Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Hello everyone. I recently posted this question on the "Insomnia" forum but did not get anyone that had the same problem. I am hoping that someone on this site can relate. I am a visitor from the Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group (autoimmune condition). I have been having terrible sleep problems for the past 6 years. I can fall asleep easily enough but then wake up from very stressful dreams that leave me drenced in sweat. I have discussed this with my primary care physician, psychiatrist, and now a sleep specialist. I do have problems with depression and anxiety and have undergone counseling several times. I have been prescribed antidepressants, tranquilizers, all the usual medications for insominia, and most recently Prazosin. They all either don't help the problem or I have to stop the medication due to intolerable side effects. This issue has disrupted my life so much that I have been considering killing myself for about a year now. I am even fearful of going to sleep some times. I don't know what to do and my doctors seem to have given up on me. I can deal with some depression and anxiety but this sleep issue leaves me exhausted and completely ruins my day. Has anyone else had this kind of issue? If so, please let me know how you have managed it. Thank you.
This type of insomnia is usually a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder not a sleep disorder (sounds dumb I know but bare with me).
I have suffered from the exact same thing for years but with therapy and meds I managed to beat it for the most part. The first thing I did was educate myself about it all so during my therapy I wrote part of my thesis on sleep disturbances due to trauma. My therapist also educated me, got me to write about the dreams as soon as I woke before I could forget and one by one dealing with the pain and emotions they brought I managed to deal with them awake instead of asleep. My doctor gave me a heavy sedative for a while to knock me past the dream stage if you like, it was tough to stay awake during the day though grr but it helped coincide with my therapy.
As for the sweating I used to shower before bed and after moisturising I rubbed baby talc powder (no idea what the US equivalent is sorry) onto my sweat glands and this did help when I had the nightmares.
I really hope your health team can find answers for you soon, hugs you're not alone x