[Anxikath]

I used to be an awesome sleeper. Sleeping was my way of escaping the anxiety of my every day life. I would sleep for up to 12 hours sometimes because it felt so good. Lately I cannot sleep through the night.

After being on various benzos for the past 15 years I am benzo free! That sounds awesome but it is affecting me big time. I used to take klonopin every night before bed and I started gradually decreasing it because I didn’t have health insurance anymore. Now that I’ve been off of it for a few weeks, I can’t sleep through the night. I am able to fall asleep but can’t stay asleep. I wake up sweaty and with a stomach ache, which is probably due to my severe anxiety. This happens multiple times throughout my sleep and I have a hard time going back to sleep. For someone who enjoys sleep so much, this is a huge blow. I doubt I’m even getting close to 8 hours most nights because I constantly wake up and can’t fall back asleep. I am sure that not being on any benzos is contributing to this but there has to be another explanation.

I’ve learned about several different sleep treatments that don’t involve prescriptions but nothing seems to work. When I don’t get a good sleep I am irritated, tired, moody, dizzy, and totally out of it the next day. This causes issue with driving, work, and just trying to make it through the day.

I just want to sleep through the night.. I never though that was too much to ask. Is there anything I can do without going back on prescription pills?

[CANDC]

Hi anxikath. Sorry you are sleepless during part of the night. The reason people take meds in many cases is to help them sleep through the night. If you are going to stay off meds, then you are faced with finding a therapist, using herbal remedies or lifestyle changes.

I have to watch what I eat because foods I eat can stabilize my moods or exaggerate them. A high protein low carb diet with snacks or meals every 3-4 hours will over time reduce my swings. I also avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because those can really increase depression.

Other lifestyle changes that help me are doing yoga, counting the breaths silently, exercises, mindfulness, calm music, and being active on Psych Central.

Glad you are joining us here. There are lots of compassionate people here that can make the load lighter by sharing and caring. Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[MusicMike]

There are lots of general suggestions for insomnia, but I am not familiar with most, as I rely on a med to help me calm down at night (Risperdal, works for bipolar people).

But it's only been a few weeks that you are off the benzo. Maybe it will take a few more weeks to stabilize. I wouldn't worry yet.

[Pierro]

i have gone back on benzos because they are the only thing that helps me sleep... sorry.
I hope you find a way of having a good sleep.

Best wishes

[Angelique67]

I've been off benzos for 26 months. My sleep is still a little difficult depending on my sleep schedule. If I stay up very late at night, I can usually sleep soundly until noon, but that isn't good. It is always a struggle to get my schedule where I want it and keep it there. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Have you had other symptoms? I have benzodiazepene withdrawal syndrome due to a forced upon me, rapid taper.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time, I can empathize.

I had a 5 year dependence on zopiclone, and despite doing a slow taper, it was about 7 or 8 months after stopping completely before the night sweats from withdrawal stopped. It was hell.

I wish you the best of luck. Those first few months without the sleep meds are the worst. Keep up your sleep hygeine, avoid caffeine like it's poison, eventually you should see some change.

For desperate times you might try some benadryl, just to help through the really rough patches - but for us insomniacs it can be another difficult habit to break....proceed with caution.

I still struggle with insomnia, but I've discovered a few things that have helped. Sleeplessness can be very individual I find and not all recommendations by 'sleep experts' work for everyone.