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Hi Everyone
Sorry I’ve been absent on the chat lately. Probably because I’m feeling much better and I think I’m moving away from the struggle. Don’t get me wrong I still have bad nights but they are fewer and less intense. I just don’t worry anymore if I don’t sleep and I often forget during the day that I had a poor night. Last night was a poor night but was because I’m worried about my dog as she had surgery last week and I’m waiting to hear the pathology results . Since her issues I’ve had a few bad nights. And I think that’s normal if you have something on your mind. I’m so happy to not be relying on antidepressants anymore so if occasionally I slip up and don’t sleep that’s still ok. The biggest help to me is to befriend wakefulness and get on with my life regardless of how I sleep. I think you need to rewire your brain and it takes time. If I have a speed bump that’s just part of the recovery. After over 40 years of on and off insomnia this education has changed my life and I’ll never suffer like I’ve done in the past.
Your sub conscious brain is just trying to protect you but you can change the wiring
I hope you are moving forward too.. it’s a long game not a short game but we will all get there
Much love and hang in there xxHi Whiskers
I’m no expert on withdrawal but I can only share my experience
I had bad insomnia when going through menopause and I started taking an antidepressant Effexor
Ever since I’ve not had a problem with insomnia but it was because I had the belief they kept me sleeping well . In reality it was my own natural ability not the Effexor
I’ve tried many times to get off them because I really felt I didn’t need them but then I’d have a bad night sleeping and it was my fear of insomnia returning I would go back on them
This year I decided I’m not going to keep taking them and insomnia has arrived with vengeance
It was my brain telling me I needed them when I know I don’t. I’ve found education is the key to how my brain works
I’ve been working on befriending awakefullness and if I can’t sleep I get up and settle in watching my favourite tv shows and I’m actually starting to enjoy those times. Being up before filled me with dread but I’m learning to be comfortable being awake
Also when I have a bad night of little sleep I have learnt to ignore how dreadful I feel and I’ve realised it’s my anxiety that is causing the symptoms and I’m just tired.. that’s all and I still can go about my day feeling ok and accomplishing lots of tasks.
I thought because I was coming off antidepressants my insomnia was somehow different than everyone else’s insomnia ., but were all the same basically with a few variables throw in.
Keep on educating yourself
I’ve just read This is Natto by Daniel Erichsen .. so good.. our brains are amazing machines and it takes time to rewire it to stop fearing being awake
I’m still struggling along with hit and miss sleep but I know I’m on the right track
Hang in there
We will all get there eventually xHi Chee
Thanks again for your insightful post. You are so right about sleep and today I’m starting a new approach. I realise it is my overthinking mind that has got me here and it’s only up to me that I make the changes to how I think about sleep. I just need to pay it no attention and get on with life regardless of how much sleep I’ve had .. fake it until I make it😃
No more watching you tube videos and reading books on sleep.. I realise it occupies my mind 24/7 and because I’m not sleeping the night hours are ten fold
Anyway wish me luck and you should take up sleep coaching xHi Chee2308
I love reading your calming posts and I’m trying to follow your advice. Trouble is my obsessing mind is hard to control but I guess it takes time and practice
I can be very positive most of the day but by 3 am with no sleep my resolve weakens and the worry takes over. Did you find sleep restriction and stimulus control helpful ? .. I find the sleep restriction doesn’t work for me but I do get out of bed and watch tv if I can’t sleep as I’m trying to befriend wakefulness and I find I’m getting better at being awake. Last night I fell asleep for two hours on the couch and woke up feeling really strange. But I take sleep whenever I can get it at this stage of the game .. so my resolve is to stop worrying and thinking about sleep. I think I need to stop reading and watching you tube videos about sleep.. it’s keeping the obsession alive . Please keep up your posts as I think there are many of us who are finding them very helpfulHello Lovely
You sound exactly like me constantly ruminating about my sleep. I think I’ve over done watching sleep videos and podcasts. I did find them very reassuring and calming but my mind wasn’t getting a break from thinking about sleep.. I’ve read 5 sleep books and audio books .. whenever I was walking or driving I was listening to podcasts..googled everything about sleep and yes I feel like I’m in a prison at the moment. So now I’m going on a sleep detox.. no more videos or podcasts .. listening to audio books about sleep.. just need to try to focus on something else in my life and just accept my crappy sleep and know that I’m getting better. Insomnia does not deserve all this attention and I know if I can slowly turn my attention away from it it will shrink away.. knowing this but actually implementing this is my challenge. Good to know I’m not alone and others have recovered .. it will happen for us too xxMe too.. last two nights fell asleep after 2 am. But I’m feeling calm and not obsessing either. Trusting the process and it will work . Hang in there .. sleep will come next night. My eyes just feel really tired and I’m so tired of feeling tired. Withdrawal symptoms are ok so it’s heading in a positive direction
Thank god for Netflix 😘Hi Whiskers
You sound like me ..5 months of insomnia… I wish I could stop obsessing about sleep and then I would be fine. My every thought is about sleep. So frustrating. Yes just keep on with your daily life ..it’s amazing how strong we can be and it’s a test of resilience..I need to work on some meditation or mindfulness to help my constant sleep anxiety. Good luck you’ve got this xThank you so much .. I really needed to hear that today as I’ve had a couple of rough days. I will put your advice into action .. already feeling better😀. It’s a process I know to make those changes and requires perseverance and time
Hello .. well done and that’s great you had a good night.😃.hope it continues for you ..me not so good ., maybe 2 hours sleep.. however I’m in this for the long game and I’m hopeful too.
