Insomnia caused by SNRI and sleep cycle - help

[Lost_Girl]

Hi all,

The SNRI that I take for depression caused by chronic pain has given me some side effects. The worst of which is insomnia.  I was without pain relief for sometime and barely slept at all night or day.

Now I have painkillers that make me drowsy and this is assisting with sleep but I can't seem to fall asleep until about 2 hours before I am due the antidepressant. My sleep cycle is dozing from 4am to 6am when I have to take my meds then sleep from  6ish to 1 or 2pm.

I desperately want to change my sleep pattern back to something more reasonable but am struggling.

I have tried:

- body scans to help relax which do help me feel relaxed but I still can't sleep.

- stretching exercises from my psychologist to aid sleep, again I feel relaxed but can't sleep.

- Relaxing music.

- Lying in bed waiting to fall adleep.

- Ensuring all devices are off and early, ensuring hydration.

- Tv and reading (how I would normally feel tired when well)

-Sex

-Melatonin Tablets

Exercise like walking is not a good option for me at the moment as I have dizzyness and pressure in my head as well as the painkillers making me very drowsy. I have been advised by the neurologist not to take sleeping tablets.

I would love to hear thoughts on;

- methods on getting to sleep

- how to change sleep cycle times

- anyone else who has had insomnia caused by antidepressants and your story and anything you did that helped.

Thanks so much, any help would be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Carol

[Jacko777]

Hi Carol,

Some times I use meditation to get to sleep, I have a chant that I focus on in my mind. Occasionally it helps if I go on a journey in my imagination, an elaborate positive journey that has detail and no end...just a thought.

Are you avoiding food and drink in the hour before bed? Have you talked to your doc about it?

Jack

[Fairywings]

Hey there beautiful mumma xxoo im such a shocker when it comes to sleep too its really only been a couple of nights now but i have downloaded an app called smiling mind from the google play store its a free download and its soft meditation rythms to help fall asleep so far it hasn't been too bad and also try to set ur body clock so u achieve 6 to 8 hrs sleep if u can. Easier said than done i know.  i try to be asleep by midnight but some nights it doesn't work for me either gets me very agitated when i can't sleep so i totally get it when u say uve tried it all and still not much success. Let me know if smiling mind works for you im keen to find out what u think of it xx Venessa 😘

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Jack, that's a great idea, I like the idea of the journey. I will try that.  

Yes I do avoid food and drink after 9pm.  I have talked to my GP, psychologist and neurologist.  My neurologist does not want me using any sleep meds. My GP has tried natural meds and melatonin but they don't help.  My psych is helping me try different meditation techniques and exercises but although I feel restful I still lie awake.

I find that each time I have to increase the antidepressants the insomnia worsens. I have recently increased again and the insomnia is worse than ever.

Thanks for responding Jack I appreciate it.

Cheers,

Carol