Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
'Daz27041' wrote on '14:
Hi Everybody! My name is Darrin, I'm 42, live in Sydney and have suffered with insomnia since July last year (2010). Mine started after a very short period of a depression. The depression went but the sleeplessness stayed! I have tried many treatments – medication Ambien works well but I don't like to take it for it's hangover effect the next morning, Avanza (anti depressant/anxiety drug), acupuncture, hypnosis (waste of money), counselling, homeopathic medicines etc. Miy insomnia is kind of weird. I might sleep quite ok for a week straight, then all of a sudden go to bed and not be able to sleep at all for the night. Then the anxiety starts about sleeping and the vicious cycle begins. I find this the worst, the constant thinking of “Am I going to sleep tonight?”. I used to get quite anxious laying in bed trying to sleep as I was one of those who would stay in bed… I figured if I was in bed there was a chance I might be able to drop off to sleep. I usually am able to get some kind of sleep the following night, even with all the anxiety. I have gone on periods like no sleep for a night, sllep for 2, none for a night, sleep for 2, none for a night, sleep for one etc. How this frustrates me! I have been medication free for a while now, but recently I started using 15mg of Avanza at night just before bed as that drug in low doses is used as a treatment for insomnia. It was also used to treat my depression. I have resorted to using it the last 2 nights at about 1am and it does send me off. However, I think I have a quick tolerance for this and from previous use, it will have no effect sometime down the track. I haven't used Ambien in quiet a while and I like it that way. In a way I am a 'lucky' sufferer. I am able to function well the next day. The lack of sleep seems to have no effect on my work performance. I was a shift worker for 21 years, but was able to give the shift up late last year. I used to do 12 hour shifts consisting of 2 days (6am-6pm) then 2 nights (6pm-6am) then have 4-5 days off. After a night shift I would only sleep 5-6 hours. I seem to be able to manage on little sleep. So, the big question is (apart from why am I not sleeping) is why do I worry so much about it?? I don't know the answer to that one! I wish I did. I think I have a fear that 1 sleeplees night will turn into 2, which will turn into 3 and so on. In my initial depression episode I think I went for 3 days with absolutely minimal sleep, plus with the feelings of depression which I was experiencing for the first time really scared me. This was completely new to me. My psychologist I was seeing told me not to think about it. Don't entertain thoughts of not sleeping. Don't put it on a pedestal. It will happen when it happens, the body will get sleep when IT needs it … Mmmm So where am I at now? I am working hard on my sleep hygiene. I am following a program called “Learn to sleep better without drugs” written by an Australian psychologist. It has an 80% success rate. It has 9 golden rules and there is support sections giving some answers to the 'what if's' about insomnia. I go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day. I try to relax more with self hypnosis (spoken words, music and binaural beats/isochronic tones), get more sun on the body, develop a nighttime ritual in readiness for bed. I did this for a while and it was working – then I started to sleep in a little on weekends and then it all stopped … again!!! DOH – my mistake!!! Its a 6 week program with very easy to follow instructions. You keep a journal of your sleep habits for 6 weeks as well. Happy to share it with anyone who'd like a copy. Oh well, just have to keep at it I suppose. Sorry if I went on a bit, it's just that if I am to contribute here and help others as well as get help and support myself, then people or should I say my new found friends should know a bit about my history! I am so glad I found this website. I have looked at others on the net and some of the members are quite scary to be honest with what they write!! Thanks for reading.
Darrin,
Thanks for sharing your story. I've had insomnia for 30 years and have been on drugs for about 5 years. My first set of 3 drugs worked fine for years and then suddenly stopped working. So my doctor prescribed more drugs. I hate taking them too but its that or NO SLEEP AT ALL. Stress and anxiety are a big part of my life (job, etc.)How I wish I could be a different person and not react to stress by having insomnia. But that's the hand I've been dealt. Welcome.
'Sahara' wrote on '04:Well hello fellow insomniacs! It has taken me a long time to get here. Never knew of this site and found it by 'accident'. All those lonely nights,. No one quite understands insomnia if they haven't experienced it for weeks, months, years on end. It's funny, people are always sort of excited to tell me when they have had a sleepless night. As if they now understand. I tell them “go back and try it for a year, then we'll talk”. And then there are all the 'helpful' tips that work for them so should work for me, right? A shot of brandy, glass of warm milk, warm shower, couple of Gravol, relaxation techniques, any of these before bed are sure to fix me. Right? Sure, I'll try it, I'll try anything, since the strongest meds don't work I'm sure a glass of milk will! It's a lonely road. Glad to have peers traveling it with me.
