Posted by jlo820 on August 13, 2003, at 10:23:22
In reply to Insomnia caused by anxiety, posted by Guy on August 13, 2003, at 8:12:08
This is esentially my problem. I get anxious in the evenings as bedtime approaches.
The strategy my doctor and I employ has been pretty successful. I usually try to go to bed about 11:00 PM, so I follow this protocol:
9:00 PM - Take 2 mg Klonopin
10:30 PM - Take 150-225 mg TrazodoneThis works most nights. One the one night per week (on average) that I still can't get to sleep after staying in bed for 45-minutes or so, I will get back up, take .25 mg of Halcion, and do something for about half an hour (make to-do list, walk on treadmill, etc.), then go back to bed.
This strategy has proven very effective.
Other things to try:
1. Take hot bath before bed - this increases your body temperature and your body will relax as it cools back down. You could also take a cold shower and your body expends energy trying to warm you back up (similar to wrapping psychotic patients in ice-cold sheets).
2. Try Melatonin
3. Exercise before bed
4. Use bed only for sleep (and other bed-related activities), but not TV-watching, reading, work, etc.
5. Make sure your room is completly dark - even the little green lights on electronics. I use a sleeping mask (actually a black sock I put over my eyes).
6. Try to regulate sound based on your pesonal preferences. I have two computers and a fan running, so this "white noise" is helpful for me.Good luck.
poster:jlo820
thread:250417
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250520.html