[ely2009]

#1070649

Michelle,

I had trouble sleeping for a time also. I didn’t try any sleep meds, but I noticed an improvement in my sleep after being on the beta blocker and methimazole for a few weeks. I don’t remember if you have started ATDs yet, but you may notice an improvement once some of your other GD symptoms start to improve.

No sleep is no fun – especially when you have to function during the day. I think I remember you saying you have kids, too – so I KNOW you need your sleep.

The beginning of this is the hardest. But it’s kind of nice to finally start to figure out why things have been "weird" for so long without knwing why. ” title=”Smile” />

Emily

[MRHabetz]

#1070650

I agree……the best part of all of this is that everything finally makes since!! I felt like I was so close to just losing it….going crazy because I felt like a hypochondriac!!

[Ski]

#1070651

The sleeping issue is tough, but it’s worth figuring something out. We had a doctor speak with us at one conference about sleep issues, and he said that it’s important to solve this before it becomes "chronic," because then it turns into something mental as well as physical, and it’s harder to correct.

There are a few things that may help. First, remember that laying still, relaxing your body, is nearly as good for you as full-on sleep, so pursue whatever you can accomplish successfully, and try not to be frustrated when sleep doesn’t come as easily or last as long as you are used to. Your body is chemically imbalanced right now, so there’s only so much you can do to overcome that until the meds (or whatever treatment you choose) take effect. Do the usual things ~ avoid alcohol and caffeine in the later part of the day, take a long, hot bath or shower shortly before you plan to go to bed, go into a dark, quiet room and lay down. No TV ~ it’s bright, the images change often, it’s rather "exciting" to the brain ~ but reading is okay, if it helps you. If it creates one more distraction from rest, skip that too. If you haven’t been able to sleep for very many hours at a time, you may want to go ahead and let yourself stay up a little later than a "typical" day, so that when you DO go to sleep, you’re likely to sleep all the way until your alarm goes off. I think some of the hardest times are after we wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.

In any event, if you find yourself laying there and being frustrated and your mind running a hundred miles an hour, get up again, move to another room, turn on some lights and do something else. Choose to read a magazine or get something done that won’t take too much physical energy to do. Then try again.

If it’s at all possible, look into daytime naps to "make up" for sleep you lost the night before. I’ve read several sleep studies, and they all came up with different answers ~ one said it’s impossible to make up sleep, another said it’s essential ~ so feel this out for yourself. If a nap one day means you sleep even worse that night, well, that’s the answer for you. If it helps you function during the day and doesn’t affect your ability to sleep the next night, again, there’s your answer.

It’ll get better as you proceed through treatment, I promise ” title=”Wink” /> Hang in. We’ve all come through to the other side, and you will too.

[MRHabetz]

#1019297

I have been having trouble sleeping for over a year now…….is there anything the doctor gives you that helps you sleep??
I have tried Ambien and Restirol to no avail. I hate asking for more sleep medicine because I feel like I take enough pills already but………I need some sleep!!

Please tell me your story and give me your advice!!

Thanks,
Michelle

[ely2009]

#1070652

I like what Ski said (she’s so wise ” title=”Smile” /> ) …that you will "come to the other side." i wouldn’t have believed it at the beginning of this year or even two months ago. But i think I finally have gotten there – not "perfect" or "normal" yet, but much improvement. i feel like a person again. It does happen –

Emily

[hyperm]

#1070653

Hey,
Like many others on here I have been there. 4 years ago when the GD kicked off I would lie awake with my heart thudding away in my ears and I couldn’t get to sleep even though I was exhausted.

Recently after the TS I was awake most of the night. My GP had prescribed a high dose of diazepam to try and keep me calm etc. I was extremely aggitated, even they didn’t send me over to sleep. Normally if I had to take even a mild dose (2mg) I would be zonked. Unfortunately it is part of the condition and it takes a while for the meds to kick in and slow your body down. My endo had a great way of putting it that my thyroid was making my body think it was running a marathon. With regards to the insommnia he highlighted the feeling you get when you come home from a great night out – you are really over excited etc and it takes a while for you to come down from that to fall into sleep. However, my thyroid was keeping me on high all the time.

Ski’s advice is great. Even trying a relaxation CD – one that you feel comfortable with. I must admit that most of the time (until my levels were starting to come down) I just got up and pottered about – or watched a DVD to take my mind off the fact I couldn’t sleep. I also drank Ovaltine which when things were starting to improve really did make me sleepy. `I found the more I tried to lie and go into a sleep and relax the more awake I became – I think it was mainly due to raging levels though.

Like Emily said you really need your sleep when you have kids. Hopefully it will settle soon as I can appreciate how you are feeling mentally as well as physically. If it does start to become unbearable then there is no shame in asking your GP for something short term.

HTH

M xx

[Kimberly]

#1070654

Great advice so far…one thing I would add is to NOT look at the clock. I find that when I do that, it gets my mind racing even faster. (GAAAA! I have to get up and go to work in 4 hours!!!!! )

[Mickey65]

#1070655

My problem is STAYING alseep. I can go to sleep with no problem, but then I find myself waking up two hours almost every day before my alarm goes off, and then I get to be tired all day. Not fun at all.

[MRHabetz]

#1070656

The only thinkg I have taken that even comes close is some Xanax that my doctor gave me when I was going through my divorce…….but I’m too scared to ask for some more. I already feel like a "Pill-head". I also have a herniated disc and sometimes have to take pain medicine, plus Paxil. So between those, I’m so frustrated!! When i was pregnant 2 years ago, Ambien would knock me out cold…….but after having him, it didn’t help at all. I’m getting beyond frustrated with this!!!

[hyperm]

#1070657

Hi Michelle,

Of course its your decision if you don’t want to take a sedative. You are not a "pill head" though ” title=”Smile” /> . I appreciate what you are saying though, I had a breakdown years ago and I never took any meds throughout. However, after the TS things were so bad that I had to finally agree to something or else I don’t think I would be here writing this to you. My GP still prescribes me the meds but I haven”t taken any in a while.

Hopefully the ATD will kick and settle things down soon.
In the meantime take lots of care.

M xxx

[Katherine]

#1070658

My primary physician recommended that I take Tylenol PM. I only take one, instead of the 2 that are allowed, and that seemed to do the trick. She also said that Benadryl would be fine, since it has the same ingredient that’s in Tylenol PM. Ask your doctor if that might be an option for you. Good luck!

Katherine

[MRHabetz]

#1070659

Thanks………I tried Benadryl and it makes me very sleepy but I still cant GET to sleep.

[crazyhickchic]

#1070660

Hey there am slightly new here but I was having bad insomnia with leg cramping and was put on nortriptyline, it has helped with both and is an added beta-blocker they tell me.

[c-red]

#1070661

I feel your pain Michelle. I was only diagnosed with Graves this week and after a stint in ICU dealing with heart irregularities arising from it I’m out.
Its 2:10AM here in Western Australia and I’m not even remotely tired.
Looking forward to hearing what you all did to help in this regard.
Jeff

[MRHabetz]

#1070662

Hi Jeff……..sorry about the diagnosis! I still have trouble sleeping after about a week of not sleeping I can’t take it anymore and resort to taking an old prescription of xanax. I’m not sure it’s recommended but it sure helps me feel normal again to get a full nights rest. I try all the other things about making a routine, reading, no tv, warm bath…….nothing helps. The anxiety has gotten the best of me and I find that xanax helps to shut off the thoughts……all the what if’s about everything. Good Luck and let us know what works for you.

Michelle

[Author]

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