3 hours ago, The Dust said:

@Sara

Maybe I have an another question. Do you think that referred pain because of gastritis in one overlooked issue?? Because, you never hear any doctor or patient saying that when it comes to gastritis... On the other hand, a lot of people do have some unexplained pain...

I personally didn’t have any pain with gastritis, but I did have some burning that felt like my abdomen was on fire. However, everyone experiences things differently. For example, many people with MALS always complained of terrible abdominal pain after eating but I never had it. A lot of thing can be interconnected or overlapping, so it’s just gonna take time and persistence to figure out your particular case.

On 8/29/2026 at 12:08 AM, Sara said:

@Luke, thank you. Logically, and based on all the research I’ve done, I know you’re 100% correct. I’ve had a similar non-linear healing journey before, so you’d think I would handle it better. However, PAWS is a different beast, and every single person who is fighting through this is my hero.

Yes, it's very challenging to essentially brute force yourself to cut through it and think logically.

I still find that difficult years into this.

On 8/29/2026 at 12:08 AM, Sara said:

Keep up the good fight, Luke. Before I ever talked to you, I read some of your stuff on SA. Your encouragement and advocacy is helping so many people.

That's kind of you to say, thank you.

Update 9/1/26

Day 1 of Month 11:
I feel like I’m back at square one. My sleep has deteriorated so rapidly that I don’t know what direction to go. It’s been terrible for so long now, but I didn’t know that it could get even worse. There used to be a pattern: complete or near complete night of insomnia, then a few hours of sleep, then more predictable disruptions until the cycle started over. Now there is no reason, no trigger, just full insomnia. It’s been a week since I’ve gotten more than a few hours of sleep, a month since I was sleeping decently. I literally slept better with colicky newborns.

How is it possible to be so tired, yet unable to sleep? In the beginning, I wouldn’t feel sleepy at all, I would just eventually drift off. Now, I’m exhausted, and feel like as soon as I lay down and close my eyes that I should pass out, but I don’t. I toss and turn, occasionally drifting only to return to consciousness a few minutes later. At this point, I no longer want the sleep I could get, because I have to fight so hard for it that it’s worthless by the time I get it.

I’m so sick of reading that it’ll take years, if ever to heal from this. I’ve dealt with health issues since I was an infant, so I know how to fight, but this is entirely too much for me, my family. All of the recommendations grate on my nerves as I’ve tried them ALL. Magnesium, soft music, ear plugs, cool and dark room, low-dose melatonin, sleep hygiene. None work as it feels chemical, like there’s a switch in my brain that needs to be flipped. I’ve relied on Unisom on/off since the beginning, which I know isn’t recommended. But what other choice do I have? I HAVE to survive for my family. I’ve already tapered down to a quarter of a full dose, and last night I tried not to take it. However, after hours of rolling around, I gave in and took 15mls. I know I wouldn’t have gotten the hour I did get without it. Angie Peacock says you have to do some things that aren’t always recommended to survive and that’s where I’m at.

I don’t know how I’m going to get through this day, to care for my kids. I tried to talk to my mom, but her answer is always “go back on meds.” She can’t even listen for 10 seconds without bringing up something that’s bothering her or someone else, or looking at her phone. She will tell me that someone has it worse, or a friend of hers is having the equivalent of a bad hair day and I need to be grateful. My only other person to talk to is my husband and despite his objections otherwise, I know I will burn him out with my struggles, I can’t afford therapy or coaching.

Is this just it? My existence until my body heals or doesn’t? My faith in God has withered away into nothingness. This place is my only sounding board where I can’t burden my family. I don’t even expect a response from anyone, just the knowledge that these feelings are in the ether and not just in my head. Without the insomnia, I would wake ready for normal chaos, and all the other symptoms would be a mild annoyance to my busy day. That would be a gift from God, but he’s never liked giving me anything without me having to claw for it. What’s a terrible way to live.

Edited September 1Sep 1 by Sara

1 hour ago, Sara said:

I tried to talk to my mom, but her answer is always “go back on meds.” She can’t even listen for 10 seconds without bringing up something that’s bothering her or someone else, or looking at her phone. She will tell me that someone has it worse, or a friend of hers is having the equivalent of a bad hair day and I need to be grateful.

It's so shitty that parents can be like this. My mother never seemed to take my issues seriously either. Whenever I brought up a problem, first question "Are you taking your meds?" Every single time. They say they are listening but never actually do, just wait to respond.

