[Birdlike]

Hi! I'm not sure what to say, so humor me, please. I'll just tell you what's wrong with me.

How I got here here: I've had chronic insomnia since my preteens, so ~16 years and counting. It manifested itself in various forms and I tried what felt like a whole pharmacy (along with lots of techniques, etc.) Maybe I ought to mention that I have sort of severe psychiatric issues which flare up often. I'm happy to share what they are if someone is curious; I'm just not sure how etiquette goes here.

What's going on: Starting about 13 months ago the nature of my insomnia changed and made it much harder (arguably, impossible) to manage my life. I started to wake up a few times every night, the same interval of time passing between each waking. As time passed those intervals shrunk, meaning the number of times I wake up has increased considerably.

Now: At this point I wake up every 45- 60 minutes. On top of too many sleep studies, sleep hygiene books, and -under protest- hypnosis I've tried so many medications, both indicated and off-label, that my current psych recently told me she couldn't think of anything… but hey, we could always try things that had failed in the past, again!

Thus I'm feeling a bit broken, defeated, and completely out of ideas. I had hoped here to learn about things other people had tried, and even what category my problem falls into, ideally. Failing that, I'll settle for something comforting/that resonates to read at 4am 🙂

OK, I'll spare you details of my interests, activities, etc. since I've written so much!

[xdunlapx]

'Birdlike' wrote on '31:

Hi! I'm not sure what to say, so humor me, please. I'll just tell you what's wrong with me.

How I got here here: I've had chronic insomnia since my preteens, so ~16 years and counting. It manifested itself in various forms and I tried what felt like a whole pharmacy (along with lots of techniques, etc.) Maybe I ought to mention that I have sort of severe psychiatric issues which flare up often. I'm happy to share what they are if someone is curious; I'm just not sure how etiquette goes here.

What's going on: Starting about 13 months ago the nature of my insomnia changed and made it much harder (arguably, impossible) to manage my life. I started to wake up a few times every night, the same interval of time passing between each waking. As time passed those intervals shrunk, meaning the number of times I wake up has increased considerably.

Now: At this point I wake up every 45- 60 minutes. On top of too many sleep studies, sleep hygiene books, and -under protest- hypnosis I've tried so many medications, both indicated and off-label, that my current psych recently told me she couldn't think of anything… but hey, we could always try things that had failed in the past, again!

Thus I'm feeling a bit broken, defeated, and completely out of ideas. I had hoped here to learn about things other people had tried, and even what category my problem falls into, ideally. Failing that, I'll settle for something comforting/that resonates to read at 4am 🙂

OK, I'll spare you details of my interests, activities, etc. since I've written so much!

Welcome to the forum! My insomnia and psychiatric health is sort of similar. I sleep 3-4 hours at a time unless it's night time when I can't get to sleep until at a minimum 4am. I have schizoaffective disorder, bypolar subtype. Meaning I have schizophrenia AND bipolar disorder together. I'm on Risperdal to combat that. I'm usually pretty stable on my meds though. But my insomnia has gotten much worse lately. I've been through the gamut of newer insomnia medicines whithout much help. I now take 2 sleeping pills together and still don't get to sleep by 4am most nights. I take Silenor 6mg and Ambien CR 12.5mg together. But I'm on a whole slew of other medications for many issues. Welcome to the board, hopefully you can chat with some people and find some help.

[Caers]

I'm sorry, no. You don't get off that easily. We need the interests list, as well. 😀

I totally understand your frustration. *hugs* Welcome to the forum, and I hope you can find something here to help you.

[Birdlike]

HA! Ok, but I'll burden you with just some since I am what my college applications counselors deemed “excessively well-rounded”(nutso).

I'm one of those people who does well with everyone, except spiders/satan-

on-way-too-many-legs… and to a lesser degree, humans. Currently in my tiny apartment I only have room for a couple of little parrots; I have also somehow been lucky enough to own an amazing horse for the past 11.5 years, whom I keep nearby and adore beyond all reason. I used to love volunteering with different animal-related groups, but injured myself and haven't been able to for the last few years (though my physical therapists say I could be almost OK in less than a year, so we'll see).

