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Starting on October 15th at night I had taken a vitamin D3 1000 ui pill and a Calcium / Magnesium pill. The magnesium seems to stop heart palpitations I get at night. I also took the rest of my meds as usual, mostly for blood pressure and anxiety. I then proceeded to bed and began listening to a YouTube video called: “HEAL while you SLEEP ★ Deep Body Healing Manifest ★ Cell Repair and Pain Relief Healing Meditation” I seemed to have fallen asleep part way through it and another video started to play thanks to YouTube auto-play called, “Rapid Healing While You Sleep at ALL Levels Hypnosis with Extended Relaxation” It was about 20 minutes into the 2nd video that I woke anxious, confused, scarred and my head tingled all over. Ever since that point I could not fall asleep at all. I mean 100% no sleep. Today is now Oct 17th 1pm. So if my math is correct that is 39 hours with zero sleep. My question is zero sleep common and how long can it go for? Also, what can I do to get my sleep back? I feel like I am going slowly insane. I have taken over the counter meds that make me sleepy but as soon as I start to fall asleep my body wakes me up. I can truly say I am scared and asking for your experience and help.
I don’t have a solution list, only that I can sympathize with you. Was fine for 20 yrs, took some Sudafed, 2 bad nights and now about a week with one night sleep… Because of Tylenol PM, tho I feel like crap because of lag from it. I am trying deep breathing exercises, which I do about 4 times daily and at night upon bedtime. Hoping I can get back to where I was soon. Just know your not alone, basically why I joined this forum, to know and understand I am not alone, sometimes just that helps to ease the mind.
Thanks for the reply. The doc told me to take 50 mg of benadryl but it turns out that I am one of the kinds of people it makes hyper and gives bad heart palpitations to. So no sleep last night either. The doc then prescribed quetiapine 50 mg and divalproex 500 mg and 1 mg of clonazepam. we will see if that works tonight after 9pm. I pray to God it does. I am starting to really lose my shit.
I hear ya. I am driving my husband and a couple friends crazy. Had myself being placed in a mental hospital last night. I do NOT do well with sleep deprivation. Good luck to you tonight.
Hello Jonathan and sorry to hear about your recent struggle with sleep and that your doctor only prescribed medication as a solution.
If you have gone for 39 hours with zero sleep then your sleep drive is going to be extremely high, meaning that you are going to be at the point very soon whereby it will be impossible to stay awake.
Although high levels of worry and anxiety can temporarily suspend sleep, you will sleep eventually — because, just like breathing, sleep is a core biological process that we can temporarily suspend but we cannot do this indefinitely.
I think you will find the podcast episode with David (episode 8) very helpful — take a listen and let me know what you think!
No medication can generate sleep. The only thing that can generate sleep is our own internal sleep drive. And, since you have gone without sleep for so long, you are extremely likely to fall asleep sooner rather than later.
My suggestion right now would be to try to observe a regular and appropriate sleep window so that you can get your sleep back onto a consistent and more predictable schedule in the shortest amount of time.
I hope this helps.
—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.
Thanks for the response. I guess my sleep drive hit max last night because I finally fell asleep for hours. I think I slept for 8 hours waking for water a few times because of the meds. I will watch the video. thank you.
Hey Jonathan,
Read that you took Clonazepam. I just went off of it after eight years. This first night, I thought my prayers had been answered. I had two pills, .5 and slept until 10:00 am. Oh my gosh; I think I cried. It gradually wore off but it always helped. I just went off of it a few months ago and I’ve been utterly miserable. My neurologist wanted me off of it because of all the regulations. She told me I’d probably have to see a psychologist. That’s a controlled substance and they deal with it differently. Let me know how it went.
your anxiety must be really high if it had that type of effect. I would say go back on it. but don’t add to it as addiction and dependence will follow. try to get at the root of your anxiety and work to get rid of it then slowly under the control of a doctor very slowly get off the benzos if you can. if it is to hard just stay on them, your anxiety might just be too high.
@mrzonk — Have you discussed cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with your doctor to see if they think it would be an appropriate option for you?
—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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