[Da1265]

I have been suffering from insomnia since 2015. Last month I had a head on collision with an 18-wheeler because I fell asleep at the wheel. I should be dead and now I’m obsessed and desperate to cure my insomnia and live normal again. I have almost 200,000 dollar hospital bill I’m just so scared if any one has any help to offer please tell me

[Edgar]

That’s terrible news, I’m sorry to hear that. This kind of thing can happen to any of us.

Martin Reed, the owner of this site, will answer your questions, don’t worry,just as soon as enough posts accumulate.

As for curing insomnia, that’s a tough one. I personally don’t think it can be cured, but if you’re lucky it can be managed to some degree, perhaps even reaching almost normal.

What does your insomnia look like? What have you tried so far?

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by Edgar.

[Da1265]

That’s really rough to hear Edgar what makes you believe it can’t be cured? It’s so crazy I grew up as an only child with a single mother. She was always the constant in my life when I was 19 she moved away to Florida to retire with one of her friends and I was left where I was because I didn’t wanna leave my friends. That’s when my insomnia started. I started college late but I’m 23 now and I’m making my way through even though it’s hard. In my first English 101 class Insomnia was the topic I chose to base most of my papers around so I’d like to think I know a bit. I’ve tried waking up, going to sleep same time every night. I’ve tried bi-naural beats. I’ve tried melatonin and Valerian. I’ve tried eating nothing but super clean foods and drinking only water and milk. I’ve tried a lot and I’m desperate now I’m so sad. Will i never be able to go back to how I was when I was 18 with my friends and getting drunk till 2am and waking up at noon? I felt great back thwn

[Da1265]

I’m just so lost. So many nights I’ve decided not go out drinking and have fun with my friends who are all in college because I know my insomnia won’t ever get better if I do that but man do I miss those days

[Edgar]

Sorry if I was rough, I’m having a shitty day myself. In reality it doesn’t have to be like that. For instance, I had a two year episode of insomnia in college, then a very long hiatus of nearly normal sleep with only occassional rough nights, then 3 years ago my insomnia returned in its full form as it is today.
You’re young, maybe the same thing happens to you, maybe it goes away and, why not, perhaps in your case never returns. I was unlucky, maybe you won’t be. For most people insomnia comes in episodes,so..

I just don’t think there is much we can actively do about it, other than accept it and try to live a normal life. There are others, though, who say they cured their insomnia with sleep restriction, CBT and all that. Maybe THEY’re right, why not.
Anyway, like I said, you’re young and stand a good chance that all this is only a passing episode, so hang in there.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by Edgar.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by Edgar.

[Edgar]

For starters, try not to hang around on forums like these too long. Learn what you want, get comfort if you need it and go to some better place. Pop in from time to time when you need understanding, but don’t hang around too much, sometimes ignorance is bliss.
That is, of course, unless you hire Martin to give you a hand, then I guess it’s expected to stick around.

[Martin Reed]

Insomnia absolutely can be cured — a quick look at the insomnia success stories forum, the case studies page, and the insomnia podcast episodes can provide a lot of evidence of this!

With that being said, falling asleep behind the wheel would be extremely unusual for someone with chronic insomnia. Have you been tested or assessed for other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea?

—

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.

[Da1265]

Unfortunately Mark it is chronic insomnia. I check all the boxes of symptoms. Waking up tired, waking up in the middle of the night unable to fall back asleep. Unrefreshing sleep and having difficulty falling asleep. I no longer take naps and have cut all caffiene and alcohol. I have dealt with this for four years. Some nights are better than others but never again since I was 19 have I been able to fall into a deep sleep, or even sleep for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time and my work and school life have suffered because of it. I was on a long, very long interstate and apparently dozed under the wheel and drove into the wrong lane of traffic. I woke up early trying to make my dentists appointment at this dental college in birmingham. The appointment was at 1pm and I had been on the road since 9am. I had to hear from 1000 doctors and nurses what a miracle it is I’m alive but ever since I’ve been obsessed with curing my insomnia. Can you offer me any guidance please?

[Da1265]

My insomnia has been for four years straight 🙁 any adivce or insight you can offer Edgar? What works for you? Have you tried CBT-I and other sleep specialists and labs?

• This reply was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by Da1265.

[Edgar]

Hi, Da1265,

I have to agree with Martin here, I am also surprised that you fell asleep at the wheel. I remember reading about a doctor who said she would rather go on a ride with one of her chronic insomniac patients who hasn’t slept the whole night than with her husband, a normal sleeper, on 6 hrs of sleep. Insomniacs in general are too wired for that to happen. But I suppose it can happen.

