[AdoreInVegas]

I'm Adore. I live in Las Vegas. Have had insomnia for 28 years, started when I was 19. Recently & finally diagnosed properly after having the good fortune to find a doc that specializes in sleep DISORDERS and not just sleep STUDIES. Have a long road ahead of me but more than happy to start on the journey.

[Martin Reed]

Congratulations on finding a real sleep doctor – they are few and far between.

What strategy have you and your doctor created to help improve your sleep? I'd be interested to know if we're seeing a difference since you managed to find a sleep disorder specialist.

We have another member from Las Vegas – you may want to introduce yourself to wonderhussy.

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.

[AdoreInVegas]

First, the meds I was on before: Lunesta 3mg at night – sometimes I'd take another dose if I couldn't sleep AT ALL so I was always left short before the end of the month; Xanax 0.5 mg – then half dose at the customary 1 am mark, another half at 2:30 am; Vicodin 10/500 for the bone crushing headache at midnight; Benadryl 100 mg when it was a total no sleeper night in addition to a repeat of all the above with the HOPE of sleeping more than 2 hours at a time. Wellbutrin 200 mg twice a day.

Ambien trial: FAIL. hallucinating, sleepwalking, no sleep

Halcion: FAIL no results

Amytriptylline: FAIL. Zombie during the day, nodded off at a stop light.

NyQuil: worked for a short time, did not like the idea of an alcohol-based med every night. Voted NO.

Can't remember all the meds tried over the past 28 years. Tried all the herbal things, Valerian Root, Newt of Root, whatever…red tea, lavender tea, etc etc ad nauseum.

Specialist had me wear an Actigraphy watch and keep a sleep diary for a week. Results showed I was averaging 10 hours of sleep with consistently constant interrupted sleep. (?) Sounds like I tried to sleep a LOT but it was always choppy and interrupted. No surprise there.

His initial plan: NO Benadryl. Start weaning down Xanax or eliminate Lunesta first (I've elected to stop the Lunesta first). Can't go to bed until 11 pm and must rise at 6 am, every day including weekends. NO NAPS (having very hard time with this one), continue sleep diary for two weeks.

Eventually the plan is OFF ALL MEDS except Wellbutrin, which he said he will most likely change to something else.

That's it so far….

[AdoreInVegas]

To add to above: Most of the problem, according to the specialist, is rooted in poor sleep “hygiene” or behavior. Basic stuff, I know, but putting it into practice to achieve the desired result hasn't worked in the past, but I'm open and willing to trying again.

Staying up to 11 pm is extremely difficult for me. When I get home from work (around 4:30 pm or 5 pm), it's already a battle to stay out of bed. I'm used to literally anticipating and waiting until 9 pm to go to bed. He said so much of my sleep disorder is rooted in ANXIETY about sleeping. That's my ultimate undoing and biggest hurdle.

How do you get around the anxiety? The racing thoughts? The brain that won't shut off? That's my question, that's my dilemma.

Other specific instructions I was given: If I am not asleep within a half hour of lying down, I have to get up, GO IN ANOTHER ROOM and do something until I feel sleepy (ha). I am not to return to my bedroom until I am ready for sleep. I can't just lie there. This part of behavior conditioning I understand completely. I hope it works.

I'm off work (thank GOD for FMLA) for the next two weeks while we try this stuff. Hoping for results. I'll post updates with the hope it will help someone else….

[Monandothers]

Hi my god, that all sounds so intense! I just wanted to wish u the best of luck, and I'll be very keen to watch your posts. Mon

[AdoreInVegas]

An update: I've been off the Benadryl and Lunesta since 9/19/12. Being that I am posting this at 2:16 am is not a good thing.

I've been religious about keeping the sleep diary. Was truly amazed on 9/24 I had 6 straight hours of uninterrupted sleep, YET, the wanting to nap later that day was overwhelming.

My best friend, who also happens to be a former marine, called me this morning around 10 am WAKING ME UP from a nap asking me about something. Once he realized I had been napping I got yelled at something terrible – the kind of yelling only a best friend can do. NO NAPPING!!! If only I could break that behavior!!!

So, I know what the specialist recommended is working. It would work even better if I corrected my behavior better….

[Monandothers]

6 hours is amazing! Congrats 😊 I guess b

Getting rid of the napping will take time Nd Lot of willpower but ull get there! I got 4 hours last night which was fabulous, lol but then my

Bubs decided to wake me up at 5am! I try to nap as much as possible during the day if penny's having a good daytime nap (she started doing her nights at 3 weeks of age, so she generally doesn't have many naps during the day) but from everything I've read so far on this site I should really try to stop the daytime napping! My partner works full time so I just feel its so important that I'm alert during the day as my gorgeous little girl needs me to be vigilant and alert all day, it breaks my heart at the thought that something could happen to her if I was out of it from sleep deprivation. I'm aw lucky tho, Shea only 4 months old, but is such a clever baby and is so sweet and really quite easy to take care of! She loves a strict routine and since my partner returned to work she's been even happier and is just an absolute joy to be around! I have been prescribed an antidepressant that is meant to help you sleep, but I'm hesitant to take it as I don't want my moods affected. He originally wanted to put me on seraquil but I jut find that so intense and really makes u a zombie the be t day! I just want to be the best mum I can be, and being overly tired h

Just doesnt go well with being the sole parent. She is just the best thing in my life, and is such a happy and gorgeous little girl, no matter how tired I can be, or how grumpy I can get, all that changes as soon as I see her in the mornings, she's full mod smiles and giggles? And my mood always always shifts to pure joy when I see her smile 😄 I never imagined id be a mother, im 29 so i think that's a perfect age to have my first! Mind u I didn't find out until I em was 23 weeks, and as soon as I found out I turned immediately from a scared pregnant mum to a happy and delighted mother! She just makes me so soo

Happy! I love being. Mum, it's just the most amazing life change, and better than any antidepressant on the market 😜 she is h

Just the most amazing baby in the world (lol I may be a tad bias though! Best of luck with your tip, and I hope u continue getting fantastic results 😊 lots of love mon xox

[Martin Reed]

Thanks for the update, Adore.

Have you enrolled in our free sleep training? It has a very strong foundation in sleep hygiene. I think you'll find it helpful:

http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/free-sleep-training/

—

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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