Sleep issues

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Sleep issues
4
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 7:55am

I know that odd sleep patterns are part and parcel of depression/anxiety and I wanted to know how you lot cope. Do the meds help with this, or can I still expect not to sleep. I have three sleep issues.

1. I can't fall asleep. I lie awake and think about (or worry) stuff for hours on end. Not because I'm not tired, but because my head wont let me.

2. If I do fall asleep I can't stay asleep. Either my arms go numb which wakes me, or I simply wake up and do the same stuff that happens when I can't fall asleep.

3. I do sleep but my kids wake me! I have two girls (4 yrs and 18 mths) and while the older of the two sleeps fantastically well (she didn't when she was younger though), the little one seems to be having sleep issues of her own. She used to sleep through, but now doesn't. At least not on a regular basis. This week she did it twice, but all the other nights it was up every two hours just to resettle her.

I'm scared of sleeping tablets (and thats why I'm a wee bit nervous about my new meds - don't know how they will affect me). I'm scared that if they do make me sleep, I wont be able to rouse myself to go see to the kids if they do wake (a zillion things to worry about in this regard). My dh will help out when he is home, but because he works 24 hr shifts, he is not always home at nights. And I'd panic if I knew I wouldn't be able to wake up to see to the kids.

What do you do? What works, what doesn't? Will my meds (Cipralex on a daily basis and Xanax for bad freak out attacks) knock me totally out, or will I still be able to get up if I need to?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2004
In reply to: mouselet
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 9:52am
Those are good questions. I was going to ask similiar ones. I wish that I could sleep better too. I know that for me I have finally started to fall asleep faster for the most part, but I can tell that the sleep is not deep. I remember my dreams every night, and I used to not be able to do that. Then I wake up feeling not rested. I did get a prescription sleeping aid for the doctor that I occasional use. It's called sonata and the doctor specifically told me that the drug will help me fall asleep, but will not keep me asleep. So I do not wake up feeling drowsy or drugged. Personally, the drug helps me occasionally, but if I'm real anxious about something it doesn't make a difference. I don't even drowsy after I take it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: mouselet
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 10:11am

Hi Mouse!


I dont have any concrete answers for you though Im sure you doctor could help. I understand your reluctance to take meds for that. I would be too especially with kids in the house.

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: mouselet
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 8:34pm

Mouse,


I have had sleep issues along with my depression/SAD for almost ten years now.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2005
In reply to: mouselet
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 9:19pm
I take Seroquel to sleep and it's the only thing that works for me. It isn't habit forming which is why I prefer it. I also take xanax which does not put me to sleep just calms me down, so you should be able to wake up to care for the children. Most sleep prescriptions are habit forming, which is why I won't take them.