[ExhaustedMichelle]

Hey guys,

Gonna try to keep this one simple and brief.

This past week, I've developed a brand new issue that is wreaking havoc with my life. The way it's been going, is I'll take my nightly handfull of OTC, Rx, and holistic sleep meds around 11/1130 pm. I generally drift off to sleep between midnight and 1am. Without fail, I wake up at 2 or 230am and struggle for many hours to try to return to sleep. If I'm still awake at 5am, I get in the shower and begin my caffeination process so I can try to begin my day. These days, though I'm nearly useless and close to brain dead all morning with an IQ equal to a goldfish, are actually the better of the OTHER scenario. My new problem…

Ok, so scenario number two… Some time between 4/430 am I fall back asleep into a super deep coma. I've been sleeping straight through the 5 different alarms I have set, ten minutes apart, on three devices placed at varying distances in my bedroom so I'm REQUIRED to get out of bed to shut them up. when it is a school day, my youngest daughter sometimes (luckily) comes upstairs before 8 and I scramble groggily with one eye shut to get dressed, fumble for my keys, and race her to school on time. She's not quite 9, and it should not be her responsibility to wake her mother up so she's not late for school. Worse is when she doesn't realize the time, and wakes me at 830 sometimes 9, sometimes later which makes her very tardy. I worry tremendously that her teacher or the administration at the school will report this to DSS and I'll be investigated for neglect.

On weekends, I don't usually set an alarm, since the latest I used to have the ability to sleep until used to be no later than 9am… Oh how I miss those days. If I'm not awakened by a member of the household I'll sometimes sleep until noon or later, missing half my day and leaving the kids unsupervised downstairs to trash the house, raid the kitchen, fight with each other and God knows what else. Luckily, my live in boyfriend is usually (but not always) home during these times but I still have this overwhelming sense of guilt and worthlessness because of my sleeping.

I also take long naps on the days that I'm up all night. The condition of my house is horrible and stresses me out terribly. I used to clean at least two hours per day and do projects on weekends. That has all changed with the insomnia and all of the napping and lack of energy/motivation. I've also gained 23 lbs from becoming so sedentary.

If I can't find a way to sleep all night straight through and stop this cycle, I'm going to need to figure out a way to stay awake and be productive during the day. This is really doing a number on my relationships with my boyfriend and my children. My friends and family are affected too. I hear them all make remarks about my laziness. I can't stand being looked at that way. I have huge control issues, anxiety, and a perfectionist complex. It's killing me mentally and I'm always a nervous wreck.

I'd give anything to feel good again. I saw a medication available by prescription only that is given to people with narcolepsy. Starts with a P and the brand name starts with “Nu”. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and have any experience with taking it?

So much for keeping it short. Lol 😉

[ExhaustedMichelle]

I just looked up the medications I was referring to in the previous post. They are Provigil and Nuvigil.

Has anyone had any experience with either of these “wakefulness promoting” medications?

[lowercasebecky1952]

'ExhaustedMichelle' wrote on '15:

Hey guys,

Gonna try to keep this one simple and brief.

This past week, I've developed a brand new issue that is wreaking havoc with my life. The way it's been going, is I'll take my nightly handfull of OTC, Rx, and holistic sleep meds around 11/1130 pm. I generally drift off to sleep between midnight and 1am. Without fail, I wake up at 2 or 230am and struggle for many hours to try to return to sleep. If I'm still awake at 5am, I get in the shower and begin my caffeination process so I can try to begin my day. These days, though I'm nearly useless and close to brain dead all morning with an IQ equal to a goldfish, are actually the better of the OTHER scenario. My new problem…

Ok, so scenario number two… Some time between 4/430 am I fall back asleep into a super deep coma. I've been sleeping straight through the 5 different alarms I have set, ten minutes apart, on three devices placed at varying distances in my bedroom so I'm REQUIRED to get out of bed to shut them up. when it is a school day, my youngest daughter sometimes (luckily) comes upstairs before 8 and I scramble groggily with one eye shut to get dressed, fumble for my keys, and race her to school on time. She's not quite 9, and it should not be her responsibility to wake her mother up so she's not late for school. Worse is when she doesn't realize the time, and wakes me at 830 sometimes 9, sometimes later which makes her very tardy. I worry tremendously that her teacher or the administration at the school will report this to DSS and I'll be investigated for neglect.

On weekends, I don't usually set an alarm, since the latest I used to have the ability to sleep until used to be no later than 9am… Oh how I miss those days. If I'm not awakened by a member of the household I'll sometimes sleep until noon or later, missing half my day and leaving the kids unsupervised downstairs to trash the house, raid the kitchen, fight with each other and God knows what else. Luckily, my live in boyfriend is usually (but not always) home during these times but I still have this overwhelming sense of guilt and worthlessness because of my sleeping.

I also take long naps on the days that I'm up all night. The condition of my house is horrible and stresses me out terribly. I used to clean at least two hours per day and do projects on weekends. That has all changed with the insomnia and all of the napping and lack of energy/motivation. I've also gained 23 lbs from becoming so sedentary.

If I can't find a way to sleep all night straight through and stop this cycle, I'm going to need to figure out a way to stay awake and be productive during the day. This is really doing a number on my relationships with my boyfriend and my children. My friends and family are affected too. I hear them all make remarks about my laziness. I can't stand being looked at that way. I have huge control issues, anxiety, and a perfectionist complex. It's killing me mentally and I'm always a nervous wreck.

I'd give anything to feel good again. I saw a medication available by prescription only that is given to people with narcolepsy. Starts with a P and the brand name starts with “Nu”. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and have any experience with taking it?

So much for keeping it short. Lol 😉

Hi, Michelle.

I don't know if you realize it, but I think you pinpointed your problem yourself…the problem is, fixing it. I don't really think you need to ask for medication meant for narcoleptics. It sounds like something a person I met while livingt in a mobile home/RV community was taking FOR narcolepsy. She was telling me that the worst thing was that she always felt too wide awake. She had a local doctor, so she was able to get the dose reduced to a point that it still worked, but she didn't have that 15 cup of espresso feeling. My neurologist was convinced that treating my diabetic neuropathy with Neurontin, and treating my restless legs with with Mirapex would hold me for a few years, and miraculously, it has, so far so good. I wish I had paid attention to what the doses are. I know that my body felt it immediately. He started me off at the highest dosage level of Neurontin he could, which was, I believe, 1,000mg. So, that worked well. I've been on it almost ten years. I like to get the mildest winnowed being played in a deep sleep. View your blog.

[Nicole]

Sounds like this sleep issue is really interfering with your ability to function and affecting your family. Have you considered counseling with someone who specializes in sleep disorders to get you back on track? They could help you sort out the problem, give you professional advice. It sounds like it has gotten out of control. I can relate and feel for you. Keep us updated and good luck to you.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to Insomnia Land, Michelle. You've already seen for yourself that we're a supportive bunch here, so you no longer need to feel as though you're not understood – you've now got a fantastic support group and we all look after one another here.

First, have you sought medical advice or treatment for your sleep other than a pharmaceutical treatment? The fact that you can sleep at certain times suggests a delayed sleep phase disorder (but I'm no doctor).

Have you tried openly and honestly explaining the problems you have with sleep to your children and boyfriend? If they have a better understanding that much of your sleep and perceived “laziness” is something you cannot control, they may be more willing to accept things (and be more understanding). Perhaps they could even pitch in on some of the housework so you have one less thing to worry about.

Do keep us updated, and know that we've all got your back.

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