25 years of insomnia/sleep disruption

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  • #34107
    Elliesowner
    ✘ Not a client

      My first experience of insomnia was 3 weeks after my second son was born. Little did I know was this was an early symptom of post natal depression.
      Over the next 5 years, my sleep was always very light, subconsciously listening for a crying baby, a teething toddler or a sick infant. In 1999, I went through an incredibly busy and stressful time after moving house, twice in 6 months, completing university exams, applying for jobs, then, once in work, having to work 2 nights a week.
      After a busy Christmas, hosting family in our new house, I wasn’t too concerned about feeling fatigued. However my shift work continued, and exhaustion crept up me very gradually. In addition, I started experiencing pain in various parts of my body. I visited my doctor. She prescribed antidepressants and anti inflammatories. That’s when the insomnia started. I returned to her, she changed my drugs, several times. My bedtime experience was deteriorating rapidly, as I couldn’t get to sleep due to the pain. I ended up whereby I couldn’t sleep for more than 4 hours at a time, but I couldn’t stay awake for more than 4 hours either. Eventually, I was referred to a rheumatologist, 9 months after my initial symptoms. He diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and prescribed amitriptyline with good effect. I managed to maintain some semblance of normal life, and in 2011, I moved to the Deep South of America. Gradually my health started to improve, possibly due to sunshine and blue skies, and the hot environment. I started to reduce my amitriptyline very very slowly. Sadly, after 4 years of good health (the last 2 years I became a self employed dog walker), I had to return to live in the U.K.
      I continued walking dogs, but my health gradually deteriorated. In March 2018 I retired due to ill health, I was only 56 years old.
      My husband and I spent many an hour discussing what we could do to improve my health again. Our obvious choice was to live somewhere warmer and sunnier. After holidaying on a Greek Island, we decided to give up everything in the UK, and we moved to Greece 3 months ago.
      I knew I had to find a doctor quickly before my amitriptyline ran out. Unfortunately, I found myself in a bad place, as Greece hasn’t been able to receive supplies of the drug since the beginning of this year. I tried to buy some online, but with no success. have tried to eke out my supply, and using CBD oil and chamomile. But for the last 2 weeks, I’ve only had 3 nights of proper sleep. When I do get to sleep, I suffer with extremely distressing nightmares.
      It’s now 2:00am and I can’t get to sleep, and I don’t know how to get help. I speak very little Greek, so explaining to the doctor is is very difficult for him to understand.

      #34158
      leysentom1
      ✘ Not a client

        Hi Ellie,

        Sorry to hear about all that.

        How are you doing right now?

        Still plans to move to Greece?

        Would like to have a talk about your issues, as I recognize a lot.

        Tom

        #34337
        Martin Reed
        ★ Admin

          Sorry to read about your struggles, @Elliesowner.

          It sounds as though it might be time to look at a long-term solution for your insomnia so you can live with better sleep for the rest of your life, rather than repeatedly grasping at short-term solutions. Have you heard of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)?

          If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Clarity program.

          The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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