Hello all,
I posted a couple of weeks ago about how I was going through a bit of a crap time. Just thought I'd dip my toe in again, see if anyone can offer any advice. I went back to see my GP last week and told her I was really struggling to sleep - indeed, I hadn't slept at all for the previous two nights. It's strange because although I do recognise that I'm likely suffering from depression or anxiety in some form, I don't feel it's this that's preventing me from getting asleep. I told her that I'm tired when I'm going to bed, but then once I'm there, I can't fall asleep. At that point my mind was racing a bit so perhaps it was that playing a part, but also I noticed that the Nytol I was taking was basically an antihistamine which, upon closer inspection, was probably playing a part in keeping me awake (some of the side effects were prevalent).
GP wanted to prescribe anti-depressants but I resisted this and asked instead for sleeping pills, as my rationale was that if I could get a few good nights sleep under my belt, I could work through the depression and anxiety myself through exercise, mindfulness etc. etc. So I've been prescribed zopiclone and for the past 5 nights I've been taking this to get some kip. The problem is, although they are sending me asleep, they're only sending me into a very light sleep, almost to the point where I'm sort of conducting and directing any dreams I have, all the time being subconsciously aware of the time. Furthermore, the following day I will feel either up/down interchangably, and moreover I don't actually feel particularly well rested; I'm still tired.
The past couple of nights I tried not to take any zopiclone, but unfortunately every time I am on the verge of falling asleep, I get this bizarre twitch or spasm in my head which shakes me back awake. I've read that this is common (hypnic jerk I think it's called) although in most cases it appears to happen only a couple of times and most people still get to sleep. In my case, it happens literally every time I'm falling asleep, and it's therefore preventing me from falling asleep naturally. It's really disconcerting and incredibly frustrating. I went to bed at 9 o clock the other night and was listening to sleep meditation for over 3 hours without falling asleep. Last night I was very tired as usual but just as I was drifting off around 1 o clock I was jolted back awake by this head twitch/spasm - scared the crap out of me actually, as it was very arresting. So I'm currently in a cycle of being unable to sleep without taking these zopiclone pills, a situation I desperately want to reverse. I had a look at cortisol and things like that that could be causing problems, but I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Has anyone else ever suffered with these bizarre head spasms shaking you awake, and literally preventing you from falling asleep without pills?
