PTSD and Trauma recovery

atomiczombie · 07-20-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

That totally makes sense, your body is likely on high alert all night t keep you safe. At least right now you get to sleep long enough to get 8 hours. Sleep is so important in the healing process.

LS makes some great suggestions! Lavendar does help, and it's not too girly and chamomile calm the stomach and the mind. Sometimes I ice down a pitcher and drink it as iced tea.

I hope as time passes maybe you can get to sleep a little earlier each night, but don't push yourself, it really has not been that long since the fire.

So sorry you are experiencing this!

LOL The fire happened on December 1st 2007. That is kind of a while ago now. Different scents, things like that have never worked for me. The best thing I have is reading a book. Since I have lived with the bipolar diagnosis all my life, I have had sleep issues that long too. As a teenager I once went for 3 weeks without more than an hour or so each night and at the end of that I crashed into one of the worst depression episodes of my life. I am no stranger to sleep problems. What I have learned over the years is not to stress myself out over it. If I can't sleep then I can't sleep and worrying about it doesn't help. I just relax when I am in bed and read. I know that even if I am not sleeping, my body is resting and I will eventually fall asleep. Right now I am not working so it is easier to deal with, but I do feel like I miss a lot when I sleep through half the day. Oh well. I am kind of wondering if the T I started on in the beginning of May might be exacerbating my sleep problems. Thanks for your kind words apoc, and everyone else.

Soft*Silver · 07-20-2010, 09:47 AM

I finally fell asleep at a decent hour and was up at 9 AM! Now lets see if I can do this two days in a row.

Melatonin...I have a friend who tried using it but it gave her hallucinations. She saw things move in the patterns of the wallpaper. Has anyone else experienced this or something like it on melatonin?

Liam · 07-20-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

I finally fell asleep at a decent hour and was up at 9 AM! Now lets see if I can do this two days in a row.

Melatonin...I have a friend who tried using it but it gave her hallucinations. She saw things move in the patterns of the wallpaper. Has anyone else experienced this or something like it on melatonin?

Yes, when I took 7 mg I had nightmares. When I took 5mg, sometimes I had nightmares. It seems that 3mg is a good dose for me, I sleep well, have detailed vivid dreams and life is good.

Apocalipstic · 07-20-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

LOL The fire happened on December 1st 2007. That is kind of a while ago now. Different scents, things like that have never worked for me. The best thing I have is reading a book. Since I have lived with the bipolar diagnosis all my life, I have had sleep issues that long too. As a teenager I once went for 3 weeks without more than an hour or so each night and at the end of that I crashed into one of the worst depression episodes of my life. I am no stranger to sleep problems. What I have learned over the years is not to stress myself out over it. If I can't sleep then I can't sleep and worrying about it doesn't help. I just relax when I am in bed and read. I know that even if I am not sleeping, my body is resting and I will eventually fall asleep. Right now I am not working so it is easier to deal with, but I do feel like I miss a lot when I sleep through half the day. Oh well. I am kind of wondering if the T I started on in the beginning of May might be exacerbating my sleep problems. Thanks for your kind words apoc, and everyone else.

A lot of my trauma happened over 40 years ago, so 2007 seems pretty recent in PTSD terms.

I have to work a shift where I have to get up and be to work at a certain time or I sleep all day too. It keeps me regular...My sleep I mean, that sounded funny!

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

I finally fell asleep at a decent hour and was up at 9 AM! Now lets see if I can do this two days in a row.

Melatonin...I have a friend who tried using it but it gave her hallucinations. She saw things move in the patterns of the wallpaper. Has anyone else experienced this or something like it on melatonin?

Never, but I have on some medicines. Spiders sliding down their web lines onto my bed and crawling up my covers, I could even feel them and was frozen. But not on Melatonin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam

Yes, when I took 7 mg I had nightmares. When I took 5mg, sometimes I had nightmares. It seems that 3mg is a good dose for me, I sleep well, have detailed vivid dreams and life is good.

I have always gone with 3mg too. Works great.

Jet · 07-20-2010, 01:40 PM

This is not an easy thing to live with in the sense that it affects almost every aspect of my life. It's changed me in ways that scare me, in ways that make me feel that I'll never get me back.

