Best sedation?

Hello @Rabdos

This may be a bit off beam, but in my experience, insomnia / sleep issues with Long Covid are not as straightforward as sleeping more.

I discovered by tracking my heart rate that even when I sleep ‘well’ (subjectively assessed by how I feel I’ve slept and ‘objectively’ assessed by a sleep tracker showing decent ‘deep’/‘REM’ sleep) I am not rested. Indeed during periods of REM sleep, my heart rate can be above what it is during the day. My understanding is that this is part of some of the body’s systems going into overdrive and constantly being in a heightened state of ‘alert’.

Having researched (check out the Facebook group ‘Beat Long Covid with a Smart Watch’ (run by a former Australian GP who has LC), I spoke to my GP about prescribing a beta blocker at a low dose. This has helped both with my overall heart rate and with the restfulness of my sleep. It’s not been a panacea and pacing is still the most important (and difficult) strategy, but every little improvement helps.

Worth a discussion with the doc, I think.

Editing to add something about melatonin, which many finds aids their sleep (I haven‘t found so). The advantages are that it’s not addictive like many sedatives. However, while it is freely available over the counter in the USA, it is not so here. I
was prescribed some slow release by the long covid clinic, but at a ridiculously low dose. However it is reliably available via Biovea UK, should you be interested (years ago when it was prescribed for me by a hospital migraine clinic they provided me with details of where to source it from the US!).

I use Zopiclone to help me sleep. I’ve been on it since about 2008, I don’t have any side affects from it.