I used to do every kind of art I could, including glassblowing, which was my favorite, but I can't come close to affording it on disability. For the next few weeks, though, I actually get to do it again, because my parents out of nowhere gave me a set of lessons!

Until the psych disorders forced me to stop my studies (yet again) and take several more years off, I loved studying dead languages and how they worked. Around the same time, I had a blast as a research intern at two biochemistry labs as well, though. Sattered a bit, you suppose? 🙂

The honestly dumb thing is how into athletics I am; I don't mean watching, by the way, because I get bored. I just love(d) doing a bunch of random physical activities. It's dumb because #1 I seem (unintentionally) to gravitate towards semi-risky or sometimes merely unusual ones. More importantly #2 I am diminutive, fairly weak, and decidedly unathletic! 😀 I guess I also should add that I acquired my pretty significant injury doing – this is why I have to laugh at it – arguably the only one I excelled at in the slightest then!

That's an abridged list of my hobbies. There are more things, but I'm nervous it's already tedious. It could have been worse, though: I could have gone into what I'm like too 😉

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the gang, and thanks for introducing yourself! You're definitely amongst people who know what you're going through here at Insomnia Land. Where the medical profession gives in, we keep going!!

You mention you've had a sleep study done – what did you learn from that? Any other sleep issues such as sleep apnea?

I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting to know you better.

—

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.

[Birdlike]

'Martin' wrote on '31:

You mention you've had a sleep study done – what did you learn from that? Any other sleep issues such as sleep apnea?

Thank you! 🙂 Thanks for the kindness.

I've had a few studies done because some of my psychs wanted a new one when we began together. Early on they found RLS and I was put on Requip, which has been bliss^2! I hadn't realized that maddening feeling was an abnormal thing to experience all night. The thing was, my problems with the sleeping itself didn't change at all.

There haven't ever been diagnoses of other physiological things; no, they've never found indications of apnea of any kind.

The most recent study – the only one since the current version of my insomnia began – made a huge deal out of a single discovery: it all did in fact go the way I'd been saying :roll:three

I'm currently scheduled to see some hot-shot sleep psych, so he might have another study done as well. Unfortunately I have 3+ months remaining before my appointment. By then I should be down to 15 minutes between each time I wake up 😮

[Caers]

'Birdlike' wrote on '31:

HA! Ok, but I'll burden you with just some since I am what my college applications counselors deemed “excessively well-rounded”(nutso).

I was always called that, or just a diletante ;D

Wow, you sound very interesting! I love people who can't keep their interests narrowed. There is so much out there, so many things to do and learn, why pick just one?

I used to keep budgies, for about half my life, but not anymore. Especially now. My kids wanted a pet, and I wanted a bird, but they wanted a cat, so it was a cat we went with. Fuzzy therapy for my son, I suppose. I still want a bird.

Athletics are awesome! Not just for the sports minded, but for everyone. I MISS being able to do sports.

Also, when should we be expecting a glass showing, a la Dale Chihuly? This board will expect some sort of tribute, in glass. 😉

Not tedious or boring. You do indeed sound well rounded.

[Martin Reed]

'Birdlike' wrote on '31:

I've had a few studies done because some of my psychs wanted a new one when we began together. Early on they found RLS and I was put on Requip, which has been bliss^2! I hadn't realized that maddening feeling was an abnormal thing to experience all night.

A LOT of people don't realize that RLS is an actual condition that can often be treated (or at least improved) – again, it comes down to education; similar to how society in general needs to better understand insomnia and just how debilitating it can be.

—

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.

[InsomniAmy]

Sheesh, why were YOU hesitant? You sound fascinating! When I could work, I was always drawn toward somewhat off-center jobs. Never worked in a traditional office in my life. You do sound as if you throw yourself wholeheartedly into life, which earns serious respect from me. I'm a long-term insomniac too, have a plethora of other psych problems too, don't enjoy the company of TOO many people, but adore animals without reservation. I, too, was into–well, not quite sports (though I was one hell of a soccer goalkeeper years ago), but physical sorts of training, like kickboxing and jujitsu, but now I've got a bum knee and fairly bad bursitis in my right shoulder that limits what I can do these days(way too young for this stuff). Anyway, welcome! I am glad you managed to get on disability. The government and I are still at odds.

Amy

[Author]

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