My heart goes out to you @Sara . It's a shitty thing we're all in. Not sleeping is torture even if the body can get by without it. There is always that saying that God gives His toughest battles to his strongest of soldiers. But God also said to honor thy mother and father, in which doing so messed me up persoanlly...So I really understand how your faith has waned.

Continue to use this place as a sounding board cause we're the only ones who can truly understand the hell we are going through. At least we're together? I just wish there was something I or anyone could say that would make your suffering just 1% less. Acceptance and hope is all we really have left, but I do think it can move mountains given enough pressure and time.

2 hours ago, Sara said:

I feel like I’m back at square one. My sleep has deteriorated so rapidly that I don’t know what direction to go. It’s been terrible for so long now, but I didn’t know that it could get even worse. There used to be a pattern: complete or near complete night of insomnia, then a few hours of sleep, then more predictable disruptions until the cycle started over. Now there is no reason, no trigger, just full insomnia. It’s been a week since I’ve gotten more than a few hours of sleep, a month since I was sleeping decently. I literally slept better with colicky newborns.

How is it possible to be so tired, yet unable to sleep? In the beginning, I wouldn’t feel sleepy at all, I would just eventually drift off. Now, I’m exhausted, and feel like as soon as I lay down and close my eyes that I should pass out, but I don’t. I toss and turn, occasionally drifting only to return to consciousness a few minutes later. At this point, I no longer want the sleep I could get, because I have to fight so hard for it that it’s worthless by the time I get it.

I'm sorry you're in a bad wave with the insomnia @Sara. Many of us have been there. I'm not quite as bad as you, but in the last month I've maybe had 2 or 3 nights of good sleep. I completely understand the frustration of going to bed feeling exhausted and then not being able to get your brain to shut off. You're absolutely right that all the sleep hygiene in the world can't fix WD-induced insomnia. All we can do is practice acceptance and take some comfort in the knowledge that it will pass.

2 hours ago, Sara said:

Is this just it? My existence until my body heals or doesn’t? My faith in God has withered away into nothingness. This place is my only sounding board where I can’t burden my family. I don’t even expect a response from anyone, just the knowledge that these feelings are in the ether and not just in my head. Without the insomnia, I would wake ready for normal chaos, and all the other symptoms would be a mild annoyance to my busy day. That would be a gift from God, but he’s never liked giving me anything without me having to claw for it. What’s a terrible way to live.

I'm glad that you found the forum, and please vent away. All of the evidence we've gathered from the community suggests that you WILL heal. And even if it does take years, that does not mean years of living like you are today. You've already experienced better periods, and these will get longer and brighter and your waves will likely get shorter and less severe. It is completely unfair that any of us has to endure this, but you will get through it and there will be light and joy on the other side.

Angie Peacock says you have to do some things that aren’t always recommended to survive and that’s where I’m at.

Even though I’m not exactly her biggest fan, I think this is a good point.

Did you tried any herbs? Of plant essential oil capsules or something like that?

Or, maybe, tried not to eat after 12 o'clock? Or even whole day? Even though you are scared of being hungry?

6 minutes ago, The Dust said:

Even though I’m not exactly her biggest fan, I think this is a good point.

I’m curious, what reasons do you not like her? I just started watching some of her videos.

7 minutes ago, The Dust said:

Did you tried any herbs? Of plant essential oil capsules or something like that?

Or, maybe, tried not to eat after 12 o'clock? Or even whole day? Even though you are scared of being hungry?

I’ve tried multiple supplements, including 5HTP and GABA. They helped somewhat, but I felt too sensitive to them. After doing more research on them, I stopped because they just seemed like something else to withdraw from.

I actually frequently go without meals due to intermittent fasting. I’ve always been low food needs, thanks to years of stomach issues, but when I stopped the SSRI last November, my appetite tanked. There was a period of a few weeks recently where I was really hungry again, but in general food just tastes like nothing now. I actually started trying to eat more to see if my body needed fuel, but there was no difference and it felt like I was force feeding myself. It’s almost 3pm my time and the last I ate was 6pm yesterday. I can feel a niggle of hunger, but no desire to address it. Still a lesser problem to me than insomnia if that tells you where I’m at.

5 hours ago, Kahran said:

It's so shitty that parents can be like this. My mother never seemed to take my issues seriously either. Whenever I brought up a problem, first question "Are you taking your meds?" Every single time. They say they are listening but never actually do, just wait to respond.