I don’t think I am the right person to ask for advice, since I use (and abuse) Valium for a long time, much longer that the recommended few weeks, which is a terrible idea that I would love to quit.

But, if we talk about the first time that my insomnia came strong and then subsided, that 2 year episode during college (I was about your age), what happened was I realized that I was focused on sleep too much, obsessed with it if you will, and I feared both thebed and the night. Finally one day I decided that I would just live my life like I didn’t have insomnia. I was young enough for the strategy to work (now I can’t pretend I’m fine, I’m too tired, the body just won’t take it anymore and people are more perceptive in your thirties). I went to coffees,drank coffee, went out, if I slept poorly I just kept going and after a while things got better. I did the opposite of what people say, I didn’t actively DO anything to help me sleep. The difference between then and now is that back then my only problem was getting to sleep. Once I would finally fall asleep, I could sleep for as long as I needed. Now it’s different with this early morning awakening business.

So, I don’t know. Try to adopt a “f*** it” attitude. Sometimes less is more. I know it’s going to be difficult after your car crash, though.

Or, try the things that Martin suggests, he is an expert, I’m just a patient. Maybe there is more than insomnia at work in your case (sleep apnoea comes to mind). In any case, good luck.

[Martin Reed]

Hello again @Da1265

I would strongly suggest you consult with a sleep specialist to assess for the potential presence of a sleep disorder other than insomnia.

I am certainly not disputing that you have insomnia — but it’s important to determine whether another sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea) might also be present. If it is, it’s important to address this separately since CBT-I techniques are not effective for sleep disorders other than insomnia.

As mentioned before, it’s pretty much unheard of for someone with chronic insomnia (and no other sleep disorder or health issue) to fall asleep at the wheel. So, I would encourage you to see a sleep specialist and see if an overnight sleep study might be appropriate.

—

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.

[Da1265]

It surprises me a bit that you guys think I may have sleep apnea. I don’t really have any of the symptoms. I’ve never woken up with any gasping or choking. Nor do I ever wake up with a sore throat nor am I a snorer. I remember the exact day my insomnia started. I was 19 and my mother who is the only family and safety net I’d ever had in my life told me she was moving away to Florida and I would have to find new living arrangements and find roommates or other people to live with. At first I started trying sleeping medications that you buy in the store but they just made matters worse. Then I tried buying a memory foam topper for my bed once I lived with new roommates. That didn’t work. I tried using eye masks and playing soothing music to help sleep. Nothing. Then I started to get desperate. I started drinking a bit before sleep every night to knock me out. Ya’ll already know that ended bad. Maybe in the past year or so I actually started doing heavy research and started trying to go bed same time every night (which is difficult cause I’m a server at a restaurant and we could get out any time between 10 and midnight). Started eating a lot healthier. Started taking magnesium tablets before bed (which sometimes I’d actually get a decent 5 hours taking those) And I started cutting out blue light as well. I’ve tried pretty much everything you can try for low-cost by yourself and nothing has been able to cure me. My brain just races too much. I miss going downtown to drink with my friends. I miss being able to go to sleep whenever I wanted and wake up after a nice long deep sleep. I miss being able to actually take naps and getting nourishment from them. I’m so lost guys and with this medical bill I don’t really have the money for a sleep doctor or CBT-I so I’ve been heavily considering joining the national guard as of late. Just so they’d help me with my sleep.

[Da1265]

Hey Edgar have you considered stopping the Valium and looking for alternatives? Give me some insight please why have you not tried CBT-I or something along those lines to try and stop it for good? Have you tried sleep restrictions or taking magnesium or waking up same time early every morning? Those are the few things I’ve tried that have been able to help me a little although every single day now I miss when I was a teenager and I would be able to sleep anywhere at anytime and I’d wake up from a deep sleep feeling rested. My skin was clearer. I wasn’t as pale. I didn’t have dark heavy bags under my eyes. I could actually gain muscle (i just stay skinny now cause even if I go to the gym I don’t really get results from it cause your muscles mostly get bigger and recover after good sleep)

[Edgar]

Hi,

I have considered trying other sleeping pills since Valium is losing its efficiency after all this time. Sorry for being a skeptic, but I don’t believe magnesium would do much. I do, however, believe some good exercise might help, but for now I’m just not finding the time.
I miss waking up with the birds, not before them, too. I also look pale, have bags under my eyes and I’m skinny except for the stomach. I’ve tried going to the gym in college,I didn’t know then how important sleep is for gaining muscle. Needless to say the results were not very impressive.

[Author]

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