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xodza

hi to everyone hope your all doing well I am still struggling with bad insomnia feeling so tired had it for years the doctor only give me mirtazapine that he said helps for sleep won’t give any other medication as say very addictive but not really working the mirtazapine only other thing offering was cognitive therapy which been wait for one year still not heard anything so was just wondering what medication have people try for sleep our any ideas my brain just seems active at night try everything cut out caffeine not going on any device at night

gazekellie

Hi, Sorry you’re suffering so much with sleep problems. I myself had been the same for many years. The usual pattern was not being able to go to sleep in the first instance due to pain and overthinking (literally everything). I have been on mirtazapine for about 18 years - it didn’t help my anxiety at all. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a couple of years ago and was prescribed Amitriptyline to help with the symptoms. They don’t do a great deal with some of my symptoms but they have helped me tremendously with my sleep issues. It’s not a big dose, just 2x 10mg at teatime. Although I still have wakeful moments, I now get a good 5 hours sleep a night. I hope this information helps you.

xodza

so glad you found something that work for you they gave me that medicine too try first but unfortunately it cause my muscles to get cramps so end up getting the mirtazapine too try so hard to get help for insomnia unless you had it don’t realise how unwell you can get through lack of sleep

Littlefatfriend

Avoiding caffeine (nicotine and heavy foods) at night will certainly help xodza.

Cognitive therapy can quietly be very powerful stuff too. Good luck with that.

The most important and beneficial aspect of our sleep is dream sleep. REM and all that.

The catch-22 of medication and sleep is that virtually all sedatives (and other medications which induce sleep) reduce how often we dream whilst asleep. They may quiet us effectively, but that sleep will be less beneficial than it would be without the drugs.

I suggest B vitamins, (particularly B6), 5-HTP, zinc and choline are each worth at least experimenting with. They are associated with dreaming and supplements (etc) are reasonably affordable. If I was in your position I'd give them a go.

Good luck

gazekellie

re: my comment about Amitriptyline working for me….

I don’t mention that I take both Amitriptyline and Mirtazapine at the same time 1x 30mg Mirtazapine and 2x Amitriptyline … this combination helps with my anxiety, fibromyalgia, and sleep. I also take a codeine tablet (just one) before I go to bed. Just thought I’d let you know so you might get consider it when seeing your GP. I hope you find a solution that works for you 🤞☺️

66Mustang

I remember being given Mirtazapine when I was a teenager, I wouldn't say it helped me sleep, bit I remember the first night my mum was quite worried about me. She said I looked blind drunk (I'd never drink at that age) 😂

I had insomnia in the past, and wasn't allowed sleeping pills either. The doctor told me chemists still sell anti-allergy pills that are not "non-drowsy". In other words they retain the side effect that they make you drowsy. Of course he wasn't stupid enough to tell me what to do, nor am I, but I guess he just thought I'd just find it interesting, and hope you do too 😊

xodza

Hope I will find something that works for me glad you have found combinations

xodza

Also was told that allergies pills can help but they make heart rate fast so can’t take those

bookrabbit

I suffered from a chronic lack of sleep for years.

Amitriptyline did help me sleep but waking up was like wading through treacle and my brain couldn't focus on anything so I couldn't take it.

These days I keep an audiobook playing while I sleep so if I surface my thoughts latch onto that instead of onto all my problems so I don't go spiraling off into the abyss. It works really well. I would have thought it would have kept me awake but it doesn't as long as there is no music to suddenly jolt me awake.

It's like reading yourself to sleep only you can't drop the book and wake yourself up again and you don't have to turn the light off.

It does make following the story a bit difficult though. I am forever going back to find what I remember.

xodza

Good day to you early start thank you too all people who suggested for sleep have try Amtriptryline but unfortunately made my arm jerk uncontrollably am on waiting list for cognitive therapy behaviour so hopefully that will work