My heart goes out to you @Sara . It's a shitty thing we're all in. Not sleeping is torture even if the body can get by without it. There is always that saying that God gives His toughest battles to his strongest of soldiers. But God also said to honor thy mother and father, in which doing so messed me up persoanlly...So I really understand how your faith has waned.

Continue to use this place as a sounding board cause we're the only ones who can truly understand the hell we are going through. At least we're together? I just wish there was something I or anyone could say that would make your suffering just 1% less. Acceptance and hope is all we really have left, but I do think it can move mountains given enough pressure and time.

@Kahran thank you for your kind response. You explained it so accurately, and I’m so sorry you too have an unsupportive parent. This battle is not for the weak and it would be so great to not feel so alone. It’s ironic too, because my mother is actually in withdrawal from Buspirone and refuses to admit it. She’s had insomnia/other symptoms from a CT in April and just thinks it’s from something else. However, I can see the signs and have tried to explain to her. She believes since she’s still on another SSRI that withdrawal doesn’t exist. Like I said, ironic.

As for being strong, I think that power left me a long time ago. I truly feel that if God wanted me to grow, he would’ve given me a period of peace, to rebuild my faith after the last trial, which lasted 20+ years by the way. I’m beyond exhausted and can’t see the purpose for this battle. I truly think it’s someone else’s turn to fight. I know that makes me very selfish, but I’m bone wary.

I am truly thankful to have this forum now. It’s nice to have community and I hope we can be friends and grow to have more hope together.

4 hours ago, SarahMc said:

I'm sorry you're in a bad wave with the insomnia @Sara. Many of us have been there. I'm not quite as bad as you, but in the last month I've maybe had 2 or 3 nights of good sleep. I completely understand the frustration of going to bed feeling exhausted and then not being able to get your brain to shut off. You're absolutely right that all the sleep hygiene in the world can't fix WD-induced insomnia. All we can do is practice acceptance and take some comfort in the knowledge that it will pass.

I'm glad that you found the forum, and please vent away. All of the evidence we've gathered from the community suggests that you WILL heal. And even if it does take years, that does not mean years of living like you are today. You've already experienced better periods, and these will get longer and brighter and your waves will likely get shorter and less severe. It is completely unfair that any of us has to endure this, but you will get through it and there will be light and joy on the other side.

@SarahMc I’m so sorry you’re also dealing with this hellish insomnia. It’s funny, because I don’t really feel like anything is on my mind, just that it won’t shut down. If I explained it to doctors, they would call it anxiety, but there’s no physical feeling that goes with it most of the time, apart from adrenaline surges that started happening two weeks ago. Those are new, yay.

Thank you for the encouragement to vent. My mother always wanted me to be happy as a child, so complaining wasn’t allowed despite having a lot to complain about. Every day had to be a happy parade, and if it wasn’t, well, I was Eeyore. Now, as a mom of three I’m having to learn how to deal with my normal emotions and teach my kids that life is both happy and sad sometimes. A hard pill to swallow, no pun intended. Well maybe a little. Lol

You saying that there is hope in the future is a great lift to my spirits, and for some brief moments in the day, I can believe it. I truly hope this terrible wave lifts soon as in nine days I will be leaving for a family vacation. We only get one year due to my husband‘s work schedule and finances, and I so dearly want to feel good for my family. Have you had waves that have lasted beyond a month before? I usually see most people talking about days to two weeks, not very often months.

Sending you a hug! I hope we can be friends and support each other in this journey.

Of course not eating isn’t even remotely as problematic as not sleeping. If I don't sleep well just one night I fell horrible, but I can feel even better even when I don't eat for days. So, yes, I completely understand you.

It's interesting that not tasting is something that I have been experiencing. It didn't happened on meds, neither after quitting. It stared later. Still, I can say is not always the same and that it is fluctuating. So far, I can say that it must be something related to stomach or stomach motility. But I one member from this forum told me that is not that rare inside after-psych-meds community. Healy also said that people with PSSD sometimes doesn't taste.

Adele Framer mentioned once that the problem with GABA is that is doesn't cross brain blood barrier. However, as I see, you didn't try any herbs that modulate GABA activity. I don't know, but for myself I can say that oregano oil capsules were so ******* sedating that I was leaving in I-don't-give-a-**** mood. Even a cup of oregano can be effective. I don't know, if it is really that hard, try any kind of sedative herb.

