[cherrychapstik]

I can't believe I found this. I just developed sleeplessness. It started because of something huge that happened, and now it's being maintained by my worry that I can't sleep. I dread going to bed. It used to be that I woke up after a couple hours and couldn't get back to sleep. Tonight I haven't even been able to fall asleep. I don't know what to do. I don't want to take pills. Two weeks ago I slept fine. Now I'm struggling to concentrate in school, missing class, keeping my husband up, honestly going nuts. I cry every night after four hours go by. I feel really unhealthy during the day. How do you do it? Those of you who have chronic conditions how? Those of you who can fight it and sleep how? I know right now I can't sleep because of my worry, but I can't get rid of it. I have tried. Sometimes I think about holding my breath till I pass out so I can sleep. I'm that desperate. Help me please!

[cherrychapstik]

Also, yes, I exercise, and yes, I eat well. I keep hearing this will make me better. I do it. I don't drink alcohol, or coffee, or soda (most of the time). I'm very conscientious about my health. Probably why this freaks me out so much.

[Kik]

'cherrychapstik' wrote on '27:

I can't believe I found this. I just developed sleeplessness. It started because of something huge that happened, and now it's being maintained by my worry that I can't sleep. I dread going to bed. It used to be that I woke up after a couple hours and couldn't get back to sleep. Tonight I haven't even been able to fall asleep. I don't know what to do. I don't want to take pills. Two weeks ago I slept fine. Now I'm struggling to concentrate in school, missing class, keeping my husband up, honestly going nuts. I cry every night after four hours go by. I feel really unhealthy during the day. How do you do it? Those of you who have chronic conditions how? Those of you who can fight it and sleep how? I know right now I can't sleep because of my worry, but I can't get rid of it. I have tried. Sometimes I think about holding my breath till I pass out so I can sleep. I'm that desperate. Help me please!

Hey cherrychapstik,

I'm really sorry to hear how you're struggling and I hope you can find the support you're after here.

If your recent sleeplessness has come out of one particular event, have you been able to seek treatment/ therapy etc for that? As a chronic sufferer myself, I don't have an initial trauma I can look back on to explain my condition so as odd as it sounds, you're in an enviable position. If worrying about the fact you can't sleep and subsequently not being able to sleep is a symptom, maybe you should consider putting energy into overcoming your root cause first?

In the meantime, there are loads of coping techniques you can try to deal with the sleeplessness. Every single member here can roll off a long list of things they've tried. Hot baths before bed, not eating too late, lavender scented candles or linen spray, no TV or computer use for at least an hour before bed etc, etc.

For me, my insomnia comes from the fact my brain just wont switch off at night. I've recently learned to change focus and concentrate on getting rest rather then getting sleep. I'll do this by wearing myself out exercising in the day and/or having a hot shower before bedtime. Instead of laying down to sleep, I'll lay back and enjoy the feeling of my body relaxing. I also do deep breathing exercises while my muscles go limp. It doesn't help me sleep any longer but I definitely feel better the next day then I used to spending all night worrying about how many hours I had left before my alarm was due to go off. Also, if I get an opportunity for a nap in the day, I will always take it and if needs be, go to bed later.

Hope this offers a little help to you. You're not alone and you will overcome it 🙂

[yamerias]

Hey there,

I'm not an insomniac as such I find I sleep at odd times (when I can sleep, or indeed what to) but I understand what you mean, and empathise with you and your situation.

I lay in bed wondering if I can actually sleep, although if I'm wondering for too long I'll go and do something for an hour, read a book (if concentration allows) or listen to some music (I find music helps me sleep sometimes). I won't take medication for sleep issues because I am on enough tablets as it is for other conditions.

I know it's not much, but if you need someone to chat to, there is usually someone here, but if it helps, feel free to PM me if you need.

As Kik said, you are not alone…take care, and keep in touch

[cherrychapstik]

Thanks so much you two that have answered. I didn't sleep until seven this morning, and only for about an hour and a half. So I made an appointment with a counselor today, but they can't see me for a week. I can't wait that long so I also went to the doctor and got a weeks worth of ambien cr to help me until they teach me some coping mechanisms. I think I'm only going to take the pills until friday and then try to do it on my own after I get some regular hours of sleep.

Again thank you guys. It's hard to sit in my apartment while my husband sleeps, and be alone in my head. I was glad I found this.

[Martin Reed]

How are you getting on lately, cherry? Have you found any relief? I hope you've found some help in our blog and from the member forums here. Keep us updated, and don't be a stranger. We're all here to help and support each other (and have some fun at the same time).

