Never Ending

Never ending nightmares yesterday and couldn't sleep at all last night because of them. Still can't. I had to full on drug induce myself into getting an hour and half power nap in when I meant for it to be longer. I lay my head down to sleep and I'm out for a few minutes and wake up scared because I'm falling back into the nightmares. I've been doing good about not having these as often but now I can't seem to control them at all. I don't take prazosin anymore, so that's not really an option. Is there any natural option to take here? I smoke but it has never helped me sleep unless baked into granola. The caffeine isn't helping me sleep, either (just makes me groggy). Alcohol isn't even working here and it usually gets me a couple hours, now I can't even get a minute. I don't know if my anxiety is just that high lately because of moving and having to leave my job or what. I've also felt sick non-stop for over a month now and the doctor still hasn't figured out what's wrong. He wants to do a PET scan to see if my cancer's relapsed. Could all of this be making the nightmares/insomnia worse?

I'm sorry you are having such difficulties wiht nightmares and insomnia.
You've pretty much listed most everything I would suggest. The only other things I can think of are listening to relaxing music on a low volume (doesn't have to be traditionally seen as relaxing. you can listen to death metal if it's something that calms you). I've found when nothing else works, if I put a song on that "feels" relaxing in the moment, I can sleep a bit better. I pick songs based on what emotion is keeping me activated. Sometimes it's a song with lyrics that talk about safety, other times it's songs that talk about getting revenge, or being supported...

Have you had that PET scan? Any word on why you have been feeling so sick lately?

Haven't done the PET scan, yet. I've been putting it off as long as I can. I guess I don't want to because I've been through it all once and I'm feeling almost exactly the same as before. Doctor wants me to take antibiotics in case it's an infection so that we can check that off the list before we assume the worst.
I've done the music thing, it's a hit or miss with me lately. Sleep just doesn't like me as of late.

I hear ya, though at least at the moment I'm still getting about 5 hours over the close of a night.
Sorry nothing seems to be working. I'm sure the health concerns add to the Insomnia & nightmares...

It's alright. I appreciate the advice. Last night I slept a little better. I've noticed that my ability to stay asleep and have less nightmares has something to do with my fiance being with me. He just calms me down a bit, just enough to get a couple of hours. Honestly, according to a lot of people I've been sleeping a lot more lately. Thing is, I'm not actually sleeping. I'm just laying down because I have no more energy; I'm rarely ever actually asleep.

I take 25mg of seroquel to help me sleep, its the only thing that will give me a full night's sleep.
I just realized that PTSD anxiety is not normal anxiety, PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder, I can't even relate to normal anxiety.

So, I would say your anxiety is just that high because you have PTSD.

Makes sense. I guess that's why they have to treat it differently.
I don't take medication anymore. Outside of my Levothyroxine and my Adderall, I'm pretty medication free. I tried taking meds for a while and found them to negatively effect me more than any positive result. They'd recommended Seroquel for me at one point and I told them that I wasn't interested in another medication. Maybe at some point I'll try it or some other medications, but I was really put off by my last cocktail.

Sounds very trying.
I hope you are healthy, without any cancer relapse.
Sounds like you and your doctor will check this out.

I know of many people with PTSD (and/or other conditions) experience a relapse, to some degree in their condition because of the stress/anxiety related to moving and/or leaving a job. These are considered major life stressors.

Whether it's an increase in generalized stress and/or actual triggers are involved we can experience high anxiety and/or a PTSD relapse.

It might be helpful to discern if there are specific triggers related to past trauma. The exact trigger(s) depends upon the nature of our trauma(s) and the age(s) at which we've experienced trauma(s), etc.

If you are feeling anxious, this may be a time to use more tools for decreasing anxiety/increasing inner calmness. You may also benefit from a medication during this time if you need additional assistance.

Either way, sleep is an important indicator to monitor. Chronic sleep disturbance usually indicates the need for an intervention, in many conditions. Sleep is a helpful "target" for an intervention. Often, if/when we can successfully treat the sleep disturbance asap, the relapse is less apt to continue to "snowball" or to continue into a downward spiral.

It's quite possible you may need additional tools/interventions while you adjust/adapt to the life changes. This may or may not include using meds for the interim -- which is certainly a personal decision.

There are many ways to improve sleep.

Wishing you inner peace, comfort, joy.


WC