Ok, I do intermittent fasting. But that mean you stop eating usually around 18 pm, right?

I’m curious, what reasons do you not like her? I just started watching some of her videos.

I can't say that I don't like her. I learned a lot by watching her videos, I am just not a fan...

Thinking of you @Sara. I’m also in a terrible wave(worst wave I’ve had) after 8 months. It’s so crippling as like you, I have small children also😞

52 minutes ago, Sara said:

@SarahMc I’m so sorry you’re also dealing with this hellish insomnia. It’s funny, because I don’t really feel like anything is on my mind, just that it won’t shut down. If I explained it to doctors, they would call it anxiety, but there’s no physical feeling that goes with it most of the time, apart from adrenaline surges that started happening two weeks ago. Those are new, yay.

Ya I'm exactly the same, I'm not thinking of anything in particular it's just that my brain is still active somehow. Anxiety is its own symptom and I'm very familiar with that feeling, but that's not usually what prevents me from sleeping.

54 minutes ago, Sara said:

Thank you for the encouragement to vent. My mother always wanted me to be happy as a child, so complaining wasn’t allowed despite having a lot to complain about. Every day had to be a happy parade, and if it wasn’t, well, I was Eeyore. Now, as a mom of three I’m having to learn how to deal with my normal emotions and teach my kids that life is both happy and sad sometimes. A hard pill to swallow, no pun intended. Well maybe a little. Lol

I grew up in a house where we didn't talk much about feelings, but I'm trying to learn to be more expressive. Turns out it's important to emotional wellbeing! Haha. Glad you're teaching your kids to experience and express their full range of emotions 😊

1 hour ago, Sara said:

You saying that there is hope in the future is a great lift to my spirits, and for some brief moments in the day, I can believe it. I truly hope this terrible wave lifts soon as in nine days I will be leaving for a family vacation. We only get one year due to my husband‘s work schedule and finances, and I so dearly want to feel good for my family. Have you had waves that have lasted beyond a month before? I usually see most people talking about days to two weeks, not very often months.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get some relief before your vacation.

I've seen waves of all different lengths in other forum members, including some that have lasted beyond a month. I would say that for myself, I don't really have clear waves and windows right now. My various symptoms kind of cycle through at random and I have days when I feel a bit better and days when I feel a bit worse. Everyone is different.

1 hour ago, Sara said:

Sending you a hug! I hope we can be friends and support each other in this journey.

Hugs back! Always happy to make a new friend 😊.

58 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

Thinking of you @Sara. I’m also in a terrible wave(worst wave I’ve had) after 8 months. It’s so crippling as like you, I have small children also😞

@Johan1233

Oh, I’m so sorry! I so wish I could help you in some way. It’s a special kind of hell going through this with kids. May I ask how old yours are? I have three age 4 and under. Crazy, I know. What’s this wave been like compared to your others? If you could rate it to 10, what would it be? For example, my insomnia is 10/10 and my mental symptoms are a 7/10 for my 10 month wave. Swap the numbers and my 8th month wave was 7/10 for insomnia and 15/10 for my mental anguish. :/ So some improvement, but also torture.

If it helps, even though the wave in my 8th month was terrible, my entire 9th month was wonderful. Not perfect, but amazing nonetheless. From my reading on SA, it seems that a lot of people go through waves at either, 8, 10, or 12. I don’t remember who said it, but they said that it’s common to only have one of them. I am, unfortunately, one of the lucky ones who had 2/3 so far and if this wave keeps going I’ll count it as my 12 month too. But maybe you’ll be one of the actual lucky ones and skip the others.

9 hours ago, Sara said:

@Johan1233

Oh, I’m so sorry! I so wish I could help you in some way. It’s a special kind of hell going through this with kids. May I ask how old yours are? I have three age 4 and under. Crazy, I know. What’s this wave been like compared to your others? If you could rate it to 10, what would it be? For example, my insomnia is 10/10 and my mental symptoms are a 7/10 for my 10 month wave. Swap the numbers and my 8th month wave was 7/10 for insomnia and 15/10 for my mental anguish. :/ So some improvement, but also torture.

