Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Health and Safety >> Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/9/2008 10:22:37 PM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

For anyone interested, my foot problems have turned out to be benign (that is to say... there's nothing wrong with it o.O) but this is for a seperate issue.

Recently my psychiatrist prescribed me some sleep medications to help me get over insomnia.

For a bit of background:

I have periods in my cycling where I can't sleep, no matter how exhausted or tired I've become, for much longer than 15 minutes or so. It has recently been happening not only more often, but also for prolonged periods of time, so my psychiatrist suggested that I try a sleep medication.

Well, I've tried it.

Since the first night I took the medication I've had disturbing dreams. Keep in mind that the dreams I find disturbing, to most people, are exponentially greater, due to a reduced sensitivity caused by the violent and gruesome dreams I've had since childhood. I tried this medication once (that one night) and then was unable to use it again for about half a week. Every night since I took it the first time I have had these recurring dreams that are bad enough to the point where I am terrified to sleep. I'm at a 'low' point in my cycle, now, as well... where all I want to do is sleep. This has caused an interesting dichotomy.

I have taken the medication one other time since the first, and it 'enhanced' the dream, making it more vivid and even more disturbing and sickening.

I'm not sure what to do. Because of my lack of sleep (due to inability to remain calm enough TO sleep) my mental health is seriously deteriorating, as is my physical health, and (of course) my natural insomnia is returning as I cycle faster. I see my psychiatrist next week on Thursday, which was the earliest time that she was available that I was not in a scheduled midterm exam (so please, no 'see your doctor' responses. I'm trying to, but this is an 'in the meantime' advice request).

The original problem with insomnia has been a relatively long lived one, though it had been affecting me (this time) for a period of four-five weeks before I took the medication for the first time. As of today it's been two weeks since I took the medication for the first time.

Does anyone have any suggestions for 'modifying' the dreams? Despite my (self)training in lucid dreaming I've been unable to 'break into' the dreams to affect them and change the course of one to try and break the chain of the others. Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to calm myself enough to sleep, even if not peacefully, other than the medication? Does anyone have any general input, advice, or even experiences similar for moral support? Anything would be helpful.

Profile

Post #: 1

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/9/2008 10:37:19 PM

VivaciousSub

Posts: 446
Joined: 9/7/2008
From: Tampa, FL
Status: offline

You have my sympathy, and empathy and other things ending in -pathy. I have similar issues with sleep, and due to my bipolar disorder, it's critical I get regular sleep on a regular cycle. I'm not surprised that you're deteriorating. I can't take most sleep medications either, especially Ambien or anything related to it - as they note in their advertisements, sleep driving is a risk and last time I took it, I went for a nice little drive and totaled a car. I thought I was having a dream and had no idea anything had happened until I woke up back in my own house, went outside to go to work, and found one very mashed up vehicle. Interesting information I've found from other people - and from my own experience - is that if you're not taking the correct dose, it can cause hallucinations and vivid dreams, almost like it's a psychedelic.

Something that was inordinately helpful to me was guided meditation - the best set I've found, so far, happens to be through a series of free podcasts called The Meditation Podcast by Jesse and Jean Stern. I got them through iTunes. You can also go to www.themeditationpodcast.com. They use a combination of guided meditation and subsonic tones to effectively trick your brain into relaxing deeply. They have 10 episodes so far, including ones specifically on Relaxing and Falling Asleep. Each episode is about 25 minutes long.

They also have episodes about Releasing Fear, Transformational Breathing and Positive Thoughts which might be helpful in getting rid of those godawful dreams that are so real you wake up still thinking you're in them.

Edited to note: I also use a white noise machine and occasionally instrumental music to help give my brain something to think about other than "oh crap, I'm NEVER going to get to sleep tonight!"

< Message edited by VivaciousSub -- 10/9/2008 10:40:46 PM >

_____________________________

9.8m/s^2 + VivaciousSub + ground = ouchx10^9th

To yield readily--easily--to the persuasion of a friend is no merit.... To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either. ~ Pride and Prejudice

(in reply to aravain)

Profile

Post #: 2

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/9/2008 10:41:10 PM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

Wow! Thanks!

The only guided meditations I've done has been in rituals (pagan rites) and using recordings of myself. This will be interesting, I'll give them a look see :)

Anyone else's advice is readily welcomed too... I've just been looking for the sort of site that VivaciousSub linked to for a while in general

so I wanted to thank her.

(in reply to VivaciousSub)

Profile

Post #: 3

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 6:24:20 AM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

WOW

Just a quick note to say that, I used 'episode six' last night... and I don't even remember my dreams. I don't feel anxious, or anything this morning, either, so they must have been light :)

Thank you SO much!

(in reply to VivaciousSub)

Profile

Post #: 4

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 7:39:20 AM

SavageFaerie

Posts: 4377
Joined: 12/3/2004
From: NYC
Status: offline

Having suffered with insomnia all my life, I have run the gamit of sleep meds. The one I found put me to sleep without the wild dreams is trazadone, which is actually an antidepressant, but widly used as a sleep medication.

