Insomnia I just can't sleep should I worry will I lose my mind

[confusedmind518]

Hi people I am 23 male I've always suffered from anxiety and been on all sorts of medications but I have always been able to sleep. But the last 3weeks since stopping amitriptline I can not sleep at all and it's driving me to the point where I am suisidal I just can't cope any more. Like Friday night I even got that drunk and still couldn't sleep ! Saturday I didn't feel bad ! That made me think bye rights i should feel like a complete zombie and dead but felt fine with no sleep. Well I'm afraid I am loosing my mind and think I'm gonna end up like the walking dead or having a seizure etc !!! I went to bed that Saturday night and took my usual medication diazepam and 2x 7.5 zopiclone went to sleep sat night got up Sunday felt ok even tho I only had 8 hour sleep with a missed nights sleep obv. Now last night I had to get up at work at 4am this morning ! I took my tabs last night at 8pm so I could try and go to sleep but NOP I was still looking at the clock at 2am and had to be awake at 4am I've had under a hour sleep again and going to work this is happening on a regular basis now and I can't cope what is wrong with me !! Will I end up dieting or going insane from this s:-t ! Cus it's abnormal for me not to sleep and feel ok the day after bit on the otherhand my days and nights seem to go really fast like its a big rase through time i feel drained now help me and am I loosing the plot ??many thanks

[nursegirl6572]

I agree that it's most likely due to stopping the Elavil.

Your sleep WILL return and while I understand your frustration, as long as you're getting sleep here and there (and not going days with NONE), you will be okay.  

There's a common misconception that we NEED a lot more sleep than we do.  Obviously, getting an appropriate amount of sleep is better, both for physical and emotional reasons, but temporarily, while your body is adjusting, you will be okay.  

Obviously, keep an eye on your emotional state...if you feel like you could do something irrational, you need to seek help right away.  Try to let the sleep come back naturally if you can, don't start drinking and taking all kinds of other sleep aids.  That may make you feel worse and compound the sleep issues.  Alcohol is a no no, it's a depressant, and will make your emotional symptoms MUCH worse.   And as hard as it is, TRY not to overthink it too much, the more you're stressing about needing to get some sleep, the more likely you will not be able to.  

Lastly, keep the lines of communication open with your doc and don't hesitate to call and ask for help if it becomes too much or if you go whole days without a lick of sleep.

Hang in there!  Wishing yuo lots of Zzzzzs!

[confusedmind518]

I ended up getting Allergic to it every time I took it at night I was on serve pain every where on ma body and headaches ect. When I distrust went on them I was sleeping so well but it made me like a zombie then after taking so much over the 2 year 5 Weeks ago I stopped something like that because of the pain I was in its driving me up the wall ... ! And what u are all saying is probs what is happening to me it's getting our of controlle tho . No sleep and feel normal like wow that is worrying me to death !the Valium Diaz do help my anxiety well but still can't sleep !my body is probs ammuned to these drugs.  Many thanks for all ur comments il keep trying any suggestions il take any advise thank you

[Paxiled]

You're probably suffering withdrawal.  Did you stop the drug abruptly, or taper off slowly as necessary?  Insomnia is one of the most common withdrawal problems from taking these meds, and how long withdrawal lasts is very individual.  You might discuss going back on the med and tapering off more slowly as one possibility.  

[joshua77]

I took it before and it was great I had less nerve pain slept to much but ended up having allergic reaction to it and had to get off cold turkey witch is bad. I couldn't barley sleep nothing for three weeks it took awhile to sleep again not even 5 mg of ativan could put me out. If you have suicidal thoughts you should get help immediately.

[remar]

Your body must have gotten used to taking your med and now that you're not you can't sleep without it. Can you say why you quit taking it?
Has your anxiety been higher since quitting this med? That could be another reason you can't sleep.
It sounds like you need to see your Dr. I do believe you will eventually get back in to a good sleep pattern but I understand it must be very frustrating not being able to sleep right now.

[confusedmind518]

I ment end up Dieing not dieting