[Nan60]

I have always had difficulty with going to sleep at night, but the past 6 weeks I have been wide awake the entire night at least 4 nights a week. I know the "sleep hygiene" rules and follow all of them except the exercise ones as I have physical problems and just doing my housework wears me out.

I have noticed that I can sleep during the day with the window open, sunlight streaming in, dogs barking, mowers running, kids playing. At night when my room is very dark and silent, I feel awake and alert. When I do fall asleep it is usually while reading in bed with the light on and music playing. I was never afraid of the dark, even as a small child, so I don't understand why I'd be developing an anxiety about it now. Anyone ever hear of such a thing?

I tried various non-prescription sleep aids over the years with no success and have Ambien pills now, but when I take them I wake up very depressed and hating myself, so I have been avoiding them. I need something that puts me to sleep without increasing my depression overnight.

Any ideas?

I just wrote a long-ish reply and then my internet connection went out when I hit "post" and I lost what I wrote, so I'll just list the meds/supplements that I suggested.

Belsomra
Webber Super Sleep or plain melatonin (sublingual)
Remeron/mirtazapine 7.5-15 mg

[lavendersage]

Maybe the "silence" is too loud? I know I can't sleep unless I have white noise playing. I listen to an app that has a variety of sounds - I prefer the heavy, steady rain option the best (no thunder sounds, no birds, just rain falling)

[Nan60]

Thanks! I think it is the silence because I find myself straining to hear a passing car or the tick of the wind-up clock in the dining room. I've been leaving a classical music station on softly all night and also bought my cat a bed that makes a "crinkle" sound when he kneads it or repositions himself. I feel less isolated and more able to relax.

Originally Posted by lavendersage

Maybe the "silence" is too loud? I know I can't sleep unless I have white noise playing. I listen to an app that has a variety of sounds - I prefer the heavy, steady rain option the best (no thunder sounds, no birds, just rain falling)