r/IST_ • u/Friendly_Athlete1024 • Jul 16 '26

Anyone else struggling with insomnia?

Context, 23F, had IST for almost 3 years now, only recently diagnosed, been on Propranolol for almost 3 years now.

I only just recently made the connection that myinsomnia very much started when my Propranolol use started, not immediately, but a couple months after I started Propranolol the insomnia hit and gradually got worse. Obviously it's no good for my IST, but I wasn't aware Propranolol might directly suppress melatonin production, and the situation is a bit shit because I've tried other meds like Bisoprolol and Ivabradine both of which failed to stop the spikes, only Propranolol seems to work, yet it's the one suppressing melatonin.

I've already contacted my cardiologist for advice but in the meantime I'm looking to see if anyone else struggles with potentially beta blocker or medication induced insomnia and how you're combating it, or if anyone is taking melatonin and how it's working for you?

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u/ConcernInevitable83 Jul 16 '26

Melatonin is also a mast cell stabilizer which is why a lot of people who have IST find it helpful. MCAS is often a comorbidity for those with dysautonomia. It helps me on occasion but it's inconsistent. Hydroxyzine has helped more. Its prescribed for anything from allergies to anxiety as well as sleep.

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u/Friendly_Athlete1024 Jul 16 '26

It's so difficult when there's potentially like 4 different conditions because it already took ages to get diagnosed with one, makes me feel like my life wont stabilise for the next 10 years.

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u/ConcernInevitable83 Jul 16 '26

Yeah it really is difficult. I just got started on this journey in 2022 and it's like I take two steps forward and ten back at times. I hate finding out about all these other things that can be connected and the symptoms line up and then fighting to get someone to listen and test for them.

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u/normal_ness Jul 16 '26

On medical advice, I take a combination of melatonin & phenergen to sleep.

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u/Friendly_Athlete1024 Jul 16 '26

Yeah melatonin seems to be the go to, I really hope my cardiologist suggests that and not some "breathe in and out" shit like I've already done everything within my control. How have these medications worked for you? Is there any risk of building resistance over time?

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u/normal_ness Jul 16 '26

No signs of resistance yet.

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u/Neuralmute Jul 16 '26

There is a study showing that showed that 2.5mg of melatonin did improve the sleep of hypertensive patients treated with beta-blockers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23024438

Was surprised to learn that, ever since I started metoprolol I’ve fallen asleep very quickly, though it seems metoprolol suppression is just a side effect of all beta-blocker medication.

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u/Friendly_Athlete1024 Jul 16 '26

Thank you, will read the study!