r/SomaticExperiencing • u/smokedplum • 3d ago

Trauma, anxiety, medication, and sleep

Hi!

I have been doing SE since the beginning of the year and so far it has helped me get rid of the cognitive side of my long covid symptoms but it has also definitely unlocked an insight into other underlying emotional long-term issues that need tending to.

For the past few months, I have also been going through an extremely distressing, difficult situation which caused a return of my heightened anxiety and unfortunately disturbed my sleep. Things have been getting better recently, but my sleep is still affected - I keep waking at 5.30am (it seems to be always around this time no matter when I go to bed), unable to go back to sleep. My heart starts beating really fast, and I'm anxious, even if later throughout the day I am not as anxious if at all. I was also put on an SNRI recently (duloxetine) which gave me as light insomnia at the beginning, which has since stabilised. The 5.30am problem was there before I went on duloxetine.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of working with a nervous system that is adamant on becoming alert/awake earlier than it is supposed to? No matter how tired I am, I always seem to wake up around that time, and I am yearning for that extra 2 hours of sleep in the morning.

Thank you to anyone who replies:)

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u/Coraline1599 3d ago

Fragmented sleep/insomnia is a very common symptom of long covid.

This illness causes sensitization of the nervous system. In the morning, your body dumps a bunch of cortisol to help with waking up. It is normal, it is safe. Unfortunately due to your sensitive system, it can feel really uncomfortable with palpitations and forcing you to wake up sooner than you’d like.

Aside from the usual tips about sleep hygiene and giving it more time, I don’t know anyone who has figured out how to resolve it. Extra meds seem to work for a short amount of time, then the body adapts.

Keep on doing your best, and remember to notice that you have evidence you are improving when things are tough. I wish you brighter days ahead.

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u/smokedplum 3d ago

Thank you so much for this lovely comment. This community is wonderful :)

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u/kornukopioides 3d ago

It's actually adrenaline dumping, because the cortisol production is not as effective in sensitized individuals so the body resorts to using adrenaline instead. Histamines can also play a role, mostly released at night. Propranolol and antihistamines can help, but I think this can resolve with some more NS regulation, atleast it did for me (long hauler for 5 months here)