I've changed for the worse I believe; ways that I'm ashamed to admit.

Jet · 07-20-2010, 01:49 PM

On another topic, no...I'm not going to the reunion. Even if I could go, I wouldn't for no other reason than it's just not my thing. You'd generally find me sitting alone somewhere drinking and watching other people. I quit dancing years ago and I'm real quiet in person—mistaken for being aloof. It's just how I am. But for those of you who are going, I hope you have a great time.

Apocalipstic · 07-20-2010, 01:59 PM

We are planning to go to the reunion since it is really close and not in a major crazy city. Las Vegas is to. much for either of us. The sounds and lights walking through the casino alone were to much for me.

I will (as usual) likely spend quite a bit of time alone or with Cynthia, but when I can, I do want to visit with friends in a neutral setting.

I am thrilled that so many of the events are in the hotel so I can go up to the room when overwhelmed.

I love hotels and have always wanted to stay at a Peabody.

AtLast · 07-20-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softness

I finally fell asleep at a decent hour and was up at 9 AM! Now lets see if I can do this two days in a row.

Melatonin...I have a friend who tried using it but it gave her hallucinations. She saw things move in the patterns of the wallpaper. Has anyone else experienced this or something like it on melatonin?

Ut, OH!!

I believe anything can happen even with a herbal product. Interactions with other medications, etc. This is why it is important to list all herbal supplements (including vitamins) along with prescriptions and OTC meds at the docs and when asking a pharmicist for advise. Herbal remedies are part of pharmacology.

I have not had any side effects with Melatonin, but certainly believe something like this could happen. Knowing what (if any) other kinds of meds your friend takes would be helpful.

Apocalipstic · 07-20-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Ut, OH!!

I believe anything can happen even with a herbal product. Interactions with other medications, etc. This is why it is important to list all herbal supplements (including vitamins) along with prescriptions and OTC meds at the docs and when asking a pharmicist for advise. Herbal remedies are part of pharmacology.

I have not had any side effects with Melatonin, but certainly believe something like this could happen. Knowing what (if any) other kinds of meds your friend takes would be helpful.

Another question is, did friend stop taking other medication to change to melatonin?

My hallucinations have been worst when stopping a medication.

Leigh · 07-20-2010, 03:07 PM

Hi everyone

I sometimes use melatonin, but for Me it doesn't interfere with My other meds thank goodness. I do find though that even on the nights that I do take something to help Me sleep, I'm often either tossing and turning or I just can't get to sleep!!!

JustBeingMe · 07-22-2010, 12:56 AM

A few years ago, I worked funky shifts while working for GoodYear Tire and Rubber company as a quality control technician. I would work nights, days, second shifts, splits, whatever they made me work. I tried taking melatonin to help me sleep but I had night terrors when I took it and I would waked up all the time on it. It wasn't that great at helping me to fall asleep and the only two meds I took where for blood pressure and high cholesterol. It didn't interfere with them either. SO my doctor back then, put me on ambien to help me sleep. It helped me get drowsy enough to fall asleep. If I didn't get at least 8 hrs of sleep using ambien, I would wake up feeling groggy. That was the only side effect I got taking ambien.
Just my experience, and everyone's is different.
My shrink just added Trazadone to my list of meds to take along with my ambien to help me Remain asleep because I am full of anxiety in my mind and can't shut it down to stay asleep once I fall asleep. I hope it works and doesn't make me feel like a zombie taking both together.
Ok, done here rattling on.
I hope everyone is having a better week.

friskyfemme · 07-22-2010, 11:04 PM

My favorite sleep aid is Benadryl. My brother who takes several psycotrophic has taken in for extended periods of time for sleep to my knowledge there isn't a med is contraindicated to take with it. My mom who is a heart patient also take Benadryl to sleep. I don't take meds myself and I usually meditate to relax for sleep but...

When I couldn't sleep while visiting my mom, I took one and it worked! The best thing is there is no drogginess the next morning. I was hooked on Benadryl (figuratively). I have also taken Melatonin but it didn't work for me.

tuffboi29 · 07-28-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Another question is, did friend stop taking other medication to change to melatonin?

My hallucinations have been worst when stopping a medication.