If it helps, even though the wave in my 8th month was terrible, my entire 9th month was wonderful. Not perfect, but amazing nonetheless. From my reading on SA, it seems that a lot of people go through waves at either, 8, 10, or 12. I don’t remember who said it, but they said that it’s common to only have one of them. I am, unfortunately, one of the lucky ones who had 2/3 so far and if this wave keeps going I’ll count it as my 12 month too. But maybe you’ll be one of the actual lucky ones and skip the others.

Hi @Sara so my eldest is almost 5(she starts school today so I’m a bit emotional) and my youngest has just turned 2. They’re amazing as I’m sure you’re children are, it helps me through the really hard times

My insomnia isn’t too bad, I would rate that about a 5-6/10. It’s getting to sleep I find the hardest part. My day time symptoms are 2-3/10, I’m finding work hard, concentration and derealisation restlessness dry mouth and loss of appetite. I suspect this was all set off from a heavy leg workout. We live and learn.

Hope today goes well for you and your wave ends soon. Xx

Hey @Sara I am so very sorry to hear how bad the sleep has gotten recently. I empthise a lot with you. Mine has gotten a bit ropey again in this wave, it has never been good since stopping Mirt.

I totally am with you on the busy brain. Not worrying, not thinking about anything in particular, just anything and everything, until for me it shuts down and goes to sleep. It just wants to play. Sometimes I get to the point where I am thinking of nothing at all, literally, and yet I am still awake, just the switch won't go. Then when it does sometimes it feels like im not asleep but I am, I can't describe it better, it's so weird.

Unfortunately there is nothing to do other than trust, accept, float and hope for a better day tomorrow. This sounds a bit negative, but for me it has been everything. If I even think about giving into the frustration I can feel how much worse that would be. Acceptance in Peace. I need that. It makes my nights so chill, even it they are still not restful sometimes or often, I know I am doing all I can and not adding to the mayhem! I get better periods, you will too.

Slowly we will heal and this will resolve for us all. I think you are doing a good job reducing the Unisom and eventually getting off it. Supplements most of the time are fixing, fixing is resisting, resisting just leads to more harm imo, either through frustration or through the act of taking a harmful or unhelpful substance.

16 hours ago, Johan1233 said:

Hi @Sara so my eldest is almost 5(she starts school today so I’m a bit emotional) and my youngest has just turned 2. They’re amazing as I’m sure you’re children are, it helps me through the really hard times

My insomnia isn’t too bad, I would rate that about a 5-6/10. It’s getting to sleep I find the hardest part. My day time symptoms are 2-3/10, I’m finding work hard, concentration and derealisation restlessness dry mouth and loss of appetite. I suspect this was all set off from a heavy leg workout. We live and learn.

Hope today goes well for you and your wave ends soon. Xx

Oh boy! I hope you and she handled it well. My daughter got her first haircut today and I got emotional so I can’t even imagine kindergarten yet. I will say, having the emotion today was a win as I’ve struggled to feel things for so long.

I’m glad things are absolutely horrid in those two departments for you and I hope it only improves from here on out. I also empathize with the other symptoms. It’s crazy how one tiny pill can impact so many factors of our bodies. I've always been into working out but he been taking it easier and even took this week off because I definitely feel more stimulated sometimes. After missing so much sleep, sometimes our bodies just need some rest even if it’s just laying on the couch.

Wishing you a better week! Get some rest!

15 hours ago, Chippy said:

Hey @Sara I am so very sorry to hear how bad the sleep has gotten recently. I empthise a lot with you. Mine has gotten a bit ropey again in this wave, it has never been good since stopping Mirt.

I totally am with you on the busy brain. Not worrying, not thinking about anything in particular, just anything and everything, until for me it shuts down and goes to sleep. It just wants to play. Sometimes I get to the point where I am thinking of nothing at all, literally, and yet I am still awake, just the switch won't go. Then when it does sometimes it feels like im not asleep but I am, I can't describe it better, it's so weird.

Unfortunately there is nothing to do other than trust, accept, float and hope for a better day tomorrow. This sounds a bit negative, but for me it has been everything. If I even think about giving into the frustration I can feel how much worse that would be. Acceptance in Peace. I need that. It makes my nights so chill, even it they are still not restful sometimes or often, I know I am doing all I can and not adding to the mayhem! I get better periods, you will too.

Slowly we will heal and this will resolve for us all. I think you are doing a good job reducing the Unisom and eventually getting off it. Supplements most of the time are fixing, fixing is resisting, resisting just leads to more harm imo, either through frustration or through the act of taking a harmful or unhelpful substance.

