[SofiK]

Hello Insomnia Coach,
I’d like to say thank you for all the advice you share in videos and on the website! As someone who hasn’t dealt with insomnia for very long, but enough to grow anxious, frustrated, and confused on what to do (or avoid doing), I’ve found multiple snippets of encouragement and direction from you.

This isn’t my first go around, I had short term insomnia in the past that (probably despite me doing all the wrong things) resolved on its own fairly quick.

But back then, I didn’t have debilitating frequent migraines. For over a year now migraines had taken many hours, days, from my life and given me suffering.

Oddly enough the insomnia came in on the tail of an improvement in my headaches after I began a migraine preventative med. (The doctor said the insomnia isn’t a side effect from the med… not impossible but rare) My head felt clear at that time. Amazing! I was alert and productive and happy… waking earlier and earlier.

Initially the insomnia really stressed me out because having regular good sleep is important for a migrainer! It’s been about a month I haven’t had a single normal night.

I’ve started implementing the sleep window and control etc, and I’m very sleepy during the day – fatigued And sleepy, eyelids heavy, yawning. Making it difficult to get through work. I’m worried if I’m doing the right thing…

My question is:
If I went to bed at the same time every night with no issue falling asleep but woke too early and was unable to fall back asleep, is Sleep Restriction still the right solution?

I suspect a huge contributor may be anxiety/effort creeping in when I wake up.

[Martin Reed]

As you suggested, it sounds as though you are (quite understandably!) placing a lot of importance on sleep. This, in turn, can lead us to put pressure on ourselves to sleep and put effort into sleep — things that make conditions for sleep less favorable.

I am a bit surprised by your experience with feeling *sleepy* since people with chronic insomnia typically feel fatigued rather than sleepy (when we are sleepy we are finding it hard to stay awake — and when we are extremely sleepy we might fall asleep without warning). Have you ever fallen asleep during the day without warning?

What is the start time and end time of your current sleep window and how much sleep do you feel you’ve been averaging each night over the past week or two?

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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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