Just wish I could stop obsessing about sleep .. something I need to work on. My antidepressants were my crutch and now without them I don’t trust my natural ability to sleep. I’m so happy to be off them so I continue with my day pretending I’ve had a great sleep and try not to let it get me down. It’s amazing how strong we can be and I feel like this is a real test of my resilience .. onwards and upwards xYes definitely keeping in touch would be great and let me know how it’s going with your withdrawal symptoms. For me they are worse when i haven’t slept especially the vertigo and chills. I didn’t really connect it to Effexor withdrawal until I watched a podcast of Martin with a lady who had got off antidepressants after 13 years.. they are quite scary when they strike. Otherwise I’m ok and hopefully they will disappear.. just need get this bloody insomnia out of my life. I think about sleep all the time so it’s in my brain constantly when I’ve so many good things I could think about.. good luck and let me know how it goes x
Hi Sees1970
Thanks for your reply..I’ve been off the Effexor for about 6 weeks. The symptoms are worse when I don’t sleep and yes I’m like you one night I sleep the next I don’t .. lately my sleep has been worse and last week was the worse ever. I’m starting Martin’s course this week so I’m hoping it goes ok.. it’s a bit scary worrying about what’s going on in my mind .. I just want to be able to sleep naturally with no reliance on pills. I had a belief that I couldn’t sleep without Effexor but then I had a spell where I was not sleeping and still taking Effexor. That’s when I decided enough is enough and I’m done with this drug as I’m not depressed or anxious.. just have sleep anxiety.. fingers crossed it works for meHi Helen
Thanks so much for your reply
I’ve signed up and looking forward to the course.. looking forward to putting insomnia back in its place .. it’s just controlling my life too much at the moment .. you realise how powerful your brain is but I think I’m on the right path.. watch this space xHello
Thanks for your post and you’ve inspired me to finally to join up. I’ve been thinking about it since I did the two week free email course. Hope I get the same results as you have.. but I’m feeling confident it will. How long did it take before you saw real changes to your sleep. My biggest issue is I constantly think about sleep.. it’s become an obsession but the more I say stop thinking about sleep it’s there stronger than ever
It’s like nothing else is going on in my life except my sleep .. so frustratingThanks Laura..I am new to this forum and what you’ve described is me last night..I’ve been going so well and thought my sleep problems were over ..then bam another terrible anxious night. When I actually do drift off I quickly am woken up with shivers and quick breathing and heart racing. It’s my brain waking me up as sleep somehow is danger and it wakes me up..then it impossible to drift off. Reading your post I realise I need to stop fearing these feelings and they won’t cause me harm…so difficult at 3 am to make sense of those uncomfortable feelings. Anyway today is a new day and I will not let insomnia ruin my day so I just have to forget about last night….. but how do you stop thinking about sleep when is fully occupies your thoughts?.. I’m only on the free course at the moment and I thought I was ok but perhaps I do need to do the 6 week course.. I’m not sure
Thanks again Laura
Your post would be a huge help to many and seems like I’m definitely not the only one out there battling away xx