Hey @Chippy ! Thank you friend. I too am sorry you’re struggling. From all my reading, I’ve noticed that while insomnia is a common WD trait, that a lot of people were taking Mirt struggle with it the most/longest. Do you think it’s because it’s more sedating and works on different receptors than other meds? I believe my grandmother took it for a little while and struggled. She was very adamant I never take it when I was offered.

I absolutely understand the exact scenario you’re describing. It’s the most strange and infuriating feeling ever, because you’re not sleeping but you’re not awake. Sometimes I’m in that state for 1-3+ hours before I actually go unconscious. I totally agree about trying to accept it and be peaceful. There’s been many nights that I’ve raged at the ceiling due to frustration and it never helps. However, sometimes holding that anger in hurts me even more. It’s like my body can’t process so many different emotions at once so it just burst out of me. I can’t control it in every other scenario so I know it’s the sleep deprivation that’s getting me. Especially when I’m the only one awake in my whole house and my husband is snoring next to me. If I didn’t have a family, I’d join the military, I’m always awake anyways so their sleep test wouldn’t hurt me. Lol.

Thank you for your encouragement with the Unisom. I broke down last night and took an extra 5mls than usual because I was so desperate. I’m going to be working more diligently about getting off it, because I truly don’t think it helps that much except for in my mind. In withdrawal, we either sleep or we don’t and there’s not much that can impact that at this point.

Hoping you have a more restful week!

7 hours ago, Sara said:

Hey @Chippy ! Thank you friend. I too am sorry you’re struggling. From all my reading, I’ve noticed that while insomnia is a common WD trait, that a lot of people were taking Mirt struggle with it the most/longest. Do you think it’s because it’s more sedating and works on different receptors than other meds? I believe my grandmother took it for a little while and struggled. She was very adamant I never take it when I was offered.

Thanks, It's ok, Im moving forwards, just some days it doesn't feel like it. Yes Mirt is a dirty drug. Those who have not been on it have a very different experience. Mirt sufferers tend to have a lot of physical symptoms too, and of course the sleep..... Your Grandmother did you a kind thing there, you don't want to add that to the mix for sure!

7 hours ago, Sara said:

I absolutely understand the exact scenario you’re describing. It’s the most strange and infuriating feeling ever, because you’re not sleeping but you’re not awake. Sometimes I’m in that state for 1-3+ hours before I actually go unconscious. I totally agree about trying to accept it and be peaceful. There’s been many nights that I’ve raged at the ceiling due to frustration and it never helps. However, sometimes holding that anger in hurts me even more. It’s like my body can’t process so many different emotions at once so it just burst out of me. I can’t control it in every other scenario so I know it’s the sleep deprivation that’s getting me. Especially when I’m the only one awake in my whole house and my husband is snoring next to me. If I didn’t have a family, I’d join the military, I’m always awake anyways so their sleep test wouldn’t hurt me. Lol.

Yeah it can be frustrating, I just live in my little bubble and ignore what else if going on around me. I am lucky as I don't have an neuro emotions anymore and can lie still for long periods of time without feeling stressed about it. I know some get quite restless and that must be very hard indeed.

I think we have already joined the our own fight so no need to enlist on another one! One big army here for sure! lol

7 hours ago, Sara said:

Thank you for your encouragement with the Unisom. I broke down last night and took an extra 5mls than usual because I was so desperate. I’m going to be working more diligently about getting off it, because I truly don’t think it helps that much except for in my mind. In withdrawal, we either sleep or we don’t and there’s not much that can impact that at this point.

It is a pleasure, I am glad it helped and you didn't feel I was shaming you, this was of course not the intention, we all have to do what we think is best, however I agree I think anything like this is not a good move and makes things worse, potentially at least anyway. Just ease your way off it, it will help get your brain used to it not being there, from both a chemical perspective and a psychological one too.

You are correct, in WD we sleep as much as the WD lets us, unfortunately..... We have to just radically accept this. It truly is the key to all of this.

On 9/1/2026 at 3:34 PM, The Dust said:

Of course not eating isn’t even remotely as problematic as not sleeping. If I don't sleep well just one night I fell horrible, but I can feel even better even when I don't eat for days. So, yes, I completely understand you.

