago in December I had omicron or something that mimicked it. My recovery was painfully slow and made even slower by a fall and a minor concussion in June. I’m almost recovered, but normal sleep won’t return.

Some nights I sleep wonderfully well as I did as a child. I go to sleep and wake up eight hours later. On other nights I seem to dream all night and wake up unrefreshed. I remember the dreams because it’s the same dream all night. Still, other times, I toss and turn for half the night, but I dream normally when I do fall asleep. Sleeping only a couple of hours, I’m exhausted the next day.

I try marijuana edibles (4 mg) and melatonin. Still, I cannot find a meaningful correlation between taking them and sleep quality. I think maybe the placebo effect taints my tentative conclusions. Has anyone else had these issues and resolved them? Or am I doomed?

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@ronnieo

Hello,

I’m an 87-year-old man, and a year ago in December I had omicron or something that mimicked it. My recovery was painfully slow and made even slower by a fall and a minor concussion in June. I’m almost recovered, but normal sleep won’t return.

Some nights I sleep wonderfully well as I did as a child. I go to sleep and wake up eight hours later. On other nights I seem to dream all night and wake up unrefreshed. I remember the dreams because it’s the same dream all night. Still, other times, I toss and turn for half the night, but I dream normally when I do fall asleep. Sleeping only a couple of hours, I’m exhausted the next day.

I try marijuana edibles (4 mg) and melatonin. Still, I cannot find a meaningful correlation between taking them and sleep quality. I think maybe the placebo effect taints my tentative conclusions. Has anyone else had these issues and resolved them? Or am I doomed?

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LDN (low dose naltrexone) may help. You have a great spirit. I'm 90 with health problems stemming from first Moderna vaccine. Staying in the mental effort to find answers is the only way to survive the Covid health chaos. All the best in your search for answers.

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@ronnieo

Hello,

I’m an 87-year-old man, and a year ago in December I had omicron or something that mimicked it. My recovery was painfully slow and made even slower by a fall and a minor concussion in June. I’m almost recovered, but normal sleep won’t return.

Some nights I sleep wonderfully well as I did as a child. I go to sleep and wake up eight hours later. On other nights I seem to dream all night and wake up unrefreshed. I remember the dreams because it’s the same dream all night. Still, other times, I toss and turn for half the night, but I dream normally when I do fall asleep. Sleeping only a couple of hours, I’m exhausted the next day.

I try marijuana edibles (4 mg) and melatonin. Still, I cannot find a meaningful correlation between taking them and sleep quality. I think maybe the placebo effect taints my tentative conclusions. Has anyone else had these issues and resolved them? Or am I doomed?

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Sorry for your issue, as I have it as well after almost dying from Covid in March 2021.
I am 62 and can’t find anything to improve my sleep pattern after C19.
I have tried unsuccessfully, but might work for you, since everyone responds differently:
Ambien, melatonin, Benadryl, tryptophan amino acid, valeriana tea, chamomile tea, B complex vitamins, hard exercise in mid morning, cut all caffeine and alcohol, dark quiet cool room, white noise recording and anti anxiety Pristiq.
Sleep is hit or miss and never long enough. I have to take afternoon naps to be able to function. This C19 and it side effects of tremors, constant headaches and foggy brain forced my early retirement at 60 years old.
I hope any of these can work for you.

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I have also been struggling with insomnia from my long haul (it has been 4 months since by COVID diagnosis). I also have developed neuropathy & feel like I have the flu, including severe nausea & constipation & sinus congestion. Symptoms seem to have gotten worse, but I know that is the nature of this long haul COVID. It creates a lot of anxiety, as I was healthy before this. I had 2 shots & 2 boosters & still got COVID. It is impossible to maintain a normal life style when you have so many symptoms. You just have to eat healthy, try to exercise when you have enough strength to do so & take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do.
RR

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@rachelr

I have also been struggling with insomnia from my long haul (it has been 4 months since by COVID diagnosis). I also have developed neuropathy & feel like I have the flu, including severe nausea & constipation & sinus congestion. Symptoms seem to have gotten worse, but I know that is the nature of this long haul COVID. It creates a lot of anxiety, as I was healthy before this. I had 2 shots & 2 boosters & still got COVID. It is impossible to maintain a normal life style when you have so many symptoms. You just have to eat healthy, try to exercise when you have enough strength to do so & take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do.
RR

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Meclazine was my sleep assist before Moderna 1 injury. After Moderna, when I started LDN, it knocked me out cold without a hangover. Use US labs for meclazine if you are going to try it (Walmart 100 count inexpensive. Chinese imports-useless). Unfortunately the LDN as a treatment was not helpful.

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I actually experienced the exact same thing. Chronic insomnia after a 6 week bout of covid. I believe the insomnia then makes the anxiety worse. On top of that two doctors prescribed clonazapam to me which helped but I had no clue how terribly this drug is. Should be outlawed! Now after 8 weeks on that drug my anxiety is 100 times worse and I am in the process of weaning off it per my own request which is a whole other issue. Whatever you do, don’t except benzos for help. The doctors fail to educate on the dangers of them.

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