[PatO]

Hello everyone

I have been stricken with chronic insomnia for over four months now and I (like so many others in this situation) am just taking it day by day. Or shall I say, night by night. I live in California and I sometimes like to play my guitar. I hope to learn and help others who are dealing with this horrible condition.

PatO

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forums, Pat. I am sure you'll find lots of tips in the forums, but if you have any particular questions or topics you wish to discuss, don't be scared to start a new topic.

Have you sought any medical advice for your insomnia, or been on any medications or other therapies? You've got a ton of support right here, so don't forget that we've all got your back!

—

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.

[PatO]

Yes, my doctor has prescribed all the most common medications, including Ambien, Sonata, Temazepan, Trazadone and Valium. Also, I was evaluated by a sleep clinic, who did an overnight sleep study. The sleep study came up negative for such things as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. However, I was instructed to take sleeping medication the night of the study, which may have allowed them to rule out some possible causes, but did not answer the question as to why I cannot sleep without medication. After doing research on the side affects of sleeping medications, I decided to attempt sleeping naturally. This experiment started approximately 10 weeks ago and was accompanied by daily yoga therapy. Well, here I am 10 weeks later and I have been sleeping on average 1 hour per night. During this 10 week period my Yoga adviser go a little worried and suggested I try Nutmeg, which taken in large enough doses will relax me and even provide a few hours of sleep. Unfortunately if too much Nutmeg is taken then a bad hangover the next day will be felt. O.K. hang in there I'm almost done.A little over 2 weeks ago I decided to not take any supplements, including Nutmeg and I nearly did not sleep for 12 days at which time I forked out a couple hundred dollars and visited another sleep specialist. The sleep specialist placed me on “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”, which includes a rigorous routine of staying out of bed when you are not sleeping. I am on day 5 or 6 and I have had limited success. When I say limited success, I mean on a few nights I have gotten 3 hours. That's huge!!!!!

[yamerias]

Hello there, and welcome to the madhouse 😉

I have tried several things myself…suppliments, relaxation tapes/CDs, hypnosis, sleeping pills (prescribed and non-prescribed) meditation and more….each with limited success.

[PatO]

Thank you for your thoughtful greetings and I hope to share more regarding my ongoing condition in the near future.

[1949Molly]

'PatO' wrote on '28:

Hello everyone

I have been stricken with chronic insomnia for over four months now and I (like so many others in this situation) am just taking it day by day. Or shall I say, night by night. I live in California and I sometimes like to play my guitar. I hope to learn and help others who are dealing with this horrible condition.

PatO

Boy have you hit on the description – HORRIBLE CONDITION. Like most everyone here I'm really struggling too. Have been on 3 sleep meds for years that worked really well, but seems like all of a sudden (maybe it has happened over time and I just didn't notice) my 3 meds have failed. Had 3 lousy nights in a row. I'm scared to go to bed. 🙁

[PatO]

I'm sorry to hear that your medications are not working. I hope you find others that will work. I am not taking medications presently, but that may change if I continue with zero sleep.

[sweetsubversion]

My heart goes out to you guys. The longest I have been unable to get to sleep is 48 hours. For the past 2 days, I have not had any ativan and I can't get to sleep. I hate it.

I have noticed that over the counter sleep meds like antihistamines lose their affect after awhile. Your system adjusts and you have to take more. I have a friend 20 years my junior who will take 25 over the counter sleeping pills and wash them down with a beer or 2. Sometimes, I worry he won't wake up.

My neighbor, an older gentleman, who also has insomnia lives below me. He can hear me at night pacing the floors. I need my privacy when I go crazy.

[Martin Reed]

'sweetsubversion' wrote on '03:

My neighbor, an older gentleman, who also has insomnia lives below me. He can hear me at night pacing the floors. I need my privacy when I go crazy.

I think that's part of the reason why insomnia can destroy marriages. That, and you have to deal with the jealousy of seeing your spouse sleep like a baby, and cope with them not truly being able to understand what you're going through.

—

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.

[sweetsubversion]

I actually saw a TV show about couples looking for houses. Or maybe this was an article I read. A lot of people wanted an extra room, so when the other person had to toss and turn, they had their own little space in which to go crazy.

I hate people who tell me, “You need to get on a regular schedule! You need to get your ass out of bed! You need to get your ass in bed!” I've had that. I think there are people who are insensitive because they just want to be insensitive.

I finally caved in and took 2 Ativan last night, or rather this morning. I woke up at 4PM.

[PatO]

'sweetsubversion' wrote on '04:

I actually saw a TV show about couples looking for houses. Or maybe this was an article I read. A lot of people wanted an extra room, so when the other person had to toss and turn, they had their own little space in which to go crazy.

I hate people who tell me, “You need to get on a regular schedule! You need to get your ass out of bed! You need to get your ass in bed!” I've had that. I think there are people who are insensitive because they just want to be insensitive.

I finally caved in and took 2 Ativan last night, or rather this morning. I woke up at 4PM.

I agree that often times people can be extremely insensitive. For example I was talking with someone over the phone last night who said that he would blow his brains out if he was going through what I face every night. Granted that he may have been speaking in generalities, but apparently he has never had to experience such a traumatic condition or he would have been more considerate in his choice of words.

[sweetsubversion]

'PatO' wrote on '05:

I agree that often times people can be extremely insensitive. For example I was talking with someone over the phone last night who said that he would blow his brains out if he was going through what I face every night. Granted that he may have been speaking in generalities, but apparently he has never had to experience such a traumatic condition or he would have been more considerate in his choice of words.

Yes. Yes.

My parents were the ones yelling. They're dead now.

An acquaintance with whom I have limited contact now – partly for this reason- was insensitive to it. Sometimes I get up in these people's faces (after the long suffering insensitivity) and tell them where to get off. I don't know how much good this does for all of us. I feel like we are all interconnected and I believe in karma. However, I get really impatient with the ignorance ….

[Author]

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