[debraw100]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have had chronic insomnia now for over 8 years, ever since I started with

Crohns Disease (IBD),my body was working overtime not my mind. I cannot fall asleep naturally and have now been taking quite a lot of medication,

antihistamines and zoplicone (which I'm now addicted too). They (sometimes) not always get me off

to sleep, getting about 2/3hrs maximum.I would like to come off these pills, they are not as effective now either and just wondered if anyone

could let me have advice on how to sleep naturally?? I cannot nap in the day either! I have been to a sleep clinic and they dismissed me almost immediately, saying CBT may help, but I have had that over the years and it did no

help at all!

Thanks Debra

[groggy]

Hi Debra,

gosh – what a lovely Sleep Clinic! (not!)

I've been planning on going to one too – tho I assume they can't do much for me either…

But to have them dismiss you – hm, great.

My doctor told me there are 2 different sorts of sleep clinic where I live – either you go to one for the more “physical” side of things, like sleep apnea, etc, or you go to one for the “psychological” aspects of sleep. Perhaps you need to try one with a psychological approach?

Also, there should be places that can help you wean off the Zoplicone.

Other than that, I'm also suffering from insomnia, so I too have more questions than advice to offer!!

All the best,

Groggy

[stillawake]

I would think acupuncture could help, as that will also treat the IBS as well. Homeopathy could also be useful for the same reasons. Both of these therapies can also help sleep, so maybe worth a try! Especially as the insomnia started with the Crohns disease, treating all of your symptoms holistically would be my advice. Good luck

[debraw100]

Hi Groggy and Stillawake -thanks for the advice. Yes the Sleep Clinic a bit useless, I think the CBT they suggested is the psychological approach, but

like I said I have tried that over the years, and it didnt work for me unfortunately. Having said that I have applied to the PCT to go to the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, but so far funding has been turned down. I do think it is more a pysical thing,I am now in remission with the Crohns and a sleep pattern never returned. I have also tried acupuncture years ago (thanks for suggesting) but this didnt work either! Oh my..With regards to the Zoplicone, it does worry me about taking it for so long, my new gp suggested I go cold turkey, but I didnt want to do that over Xmas! I am sure the GP will not prescribe for much longer though. I just seem to need stronger and stronger pills!

I have just started to try Magnesium again, to see if this helps? Has anyone tried Niacin or 5HTP? and has this helped at all?

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to Insomnia Land, Debra.

You know, a lot of members here who have been to sleep clinics didn't find them overly helpful – so you definitely are not alone in that regard. As Groggy suggests, it would seem that sleep clinics are only really beneficial when you suffer from physical sleep issues such as sleep apnea.

Don't give up though – you'll get plenty of support and advice here in the forums.

Keep in touch and take care!

—

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.

[debraw100]

sorry just one other thing, I was thinking of writing back to the sleep clinic and asking them if they could check my melatonin levels?

Can they do this and if so would it help??

[debraw100]

thanks Martin, I did get that impression from the Sleep Clinic that maybe if I had Sleep Apnea, they would be interested!

[Martin Reed]

Did you get your melatonin levels checked? I'd be interested to know what your levels were.

—

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.

[debraw100]

No, the sleep clinic did not mention it at my appointment (which was in august 2012), and my GP says he cant test for it. So I was thinking of writing back to the sleep centre and asking them if they can check my levels? Do you think this is something worth doing, will they help? I realise that melatonin decreases with age, I am 50 now. also I have read that low DHEA levels can cause insomnia, what do you think of that too?

[Martin Reed]

Well, I'm not too sure a melatonin level test would be all that revealing. There's more than just melatonin at play when it comes to sleep – melatonin is more responsible for the sleep/wake cycle rather than the initial process of falling asleep and staying asleep.

That being said, if you're determined to get your melatonin levels checked, you may be able to order a testing kit online and have it sent to a lab (saliva swab). Of course, you'd need to pick up the tab for this.

Here's some more information on DHEA (check the source link, too):

http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/this-hormone-may-cure-insomnia-may-also-cause-insomnia/

—

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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