I am SO SO SOOOOOOOOOO tired of being tired due to this *insert expletive/s* problem. When I look back over recent months, it has been getting progressively worse and although I know it is a combination of w/d and what my naturopath and I believe is related - my thyroid condition - I just can't continue this way. I have NO real quality of life. I can't plan anything. I can't make appointments and be sure I will be able to get there. The last few days has been 5 hours, 6 hours (broken, so probably no slow wave sleep), 2.5 hr, 6 hours broken, and 4 hours. That might not sound bad but it really compromises my ability to have a life.
Because w/d and my thyroid condition are not recognised by mainstream medicine, I have no option but to go the natural way. I am comfortable with that except that it will take 3 months or more to kick in. Meanwhile, the constant battle with insomnia leaves me open to all sorts of infections and since it is winter here, colds are rampant. I've already had a cold, a weird throat thing, and a mild virus that just makes you feel tired. I seriously can't go on this way. I gave in and got some Temazepam (10mg)l ast Wednesday (it is Saturday here). Took 1, along with all my supplements which make me drowsy, and the 2mg of melatonin I also got from this GP (mine was fully booked so I went to another one) - and slept from midnight to 4am. At 6am I took another Temazepam and it had no effect. Great. NOT! I am at my wits end. We are going on holiday in just 5 weeks time and I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP!
Four years ago - having switched from paroxetine to Lexapro, then to Cymbalta, then back to paroxetine (I was lucky, I was able to RI successfully) - I couldn't sleep for love or money. At that point my GP offered me amitryptline. Because my brain was already in chaos I said no. I knew time was the answer. And the RI did settle all of that. But I am now seriously re-considering that offer. A few nights of melatonin hasn't helped much. I know it needs more time - but with it, and the supplements, I can GET to sleep. I just can't STAY asleep.
I have taken amitryptline in the past - for depressive episodes - before SSRIs were on the market. I'm not convinced it helped my depression and I wasn't having any trouble sleeping then. But I'm thinking a few months of it now - while I get my thyroid under control - might be an idea. I never had any trouble coming off it in the past - but I wasn't taking anything else at the time either.
I know the general consensus is to NOT take other drugs - but I really need to sleep. I just can't go on like this. I have a disabled son to care for. Any thoughts would be helpful.
Originally Posted by alex
