Struggling with brother's death

My brother passed in August 2019 from tonsil cancer which then spread to his lungs and I was there with him at the end and saw him take his final breath. His death was the first death that I had witnessed but not the first death I had experienced. I have already lost my parents and had seen both their bodies at funeral parlour. I am haunted at night by my brother's death and have now been diagnosed with insomnia. I cannot shut my eyes without the image appearing in my mind. I have tried sleeping medicine which worked initially but now have no effect at all. Has anyone experienced similar to me and can give some advice or ideas on how to move forward? I feel stuck in limbo and unable to live my life as normal as my thoughts are erratic and I'm so so tired. 

 

Parents
  • So sorry to hear of your brother and the long term effects it has had on you. I lost my dad to lung cancer in 2019 and I too suffer from insomnia due to flash backs. I think of him and the experience all the time. I agree, counciling may help, though I haven't tried it myself. I have been on a series of medication, some of which is only safe to use for a short term. However, some antihistamines have sedative effects which helps me in the occasion. I don't think they are recommended to be taken daily, but it is worth a try taking occasionally and perhaps running that option by your gp. Other stronger prescription options which could be effective is Mirtazapine.  I wish you all the best. 

Reply
  • So sorry to hear of your brother and the long term effects it has had on you. I lost my dad to lung cancer in 2019 and I too suffer from insomnia due to flash backs. I think of him and the experience all the time. I agree, counciling may help, though I haven't tried it myself. I have been on a series of medication, some of which is only safe to use for a short term. However, some antihistamines have sedative effects which helps me in the occasion. I don't think they are recommended to be taken daily, but it is worth a try taking occasionally and perhaps running that option by your gp. Other stronger prescription options which could be effective is Mirtazapine.  I wish you all the best. 

Children
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