Looking For Alternatives To Deal With My Insomnia And My Ptsd

[road2theriches]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. For the past couple of years, it have been horrible. Unfortunately, I ended up in a mental hospital for two weeks. It turns out I have PTSD along with depression. Having both cause me to attempt suiside twice. After 30 years of weird behaviors, I finally decided to check myself out. For the most part, I lived a normal life. Ateast I thought it was normal. I can't sleep. When I do, I have violent nightmares. I'm taking antidepressants but I feel it is making me worst. I see a therapist weekly for the past five years. I don't know how to cope with my PTSD.

There are many reasons why I have PTSD. I don't want to be negative, but I feel this is permanent for me. I'm married with two beautiful girls. I'm bless. I don't understand why my life feels like it is falling apart. I need support. I been a technician for over 15 years and I never posted anything on a forum. I really didn't have a reason to, till now. Last week my psychiatrist gave me a new medication. It supposed to prevent nightmares and help me sleep. Instead, I started to loose my mind. I started to hear voices, people started calling me from inside my apartment. It was scary. Now, I don't want to take anything. I'm looking for different alternatives to deal with my insomnia and my PTSD. Any advice?????

 

[Nicolette]

Hi @road2theriches ; I've created a new thread for you from your post so that your question doesn't get overlooked :)

 

[Jane.l]

I have had some success with acupuncture for insomnia - had to stick with it it took a while, I am still struggling with everything else, but getting some sleep gives you a better chance of being able to cope.

 

[Anarchy]

I've heard good things about EFT Tapping.

It uses the same points as accupuncture, but you tap them instead of sticking needles in (I hate needles).

I know that big pharma and those who claim special privilege because of pieces of paper... try to dismiss it

however, the info is free on youtube, and it's quick to learn - so even if the critics are right, the maximum cost is an hour of trying it out.

 

[Justmehere]

If your therapist is not a trauma therapist, try consulting with a therapist who specializes in PTSD and offers either EMDR, exposure therapy, DBT, trauma-focused CBT, or any other number of trauma therapies. I did therapy for years. Then I saw a trauma therapist and things really began to change. More effective than medication alone or regular therapy.

 

[Justmehere]

Oh,and some antidepressants can sometimes backfire when taken for PTSD. Some of them make me irritable and jittery. One made me hallucinate too. There is some sleep medication that gives me horrible nightmares. I was scared of any meds for a long time. It sometimes takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what is right for our bodies. I used to have horrible insomnia. I eventually met with a sleep medicine doctor. In the US, most are trained in psychiatry too, so they understand PTSD and how the lack of sleep can affect the brain. It can really increase depression and other PTSD symptoms, which than can decrease sleep. It's a vicious cycle, but there is hope. Hang in there. :hug:

 

[Hashi]

A good trauma therapist for sure. I personally think that a somatic therapy is also necessary (either craniosacral therapy or somatic experiencing - with a trauma specialist).

If you're addressing the causes over the longer term, then the short term help I'd suggest is:

For insomnia, I've found that the most effective herbal ingredients/supplements are magnesium, calcium, passion flower, valerian and hops. I've used remedies that contained these. But you still have to be careful. Even herbal remedies can cause side effects depending on the individual, and in particular they can interact with drugs so you should check with your prescriber if you're taking any pharmaceuticals.

I've also found melatonin very helpful. I did what's called a "midnight melatonin" test where you take saliva samples at points throughout a 24 hour period and they're tested for melatonin levels. My levels were so low they were off the bottom of the chart. Where I am you can't buy melatonin over the counter, but I think you can in the States. I suppose for me the benefit of having to get it prescribed by a doctor was that I had to have the test so I knew that was definitely part of the problem.

