NFT: Off my Anxiety meds- Sleep pattern is out of wack. Help

Get a sleeping pill

Melatonin

to sleep like a normal person.

but I'd recommend no supplements and just wait it out. Supplements when it comes to sleep can be very addictive and I'd rather have a few bad months than be forever dependent on them.

I have tinnitus and when its bad my sleep sucks. Got it about 3 years ago and the first year was miserable. Sleep 10-2 then up for a few hours then maybe back to sleep for an hour if im lucky. In time it got better and my body got used to it and I sleep much better now.

Good luck.

Melatonin helps, although take very little (too much will actually keep you awake.

And if that doesn't work, try taking 7 shots of Jameson. You'll definitely sleep better.

Preferably in the mornings if you aren't too hungover from the Jameson.

Stay off tv or internet or cellphon

that will wear you out

In comment 13693761 spike said:

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Stay off tv or internet or cellphon

That’s good advice for someone who can’t get to sleep. I don’t think screen time is a factor after 5 hours of sleep.

that jameson one was hilarious..


i do exercise in the morning. Mind you i workout at 5am(peloton bike) and i feel great its just i dont have long sleep.

I might try working out in the afternoons to see if it helps. Unsure if it will.

any other help would greatly be appreciated

off of YouTube...get a set of headphones you can wear while laying down....not "white noise", those don't help, search under sleep, relaxation, ASMR.....they will definitely help....

In comment 13693756 pjcas18 said:

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to sleep like a normal person.

LOL. Not bad advice.

or anything that makes noise? Many people, myself included, find it very helpful. Fan, sound machine, or an app that lets you play various sounds could work.

also try a re boot: force yourself to stay up 24 hrs straight then get back on schedule. I know ppl who its worked for.

very dark room.

no screens before bed.

no alcohol (it can keep you awake).

exercise in morning.

basically all the things you're told to do when you google sleep issues.

most important thing is to not stress about it. being tired the next day is no big deal. not the end of the world.

Just pop on a McAdoo or Reese press conference....you'll have no trouble excelling at all three phases of sleep

If it doesn't work, ask your doctor about Seroquel, Remeron, Vistaril, Trazadone, etc unless you don't want to go back on any meds for it.

got some serious anxiety here.

i heard that helped many with the issues.

In comment 13693814 GMAN4LIFE said:

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i heard that helped many with the issues.

Yes it helps with mood stabilization as well. Any "sleep" formula is probably going to have some combination of that, Valerian, Melatonin, GABA and L-Theanine.

anxiety too & exercise really helps. I can't stress-pun unintended-that enough. And I know it counters what people say, but having a beer or two helps me mellow out too & alcohol makes me tired & thus go to bed earlier. Again, that's probably not sage medicinal advice, but it works for me.

and just left the Diphenhydramine (aka Benadryl). They market it as a sleep aid and it works pretty well - for me anyway. Definately makes you drowsy.

If you buy the store's name brand (Walgreens = Wal-sleep Z for example) you will pay about 1/2 the price of Nyquil's sleep aid.

In comment 13693755 mattlawson said:

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Melatonin

This! And magnesium pills.

Sleep for about 4-5 hours tops, no matter what I do (save for getting wicked hammered), I just accepted it.

First, congratulations for coming off the anti-anxiety meds, they are extremely difficult to stop using.

Regarding the sleep, keep up with the excercise, that’s terrific for all the usual reasons but also for the endorphins produced. Don’t stop with the excercise! As others mentioned, no screens like iPhone or computer at least two hours before bed. Don’t pay any bills or do any financial or stress inducing life tasks at least two hours before bed. You might delay going to sleep a little bit to see if that helps.

You may consider some sort of talk therapy or 12 step group to address root cause of anxiety or panic disorder or depression.

Benzos really mess with your REM sleep so what you are experiencing is not at all unusual. Your proper sleep hygiene will reset it just takes some time. It sounds like you’re on the right track, hang in there, and again, congratulations!

Many people don’t realize their anxiety comes from dehydration. It doesn’t have to be the type of dehydration from a crazy workout it can come from simply not drinking enough water regularly. I used to have terrible anxiety attacks in my early twenties. My doc told me about dehydration’s affect on anxiety and ever since then I drink two 24oz glasses of water when I wake up. Haven’t had an attack since (15 years) and it also helps with my energy level all day long. And I exercise every day. But the water was the MAIN source of relief.

In comment 13693863 bradshaw44 said:

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Many people don’t realize their anxiety comes from dehydration. It doesn’t have to be the type of dehydration from a crazy workout it can come from simply not drinking enough water regularly. I used to have terrible anxiety attacks in my early twenties. My doc told me about dehydration’s affect on anxiety and ever since then I drink two 24oz glasses of water when I wake up. Haven’t had an attack since (15 years) and it also helps with my energy level all day long. And I exercise every day. But the water was the MAIN source of relief.

Good point about dehydration. My doctor told me that too. I try to drink a lot of water throughout the day.

In comment 13693856 trueblueinpw said:

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First, congratulations for coming off the anti-anxiety meds, they are extremely difficult to stop using. Regarding the sleep, keep up with the excercise, that’s terrific for all the usual reasons but also for the endorphins produced. Don’t stop with the excercise! As others mentioned, no screens like iPhone or computer at least two hours before bed. Don’t pay any bills or do any financial or stress inducing life tasks at least two hours before bed. You might delay going to sleep a little bit to see if that helps. You may consider some sort of talk therapy or 12 step group to address root cause of anxiety or panic disorder or depression. Benzos really mess with your REM sleep so what you are experiencing is not at all unusual. Your proper sleep hygiene will reset it just takes some time. It sounds like you’re on the right track, hang in there, and again, congratulations!

Yep, post acute withdrawal can last a while, my doctor told me it can take a full 6+ months to restore a lot of your natural sleep rhythms, etc.

In comment 13693856 trueblueinpw said:

Quote:

First, congratulations for coming off the anti-anxiety meds, they are extremely difficult to stop using. Regarding the sleep, keep up with the excercise, that’s terrific for all the usual reasons but also for the endorphins produced. Don’t stop with the excercise! As others mentioned, no screens like iPhone or computer at least two hours before bed. Don’t pay any bills or do any financial or stress inducing life tasks at least two hours before bed. You might delay going to sleep a little bit to see if that helps. You may consider some sort of talk therapy or 12 step group to address root cause of anxiety or panic disorder or depression. Benzos really mess with your REM sleep so what you are experiencing is not at all unusual. Your proper sleep hygiene will reset it just takes some time. It sounds like you’re on the right track, hang in there, and again, congratulations!

really? hmmm might just be impatient then magnesium might be a short term help. Might just try that.

I went through a year of sleep issues including two whole weeks of no sleep. My issue was medicine related and took months till the doctor got everything right

research the heck out of em. My wife doesn't sleep well due to Restless Leg Syndrome (aka Jimmy Leg!) and Melatonin can actually aggravate that condition.

I think the best advice here is giving it time. There's a good chance two months isn't nearly enough time for your body to adjust. Congrats getting off the meds. That can be hell.

I have a really bad shoulder that wakes me up quite frequently and if I can't go back to sleep I just get comfy and REST. Still good and the lowering of expectations ("I'm just going to rest here and enjoy the bed") takes the anxiety of being awake out of the equation and I'm usually back to sleep before I know it.

This! It works.

In comment 13693755 mattlawson said:

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Melatonin

It's anti-anxiety and will also help you sleep.