I too am dealing with insomnia every night. I'm thinking I need a sleep study to be checked for apnea.

Mine was from sleep apnea and that is related to afib... so are certain medications... so is worry and sometimes you "think" you are not focused on what you are worried about, but you may have "free floating anxiety". Finding ways to relax (meditation, exercise, support systems, talking about your fears, faith, avoiding caffeine, etc) are all worth giving a try.
Fear is normal. It is a feeling. Worry is the "elongation" of fear and can be controlled. Worry keeps me awake.

I have been evaluated for sleep apnea and they said I have it. I tried the CPAP machine (Darth Vadar machine) and it didn't help really. They consider it a failure. I didn't feel any better during the day with it and talk about hard to go to sleep with that machine !! It seems to make sleep problems worse!! I also tried a dental appliance and failed, it caused extreme jaw pain.

I think worry is largely my culprit. Hard not to think about this looming ablation...

I have been trying meditation, yoga, avoiding caffeine, etc. No success as of yet...

Thanks for your comments.

heart2222: appliances should be adjustable so as to not cause jaw pain. You can adjust it forward as you get used to it (Oasys Oral Nasal Appliance).

Sleep on your side at a minimum.

This jaw appliance locked into place. He had it move the minimal amt and it already caused me jaw pain. The doctor said I am unable to use it.

I'm a tummy sleeper which should help the apnea.

Yes, i am in the same boat...i sometimes get 2-3 hours of sleep a night and spend the other 5 hours in a semi conscious state - between worrying and feeling my afib, it is a living terror ... my dr. prescribed trazondine (Sp?) 50 mg - it helps a little bit with sleep, a lot with stopping nocturnal depression... how are you doing now? I am open to any suggestions... I agree that some meds may be causing this but don't know which ones (pradaxa, toprol, glyburide)? I also just got a CPAP machine and cautiously optimistic that I can get use to it and that it will eventually help...

It is kind of a catch-22 situation. I wouldn't want to suggest anything at all if you are using a CPAP machine and Afib on top of that. You should ask your doctor the risks before taking anything. I take something which is natural in the human body that helps, melatonin, which you can get at most stores. I don't drink coffee either. Wish you all the best on finding a remedy your doctor says is safe.

Solutions for medical problems are pretty much individual to each person because there are so many factors that go into diagnosing the symptoms, medications and other diseases, and the prognosis.

I will say I know how hard it is to sleep and get rest with Afib. It is difficult to relax worrying over medical problems. Just day to day issues is enough to keep most of us worrying. Good luck and if your doctor comes up with a solution, please share with the group.

A couple things that have worked for me...
Deep breathing: I lie on my back and inhale through my nose to a count of 6 or 8, then exhale with pursed lips to the same count. Repeat as necessary. (Or, inhale for a count of 2, pause, inhale again for a count of 2, pause, repeat one more time. Exhale for a count of 6.)
Also, there is a supplement called Gaba ("with vitamin B6, promotes relaxation, eases nervous tension"). I usually take one when I awaken during the night. There's no "hangover" effect, for me, anyway (and for others I now who use it).

Perhaps worth a try.....

I didn't notice this thread got revived until now.

I still have sleep problems. I have tried melatonin and it doesn't work for me.

I purchased these CD's from Amazon from Belleruth Naparstek on different things. It is guided imagery. I bought one on stress and anxiety, one for sleep, one for upcoming surgery, etc. I use the sleep on every night. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I found the surgery one helpful before my ablation.

I think the key is to turn off your thoughts which I find very difficult to do. I thought concentrating on a tape would make me forget about my racing thoughts.

Of course heart abnormalities are always in the back of our minds. Can't really shake that.

I agree with sunssol that the solutions are really individual. I wish I had a solid answer for you...

heart2222; Are you still on amioderone? it can cause sleep problems/insomnia.

RN52,
Nope, I'm off amiodarone. I think I'm just prone to insomnia. Have had it for a long time. Just has been worsened with all these a fib concerns...

With Toprolol I started having Vivid dreams that would wake me up, and then I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. Now I take Unisom and even though I may wake during the night, I don't have a problem falling back asleep.. Both my primary and cardiologist seem ok with it, because they said it's not addictive.

Thanks for your input, emurphy!!

I have had the CPAP for two months. It took a week or so to get used to but I know I sleep better when I wear it. I think it also helps me with the thinking and worrying.

I try and follow a routine of being tired before I go to bed and keep it to around the same time every night. I read right before I turn the lights off, even if it is one paragraph. I am fortunate to be able to sleep as long as I want to. Since I have been taking amiodarone I am waking early but lucky to get back to sleep. I am off caffiene and alcohol completely.I do miss my wine drinking with my friends but it is not worth the worry afterwards.

I hope you find an answer to your sleeping issues. When is your ablabion scheduled? I have one on Nov 1. I am trying not to worry now.
Barbara

I tried a CPAP machine for months and didnt' get any benefit. Just had an even harder time getting to sleep.

I had an ablation on March 23 of this year.

I hope all goes smoothly with your ablation, Barbara!! Try to put it out of your mind until it comes!!