It's interesting that not tasting is something that I have been experiencing. It didn't happened on meds, neither after quitting. It stared later. Still, I can say is not always the same and that it is fluctuating. So far, I can say that it must be something related to stomach or stomach motility. But I one member from this forum told me that is not that rare inside after-psych-meds community. Healy also said that people with PSSD sometimes doesn't taste.

Adele Framer mentioned once that the problem with GABA is that is doesn't cross brain blood barrier. However, as I see, you didn't try any herbs that modulate GABA activity. I don't know, but for myself I can say that oregano oil capsules were so ******* sedating that I was leaving in I-don't-give-a-**** mood. Even a cup of oregano can be effective. I don't know, if it is really that hard, try any kind of sedative herb.

Ok, I do intermittent fasting. But that mean you stop eating usually around 18 pm, right?

I can't say that I don't like her. I learned a lot by watching her videos, I am just not a fan...

I’ll definitely look into the herbs. My dad is a pharmacist who prefers natural supplements to traditional medications so he should know more than me. Ironic huh? The man very rarely takes the meds he sells. Lol.

As for fasting, I’m not as strict about it now as I was last year. Now, l’ll typically eat dinner then nothing until the next day, which could be a protein shake at noon or nothing at all. It just depends on how I’m feeling, so it’s more intuitive. Most of the time when I do eat in the daytime it’s small, and just so I can take my supplements since I can’t do them on an empty stomach.

Fair about Angie. I’m at the point where I’m a sponge and trying to hear everything from all different perspectives. I also have most only watched the healing interviews as it encourages me more than other types of videos. There’s another set of women who do videos that I prefer.

Great, just have a consultation with him! I mean, herbs are not a miracle, but their effect is real and in your situation being almost completely sleepless it is worth to try it and safer than regular drugs.

I can say that there is nothing wrong with your way of eating, I think it makes sense that if you have gastritis then it good to leave your stomach empty for healing it.

9/4/26

I think the wave has relented, for how long I don’t know. It lasted 28 days with two decent nights of sleep thrown in there. I didn’t do a good job of documenting my journey for the first 6+ months, but now I’m journaling quite often since my memory is so bad. I want to remember the windows and waves so that I can see improvements, even if it’s small. Outside of the acute period, that wave was the worst so far, with nights of full insomnia happening consistently, rather than fluctuating.

I feel like I’m holding my breath now, waiting for another wave to come crashing over me. Will it be worse? Longer or shorter? It’s been three days and my sleep isn’t back to where it was before the wave. Will it ever be? I truly hope it will return, but after that horror, I’m truly thankful for the few nights of 5/6 hours of sleep. We’re leaving next week for our one family vacation of the year and I’m already stressing about it. I know that even if I don’t sleep, there will be fun in the daytime so I’ll try to focus on that.

I know healing isn’t linear, but should I expect worsening of waves from now on? I don’t know how so many of you warriors do this for years on end as my body and heart are so weary. Perhaps if I hadn’t already had a 20 year health battle, this would feel like it had an eminent ending. I’ve been reading a lot of 18 month-2 year healing stories just to encourage myself, but I know my story could be longer or shorter.

Any insight would be appreciated. I pray everyone will have a wonderful and window filled weekend.

18 hours ago, Sara said:

9/4/26

I think the wave has relented, for how long I don’t know. It lasted 28 days with two decent nights of sleep thrown in there. I didn’t do a good job of documenting my journey for the first 6+ months, but now I’m journaling quite often since my memory is so bad. I want to remember the windows and waves so that I can see improvements, even if it’s small. Outside of the acute period, that wave was the worst so far, with nights of full insomnia happening consistently, rather than fluctuating.

I feel like I’m holding my breath now, waiting for another wave to come crashing over me. Will it be worse? Longer or shorter? It’s been three days and my sleep isn’t back to where it was before the wave. Will it ever be? I truly hope it will return, but after that horror, I’m truly thankful for the few nights of 5/6 hours of sleep. We’re leaving next week for our one family vacation of the year and I’m already stressing about it. I know that even if I don’t sleep, there will be fun in the daytime so I’ll try to focus on that.

I know healing isn’t linear, but should I expect worsening of waves from now on? I don’t know how so many of you warriors do this for years on end as my body and heart are so weary. Perhaps if I hadn’t already had a 20 year health battle, this would feel like it had an eminent ending. I’ve been reading a lot of 18 month-2 year healing stories just to encourage myself, but I know my story could be longer or shorter.

