[MarcSFL]

Hi…I'm originally from the suburbs of New York, but have been living in South Florida since 1986. Due to intense ringing in one ear, which started in my 30s (I'm now 47), I was prescribed Xanax. Before too long, I became accustomed to taking it to go to sleep, and did so up until 2 weeks ago. It worked very well, but last November I started having trouble sleeping. Additional medications did not help. I was told that my dependence on Xanax was to blame, and the receptors in my brain were “saturated”. I was advised to “detox” from the Xanax, which I did, but now have to take 5 different pills (non-addictive ones) just to get in a couple of hours sleep. I had to take this week off work (I teach 3rd grade) and can't take anymore days, but I'm exhausted, sleep deprived, groggy from the meds, and don't know how I'm going to make it next week. Anyway, I decided to Google “insomnia support” and found this web site. There is some comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

Before insomnia started dismantling my life, I enjoyed line dancing and two-stepping; I'd go to lessons Mondays and Tuesdays and then show off what I learned on the dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights. But I haven't been for some weeks now.

So, thank you for reading, and I hope to learn from your experiences, as I share my own.

[BobbyP]

Welcome, Marc! And yes, you will find tremendous support on this website. It has really helped my frame of mind since joining several months ago — especially in those horrible hours between about midnight and 3 a.m. when you think you're the only one with this problem. 😮

[xdunlapx]

Welcome to the forum 🙂 I had been taking 2 sleeping pills (newer kind) and still had issues falling asleep. I can't take the Silenor and Ambien CR anymore (even thoug the ambien cr is generic) due to the outrageous price my insurance charges. I just switched to doxepin 10mg and had success last night but not the first night i took it, the night before. I hope you can find some help here on this site. Have you tried melatonin? I hear many people have good success with that. Much luck to you.

Brittany

[MarcSFL]

'xdunlapx' wrote on '14:

Welcome to the forum 🙂 I had been taking 2 sleeping pills (newer kind) and still had issues falling asleep. I can't take the Silenor and Ambien CR anymore (even thoug the ambien cr is generic) due to the outrageous price my insurance charges. I just switched to doxepin 10mg and had success last night but not the first night i took it, the night before. I hope you can find some help here on this site. Have you tried melatonin? I hear many people have good success with that. Much luck to you.

Brittany

Hi, thanks for the input… I'm still learning how to navigate this site, so I'm sending this “test” reply….

[Nicole]

I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle for sleep. I know how bad it sucks. Luckily I am in a good place now and am thank God sleeping well, but I have struggled with the nightmare of insomnia. The hardest thing I find is having to function at work. If I could be home all day during the times of insomnia it would be so much easier to deal with. But to go to work full-time on 3 hours sleep and try to appear “normal” makes the insomnia so hard. I've been well on my Cymbalta in the morning for depression/anxiety and 150mg trazadone at night. I hate having to be on meds, but it is the only way I am able to live a normal life. Good luck to you. Don't give up.

[Jane]

Hi Marc, welcome to the forum.

I am sorry your having so much trouble sleeping. I can relate to the tinnitus. I had the once in both ears some years ago. It was terrible, like the Bells of St Pauls ringing in my ears.

Do you have to drive to work? I ask because obviously if you are groggy from lack of sleep you really need to be careful at the wheel.

Being wide awake when everyone else is asleep is awful isn't it, and so unfair. You've come to the right place for advice. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. 🙂

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to Insomnia Land, Marc. You're right – you're not alone, even though it can feel like it. We're hear to support you during this struggle and we understand the challenges you're facing.

Is there no way you can get a doctor's note to give you a few more days off work without worrying about your job security? Have you tried having an honest discussion with your employer about your sleep problems? Who knows, perhaps they'll be more accommodating than you'd expect.

Perhaps you could push your doctor for some other treatments that may not rely on pharmaceutical intervention. Have you heard of CBT for insomnia? Does the tinnitus itself keep you awake?

—

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.

[MarcSFL]

'Martin' wrote on '16:

Welcome to Insomnia Land, Marc. You're right – you're not alone, even though it can feel like it. We're hear to support you during this struggle and we understand the challenges you're facing.

Is there no way you can get a doctor's note to give you a few more days off work without worrying about your job security? Have you tried having an honest discussion with your employer about your sleep problems? Who knows, perhaps they'll be more accommodating than you'd expect.

Perhaps you could push your doctor for some other treatments that may not rely on pharmaceutical intervention. Have you heard of CBT for insomnia? Does the tinnitus itself keep you awake?

I'm actually very lucky that administration is very supportive, and I was open with them about why I needed a week off…. but when you're a teacher, it's very hard to stay away without worry, because, for example, I have not made substitute plans beyond the 5 days I was out; and I do worry about how it “looks”, to both co-workers and parents, and even the kids…plus, FCATS are right around the corner, and because I have the high-achieving/gifted class, everyone in 3rd grade is depending on me to make sure our average is as high as possible.

Someone suggested applying for short term disability, but I'm going to hold off for now; last night, I threw in a Lyrica capsule, and I actually slept pretty deeply for 6 hours straight, then dozed on and off the rest of the morning. Though I'm groggy from the meds, that 6 hours was a blessing; if I can do it again tonight, I should be okay to go to work tomorrow. I'm just going to have to be extra careful while I drive (it's an hour each way).

I've gotten used to the ringing in my ear, but I'm sure it doesn't help my efforts to sleep. I also started seeing a therapist, just started today; I'm not sure if he's a cognitive behavioral therapist or not, but I suppose most of them make use of that technique to some degree.

[MarcSFL]

'Jane' wrote on '15:

Hi Marc, welcome to the forum.

I am sorry your having so much trouble sleeping. I can relate to the tinnitus. I had the once in both ears some years ago. It was terrible, like the Bells of St Pauls ringing in my ears.

Do you have to drive to work? I ask because obviously if you are groggy from lack of sleep you really need to be careful at the wheel.

Being wide awake when everyone else is asleep is awful isn't it, and so unfair. You've come to the right place for advice. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. 🙂

Hi…yes, I have an hour commute each way; I know I have to concentrate very hard while behind the wheel. I don't want to get hurt, or worse, hurt someone else.

[Author]

Posts