Hon you may not be hallucinating...you may be suffering from flashbacks.
Maybe have that looked into?
I thought i was hallucinating for years just to find out I was having flashbacks.
Just a suggestion, ok?

07-20-2010, 09:47 AM	#2
SoftSilver Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rose cottage Posts: 5,592 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,948 Thanked 15,894 Times in 4,062 Posts Rep Power*: 21474857	I finally fell asleep at a decent hour and was up at 9 AM! Now lets see if I can do this two days in a row. Melatonin...I have a friend who tried using it but it gave her hallucinations. She saw things move in the patterns of the wallpaper. Has anyone else experienced this or something like it on melatonin? __________________ Pole bachit, a lis chuye. The field sees, the forest hears

07-20-2010, 01:59 PM	#7
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,362 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	We are planning to go to the reunion since it is really close and not in a major crazy city. Las Vegas is to. much for either of us. The sounds and lights walking through the casino alone were to much for me. I will (as usual) likely spend quite a bit of time alone or with Cynthia, but when I can, I do want to visit with friends in a neutral setting. I am thrilled that so many of the events are in the hotel so I can go up to the room when overwhelmed. I love hotels and have always wanted to stay at a Peabody. __________________

07-22-2010, 12:56 AM	#11
JustBeingMe Senior Member How Do You Identify?: as ME Relationship Status: I don't need no stinking status. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: somewhere you're not..... Posts: 1,808 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,961 Thanked 1,690 Times in 694 Posts Rep Power: 12813869	A few years ago, I worked funky shifts while working for GoodYear Tire and Rubber company as a quality control technician. I would work nights, days, second shifts, splits, whatever they made me work. I tried taking melatonin to help me sleep but I had night terrors when I took it and I would waked up all the time on it. It wasn't that great at helping me to fall asleep and the only two meds I took where for blood pressure and high cholesterol. It didn't interfere with them either. SO my doctor back then, put me on ambien to help me sleep. It helped me get drowsy enough to fall asleep. If I didn't get at least 8 hrs of sleep using ambien, I would wake up feeling groggy. That was the only side effect I got taking ambien. Just my experience, and everyone's is different. My shrink just added Trazadone to my list of meds to take along with my ambien to help me Remain asleep because I am full of anxiety in my mind and can't shut it down to stay asleep once I fall asleep. I hope it works and doesn't make me feel like a zombie taking both together. Ok, done here rattling on. I hope everyone is having a better week. __________________ Nothing more, Nothing less, I'm Just Being Me

07-22-2010, 11:04 PM	#12
friskyfemme Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: precious Relationship Status: down to earth Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 332 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 395 Thanked 370 Times in 152 Posts Rep Power: 828	My favorite sleep aid is Benadryl. My brother who takes several psycotrophic has taken in for extended periods of time for sleep to my knowledge there isn't a med is contraindicated to take with it. My mom who is a heart patient also take Benadryl to sleep. I don't take meds myself and I usually meditate to relax for sleep but... When I couldn't sleep while visiting my mom, I took one and it worked! The best thing is there is no drogginess the next morning. I was hooked on Benadryl (figuratively). I have also taken Melatonin but it didn't work for me. __________________ Love and Light, FF

07-20-2010, 01:40 PM	#5
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	This is not an easy thing to live with in the sense that it affects almost every aspect of my life. It's changed me in ways that scare me, in ways that make me feel that I'll never get me back. I've changed for the worse I believe; ways that I'm ashamed to admit.

07-20-2010, 01:49 PM	#6
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	On another topic, no...I'm not going to the reunion. Even if I could go, I wouldn't for no other reason than it's just not my thing. You'd generally find me sitting alone somewhere drinking and watching other people. I quit dancing years ago and I'm real quiet in person—mistaken for being aloof. It's just how I am. But for those of you who are going, I hope you have a great time.

07-20-2010, 03:07 PM	#10
Leigh Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, etc Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 7,767 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,029 Thanked 13,024 Times in 4,784 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Hi everyone I sometimes use melatonin, but for Me it doesn't interfere with My other meds thank goodness. I do find though that even on the nights that I do take something to help Me sleep, I'm often either tossing and turning or I just can't get to sleep!!!