[Juckky72]

Hi All,

This is the first time I’ve posted about my insomnia woes, but I feel so alone that I thought I’d post just in case anyone has any advice. I’m 48 and my sleep up until Feb 2020 has always been pretty good. I used to get the odd night where I wouldn’t sleep, but these were very rare and usually linked to overdoing the distance or intensity of my cycling.

Anyhow, in Feb this year I started to see a cycling coach and I quickly started to have issues falling asleep and would be 3am before I’d drift off. I would reign back on my cycle training and my sleep would get back on track. The training plan was super intense so not sure why my sleep was affected. Cut a long story short, this continued until late June when I called a halt to my cycling as I’d realised I’d become a chronic insomniac who now would not sleep at all. Even though I stopped cycling my sleep pattern never returned and although I’m very fit I was running on adrenaline. I was exhausted, but was completely wired.

Doctor prescribed Zopiclone which would knock me out for 8 hours, but I only had 7 days and realised these were not the answer and finished the course. Insomnia came straight back as my brain isn’t stupid and new that pill == sleep. No pill != Sleep.

I was then prescribed 10mg of amitriptyline, which I took for 5 days and whilst it helped I don’t want to be taking meds which are for depression. I’m not depressed and they made me feel rather strange.

I follow good sleep hygiene. No coffee after midday, don’t drink too much alcohol as this doesn’t help my sleep.

When I go to bed I’m tired, but that wave that comes over you before sleep doesn’t come anymore. I’ve given up stressing about it so don’t lay there getting angry. More of a helpless feeling as to why me, why now. Is my insomnia caused by another health condition.

My latest potion is valerian root, but this can take 2-3 weeks.

I know there isn’t much anyone can do, but damn I never understood how lonely it can be when suffering insomnia!

[Juckky72]

* cycle training Wasn’t super intense.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum!

First of all, let me say that you are not alone! Everyone here knows what you are experiencing and what you are going through.

Your experience with insomnia is quite typical and follows the typical path of initial sleep disruption being perpetuated by our (quite understandable but ultimately unhelpful) reaction to that sleep disruption.

For example, when we experience sleep disruption we might then modify our days in response. We typically start thinking and worrying about sleep. We experiment with different routines, different medications, different supplements. Unfortunately, all serve to create arousal and make sleep more difficult — and so we end up trapped in the vicious cycle of poor sleep and heightened arousal.

You might find it helpful to move away from experiments and supplements and implement cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) techniques since they address the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate sleep disruption.

I hope this helps!

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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 Mastery 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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