Insomnia anyone?

NDGOIRISH · July 2013

Hi gals, I'm having a HECK of a time dealing with the sudden onset of insomnia. Pretty much since this time last week I've gotten little to no sleep every night. It has me so worked up my whole body is in knots and I'm worrying non-stop. I literally can't even lay in my bed without feeling the sudden urge to get up and pace around. My dr gave me a prescription for Ambien and Zoloft (for the anxiety I'm feeling), but I'm scared to take the Ambien especially. I just don't ever take meds like that and I'm scared of what it might do to me with side effects, etc. I was hoping for something more immediate for the anxiety than Zoloft, which sounds like it takes weeks to work!

I'm 31 weeks today and should be extremely happy, but I just can't be with how awful I'm feeling.

Have any of you struggled with this? What did you do?

mamatotwins0812 · July 2013

I didn't sleep at all I feel like the last 8-10 weeks of my pregnancy. Part of it was my mind racing but it was more so that I couldn't get comfortable, ever, so I would just toss and turn. I always joked that its natures way of getting us used to sleepless nights Once the babies arrive. I never took anything for it so can't give you any advice there but maybe you can try a short nap during the day for extra energy? That could end up messing with getting sleep at night even more, but maybe it could help? Good luck, you're almost there!

Wishing35 · July 2013

I have a hard time sleeping now mostly from discomfort, in the past though I have had periods of mind racing and anxiety due to not sleeping. I've never taken Zoloft but I have been on Ambien. I'm sure everyone reacts to it differently but I was fine with it, I would only take half a pill and it did the trick. My husband took it on occasion and while it did help him sleep he had very weird dreams, and almost every time he would try to have sex with me and not remember a thing!
If you are worried about the Ambien have you asked your Dr. About trying benedryl first? Also if your lack of sleep is causing the anxiety maybe you could hold off on the Zoloft to see how you feel after a few good nights of sleep? Obviously your Dr. thinks the benefits outweigh the risks, but if you could avoid taking it unless needed all the better. From what I understand it is not the type of medecine you can quit cold turkey you have to be weaned off of it.

ktjruss03 · July 2013

I feel your pain. I am 33 weeks and haven't had a good night's sleep for at least the past 3 weeks. I take one benedryl if I am desperate and it works alright without any side effects. I still wake up a bunch to pee and from discomfort but if helps me fall back asleep. This is what my doctor recommended and it does help some.

Wishing35 · July 2013

I just noticed your username, DH is a big ND fan we got to see them play last Sept in Ireland it was awesome!

CNYBride05 · July 2013

The issue with anything fast acting for anxiety is that it's likely to be in the benzodiazepine family which is ok if absolute necessary during pregnancy, but addictive and not ideal. Zoloft can take 4-6w for full therapeutic effect, but some people feel less anxious within a week or 2.

Ambien is pretty gentle. I've taken it a few times and it definitely helps with sleep. You could also try Unisom (half a tiny blue pill was more than enough for me) - it is used for nausea during pregnancy, but also is a sleep aid (and OTC). I felt a little groggy the morning after, but nothing too terrible.

Hope you get some rest soon!

hayleydeee · July 2013

I had insomnia SO bad! I spent a week in the hospital for preterm labor, and the nurses were giving me 2 Ambiens a night. Then they'd be so surprised to come in an hour later and see me wide awake and bright eyed!

If you're feeling restless, try taking Cal-mag supplements. They really helped me because I was having problems with Restless Leg syndrome. Also, I'm not sure if it's safe during pregnancy, but you might ask for Xanax. It works immediately for anxiety.

Be sure to take the Zoloft in the morning, it can keep some people awake.

CNYBride05 · July 2013

hayleydeee:
Also, I'm not sure if it's safe during pregnancy, but you might ask for Xanax. It works immediately for anxiety.
Be sure to take the Zoloft in the morning, it can keep some people awake.

Xanax is highly dependency building, as are all fast acting anti-anxiety meds (see my earlier response).

Zoloft can cause activation for some (thus taking it in the morning can be helpful), but can cause sedation for some. It's important to have a provider who can work with you on dose and time of day.

NDGOIRISH · July 2013

Just wanted to say thank you to all you ladies who chimed-in! I took the 1/2 Ambien each night and it has done the trick... my anxiety levels are getting back to normal without the Zoloft. I decided against taking it at this point b/c I didn't really see the benefit of it working in 2-6 weeks. I'm going to be very aware of PPD depression since I've experience this, which can't be a bad thing.

I have to just praise all of us MOM's and MOM's-to-be... this is a tough business!

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