I have a sleep disorder and my dr has actually opted to pescribe 2mg xanax so as not to double medications in tahe same catagory ie: restosril for on. Its been working for me so far. I already take a lower dose on a maintnance dose do he was hesitate to double and add another benzo.

I have not notice any vidid dreams, when using other sleep meds I have had some interesting dreams to the part where in twilight sleep I am conciously aware of the dreams. On one I was mad as someone and bitched slapped them, I ended up with a bruised hard from hitting bed frame. LOL

_____________________________

Disclaimer:If its the wrong word or misspelled I blame on my fingers and brains refusing to interact.

(in reply to aravain)

Profile

Post #: 5

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 8:26:36 AM

calicowgirl

Posts: 98
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline

I have suffered insomnia for years as well, seems to go in cycles and nothing I have tried has worked in any way that I like. I am sensitive to meds and feel hung over the next day or have really horrible dreams so have just given them up and sleep when I can. I was excited to read this, I am going to check out the link. Thank you for posting it.

Cali

_____________________________

Let your dreams run wild... be brave enough to follow.

Anyone who can think of only one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination. -- Mark Twain

(in reply to VivaciousSub)

Profile

Post #: 6

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 8:59:56 AM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SavageFaerie

Having suffered with insomnia all my life, I have run the gamit of sleep meds. The one I found put me to sleep without the wild dreams is trazadone, which is actually an antidepressant, but widly used as a sleep medication.

That would be what I was prescribed :( Interesting.

(in reply to SavageFaerie)

Profile

Post #: 7

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 9:04:23 AM

sappatoti

Posts: 14844
Joined: 10/30/2006
From: the edge of darkness...
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: VivaciousSub
...
Something that was inordinately helpful to me was guided meditation - the best set I've found, so far, happens to be through a series of free podcasts called The Meditation Podcast by Jesse and Jean Stern. I got them through iTunes. You can also go to www.themeditationpodcast.com. They use a combination of guided meditation and subsonic tones to effectively trick your brain into relaxing deeply. They have 10 episodes so far, including ones specifically on Relaxing and Falling Asleep. Each episode is about 25 minutes long.

They also have episodes about Releasing Fear, Transformational Breathing and Positive Thoughts which might be helpful in getting rid of those godawful dreams that are so real you wake up still thinking you're in them.

Edited to note: I also use a white noise machine and occasionally instrumental music to help give my brain something to think about other than "oh crap, I'm NEVER going to get to sleep tonight!"

I agree with VivaciousSub. I have sleep issues as well but have not had one since I started using meditation similar to what she posted. A correctly constructed meditation or trance file can do wonders with putting the brain into a sleep-ready condition. By using these meditations, I was able to show significant progress to the doc; so much so that he's cancelled the scripts for a sleep study and medications.

This is not to say that meditations are right for everyone. In some cases there is a chemical imbalance within the brain that first should be controlled by medications. Also, some people may not believe in the power of meditation or trances, in which case their brain may reject the suggestions contained within them. There's no harm in trying meditations first and, if they don't seem to help, the medication option is still available.

I should note the meditation I use is a software generated trance that is unique each time it is run. It's a software application called "pzizz" and, for me, was worth the money I spent on it. Pzizz is also available as a bedside, standalone device.

_____________________________

Never mind the man on the edge of the darkness... he means no harm...

"Community, Identity, Stability." ~ A Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, 1932

If you don't like my attitude, QUIT TALKING TO ME!

(in reply to VivaciousSub)

Profile

Post #: 8

RE: Insomnia, Dreams, Mental Health - 10/10/2008 9:16:20 AM

Mercnbeth

Posts: 11766
Status: offline

this slave's insomnia has found a cure. it isn't popular, but she eats two small brownies every night before bed. they are homemade, using homemade organic cannabis butter.

this slave has zero negative side effects.

quote:

Insomnia, or chronic sleeplessness, is effectively treated with marijuana, and clinical research has verified the usefulness of marijuana in some cases. One study determined that CBD, rather than delta-9 THC, helped some insomniacs sleep better. Human studies show that cannabinoid-induced sleep does not differ much from sleep induced by conventional hypnotics, in contrast to one of America’s favorite drugs, Valium, which, along with having a strong addictive potential, is also know to suppress stages of sleep conducive to dreaming. The Institute of Medicine recommended further study of cannabinoid sedation in its Marijuana and Medicine report of 1999. [ii]
A small percentage of research subjects have reported unwelcome “hangover” effects following the use of cannabis as an anti-insomniac.
http://www.cannabismd.net/insomnia/

quote:

Researchers at the Center for Sleep and Ventilatory Disorders at the University of Illinois in Chicago found that the administration of THC and the endogenous cannabinoid oleamide dramatically suppressed sleep-related apnea in rats. Authors concluded that the findings suggest an "important role" for cannabinoids in maintaining autonomic stability during sleep.

Marijuana and its constituents have a long history as sleep-inducing agents, including previous studies linking THC to melatonin production and the use of the cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) to effectively treat insomnia.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Foundation Research Director, at (202) 483-8751. Abstracts of the Sleep report are available online at: http://www.journalsleep.org/citation/sleepdata.asp?citationid=2104 .
NORML

(in reply to aravain)