[1Tom]

doc refused to give me xanax and this remeron has such awful side effects. i need smthg for sleep. doc also tried me on celexa, but that crap made me all wired...anything wrong with a little xanax in the night to conk me out??. i thk celexa and those other ssri's are for the opposite of sleep right?? my mind seems to go nuts right when i need to sleep all these things needing done...drives me batty?? what meds are u guys on for anx/sleep?

[sabby]

Hi 1Tom,

Did you ask your doc why he won't prescribe the xanax?

I don't take anything to sleep, but on the nights I have a brain full of thoughts that won't quiet down I have a little ritual that I do to help relax myself. It may sound silly, but after a few nights of practicing it, I found it really helps a lot most times.... this is what I do....

I lie in bed on my back, arms and legs straight and close my eyes. I begin to say good night to my body starting at my toes...."Good night toes, it's time to relax and rest now". I work my way slowly to other parts, feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips, waist, abdomen, back, chest, shoulders, arms hands, fingers, neck then lastly, head.

While doing this, remember to breath slowly in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth. This procedure will not only relax your body, but it relaxes the brain as well. I have found that 9 times out of 10, I am asleep before I get to my shoulders and neck.

Also, it helps if you don't have anything with caffeine at least 4 hours before going to bed. And alcohol is a no no too.

Give it a try Tom....practice it and let me know if it works for you!

Wishing you well!

sabby

Please don't ask for Xanax for sleep... it will most likely re-bound on you... just my opinion..

[beautifulconfusion]

Oh, how I hated Remeron! It put me into such a scary dissociative state...

A dose of Xani before bedtime often did the trick for me (makes sense -- I spose my sleeping problems are often anxiety-related). But as you've mentioned, doctors often don't like to prescribe that. On a personal sidenote, I'm afraid to ask my new doc to prescribe me any kind of anti-anxiety meds for fear that they'll take away my Adderall... but that's a whole different story.... *growls*

I've been prescribed Lunesta & Sonata for insomnia, both with limited success -- they would relax me, sometimes to the point where I could fall asleep, but I'd never stay asleep for long. I believe it's Ambien that has an extended release formula to help you sleep thru the night...(?)

Also, there are lifestyle changes you can make to help with sleep... exercising during the day (ie, several hours before bedtime) helps. For me personally, having a daily routine helps bunches with regulating my sleep -- getting up & going to sleep at the same time everyday, making sure I actually get out of the house & do things, get some sunlight, etc. Yoga helps me, too -- energizing asanas in the morning, calming ones before bed. Hope something in this long, rambly post can be of help! Best of luck!

[jefftele]

i HATE meds but without remeron i wouldn't sleep my thoughts would border on psychotic ,yes they can knock you out at first and can give you the munchies but i find they make me ,sort of in the world again-with all its confusions ,delights, they work for me but i still hate them!! and i've tried lots. they also tune the volume down on my anxiety. when i get feeling ok then i go off them usually to eventually going back on them!! talk about the revolving door!!good luck