Struggling with Sleepless Nights for Years
Greetings! I apologize for the lengthy message, but I want to provide enough context. Allow me to introduce myself briefly. I’m a 25-year-old female, standing at 5'4" and weighing around 200 pounds. My weight is distributed fairly evenly, leading me to identify as midsize; I’m not classified as obese or what most would term ‘overweight,’ just slightly above average. I'm committed to working out three times a week, focusing on half an hour of cardio followed by weight training, as I aim to shed some weight and sculpt my muscles. Recently, I've taken steps to enhance my eating habits; for a long time, I often dined out about five times a week due to the demands of my highly stressful job, which involved nearly a 12-hour workday for two years while working with children and families. Though my current position is still demanding, it doesn’t compare to the stress I endured before. I’m on birth control, Junel FE, and have been since 2020. I deal with diagnosed OCD and anxiety but am currently not on any medication, though I believe I might benefit from it. I was previously prescribed fluvoxamine and bupropion, but I disliked the side effects, which led me to discontinue them. I was also given Zoloft, which I similarly found intolerable due to its effects on my libido. My sex drive diminished dramatically, which was particularly frustrating at 23. I also have IBS and use vape products. For my anxiety and racing thoughts, I rely on THCA. At night, I resort to taking 10 mg of melatonin to help me fall asleep—acknowledging that this may not be the healthiest choice, but I'm feeling out of options. I am at a loss regarding my sleep issues. This has persisted for as long as I can remember throughout adulthood. I genuinely cannot recall the last time I experienced a full night’s sleep. I’ve experimented with various sleep strategies—refraining from melatonin for a while, taking it, avoiding THCA, changing my sleeping attire, alternating between having the television on or off, trying different blankets, adjusting the room temperature, and switching pillows. Yet, I still struggle to maintain sleep and find myself fatigued throughout the day. I usually start my bedtime routine around 8:30 PM, shower, then lie in bed with my husband (who effortlessly drifts off) until 11 PM when I finally give in and take a melatonin. I fall asleep quickly, but like clockwork, I awaken repeatedly: at 1:30 AM, 3:00 AM, 4:30 AM, and 6:45 AM, just before my alarm goes off at 7 AM. Strangely, I find it easier to fall back asleep in the morning than at bedtime. Furthermore, I often wake up to find the sheets soaked in sweat around my hips and legs. It’s not urine; I’ve checked—there’s no smell. I sleep naked and don’t wake up feeling hot; rather, I am cold because I’m lying in my own sweat. Our thermostat is set to 70°F and I often use a fan, yet I’m still at a loss. I’m unsure whether my next step should involve a doctor or a psychiatrist. I’m frightened about what they might find—part of me worries they’ll say something alarming about my health, which I would prefer to avoid. All I desire is a restful night of sleep! I would appreciate any advice and insights before I visit a healthcare professional; I plan to consult one soon. Thanks for your understanding!
Answers (1)
3/24/2025, 12:01:04 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that dealing with long-term sleep issues can be incredibly frustrating, especially given your background with anxiety and OCD. Your experiences with waking up frequently and dealing with night sweats, alongside your efforts to improve your sleep hygiene, highlight how complex sleep can be. Let’s address your main concerns and provide some actionable steps as you prepare for your healthcare visit.
Main Points:
- Persistent Sleep Disruptions: Frequent waking throughout the night and difficulty maintaining sleep.
- Night Sweats: Experiencing sweating while sleeping, even when feeling cold.
- Potential Anxiety and Medication Enhancements: Your previous struggles with medications and current unmedicated status may be contributing to sleep issues.
Explanation:
Your sleep disturbances could stem from several factors, including anxiety, potential side effects of your lifestyle choices (like nighttime use of THCA), and hormonal fluctuations possibly related to your birth control. Night sweats can also indicate a variety of conditions, ranging from hormonal changes to anxiety-related responses in your body.
It’s significant to consider that anxiety can perpetuate sleep issues, creating a cycle that's challenging to break. The melatonin can help initially, but it may not address the underlying causes of frequent awakenings and night sweats.
Next Steps:
Here are prioritized actions you can take while preparing to see a healthcare professional:
-
Keep a Sleep Diary: For the next week or two, keep a log of your sleep patterns. Note down:
- What time you go to bed and wake up
- Any awakenings during the night
- Activities before bed (like using THCA or watching TV)
- Feelings upon waking (tired, refreshed, etc.) This will provide valuable insights for your doctor.
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Monitor Night Sweats: Pay attention to when these occur and any patterns you notice (such as stress levels, diet, etc.). Share this information with your healthcare provider, as it may help identify underlying issues.
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Reassess Melatonin Use: While melatonin can be effective, consider using it less frequently and only when you really need help falling asleep. Experiment with other relaxation techniques before sleep such as deep-breathing exercises, guided meditation, or gentle stretching.
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Review Your Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is optimized for sleep. Despite the temperature setting, consider variables such as bedding materials (try breathable fabrics), the comfort of your mattress, or even the addition of a white noise machine if noise is a disturbance.
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Consider Professional Help: Since you’ve identified that you might benefit from medication, book an appointment with either a primary care doctor or a psychiatrist. Share your history and current concerns frankly; they may propose alternatives or therapies that do not carry the side effects you previously experienced.
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Lifestyle Adjustments: Since you’re already exercising and focusing on healthier eating, keep that up but also consider avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and limiting alcohol, as both can disrupt sleep.
Reassurance:
It's essential to remember that exploring these sleep issues with a healthcare provider can help you find effective solutions tailored for you. Being open about your fears regarding your health and previous medication experiences will allow your provider to support you better. You are not alone in this, and a path to better sleep is very much within reach!
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or need further guidance along the way.
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