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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
I've had tough insomnia for a long time - but in this past year, it's been getting worse and worse. Now it's to the point where I start to feel very strong feelings of dread and loneliness in anticipation of going to bed. It's so strong that it's unbearable to sleep in my bedroom - so I've been sleeping on the couch. The TV kinda keeps me company. Many times I even keep my self up - even if I am sleepy until it's light outside - then I somehow go to sleep.
I've been exploring this with my therapist for many months and I can't figure it out - except that I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
But this feeling of dread before bed is really eating away at me and I don't know how to calm it. I've tried many things - many non-med things and nothing works.
Can anyone relate? Anyone found solace?
Thanks
Jerry
Posted by Declan on June 28, 2005, at 1:29:20
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
Hi Jerry
I felt that very strongly once, ages ago now, when I was 19 or so. (52 now). We can get pretty lonely, can't we? Solace? Gee, a lifetime to work out the beginning of the way I want to be with others, what I want and what to give. Back then I had even less idea. Am I right in thinking you take Parnate?
Declan
Posted by jerrympls on June 28, 2005, at 1:42:51
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by Declan on June 28, 2005, at 1:29:20
> Hi Jerry
> I felt that very strongly once, ages ago now, when I was 19 or so. (52 now). We can get pretty lonely, can't we? Solace? Gee, a lifetime to work out the beginning of the way I want to be with others, what I want and what to give. Back then I had even less idea. Am I right in thinking you take Parnate?
> DeclanHi Declan
I take Lexapro, Dexedrine, Klonopin, Seroquel, Ambien and Hydrocodone - all prescribed by my psych doc. It's not all lonliness - it's mostly dread. I don't know why? I had a sleep study and I think I've got sleep apnea (I have yet to see my sleep doc for my follow-up appt.). Anyway...this is just killing me.
Posted by ed_uk on June 28, 2005, at 4:47:19
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
Dear Jerry.
>I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
Would you like to chat to me on MSN some time? :-)
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by jerrympls on June 28, 2005, at 4:58:25
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » jerrympls, posted by ed_uk on June 28, 2005, at 4:47:19
> Dear Jerry.
>
> >I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
>
> Would you like to chat to me on MSN some time? :-)
>
> Kind regards
>
> ~Ed
>
>
Hi Ed-I'd love to chat. My screenname is [email protected]. Put me on your buddy list.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted by ed_uk on June 28, 2005, at 5:49:58
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » ed_uk, posted by jerrympls on June 28, 2005, at 4:58:25
Hi Jerry,
I don't have the proper MSN installed. Can we chat here?
My email address is........
[xxx]
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Sonya on June 28, 2005, at 7:01:33
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
> I've had tough insomnia for a long time - but in this past year, it's been getting worse and worse. Now it's to the point where I start to feel very strong feelings of dread and loneliness in anticipation of going to bed. It's so strong that it's unbearable to sleep in my bedroom - so I've been sleeping on the couch. The TV kinda keeps me company. Many times I even keep my self up - even if I am sleepy until it's light outside - then I somehow go to sleep.
>
> I've been exploring this with my therapist for many months and I can't figure it out - except that I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
>
> But this feeling of dread before bed is really eating away at me and I don't know how to calm it. I've tried many things - many non-med things and nothing works.
>
> Can anyone relate? Anyone found solace?
>
> Thanks
> Jerry
Jerry - I know exactly what it feels like. For several years now I've experienced awful anxiety as bedtime nears. Dread is the perfect word for it. For me, it's because my mind starts racing with troubling thoughts which causes my anxiety to escalate which keeps me from calming down wich keeps me awake....vicious cycle. Sound familiar? Things have been better for me lately (on Seroquel) but I'm also trying to stop all drugs to see how I do.
Posted by willyee on June 28, 2005, at 12:18:13
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
> I've had tough insomnia for a long time - but in this past year, it's been getting worse and worse. Now it's to the point where I start to feel very strong feelings of dread and loneliness in anticipation of going to bed. It's so strong that it's unbearable to sleep in my bedroom - so I've been sleeping on the couch. The TV kinda keeps me company. Many times I even keep my self up - even if I am sleepy until it's light outside - then I somehow go to sleep.
>
> I've been exploring this with my therapist for many months and I can't figure it out - except that I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
>
> But this feeling of dread before bed is really eating away at me and I don't know how to calm it. I've tried many things - many non-med things and nothing works.
>
> Can anyone relate? Anyone found solace?
>
> Thanks
> Jerry
Yep for me a few hrs before bedtime are a problem,why well one reason is i obviously cant take any meds i do in the day,or i wont be sleeping.My goal was to have the meds i take now up till 4 pm.And have a totaly different med to take at night.
Other wise the med begins to wear off around bed time,so theres that factor,plus if ur like me waking up is the worst part of depression,perhaps because im in a mini withdrawal of medication.
Ive had succes when i was using xyrem from 7pm in two doses,my nights were great,i had to remind myself to go to bed,not instead WANT to go to bed just to end the rotten day.Of course my xyrem supply is gone about so im stuck at square one.