—

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.

[emmaree]

Hi cherry

I hope you are feeling better. Since you don't wish to take medication for the sleeplessness for an extended period of time you may wish to try some herbal remedies, like barch flowers sleep remedy. This helps me during bouts of sleeplessness. If all else fails you may need to be on sleep medication for a little longer until you are able to get through the trauma you have recently experienced.

all the best and we are here if you need to vent 🙂

[seenafterscene]

Cherry–Sorry you are going through this. Believe me, we all understand. I understand your reluctance to take pills, and I myself feel iffy about herbal treatments, but they do work for some people. One thing I like to do sometimes, is play some (relaxing?) music while laying in bed. Sometimes I get lucky and fall asleep fine, but if not, it at least gives me something to focus on besides everything going on in my head and my insomnia.

[Mike Hooker]

Hi, Cherry,

So sorry to hear about your insomnia. We, as insomniacs, are the only ones who do know how you feel and what you're going through. People without it don't care if we sleep or not.

Last month (September) my insomnia turned 31 years old. I'm living proof that you can get through life with this dreaded, evil condition. But I know that doesn't help your situation much. And that's one problem we have as insomniacs–there's little that we can do to help each other, except to offer verbal support, or in this case, written support. Insomnia Land is a great tool for those of us living a life of sleeplessness.

Life is tough enough, but when we add insomnia to the mix it gets downright miserable. Lots of times I've finally fallen asleep around 5 a.m. only to hear the alarm clock screaming at me 30 minutes later: TIME TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK!!!

In my case, I sought medical help, and I learned to adapt. Life goes on even with insomnia. Like most people, I've had work or school or family, and for a good portion of my life all three at the same time, that have demanded my attention. They've expected me to be there for them, and I've had to be there regardless of how much or how little sleep I've had the night before. I won't kid you, the life of a chronic insomniac is a tough one.

In your post, you sound desperate. I want you to know that you can get through your insomnia, but if for some reason it doesn't go away, you can learn to live with it. Thousands of us have. Please keep us posted on your situation.

Mike

[cherrychapstik]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I was very desperate. Going on weeks with an hour or no sleep a night made it hard to concentrate and my emotions were all out of whack. I couldn't control them. I started going to a counselor. I've been trying to overcome stress, and it's been very hard. My insomnia, has gotten better in some cases. When I started the ambien it was helping to get my sleep cycle back to normal, but still I don't get too much sleep. Sometimes 3 hours, sometimes 4, sometimes 6 (and then I feel good, but that is rare). After only 1.5 weeks (last thursday) the ambien stopped working as well, but still it helps psychologically I guess. I try to fall asleep on my own and if I can't I take an ambien. I've tried herbal supplements. That didn't work at all. I'm trying to stay upbeat. It's very frustrating, but so nice to know that there are people that understand. Sometimes it feels like… no one really does. And when I was at my worst it felt like life was pointless if I was a zombie (not in a suicidal way, just in an “I can't get up in the morning and during the day I'm listless kind of way”). I'm in my senior year at college and professors don't really take the excuse “sorry I can't focus. I have insomnia.” One of my professors does, however, and she works with me, because she has insomnia too! Lucky me.

I am feeling better, because 4 hours is better than no hours, and I feel like if I at least have a few hours, even if they're not continuous I can make it through the day. I read a lot of the articles and posts on here at night when I can't sleep, but I don't say much. They just help me to feel better.

[MarinaFournier]

Kik writes:

For me, my insomnia comes from the fact my brain just won't switch off at night. I've recently learned to change focus and concentrate on getting rest rather then getting sleep.

Have you tried concentrating on something about which you have no words? Going through a piece of instrumental music (I am no musician) in my head, trying to hear it in my mind; drawing, playing a Tetris-like game (for me, it's Bejeweled2 on my iPhone, but I have to be all snuggled down, lying on my side (it's how I sleep) for it to work), where pretty colors make pretty patterns–all non-verbal activities that can shut off my brain, YMMV. Sometimes beading, when I'm not being a fumble fingers, gets me concentrating non-verbally, and can tire me out and get the active brain turned off.

[MarinaFournier]

'cherrychapstik' wrote on '27:

Again thank you guys. It's hard to sit in my apartment while my husband sleeps, and be alone in my head. I was glad I found this.

Do I ever know what you mean! I spent too many years doing just that. I'm always sad when someone else has been in that situation.

You mentioned in this post that you were going to see your counselor in early October. What came of that?

[Author]

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