[sallyamaris]

I have had insomnia before usually hormonally or during periods of high stress.
But after I had a baby I got some severe anxiety which set out some strong insomnia. I went to my ob who gave Paxil and after 3 days it set of my anxiety to another level and I ended up staying awake for 48 hours. Ever since then I have had issues with sleep. Went to different doctors to try to get meds to calm down my anxiety and finally sleep. Nothing worked Paxil really messed me up. I lost my sleep drive. I could only sleep like 1 hour. I tried CBTI but my issue did not improve because it was not behavioral it was physician . My head would feel like it was on fire no matter what I tried. That was in July it is now November. Finally in august with doxepin and Clonazepam I was able to get sleep. I now can’t sleep without meds. Is it possible that Paxil did really damage my brain to loose sleep? I know it’s not anxiety anymore because I am taking an anxiety med. I just lost my sleep drive almost completely. How would I know if I damage something in my thalamus injuring my sleep drive?

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum!

I’ve not heard of Paxil damaging some part of the brain responsible for sleep but I am not a doctor. What I can say is that we never lose sleep drive or the ability to sleep — when we’ve been awake for long enough, sleep will always happen. Without fail. Guaranteed. Every time.

You mentioned that you tried CBT-I but nothing improved because your insomnia was not behavioral. Can you share a bit more about that? Do you feel that sleep was difficult because of how your head felt? Are those feelings still present?

Not everyone who experiences chronic insomnia has anxiety. Chronic insomnia really comes down to our unwillingness to experience it — the more we try to fight or avoid wakefulness, the more we try to make sleep happen, the more likely we are to struggle with it.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[sallyamaris]

Paxil did something because no matter what I tried I could not sleep more than an 1-4 hours after it. I am now an a benzo which I would have been given right away for a day or 2 and all would have been fine to calm my anxiety.
After Paxil I tried, ambien hydroxyzine, hormones, buspar and even went to see a neurologist who gave me Zoloft and that kept me awake for 36 hours. finally a psychiatrist gave me the Clonazepam and doxepin. That’s the only way I can sleep. My sleep drive does not get intense enough for me to sleep even though I’m exhausted. I can stay up well past 24 hours I’ll sleep 4-7 hours on medication without it I will sleep 1 or less in a 24 hour period.
I tried CBTI and for weeks went to bed at the same time, tired to build the sleep pressure and nothing really improved. He has now recommended me to do a sleep study and see a sleep specialist to see what is really happening. It is no longer anxiety but it did start that way but after Paxil no matter what I tried I could not calm down it’s like it took my brain into over drive. I can’t function on 1 hour of sleep each day.

[Martin Reed]

Thanks for sharing. Things sure sound difficult for you right now. I wish you all the best.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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