Do u find urself going to bed to simply end a rotten day?
Posted by Chris O on June 28, 2005, at 15:19:45
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
Jerry:
I haven't been here for a while, but I can totally relate to what you are saying, in terms of a strong feeling of dread that is at its highest at night. I am pretty certain, for myself, at least, that this has to do with elevated cortisol levels at night. I did a saliva cortisol test last year and it showed my night cortisol was very elevated. I too, like you, have some kind of sleep apnea/night panic attack thing going on--hard to figure out exactly what is going on--have done several home sleep apnea tests with a machine issued by the doctor, always says I have "mild" apnea, but definitely something with the relationship between neurotransmitters, cortisol, panic, apnea, and sleep. I'm babbling here. Anyway, can totally relate to what you are saying.
Have not found a satisfying way of dealing with this yet. I've been taking a powdered magnesium supplement--Peter Gillham's Natural Vitality--for the past month or so, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I've also taken to praying a lot, but so far, still suffering greatly.Chris
Posted by Mandy on June 28, 2005, at 17:00:06
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by willyee on June 28, 2005, at 12:18:13
I too have this dread of going to sleep. I think it started when I was little and my dad would stay out late and I would wait until he came home and then hear my parents argue. But knowing that does not change this unable to sleep at night. My mind turns on the minute my head hits the pillow. I am trying Lunesta but it seems to just slow me down but I still do not feel like I go to sleep. I wish I could find a med that would just turn my head off at night.
Posted by Jakeman on June 28, 2005, at 18:45:37
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by Mandy on June 28, 2005, at 17:00:06
> I too have this dread of going to sleep. I think it started when I was little and my dad would stay out late and I would wait until he came home and then hear my parents argue. But knowing that does not change this unable to sleep at night. My mind turns on the minute my head hits the pillow. I am trying Lunesta but it seems to just slow me down but I still do not feel like I go to sleep. I wish I could find a med that would just turn my head off at night.
As a child I was often awakened by my parents arguing. Sometimes it could turn into violence. These days I often feel loneliness when going to bed. I just want to stay up. At the same time I'm a sensitive sleeper who does better in a bed by myself. Also, it seems that I didn't really have sleep problems until I took Prozac. A recent sleep study showed that I don't breathe enough during sleep to get me into deep stage sleep. I take Lunesta which helps some...but it takes a lot to knock me out. I recently started an APAP machine but find it extremely hard to tolerate.
Jerry, Ed, Sonya, Willy, Chris, Mandy...I can all relate to your comments. I wish I knew the remedy.warm regards, Jake.
Posted by Jakeman on June 28, 2005, at 18:49:44
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » Mandy, posted by Jakeman on June 28, 2005, at 18:45:37
> Jerry, Ed, Sonya, Willy, Chris, Mandy...I can all relate to your comments. I wish I knew the remedy.
>
> warm regards, Jake.
>
I meant to include Declan in that list of previous posters. ~ J
Posted by 4WD on June 28, 2005, at 23:44:40
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
> I've had tough insomnia for a long time - but in this past year, it's been getting worse and worse. Now it's to the point where I start to feel very strong feelings of dread and loneliness in anticipation of going to bed. It's so strong that it's unbearable to sleep in my bedroom - so I've been sleeping on the couch. The TV kinda keeps me company. Many times I even keep my self up - even if I am sleepy until it's light outside - then I somehow go to sleep.
>
> I've been exploring this with my therapist for many months and I can't figure it out - except that I'm VERY lonely. I don't have any friends outside of work and I recently lost my job so I'll be MORE isolated as of next week.
>
> But this feeling of dread before bed is really eating away at me and I don't know how to calm it. I've tried many things - many non-med things and nothing works.
>
> Can anyone relate? Anyone found solace?
>
> Thanks
> Jerry
Jerry,I can relate so much to your post. I suffered from terrible insomnia for many, many years. I would spend hours waiting to fall asleep. I understand about dreading bedtime.
I can't offer any concrete suggestions. I know that my insomnia started young. I got addicted to Ativan trying to treat it myself. When I got off ATivan the insomnia was intolerable. It gradually got slightly better but when I went on Prozac the improvement stopped and gradually it got worse again. When I switched to Effexor it got much better. When I was on Cymbalta it went away completely. Now I'm on Celexa and I can still fall asleep fine but wake up too early.
The only thing non prescription that helped me fall asleep was to take a couple of benadry and drink a couple of beers. I'm not suggesting that as a remedy - it didn't work that well and caused problems of its own.
I just wanted you to know I sympathize and empathize. Do you take sleep meds at all?
marsha
Posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 0:25:41
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by willyee on June 28, 2005, at 12:18:13
> Do u find urself going to bed to simply end a rotten day?
>
>Not really, in fact it's almost the opposite - I find myself staying up to avoid the next day.
Posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 0:28:36
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by Mandy on June 28, 2005, at 17:00:06
> I too have this dread of going to sleep. I think it started when I was little and my dad would stay out late and I would wait until he came home and then hear my parents argue. But knowing that does not change this unable to sleep at night. My mind turns on the minute my head hits the pillow. I am trying Lunesta but it seems to just slow me down but I still do not feel like I go to sleep. I wish I could find a med that would just turn my head off at night.
OH WOW - I could have written this exact post!
Posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 0:36:39
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » jerrympls, posted by 4WD on June 28, 2005, at 23:44:40
>
> I just wanted you to know I sympathize and empathize. Do you take sleep meds at all?
>
> marsha
>Yes, I've tried Lunesta -and nothing. Currently I'm on 150mg Seroquel, 20mg Ambien, 2mg Klonopin and sometimes I take 100mg Benedryl.
Posted by ed_uk on June 29, 2005, at 2:43:59
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » 4WD, posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 0:36:39
Hi Jerry,
I sent you a babblemail :-)
~Ed
Posted by TerraJo on June 29, 2005, at 8:41:14
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » jerrympls, posted by ed_uk on June 29, 2005, at 2:43:59
i get it too. if you have a therapist to talk through any issues there, you're left with knocking yourself out until you figure it out. i usually end up taking my max dose of ambien and putting in a video and i'm out before i know it. i just make myself take it, even though there's a strong pull to just stay awake.
i agree with marsha that, while not promoting it as a solution, a couple beers also does pretty good job.
t.
Posted by 4WD on June 29, 2005, at 21:22:45
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » 4WD, posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 0:36:39
>
> >
> > I just wanted you to know I sympathize and empathize. Do you take sleep meds at all?
> >
> > marsha
> >
>
> Yes, I've tried Lunesta -and nothing. Currently I'm on 150mg Seroquel, 20mg Ambien, 2mg Klonopin and sometimes I take 100mg Benedryl.
>
Have you ever tried Halcion? I don't know if they even prescribe it here anymore but when I took it, I often found myself the next morning asleep in the floor or propped against the table or something. I fell asleep that abruptly and soundly.Marsha
Posted by paulbwell on June 29, 2005, at 21:43:52
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
Hi Ya dude!!Long time no speak! email me mate
Sorry to hear about your ongoing sleep probs, I still think the Dex wear off or something maybe an issue?. You said you got the only relief from Nembutal, but thats not available, so maybe go for seconal or Tuinal (AME SANS VIE said it was the only one which worked-even Seconal didn't!) (tried them?) if you can get across to your cool docs your major sleep probs, thoes effective Barbs are made for a reason, for folks like you.
Hope to chat soon dude, wish you luck, tried counting Sheep? hehe
Cheers
Posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 21:43:59
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » jerrympls, posted by 4WD on June 29, 2005, at 21:22:45
> >
> > >
> > > I just wanted you to know I sympathize and empathize. Do you take sleep meds at all?
> > >
> > > marsha
> > >
> >
> > Yes, I've tried Lunesta -and nothing. Currently I'm on 150mg Seroquel, 20mg Ambien, 2mg Klonopin and sometimes I take 100mg Benedryl.
> >
>
>
> Have you ever tried Halcion? I don't know if they even prescribe it here anymore but when I took it, I often found myself the next morning asleep in the floor or propped against the table or something. I fell asleep that abruptly and soundly.
>
> Marsha
>
Yup - Halcion, Trazon-DON'T, Periactin, Elavil, Remeron (which kinda worked well, but made me SO unbelievably hungry and I'm already overwieght), Atarax, Benedryl, all the other benzos, Sonata, etc, etc....My brain is too clever and says: "Oh - we've seen this (or something like it) before" and metabolizes it before it even has the chance to cause an effect.
The BEST thing that has worked is the barbituate Nembutal. They don't make it anymore - so I want to ask for Seconal or Xyrem.
Posted by Jakeman on June 29, 2005, at 21:44:31
In reply to Starting to feel strong dread before sleep, posted by jerrympls on June 27, 2005, at 23:21:23
I've read that drugs in that family (i.e. neurontin, lyrica, gabitril) may help quell the hyperactive -hypervigilent mind, and may also improve delta wave-deep sleep. I tried gabitril for about a month, it seemed to help at first then it diminished. I'm wondering if neurontin might be better. Good luck sleeping tonight everybody.
best regards ~Jake
Posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 22:52:50
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » 4WD, posted by jerrympls on June 29, 2005, at 21:43:59
What about nefazodone (Serzone)?
- Scott
Posted by jerrympls on June 30, 2005, at 0:59:33
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » jerrympls, posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 22:52:50
> What about nefazodone (Serzone)?
>
>
> - ScottThat made me sleep all day. I've been on it 2x in the past. The second time I was on it I got no sedation to it at all. My body just eats these meds up too quickly....
Posted by paulbwell on June 30, 2005, at 17:08:07
In reply to Re: Starting to feel strong dread before sleep » SLS, posted by jerrympls on June 30, 2005, at 0:59:33
This is the end of the thread.
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