Sleep Disorder

I slept seven hours, woke up still exhausted, but couldn't get back to sleep. I need to figure out this sleep disorder. I was googling the effects of sleep deprivation, and I saw that you can't catch up on just a few good nights of sleep--and seven hours is not a good night of sleep for someone with MS.

But I don't think I have a sleep disorder, per se. The more I think about it and pay attention to how I'm feeling, the more I believe that I have an anxiety disorder, which is affecting my sleep. I usually fall asleep fine. I did take more than an hour to fall asleep last night (after taking 5 mg of Ambien), but typically I'm asleep within 15 minutes. The problem is that I can't stay asleep all night. Thoughts keep me awake.

I'm worried about the habit-forming effects of Ambien. I really don't want to take it, but seven hours of sleep is certainly better than four.

Hopefully Lexapro will help. I took the first one last night. It takes a few weeks for it to start working. I would like to try therapy, though, because I hate to rely on pharmaceuticals. And I am planning to decide on a firm bedtime and stick to it, maybe develop a routine, and try some lavender oil. Can't hurt to try.

Today I have felt nauseated, achy, tired, sinus headache, and had a bit of a cough. And hypersensitivity through the roof. I wonder if I have a cold or flu. I think it might have started yesterday and I just assumed it was the MS. I took some non-drowsy cold/flu medicine a little over an hour ago. My aches are tons better, I'm not coughing, and I feel more awake. I guess we'll see how the day progresses. Of course I do NOT want to be sick on top of everything, but I would be relieved if it's not the MS making me feel this badly. I can't do anything right now, because I'm exhausted and feel crappy.

Sleep deprivation affects not only your energy level but also your cognition. It can make you forgetful and have difficulty processing things. I have that anyway! I feel like I need to get the anxiety and sleep under control so that I can sort out how much is the sleep problem and how much is MS.