Hi all,
I posted on here a few days ago about my postpartum insomnia, which people say is pretty common. It's been over a week and I'm getting very little sleep so I'm starting to feel pretty crappy. It's gotten to a point where the only way to fall asleep is for me to drink several glasses of wine and basically be drunk, but I can't keep that up. I went to the OB yesterday and she prescribed me effexor (I was on that before I got pregnant) for the anxiety, but I cannot wait for like 2 weeks for that to start working or I will go insane. So I called my primary care physician sobbing this morning asking what I can do to get some sleep, and I'm waiting on a call back I imagine she would prescribe some kind of sleeping pill? I don't know, anyway, I am worried that if I take something for sleep, it will not work, so basically today I am in a panic about that. I am wondering what any experiences have been with this, and what worked to stop the cycle for you, and I guess I want to know if it's possible for me to take a sleeping pill and then still be awake all night. I am very nervous about that but I have to do something, I cannot get drunk again and I cannot stand feeling this way. I am also wondering if I don't end up sleeping enough how long will I be able to handle this, and what might happen to me from lack of sleep, like will I just pass out, or will I have some sort of panic episode? Thanks for your help.
Something new out. Non addicting. ZzzQuil. Makers if NyQuil. Once menopause hit me, sleep is not something I get much of. I can actually go the whole night awake. My friends complain about same thing. Might just be worth a try. Good luck.
Just a note, be careful with Ativan. It can work in reverse. I became hyper when I had it in hospital. Tylenol PM does the same to me!
Ativan! Beg for it. Just relaxes your mind so you can sleep. Sleeping pills only let me sleep a little while. Ativan is kind of like valium. Also goes by Lorezepam. I was just like you after I gave birth and it really helped.
I went on Paxil for anxiety and ppd after my 3rd daughter. A wonderful side-effect was drowsiness, so after taking my dose shortly after dinner I'm be sleepy and ready for bed by 9pm every night :) You could ask your doctor about a different medication; one with drowsiness as a side effect.
I've also had insomnia problems my whole life and have a few things that have worked for me to varying degrees: gravol, sleep inducing teas, lavender oil massaged into the soles of the feet, and a product called Natural Calm. It's basically powdered magnesium that you mix into water and drink; within 15 minutes I'm sleepy and able to fall asleep quickly. You should be able to get it at any health food type store, or online.
If you want to go the natural route, try lavender essential oil. A few drops on your pillow or in your bath should do the trick. I would also recommend sleeping when the baby is sleep if possible which was some of the most valuable advice I was given as a new mom.
Get yourself a regular vigorous exercise routine. Do things like jumping jacks, running in place, push ups, squats, jump rope, my personal favorite is Veena & Neena Fat Burning Belly Dancing. It's only almost 30 minutes but it gets the job done.
Before I'd take a pill. I's try the lavender. Sweet dreams.
First of all, alcohol interferes with sleep cycles, even in small quantities. It can make you sleepy initially, but will make you awake and alert in the wee morning hours between midnight and 4.
I didn't see any mention of BF, but that plays a huge role in how you should proceed. Iets assume you are not (because you are drinking to the point of drunkenness which you surely know is not safe or wise while bf).
My sister had a psychotic reaction to a medication once (steroids). I tell you this because it gave her insomnia which exacerbated the psychosis. She ended up in a 48 hour hold in a psych ward and we feared she would not come out of it.(which was actually a realistic fear, and it could have taken 6 months or so for her to fully recover from the psychosis. ) She needed sleeping aids to counteract the insomnia. The insomnia became the bigger enemy than the initial psychosis, sending her into a more severe psychosis. Sleeping meds were how they finally countered the drug reaction. And yes they work. YOU NEED TO GET SLEEP EVEN IF THAT MEANS TAKING DRUGS. ( But alcohol is not the right drug, I think you already realize this).
Problems like the one your are having can go from bad to worse very quickly. Please please please call on some family, take the sleeping aid, give baby and kids over to some family, and get some serious sleep. Even if the depression persists, you need to get on top of the sleep depravation for a few days. You need to get over this hump and soon. Even if hubby has to take few days off work.
Prayers for you K.C.
(and just remember, they are only feelings, don't take your feeling to heart when you are down and out. Things will get better)
I don't suffer anxiety, but I do remember lack of sleep and also bizzaro lack of sleep when DS was a newborn. i.e when he started sleeping for longer spurts, I kept getting up every 2-3 hours because I had gotten acclimated to being awake at those times.
See if you can get some child care whenever, and get 4+ hour blocks of sleep. Ideally several, and for several days. Things will start to look up once your sleep improves.
Best,
F. B.
Have your ever tried acupuncture?
oh, sweetie, you are in a pickle. YES you desperately need your sleep, but drinking is definitely not the way to go. and unfortunately most of the PX pills will grog you out the next day.
i know when you're in a serious insomnia phase as you are now the natural stuff isn't very effective but it's still the best place to start. melatonin, lavender oil, chamomile tea, bubble baths, no screens or exercise near bedtime, and a good book. if that's no bueno, move to an antihistamine, or over the counter pill like 'simply sleep'. i can't take them because even they make me into a zombie the next day, and with a new baby you really can't do much of that.
it sounds as if the anxiety is already getting to you. it may be that the best non-drug thing you can do is get some help. can your mom or BFF come help with the baby for a weekend so you can just crash? even if you don't sleep much, just being quiet and alone and calm may help soothe your brain enough to get you past the hurdle of this downward spiral of exhaustion and panic.
good luck, hon.
khairete
S.
Go to the health food store and talk to the clerk about Melatonin. It's the substance in our body that puts us to sleep. The first day you take it you don't feel it so much but the second day you should feel sleepy and be able to fall asleep and get some.
If you aren't comfortable with that then go buy some Benadryl and take a full dose. Prepare for your nose to be super dry and perhaps your lungs too but it should knock you out for at least a few hours. Only normal adult dose, no more.