Any insight would be appreciated. I pray everyone will have a wonderful and window filled weekend.

Hey Sara

Im so pleased to see the wave has eased. Amazing news.

There is no way to know what comes next. As you said, this journey is non linear. There is nothing to suggest the waves will be worse and worse however, it doesn't work like that.

The thing to learn in WD is mindset skills. Your brain needs peace. Acceptance and one day at a time gives it that. Working on maintaining this strategy is key to coping as best as you can as you heal.

The good news is, you are not alone, we all feel weak and struggle at times, but we all keep going, we are all stronger than we know, and what ever happens you will have the strength to cope with. Know this is true, hold that fact close and just take it done day at a time xxxxx

On 9/5/2026 at 2:25 AM, Chippy said:

Hey Sara

Im so pleased to see the wave has eased. Amazing news.

There is no way to know what comes next. As you said, this journey is non linear. There is nothing to suggest the waves will be worse and worse however, it doesn't work like that.

The thing to learn in WD is mindset skills. Your brain needs peace. Acceptance and one day at a time gives it that. Working on maintaining this strategy is key to coping as best as you can as you heal.

The good news is, you are not alone, we all feel weak and struggle at times, but we all keep going, we are all stronger than we know, and what ever happens you will have the strength to cope with. Know this is true, hold that fact close and just take it done day at a time xxxxx

You’re always so encouraging, Chippy. Thank you! Unfortunately, I got hit by a terrible migraine and a cold two days after I started sleeping well again. Sleep is very disrupted and I’m unsure if it’s a wave or just part of being in pain and sick. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had a headache of this severity and I’m afraid to take any of my rescue meds as Ritzatriptan works on serotonin and Fioricet has caffeine. I have Nurtec, which Google says should be safe but I’m scared to do anything and throw myself back into a more acute period.

I so want to be more positive, but I’ve got to admit I’m quite sad. I’ve been looking forward to this vacation for a year and now I’ll be sick, in pain, on my period, and have insomnia. Honestly, if there were a lottery for bad luck, I’d win it. Haha. Hopefully my next update here will be more encouraging. Hope you are having a great start to your week!

Hello @Sara , just want to throw some personal experience in since I saw your post. I’m so sorry for your suffering, the current accumulation of pain and withdrawal sounds terrible!

I also have chronic migraines and decided during acute to take a rizatriptan. I was worried because it is true, they work on the serotonin receptor. Everyone is different, I can only say that for me it worked very well. I have had to take it a couple of times since then, and I admit it feels very good to take one. Probably a little serotonin boost or something like that. I can sleep very well with it and I am much more relaxed than usual. And of course it takes the pain of the migraine away. It has not worsened my withdrawal situation. Maybe you can put in the term.” Triptan” and also “migraine” into a search over at the closed surviving antidepressants site. It is a great well of information.

Wishing you all the best, especially for your family vacation, which I understand is a very important time of the year. And if it does not go so well, take heart, there will come other years… take care!

38 minutes ago, Nemina said:

Hello @Sara , just want to throw some personal experience in since I saw your post. I’m so sorry for your suffering, the current accumulation of pain and withdrawal sounds terrible!

I also have chronic migraines and decided during acute to take a rizatriptan. I was worried because it is true, they work on the serotonin receptor. Everyone is different, I can only say that for me it worked very well. I have had to take it a couple of times since then, and I admit it feels very good to take one. Probably a little serotonin boost or something like that. I can sleep very well with it and I am much more relaxed than usual. And of course it takes the pain of the migraine away. It has not worsened my withdrawal situation. Maybe you can put in the term.” Triptan” and also “migraine” into a search over at the closed surviving antidepressants site. It is a great well of information.

Wishing you all the best, especially for your family vacation, which I understand is a very important time of the year. And if it does not go so well, take heart, there will come other years… take care!

@Nemina I can’t tell you how much your comment meant to me. I’ve been agonizing over whether to take it or not because I’m a very all or nothing person I try to abstain from most meds now. I don’t want to be in WD a moment longer than I have to, but sometimes you have to function, right? I just looked it up and the med works on binding to existing serotonin receptors, so it’s not like it’s damaging the ones we have. I’ve taken anything that has “Serotonin” in the title as bad now but that’s not strictly true in all circumstances. I might risk it tonight as I’m not sleeping anyways and might as well attempt relief. Thank you for sharing your experience!