[Kylie]

Thank you so much for replying. As I am having withdrawal symptoms from remeron I need to slowly taper which is going to prolong this agony and anxiety. I am sleeping OK on the medication as my overall anxiety has lessened. So many people telling me to do different things in regards to the medication. I know it is me who is sleeping now and not trying to over ride the medication. I am hoping to be able to regain my confidence as with every drop I’m going to get rebound insomnia and freak out. I am so lost right now.

[Kylie]

Hi Angelina
I too m on Remeron after freaking out after knee surgery. Was experiencing insomnia before then but was recovering. Anyway I really want to get off this drug as it isn’t working anymore. I am hesitant to sign up for Martin’s course in case it takes months to come off. Would you recommend signing up while I am tapering. I have done the 2 week course but I think I need more structure and support. I am also super anxious about the medication and the awful withdrawal side effects. I believe my sleep would be restored by now if I didn’t have the withdrawal side effects looming over me. Can you tell me a little bit more about your taper.

Thanks Kylie

[Kylie]

Hi Martin
Wow thanks for replying. I have found the sleep meds to be ineffective, except for the original Zopiclone. I am now on mirtazapine which I am trying to taper but even after only 5 weeks on it, I am having reactions so it will be very slow. So I am going to have plenty of opportunities to practise the strategies you talk about as I taper down as I have noticed I got rebound insomnia after my first cut but the sleep reinstated after 4 days.

This is where I am stuck and where I become afraid. I’m not sure I have the mental capacity to do 6 weeks of 2 hr of sleep like some people on here say they get. That would literally be a form of torture for me. I am also single and so when I come off the medication, knowing there will undoubtedly be rebound insomnia it makes me very scared. So I guess identify most with number 4 and that’s where I am struggling.

Thanks so much for replying.

[Kylie]

Oh one last thing. I’m a school teacher who works with high level behavioural needs young people. I don’t think it’s advisable for me to be working with those kind of kids under extreme sleep deprivation. So for me time off is really the only way to go.

[Kylie]

Ok thank you for that invaluable information. I am hoping that eith the support of a behavioural naturopath that there may be supplements I can take to reduce the symptoms of things like jerks and brain zaps.

[Kylie]

Sorry one last thing. Did you ever experience hypnic jerks? They continually woke me up when this all started. If you did. How did you overcome them. Thanks.

[Kylie]

Thank you for this advice. It’s invaluable. I understand the concepts behind CBT I, as I did an online course where I read through how to do it. So I understand how it works. The meds worked for 1.5 hr tonight. So after 3 weeks they just stopped working. Unfortunately as they are an anti depressant used off label I can’t just stop taking them as I will have to taper but I see that as they aren’t working I may as well start doing some of the CBT I practises.

My biggest fear is the sleep deprivation as prior to the meds, I have taken a fee as they just stop working, I was a mess on no sleep. A friend’s daughter ended in the mental health ward from it and that heightens my anxiety.

I guess I just have to start to do small things as you suggested and see how I go.

Thank you

[Kylie]

Thanks for your reply. I’m currently medicated but have been going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time. I spend time outside in the morning and afternoon. I just cannot seem to fall asleep. No matter how relaxed I am. That is where the problem lies. There are some nights I’m gully relaxed and still just lie here. I got 1.5 hr very good sleep tonight but now wide awake. So have taken more medication. I have to take parts of the dose at a time. I really don’t know what else to do atm. I have to taper off this med and until I cam get a taper schedule and other supplements in place I need to try and just struggle through on the few hours I am getting. Thanks for your advice. I know it’s going to be hard. I’m thinking of just quitting my job and moving back to my parents which is a big deal as they live 1500km away. Just so I can get some help to go through it.

[Kylie]

I would love to also hear how you accept the thoughts. Up until now I have just been getting up and doing things or sitting staring into space. I haven’t started the process but I’m trying to arm myself with everything prior. I am so doubtful this will go away or me. I feel like everyone else on here, that I am broken.

[Kylie]

Thank you for your reply. My insomnia is anxiety based and even the meds I am now taking for sleep don’t work if I’m anxious. They work fine when everything is going smoothly. Which shows that cortisol and adrenaline have a big impact.

I am currently recovering from knee surgery so won’t be starting cbti for a while until I am able to get out and about. I live alone and was wondering if you have any tips for getting through thr sleep deprivation.

[Kylie]

Hi. I was wondering how long it took from when you started the program eith Martin to when you started to notice a difference in your sleep. As in getting more than 3 hours a night which is my average unmedicated.

[Author]

Posts