I forgot to mention in my last post that, the night I took the larger dose of Tizanidine, I woke up sitting naked on the kitchen floor, panting and wild-eyed in terror with no idea what was going on. My husband and dogs were standing around me wondering if I was okay. I had pulled off my Zeo headband and my cpap mask and still had the tape on my mouth (that I use to stop the cpap air from escaping). I have been sleeping in our basement room and I had managed to get out of bed, open the bedroom door, go up the stairs, open the basement door and make it to the kitchen before I woke up. I know I had a horrific nightmare ~ demons whispering in my ears etc. ~ but it has been a long time since I walked that far while still asleep (I used to do it quite a bit as a kid). The experience kind of turned me off Tizanidine. Melatonin also exacerbates my nightmares, but I still take it. I’ve taken 1/2 of a Unisom (12.5mg) the last 2 nights and slept much better, but today I am very, very groggy, so I’m going try Trazodone again. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart 
I’m sorry that happens — it sounds scary. Melatonin gives me nightmares too.
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I think about your sleep ritual all the time! “If Jackie can get 10 hours, I can!” But I can’t. I will always try, though. I have been taking baths in the evenings sometimes and I am considering a micro-dose of Xanax the next time my sleep disappears. For now, I have slept well for TEN nights in a row!!!
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I want to believe the lack of sleep was NOT due to the lovely outings with your very sensitive and loving Bowie.
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I want to believe that, too, Momma!
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Could have been from the excitement…or could be body’s response to trying something new.
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Absolutely. I went for a “walk” again today, so we’ll see what happens!
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Oh my! That sounds terrifying. I’m coming to the point where I’m going to have to change the medications I take and I’m scared. Your story is just one example of the strange and terrifying effects meds can have on a person.
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And I have only just buckled to taking sleep drugs after a few years of hell. It just reinforces the fear of trying anything!
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I refuse prescription sleep medications. But so many other people take them. I fall asleep ok with anti-anxiety medication, which took me years and years to finally give into. Having ME causes anxiety, in my opinion! So much time is spent thinking things like “why do I feel worse today? What did I do today that was different than yesterday? Oh gosh, if I do this today how will this affect me tomorrow. Oh can’t talk to anyone today, I have to go to a dr appointment tomorrow, if I do this, I won’t be able to make it there”.. and other thoughts like that..
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Exactly! That’s exactly what my brain sounds like. I feel sorry for us. Wouldn’t it be so nice to be thinking, “I love owning my house outright” or “where will I go on vacation?” or “that pizza was delicious” or “I think I’ll go out dancing tonight and have a few cocktails” or “what a great hike!” Haha 😉
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Ps do you mind mentioning what anxiety med you use to fall asleep? I was wondering if I should try Xanax…
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yes it’s Xanax .25mg a very tiny dose,most times i just take half and then if it doesn’t work I take the other half.
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Although I’ll take night terrors over headaches or anaphylaxis any day!
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Lol, ME TOO!
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Holy sh**, what a scary experience. Researchers better have answers soon.
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Well, sleep walking is no good! I’m curious what the Zeo would show during that period.
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Oh, good question! I’m guessing it will just go from REM to no data when I pulled it off my head, but I’ll see if I can find that graph.
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Oh, you’re probably right, I didn’t consider that you would pull it off your head. I’m interested in the Zeo. I might have to get one.
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Regarding the Zeo, my husband bought me a bedside unit years ago ~ they don’t seem to be available anymore. Now Zeo works through an app. I ordered one to try it, but wound up returning it and sticking with the bedside version (I had trouble with the app, but it was still worth it, I think). You can actually see much better graphs and info on a computer with the app or a website, but, for some reason, I can’t log on anymore, so I have just been taking pictures of the bedside unit. The reason I recommend it is: I may wake up thinking I had a hellish night and the Zeo says it was pretty good. Or, conversely, I don’t remember waking up, but the Zeo tells me I was in “wake” most of the night. Since I can’t trust my own perceptions, it’s really useful info.
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That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to check into that app, if I remember. It’s 5:48am here and I haven’t slept all night! I tossed n turned since midnight. I even went to CVS to buy Zquil around 8pm so I wouldn’t have this problem this time, since I went through this the night before, although I ended up alseep by 3am at least.. I HATE INSOMNIA. The nights are SO long and lonely and then I sleep through the day when everyone else I know is awake. SO LONELY!!!!
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