Insomnia is ruining my life

[Steph4302]

Hi. I'm a 23 yr old female who has been having problems sleeping for almost one year. About 1 - 2 days a week I do not sleep for even one minute during the night which has left me unable to function the next day. I am also being treated for generalized anxiety disorder which I know is contributing to my problems sleeping. My question for everyone is what medications have you used that helps you sleep? I have tried cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, meditation, muscle relaxation techniques, warm milk, baths, aromatherapy, even expensive light and sounds machines. I have also tried the following prescription medications with no luck: Xanax, Celexa, Lunesta, Ambien, Rozeram, Trazodone, and more recently Elavil. I have tried every OTC med possible.

I understand that I should treat the anxiety as the problem rather than the sleep which I have been doing but nothing is helping. I have no medical conditions and do not use drugs/alcohol/caffeine.

I'm just interested in what other meds have been used to treat insomnia so I may rearch them and possibly suggest them to my dr. Thanks.

Stephanie

[Steph4302]

Thanks for your suggestions. I agree that problems sleeping can cause anxiety. In fact, my generalized anxiety only developed after my sleeping became a constant problem. Now, during the day, I anticipate not being able to sleep at night which makes me anxious. You are absolutely right that it is a vicious cycle.

I actually did have to quit my job due to the lack of sleep. There was no possible way I could not sleep at all at night and then work the next day from 8am-3pm then go to school from 6pm - 9pm. It wasn't working. I'm just frustrated because I let my sleep/anxiety get the best of me. It "won". I don't want it to win anymore and I do not want to have to build my whole life around sleep forever.

I will bring up the MRI scan to my psychiatrist on Monday along with Obstructive sleep apnea.

[Sam888]

You may need a new therapist. Meds may actually interfere with your sleep.  It may take months or even YEARS for the side-effects to wear off.  Your  insomnia may be one of them.  In addition, you may want to suggest an MRI scan. If you don't get enough sleep, or good quality sleep you can develop anxiety. It's a vicious circle. You may wish to get tested for Obstructive sleep apnea.

You may wish to consider taking extended time off work or school and to  recharge yourself over a period of months and examine your lifestyle.

[kittycatpurr]

Hi Steph.  I  also just came on this forum looking for some med that works.  As you know I was trying Elavil and Ambien.  I haven't sleep well at all with the Ambien and I feel like hell.  Elavil has not calmed my anxiety which has gotten worse than better these last few days.   I know it is too soon for Elavil to work with the anxiety; but  I just decided to quit Elavil and go back on Ativan until I can get myself together again.  This anxiety really sucks.  I wish I had remained doing what I was doing before as I have never felt so bad.  I really do pretty bad when I can't sleep.  I hope we can get a response from someone that could aide us.  I realize everyone's body is different; and, what works for one does always work for another.  But sometimes it is worth trying.