Hi I’m back to the insomnia again .
I’m finally having a telephone conversation with my GP next Wednesday to discuss my sleep pattern. At the moment I’m falling asleep quite quickly but wake up an hour or so later and can’t get back off again
I’m absolutely exhausted and I believe it’s hammering my recovery.
Has anyone been prescribed anything for this that has actually helped them or solved the problem please. If so could you share that with me? X
Shwmae @Pisceslady2023, I am trying Melatonin at the moment for deeper sleep, but it can interact with Clopidogrel, so this needs to be considered. There are dietary adjustments that can be made, apparently cherry juice or cherries can induce a soporific feeling. Post stroke, I sleep with a Bluetooth sleep headband and stream ambient soundscapes to help me drift off, but I also recognise that trying to sleep can be counterproductive and it is more beneficial to think about something that isn’t topical or stimulating, let the body relax. In my mind, if one is relaxing, it is also as beneficial as sleep. I have a slightly pedantic sleep routine with lavender pillow spray, lavender balm and my sleep headband. My partner just puts on an audio book and is out like a light a few minutes later 
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Hi and thanks for the input. I’ve tried the lavender, camomile tea, relaxing bath, not mobile after six. Nothing works sadly.
I don’t struggle to GO to sleep it’s STAYING asleep that’s the problem.
I need medication now and not sure what’s best. Just wondering if anyone else has had prescribed medication
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Hullo, I have insomnia which has come and gone over many years . I have taken 1/2 Nitrazepam to which I am addicted , so I’m not much use to you as no doctor would prescribe it now . The stroke has mucked me up completely , sometimes I sleep quite well and others less so , it is never constant . At the moment I am going through hell and have had 3 nights of no sleep at all .
Some years ago I did a course of CBT from a book by Colin A Espie . It took about 6 weeks to complete and was very helpful . I go back and dip into the book if I am in trouble . Like now . My stroke was a small lacuna infarct and I was hardly affected physically , but 6 months ago my progress stopped and pressure and giddiness started up . It is still with me and MRI scan and bloods show nothing so it seems I am stuck with a bad head until the brain decides to fix itself . I had the stroke one year ago . I am finding it hard to process the prospect of feeling like this until—when? Good luck !
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A lot of people find Zopiclone helpful .
I wish I could help. Once I am asleep, I have trouble waking. It is only in the getting to sleep I have problems. Usually after productive days. I just want to keep going and get as much done as possible and can’t quit thinking about it, no matter how tired I get. When I am totally exhausted, I am too tired to sleep, then finally fall after a day or two, at the most inopportune times! Best wishes on figuring out what works for you.
Hi
A standard piece of advice re waking overnight is to try 10 15 minutes and if that isn’t successful to get up for 15 30 60 minutes and then restart the routine that you use when going to bed .
That worked well for me in the first year when I would wake up and not be able to go to sleep. I haven’t had to use it this year I generally have ok sleep now I had to really good nights recently and when awful night recently but generally it’s pretty good
I guess you read around the topic? There’s a lot of advice available from different sources like the British sleep society and the sleep foundation
Caio
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Hello @Pisceslady2023. It’s a big worry and frustration isn’t it. I have struggled with exactly what you describe, 2 years in now. I get to sleep well enough as generally exhausted, then wake 1-3am unable to get back to sleep. I feel like I’m being tortured.
Things I have learned- try to go to bed as late as possible, to put off the waking which most likely coincides with the end of a sleep cycle. Difficult but I know of I go to bed at 9 will be awake at silly o’clock.
I use 5htp supplement (involved with melatonin metabolism, not addictive) and CBD oil to reduce anxiety.
I was taking the antidepressant citalopram but only for a few months as was concerned it had a negative effect on my sleep. I was not prepared to try any form of prescribed tranquilliser/ sleeping tablet for fear of reliance/addiction.
I try not to look at the clock if I wake as it induces a negative cycle of panic that I will not be able to cope with the next day if I don’t get back to sleep.
We live near an airport and if I cannot hear flights leaving I know it is before 6 and I might as well relax and see if sleep will return ( do not try). If I do hear a plane I am very pleased with myself as I’ve managed to get past 6.
The good news is that it has very gradually improved- from barely existing on 2-3 hours sleep a night for over a year, it has increased to 6-7. I genuinely believe it is more to do with anxiety than a stroke effect as when I have been away from home especially if daily physical activity to tire me is involved I manage to sleep more normally because there is separation from my daily anxieties.
Understanding how to manage the anxiety, for me, has been key to improvement.
I really hope you find what works for you, Julia x
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I feel your pain. It’s like torture. I’m hoping my GP will give me something if only in the short term.
I found something on YouTube called Brain waves. There’s a specific one for stroke patients. It lasts five hours and I play it all night. I find it helpful and I definitely sleep a little better than without it.
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I’m so sorry to hear this. It must be awful for you.
I found something on YouTube called Brain waves. There’s one specifically for stroke patients And I leave it on all night. Maybe something for you to try?
Good luck x
Aye, I do the same thing. If I wake, I then repeat my initial bedtime routine. I find that resting and relaxing can have the same benefits as sleep, but I don’t wake until 9:30 am.
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It’s absurd, the feeling of zonking out and having a deep thorough sleep is blissful for those of us wrestling with insomnia. Insomnia can lead to depression as the exhausted brain is more susceptible to negative influences. GPs seem concerned about liability for addiction or overdose, yet, don’t apply a case by case basis and seem to shirk the extra workload of reviewing an individual patient’s progress with medication. If you can find yourself a decent Mental Health GP, they can often override a GPs decision based on your mental well-being as opposed to your potential for abusing medication.
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Aye, I do think that a fair amount of cognitive adjustment and attitude is called upon for some of us when winding down, oh to be like my partner who falls asleep before her head hits the pillow.
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Just replyi g to everyone on this subject i have been on the site many times on this subject and have had no success with anythging i have tried . Am goingbto give hypnotherapy a try as a last resort and will report back after a few sessions to let people know if has been any help at all.
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That’s an interesting concept and worth exploring.di keep us posted on how it goes
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Did try acupuncture also but with no success although may help some as we are all different. Will definitely report back.
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Hi just an update . Spoken to my GP today. He’s taken me off statins for two months. Hopefully that will stop the insomnia and joint pain. He’s also changed the clopidogrel for asprin.
I have read you’re not supposed to come straight off statins but he seems ok with u
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That may be dependent on the dosage.
I hope this change will help you tremendously.
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Hi Julia , I haven’t signed in for months but am still here and still suffering .,After lots of false starts , neurologists , cranial osteopathy , I am now under a headache specialist who is going to inject the muscles in my neck . I live in hope of relief. Insomnia comes and goes and I slog on .
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