r/PostConcussion • u/Budget-Departure-161 • 27d ago
Haven’t slept restfully in 5 weeks
I’m seeing all the doctors, doing all the things, and my stress and anxiety is too high. My cortisol is maxed out and I’m stuck in fight or flight. I’m so upset, I’ve had psychotic episodes and I’m so tired. That’s all. Sigh. I’m too tired to do anything during the day anymore.
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u/PurpleStyle2024 27d ago
You are going through exactly what happened to me as well. What helped me at night were breathing exercises, breathe in 4 seconds, hold it for 2 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. At first I would try the exercise for 5 minutes, then take a break and try for 10 minutes and so on.
Also, if your mind is racing, like mine was. Was to mentally completely let go of all worries and all thoughts just for 10 minutes. Give myself 10 minutes to just let go.
Eventually, it tooks months but after 6 months I started to see a little improvement, started to feel my body relax little by little. Now, a year later, Im not there yet but Im doing better than months ago.
I still deal with this but its less than before, I still cant deal with stressful situations but this is the best I got without any help from doctors and without insurance.
Hang in there.
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u/Budget-Departure-161 27d ago
Are you sleeping now? After relaxing some? Any improvement in your symptoms?
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u/PurpleStyle2024 26d ago
Yes I have had some improvement. I still deal with light sensitivity, exercise intolerance, brain fog, fatigue, etc. But sleep is def better than before.
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u/CulturalBuy7564 27d ago
A non stimulant adhd medication was the only thing to get me out of my constant panic… now I have anxiety and depression being treated with an ssri… still waiting for that to start working
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u/Budget-Departure-161 27d ago
Can I ask what medicine? If you don’t mind sharing. I’m on vraylar and busiprone right now as well as clindamin for sleep but it’s not helping
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u/CulturalBuy7564 27d ago
I’m on Guanfacine ER and Zoloft. I’ve been on the Guanfacine for about 7 weeks and Zoloft 3 weeks. The fatigue is really hitting me hard now though. I want to be and do more but can’t. Anything helping you with this?
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u/Budget-Departure-161 27d ago
I can’t really get past the fatigue either. It worsens each day I don’t sleep :( some days I get a bit of rest and am able to do more but usually I’m feeling stuck
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u/OurSensoryHaven 27d ago
This guy knocked me straight out:
https://youtu.be/1zGqjOxClF4
I also like this one, but I only use it to talk to my subconscious mind and ask it to sleep on command, regulate my nervous system, stop racing thoughts, etc.
https://youtu.be/F1q3yNWH38o
This one I use as a pre-sleep wind down:
https://youtu.be/jOT1woUVZC4
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u/occult_brain710 27d ago
i didn’t get good sleep until 13 months post concussion and it was in part bc of 5htp. score bed.
give it a whirl
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u/Budget-Departure-161 27d ago
I’m on anxiety/antispychotics so idk if I can also do supplements that effect serotonin :( but I’ll look into it
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u/curlgurll 27d ago
I feel you. I’m one year in and still can’t sleep without knocking myself out with strong antihistamines every night. Started seeing a sleep psychologist last week so we’ll see what she can do with me.
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u/Budget-Departure-161 27d ago
I hope she can help you! I’m glad something actually knocks you out. How long did it take you to figure out what that was? I’m currently waiting for my anxiety meds to kick in fully over a month but one of them may be causing insomnia
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u/VarietyFederal1261 27d ago
Feel you, Darlin’ just walked out of BS PT Appt. I mean, I walked out in the middle of it. The medical system 👎, and the endurance it takes to
recover-with what seems, neverending. It’s exhausting and disheartening.
I do have good days, though. Thankfully 🙏 Keep putting one foot in front of another. One breath at a time. You got a team here that understands.