
Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

Question: Hi, I can't lie still at night and feel like I can't breath and can't sleep.
Brief Answer:
Please answer this questions!
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena.
I read carefully your query.
In order to give you a professional opinion I need you to be more specific for ex.:
-You feel like you can't breath only at night when you lye down or at any position?
-How long has this been going on?
-Is your blood pressure controlled?In what numbest does it stay for most of the time?
-How long have you suffered Hypertension?
-Have you ever done cardiac check up?
Waiting for your answer.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena
Please answer this questions!
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena.
I read carefully your query.
In order to give you a professional opinion I need you to be more specific for ex.:
-You feel like you can't breath only at night when you lye down or at any position?
-How long has this been going on?
-Is your blood pressure controlled?In what numbest does it stay for most of the time?
-How long have you suffered Hypertension?
-Have you ever done cardiac check up?
Waiting for your answer.
Regards!
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


1. Mainly at night I feel a little bit week and faint during the day.
2. This has been going on for a year or so. However, I have had insomnia all my life. I use to take Ellivel and it worked very well, but it quit working after a few years and nothing else I have tried worked sense.
3. Yes, I take Norvasc. The systolic is in the mid twenties and the diastolic is near 90.
4. My hypertension was discovered about 20 years ago.
5. Sleep apnea was ruled out. EKG is normal.
I often feel like I can't stay awake and can't fall asleep at the same time.
2. This has been going on for a year or so. However, I have had insomnia all my life. I use to take Ellivel and it worked very well, but it quit working after a few years and nothing else I have tried worked sense.
3. Yes, I take Norvasc. The systolic is in the mid twenties and the diastolic is near 90.
4. My hypertension was discovered about 20 years ago.
5. Sleep apnea was ruled out. EKG is normal.
I often feel like I can't stay awake and can't fall asleep at the same time.
Brief Answer:
2D echo needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read carefully the details you send to me.
Since you suffer insomnia it is understanding that during the day you will feel weak,faint and fatigue because you didn't get enough sleep.
The thing that worries me in the answers above (if you write it OK) is that your blood pressure for most of the time is 200/90 mmHg and in this case it is considered very high and it can be the cause of this difficulty breathing when you lie down.
You need to consult your cardiologist so he can change your treatment in order to control your blood pressure and try to keep it near the normal range (120/80 mmHg).
I also would suggest to do an heart ultrasound/2d Echo (although your ECG was normal) because you suffer hypertension for 20 years and this can cause heart hypertrophy (left ventricular hypertrophy)
Left ventricular hypertrophy is enlargement (hypertrophy) of the muscle tissue that makes up the wall of your heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricular hypertrophy).
Left ventricular hypertrophy develops in response to some factor, such as high blood pressure, that requires the left ventricle to work harder.It can cause shortness of breath,dizziness or fainting.
If you had done an heart ultrasound and it results normal,another possible cause I can think of your difficulty breathing when you lie XXXXXXX apart high blood pressure and heart hypertrophy is gastroesophageal reflux disease and in this case taking antiacids or PPI drugs such as Pantoprazol can relieve your symptoms.
I suggest to discuss with your treating doctor for these possible causes.
There are many causes that can cause insomnia such as stress,anxiety,medical conditions like arthritis,acid reflux etc.
Suffering from arthritis complicate your sleep problem.
You can try combining drugs for sleep with some lifestyle changes and some behavioral techniques. such as:
-Good sleep habits which include having a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulating activities before bed, and having a comfortable sleep environment.
-Cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake.
-Relaxation techniques. Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and breathing exercises are ways to reduce anxiety at bedtime.
-Light therapy. If you fall asleep too early and then awaken too early, you can use light to push back your internal clock. You can go outside during times of the year when it's light outside in the evenings, or you can get light via a medical-grade light box.
-You also need to do exercises during day to improve your sleep.Don't use drinks that contain caffeine,eat at least 3-4 hours before going to bed.
Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically.
I suggest to consult your doctor and discuss for new ways of treating your insomnia.Now a day are specialized sleep centers that can help you with your problem.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me back,I will be happy to help you.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
2D echo needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read carefully the details you send to me.
Since you suffer insomnia it is understanding that during the day you will feel weak,faint and fatigue because you didn't get enough sleep.
The thing that worries me in the answers above (if you write it OK) is that your blood pressure for most of the time is 200/90 mmHg and in this case it is considered very high and it can be the cause of this difficulty breathing when you lie down.
You need to consult your cardiologist so he can change your treatment in order to control your blood pressure and try to keep it near the normal range (120/80 mmHg).
I also would suggest to do an heart ultrasound/2d Echo (although your ECG was normal) because you suffer hypertension for 20 years and this can cause heart hypertrophy (left ventricular hypertrophy)
Left ventricular hypertrophy is enlargement (hypertrophy) of the muscle tissue that makes up the wall of your heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricular hypertrophy).
Left ventricular hypertrophy develops in response to some factor, such as high blood pressure, that requires the left ventricle to work harder.It can cause shortness of breath,dizziness or fainting.
If you had done an heart ultrasound and it results normal,another possible cause I can think of your difficulty breathing when you lie XXXXXXX apart high blood pressure and heart hypertrophy is gastroesophageal reflux disease and in this case taking antiacids or PPI drugs such as Pantoprazol can relieve your symptoms.
I suggest to discuss with your treating doctor for these possible causes.
There are many causes that can cause insomnia such as stress,anxiety,medical conditions like arthritis,acid reflux etc.
Suffering from arthritis complicate your sleep problem.
You can try combining drugs for sleep with some lifestyle changes and some behavioral techniques. such as:
-Good sleep habits which include having a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulating activities before bed, and having a comfortable sleep environment.
-Cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake.
-Relaxation techniques. Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and breathing exercises are ways to reduce anxiety at bedtime.
-Light therapy. If you fall asleep too early and then awaken too early, you can use light to push back your internal clock. You can go outside during times of the year when it's light outside in the evenings, or you can get light via a medical-grade light box.
-You also need to do exercises during day to improve your sleep.Don't use drinks that contain caffeine,eat at least 3-4 hours before going to bed.
Sleep is as important to your health as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Whatever your reason for sleep loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically.
I suggest to consult your doctor and discuss for new ways of treating your insomnia.Now a day are specialized sleep centers that can help you with your problem.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me back,I will be happy to help you.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


I believe you have done all you can do. Just one more question. Would tranquilizer help?
Brief Answer:
125/90 mmHg is normal so your medication is OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
In this case a blood pressure of 125/90 mmHg is normal so your medication is OK.
If the difficulty breathing when you lie down keep happening to you please consult your doctor and discuss with him the possibilities I write above.
To answer your question the studies has shown that Z drugs such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien) are effective in treating insomnia.
Self-medication should be strictly avoided so I suggest to discuss the better option for you with your treating doctor.
I wish I could do more for you.
Wish you a good XXXXXXX and good luck in your examinations.
Regards
Dr.Rovena
125/90 mmHg is normal so your medication is OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
In this case a blood pressure of 125/90 mmHg is normal so your medication is OK.
If the difficulty breathing when you lie down keep happening to you please consult your doctor and discuss with him the possibilities I write above.
To answer your question the studies has shown that Z drugs such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien) are effective in treating insomnia.
Self-medication should be strictly avoided so I suggest to discuss the better option for you with your treating doctor.
I wish I could do more for you.
Wish you a good XXXXXXX and good luck in your examinations.
Regards
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Very well, thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Best Regards.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
It was my pleasure answering your questions.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Best Regards.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
It was my pleasure answering your questions.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

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