I have debilitating insomnia issues where I cannot sleepFor 4-10 night

Posted by mkean1250help @mkean1250help, Aug 17 12:00pm

I have debilitating insomnia issues at 75 years of age. I have had these my adult life., it is so debilitating that I cannot even drive my car or go about my daily routines because my head is spinning around and I feel like I’m literally drunk intoxicated, however, I am not
I have been given every drug by a different doctors along the way and each one of them has had major side effects, including Ambien. I just want to know I’m not the only one who is sitting up night after night after night in my bed crying because I cannot shut my brain down. I have had some thoughts of suicide lately because I get so sad about the situation that I cannot control.

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hobby | @hobby | Sep 27 9:36am

In reply to @jackielb "Small dosage of Seroquel/sertraline" + (show)

@jackielb Seroquel is a horrible medication with lots of super concerning side effects including increased suicidal thoughts especially in elderly patients. It’s not Approved for use as a sleep medication in the US and I think very few doctors would be using it strictly for sleep.
I know everyone is different but I have been on Sertraline and it has never helped me sleep or made me tired. In fact it’s actually known to have activating properties and therefore is not prescribed for sleep. In fact many people need to take it early in the day for this reason.

raya55 | @raya55 | Sep 27 3:29pm

In reply to @jackielb "Small dosage of Seroquel/sertraline" + (show)

@jackielb I was on 25mg of seroquil for a year. Was sleeping really well.. just in the odd occasion it didn’t work. I came off it due to weight gain and becoming pre diabetic again

Funcountess | @funcountess | Sep 28 4:11am

I don’t sleep well, just get up and do something like vacuuming. I usually pay bills, or other paper work.

Jacki | @jaxtapoze | Sep 28 6:44am

In reply to @jackielb "Small dosage of Seroquel/sertraline" + (show)

@jackielb Seroquel ALWAYS does the trick and I’m on a multitude of sleep meds.

RN | @doclarrea | Sep 28 10:08am

I am sorry for your suffering. Have you tried Cannabis.

hicopd | @hicopd | Sep 28 12:50pm

My spouse is taking 1/2 a gummy that contains 5mg THC & 5 mg CBD. it’s really helped him wake much less than the 6x/night he used to wake to pee. Now he’s only waking 1-2x.

hicopd | @hicopd | Sep 28 12:53pm

Learning and practicing transcendental meditation can help us learn to shut our brains down. I’ve found it invaluable and inexpensive. My BF in grad school taught me and we did it 30 minutes/day, twice every day. It was a game changer!

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Sep 28 1:09pm

In reply to @funcountess "I don’t sleep well, just get up and do something like vacuuming. I usually pay bills,..." + (show)

@funcountess Had to do that last night.....but the trouble with that is turning on the lights which doesn't help if your intentions are to try to go back to sleep. Thank goodness I was able to do a few things and then go back to sleep for a couple more hours.
Barbara

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Sep 28 4:35pm

In reply to @funcountess "I don’t sleep well, just get up and do something like vacuuming. I usually pay bills,..." + (show)

@funcountess I go through periods of poor sleep. I’m usually a very good sleeper so when I can’t it hits me like a Mac truck the next day.

I have a Fitbit Versa 3 which is very helpful actually seeing what happens each day and night (it also records daytime naps) as well as my exercise.

I’ve not needed to use meds regularly yet and focus on sleep hygiene (mentioned elsewhere in this thread) and watching I’m getting enough exercise and not napping too much over the day.

I try to address what underlying stress is worrying me so I feel more at peace with whatever it is.

If all fails - like you I get up and do something so I’m not lying awake getting increasingly stressed.

I’m so upset on everyone’s behalf on here who suffer from debilitating insomnia. Mine is nothing in comparison to theirs 💔 It’s frightening to imagine trying to live with it and trying get enough sleep. I think I would still do what I do now 😪

margaretob | @margaretob | Sep 29 5:40pm

I use prayer...it slows down the activity of the BRAIN. I use a rosary and it gets to relax me about half way through it. MELATONIN 5 milligrams also helps. I know how it feels to have an overactive nightlife...TRY THESE TWO TOGETHER it helps...Margaretob