I've also taken a medication - zopiclone (zimovane) - that really helped me but here you can only get it on a very short-term basis, like one or two weeks, because of addiction and dependency. My doctor told me to take the herbal supplements and the melatonin, and if I hadn't fallen asleep within 2 hours to take half a zopliclone. That way, I only needed to take the zopiclone occasionally because the other things did help. I also played a guided relaxation audio to help me get to sleep.

For nightmares I've done a lot of visualisation of things protecting me from them, and the benefit of that was gradual but after about two months it has worked for me 100%.

 

[road2theriches]

Thank you all for your comments. I will definitely look into trauma therapy. Yesterday I actually felt asleep but woke up like I only slept for 5 minutes. It was actually 6 hours straight I slept. I didn't care cause, haven't been able to sleep since Sunday. My wife bought me a pack of Bed time teas. It helped. Tonight I'm hoping I could have a better night than yesterday. About an hour ago, I must hit a trigger cause I started to feel very hyper. When I get like that, everything needs to be spotless and I'm all over the place. Hopefully, I don't wake up in the middle night thinking I'm a Ninja. :) knowing what I know now, it scares me. I guess I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I have a bad case of PTSD with depression to top it off.

One day at a time and staying positive goes a long way. Wish me luck and I will chat with you soon. Good night everyone. Thanks again for your support. All your advices are very helpful. I wish you all the best cause I know it's not easy. When I find a way that works, I will help someone in need. The way all of you helped me.

:)

 

[Chava]

I've never had good luck with psychiatric meds, especially SSRI's/SNRIs and whatever Trazedone is (supposed to help with sleeping). I just become more disconnected, and it gets bad quickly. I'm late posting on this but am looking around at sleep posts because I'd love to get off sleeping aids some day. Right now I switch off between ambien and flexeril (a muscle relaxant...some people don't tolerate it well but I sleep very well and it helps with tension and painful spasms). I've had nightmares on ambien, though I highly doubt because of it...it simply wears off fast. It's made to help you get to sleep, but you can still wake up in the middle of the night if that's an issue. I tend to sleep like a rock on flexeril, no nightmares either. But I have to tolerate the drowsiness through the evening...take it early so I'm not a zombie in the morning.

I also agree with trauma therapy. And asking about regular sleep aids perhaps. I don't know what can prevent nightmares aside from settling the nervous system. Sedatives and muscle relaxants help me. But therapy is important, and exercise (though not too late). Melatonin did nothing for me, but that's helped others sleep. Valerian is an herbal alternative to sedatives or muscle relaxants, since it has sort of both properties. I ended up with more pain than herbs could manage, so didn't go that route. But if I can some day taper off the ambien and flexeril, I'd like to go back to things like valerian. Also, I take magnesium. It's a natural muscle relaxant and can help a bit with sleep. I believe a lot in the trauma connection to the body. If I can find a safe way to calm my body down, I can rest. Even with my meds, I need extra things like gentle yoga and a little meditation in the evening...something slow, calming, and centering. If I'm in a nightmare streak, I sometimes watch a short bit of comedy before bed....helps me not fear going to sleep, so that I can actually get to sleep. Doesn't always keep nightmares away, but the more settled I am before going to bed, the less likely I have nightmares.

Also, low sugar in the evenings, more protein and fat, but no eating after about 6 or 7pm...helps me. I had some of that Propel "fitness" water (full of fake sugars) one evening and woke up in the middle of the night with a panic attack, wanting to kill myself.

I sometimes fear I can't get much better either. My traumas are deep and ancient. If you aren't doing therapy, check into that. But keep a list of any little nighttime activities that help you...and anything else... hope things get better for you!

 

[Hashi]

I don't know what can prevent nightmares aside from settling the nervous system.

Not really understanding what you mean here?

I suppose you could say that with regard to nightmares I settled my nervous system through intensive visualisation of being protected from nightmares. Stayed with that visualisation, and it got stronger and stronger. It's been four years now and I know I'll never have a nightmare again.

But I don't really understand what your concept of settling the nervous systems is. Would you be able to explain a bit more?