Thread: Fatigue anxiety insomnia and depression.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Anyone who suffers?

does it get worse when you're tired and cold?

how do you break the cycle?

PM sent

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Anyone who suffers?

does it get worse when you're tired and cold?

how do you break the cycle?

For me yes it does.
I stay away from grog, worst thing you can do is self medicate. I've had a really tough year and that sparked a few issues for me. I've got back into a regular exercise routine, that helps me feel a bit better. I have forced myself to me more social (I have a tendency to isolate myself when I'm not in a good space) and get back into doing things I love doing like getting away camping.
It is tough and I'm not saying I've got the answers just what helps me.

Feel free to reach out anytime.

Hello Dave,

Feel free to send me a Private Message at any time.

Regards
Lionel

Not the insomnia, I sleep too much. Getting up can be hard. Talking is good. Therapy is a better form of talking. Socially, as I live alone, joining a choir was the best thing I could have done. But talking. Having someone who keeps an eye on you.

Dave, this is a massive topic, and a few years back I tried to get a sub forum going, but I see it's too fraught with potential comebacks for Dave to risk it. Like others have said, feel free to contact me if you need. You are not alone with this one.

All 4. I manage the insomnia with Phernergan (and have been for 30 years). The others come and go as they please. I have tried a couple of medications over the years, all of which worked but invariably the cure was worse than the disease. I'd rather manage without them than suffer the side effects.

When I had a reaction to a covid vaccine that caused anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. I've tried stuff you can buy at Colesworth, Valerian for sleeping and ashwaganda for anxiety, and lavender spray is supposed to be calming. At the pharmacy OTC (Over The Counter) for sleeping I've had "Restovit", IIRC if over 55 y.o. you can get Melatonin which is called "Circadan". From a doctor's prescription I've had "Temazapan". The natural stuff took the edge off enough for me that I only used one Temazapan, and the Restovit worked well enough for me that I've only taken half a pill at a time. Prayer also helps, which works on the theory that it is good to have something bigger than yourself to help you get through.

I can relate to some of this, mainly the relationship between anxiety and sleep.

For a couple of months a year I'm collecting data on lobster boats out in the real ocean. Days worked per week can vary from 0 to 7, hours worked per day from 6 to 14. Departure time from 11.30 pm to 6 am, back in port from 10 am to 4pm.

A few years ago I noticed that I could not sleep the night before I left to get to the most distant ports. This situation did not improve over the ensuing days, the worst week I had would have been 3 hours sleep over 6 days and there was 4 hours of driving each way in the mix.

There is a lot involved in what happens on board, what has to be very accurately recorded, a lot is in the dark and the weather can be very ordinary. Every boat is different.

The anxiety about not sleeping was causing lack of sleep which caused more anxiety,,,,,,,,,,,,,,etc.

Got a script for melatonin (Circadin) which did nothing, was given stronger melatonin to use, did nothing,
then got a script for tamaz from longterm GP.

Half a tab when I'm concerned about not sleeping and in 30 mins I'm out like a light. I'm happy with 6 hours and happy to not feel drowsy after.

The interesting thing is that just knowing I have them 'in case' often means there is no anxiety and I don't take any.

It's a pragmatic approach but it works for me.

DL

It might be worth pointing out that temazepam is a benzodiazepine, a sedative, so whilst it will probably put you to sleep it is probably not a great idea to allow yourself to become reliant on it for sleep. Like opiates, resistance will develop and increasingly greater doses will be required to achieve the desired effect, whilst the undesired effects will increase with the dose.

I have been finding myself trending toward depression of recent months, also experiencing insomnia. I associate it with changes in my life since retirement and changes in my body associated with ageing. I am trying to make changes in lifestyle to improve energy levels.