[Pete800]

Hello all,

I just discovered this forum and honestly it has allowed me to feel as if I am not alone in this struggle. I suppose that is the whole point. My insomnia has progressively gotten worse for the past year, to the point of going from 4-5 hours a night to 1-2 hours a night within these past 3 months. I have not slept in close to 4 days as I am writing this.

I want to acknowledge everyone’s pain around not being able to sleep. It is really a nightmare. Just a short background on myself, I am a middle school teacher and running coach. I am currently on summer break, which has been the worst “break” of my life. I have been meditating everyday for the past month, tried ambien (which now has little to no effect on me), and now at an all time low after taking Doxepin which made me extremely drowsy, but did not get me to sleep. I am still really hopeful that something will work, but maybe I am too fixated on “the answer”. I just don’t know at this point.

This is taking a huge toll on my wife (and dogs) as I am typically super active. I try to run ~50 miles a week and stay really active. However, this insomnia has kept me from doing what I love. Being outside and going for a run with my dog and wife. I feel as if every step is a struggle and I am in this constant worry that I will pass out if I push too hard. I am not sure if there are other athletes out there and know exercise is GREAT for sleep, but I am struggling to even step outside the house right now.

Finally, I am worried about not being able to perform my job and passion of teaching. I teach middle school and it takes A LOT of energy and patience. I am really afraid I am going to have to take a leave, which is the last thing I want to do. I’m trying to stay as positive as I can, but 4 days of sleep deprivation (0 hours of sleep) is making it extremely difficult. My physician is on vacation for 2 weeks, so not sure if I should stop taking the Doxepin if all it is doing is making me extremely drowsy. When should I seek emergency intervention (urgent care or ER) for sleep deprivation? I am at a loss and know they will likely send me away with little to no answers. Again, that may be my problem.

Anyhow, that’s all for now. Thank you for sharing your stories and encouraging words. Community is everything.

-Pete

[Chee2308]

Hello Pete!
Welcome and sorry to hear about your dilemma. Your story is much alike to another lady’s (her profile is tessishere) whose husband suffered horribly from insomnia like you now. They were practically at their wits’ ends, tried every remedy, saw every doctor they could and took whatever meds prescribed. However, nothing solved their trouble until they came to this forum and someone told them their relentless and frantic efforts to try to cure insomnia and escape from it was the cause why this went on and on with no respite. Suffering is not ended with effort, but with wisdom and empathy. I encourage you to check out her inspiring story and good luck to you.

[Martin Reed]

That sounds really difficult, Pete.

It sounds as though your experience is telling you that the more you try to make sleep happen, the more difficult it seems to become. Does that sound about right?

If so, perhaps refocusing attention toward what you can control might be helpful. For example, it sounds as though being active is important to you. You might not feel able to run 50 miles when things are difficult — but perhaps just stepping outside (even when it feels absolutely impossible) and going for a walk around the block might be more helpful than staying indoors.

Concern about your ability to do your job is understandable and suggests that it is something that’s important to you. When was the last time you passed out in front of your students or found yourself unable to communicate and teach your class because of how you slept?

If that hasn’t happened over the past year, perhaps thanking your brain for sharing its concerns with you and then continuing to act how you would like to act might be the most workable way of responding.

The alternative is to act in ways you would not like to act (take a leave of absence, for example) and to move away from the life you want to live. If you do that, how would it make things any better?

I hope there’s something useful to consider here and I wish you all the best.

—

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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