Nightmares

Hey there @Trickster ,

It sounds incredibly difficult. I had insomnia and that was bad enough!

I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. I hope you find what works. I had one med that made me feel hungry all the time. I had to stop it because it was removed from the shelves.

Please look after yourself.

I also wanted to note that your above post has had the medication names edited out so that it aligns with guidelines. You can read about these guidelines here in relation to medication and dosages: https://saneforums.org/t5/help/faqpage/title/community-guidelines

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at team@saneforums.org

@Trickster

I feel for you. CPTSD can make going to bed uncommonly difficult. I don't have any suggestions, much less solutions but you do have my empathy.

Hi @Trickster. That all sounds horrible and so, so difficult to deal with. I have issues getting to sleep and staying asleep and have had for more of the past couple of years, so I do know how much that dread of going to bed couple with a long term lack of sleep can effect all other aspects of each day. It sounds like you've been through so much, I can totally understand how going to sleep would be so terrifying. I'm afraid I don't have any advice that would help, I just wanted to say that I feel for your situation and really hope that in time, it improves or that the therapy helps you. It certainly sound like there's quite a lot of trauma there that you (or anyone in that situation) would need to work through, even just to get the nightmares to end, let alone getting to sleep in the first place. I wish you all the best and really hope things get better for you soon.

Hey @Trickster,

I have also had a terrible relationship with sleep and suffer extremely vivid dreams and nightmares due to CPTSD. Unfortunately the only medication that's been effective for me is one that cannot be taken regularly. Thankfully I have found some other ways for reducing nightmares that might be helpful for you too.

For me writing before bed is helpful, getting all my thoughts and feelings out through pen and paper, or even typed into my phone or laptop.

Any stresses or worries from the day, any concerns about the future, any fears, thoughts, memories, to do lists etc. Write it all out before you fall asleep. I've read that it helps by unloading and freeing up your mind, therefore giving your brain less to try work out and process during REM. It doesn't always help or work but it has definitely makes a big difference in sleep quality and nightmares for me, could be worth a try?

@tymesorry my apologies I know everyones experiences on medication is unique and obviously with sleeping medication it can be triggering for various reasons I'm in an epilepsy group and I'm used to the transparency of medication a lot of us find it helpful in regards to shared side effects or what's not shared so what's out of the norm for our bodies and talking to GPs about that.

Hey @Trickster ,

How are you? Hope you're okay.

@tymeyeah I get busy and SANEs isn't at the foremost of my mind to check sorry, I've got a new GP because I noticed my GP wasn't able to sorta help with how complex my medication were so now my new GP is great with that and they're actually keen to get on top of these nightmares and help me with a quality sleep.

Wow @Trickster , That sounds great. It also speaks to others reading on that if you feel your GP isn't able to give you the care you need, it's totally okay to get a second opinion or find someone who can.

I know for me, I'm a creature of habit. If I go to one doc, I keep going even if I can't get what I need. Time to change!

Thanks for sharing @Trickster

@tymeI get that it's always nice to see the same person who knows your story and having to retell mine had been the regular drain but It's so good to get over that hurdle and get into the help, organising new therapist, sleep studies, right medication and psychiatrist.

Fair enough @Trickster . I totally hear how painful it is to have to tell your story over and over again! I hope it all goes well with you for your list of things to get done! When's your sleep study?