Sure glad to have you here! My latest “cure” is to double my Seroquel (quietapine) for a month and then go back to my doctor if that doesn't work. It's been an on and off thing. One night woke at my usual 2:30am and foolishly started fretting about work. That did it. No more sleep for me that night. Last night I actually had a decent sleep (which I should be rejoicing in) but was really down. So I'll try it again tonight (no work tomorrow – whew!)and see what happens. This can't be the solution! It's just too unpredictable.
'sweetsubversion' wrote on '01:Hello all my fellow insomniacs. I am new to the group. I have a circadian rhythm disorder which I've had since I was very small. I am unemployed- this aggravates my insomnia. I have 5 cats.
Cheers everyone.
Sweetsubversion
Welcome!
'Martin' wrote on '01:Just a bit of fun that will also help us get to know each other better. Using just two words, sum yourself up. I'll start:
Friendly
Persistent
scared
anxious
'Remy' wrote on '01:Seems an appropriate morning to introduce myself, as I only slept 4 hours last night, despite being ridiculously tired.
I'm Remy, from New Zealand. I have severe insomnia, medicated with quetiapine, clonazepam and melatonin. I haven't slept naturally for five years, and have been through sleep-dep psychosis.
I'm 22, like sports and comic books, and enjoy writing weird stories.
Remy,
You are SOOOOO… welcome here! I too have had chronic insomnia since my 30ies (I'm 67 now). You mentioned taking quetiapine. I've been taking quetiapine for about 5 years now too with Temazepam and Ativan. This combo worked so great for me for so long but all of a sudden (or maybe slowly and I just didn't notice)my wonderful sleeps I could count on every night are gone! My doctor recommended increasing my quetiapine from 25mg to 50mg. Had a BAD reaction to 50mg on the 4th night. Had a great sleep (and I was so unbelieveably happy to think I'd solved my problem). But my happiness soon turned in a real, real downer. So I've been taking about 37mg quetiapine for the past 3 nights (crappy sleeps). Tonight I'm going to try the full 50mg because I have 1 more day until I have to go back to work. so if disaster strikes again, I can compensate tomorrow night.
'PatO' wrote on '28:Hello everyone
I have been stricken with chronic insomnia for over four months now and I (like so many others in this situation) am just taking it day by day. Or shall I say, night by night. I live in California and I sometimes like to play my guitar. I hope to learn and help others who are dealing with this horrible condition.
PatO
Boy have you hit on the description – HORRIBLE CONDITION. Like most everyone here I'm really struggling too. Have been on 3 sleep meds for years that worked really well, but seems like all of a sudden (maybe it has happened over time and I just didn't notice) my 3 meds have failed. Had 3 lousy nights in a row. I'm scared to go to bed. 🙁
'wonderhussy' wrote on '28:I was looking into Sleep Tracks. Before I blow another $70, I'm just wondering if:
a) anyone has had any luck with it?
is it the same thing as Pzizz (pzizz.com)…which I've already tried and found zero success with?Any feedback is appreciated!
Sorry, Have never hear of either
'Martin' wrote on '27:I completely agree with you, and the fact that people just don't get that fact is one reason why I started Insomnia Land.
I don't remember you saying, but have you tried CBT as an alternative to meds in an attempt to get some sleep? What are the disastrous results you speak of when you double your Seroquel?
Remember – we are all here for you. We've got your back.
Martin,
Thank you for agreeing with me that INSOMNIA is as bad a disease as practically any other.
The disastrous results with the 50mg Seroquel were a HUGE high (thinking I'd actually solved my current problem (I got a really good sleep the night before) only to be followed by a bigger CRASH – fear, terror, all that. I am intersted in trying CBT but as I've said in the past I could never afford a trained therapist.
'fishyherring10' wrote on '28:It is certainly tough going coping with insomnia. I found in the early days on my insomnia that I worried a lot about getting to sleep in case I could not function the next day. As time has gone by, I have found my body has adjusted to much less sleep and I am able to cope some what better now than 3.5 years ago when my insomnia first became a real problem. Are you able to have a nap at lunch time so you can survive the afternoon? I have also found going to bed much later i.e. 1 or 2am without worrying about the effect that might have tomorrow, has helped me a cope better and has played a small part in helping some sleep pattern to return. i do hope you find some success in your struggle.
Nigel
Nigel,
Good to see a male member. About getting less sleep. That's really up for grabs. I have had 3 lousy nights in a row getting about 3-4 hours of sleep. I work part-time but a nap at noon is completely out of the question when I'm working. About going to bed much later. My big problem with that is I can't usually stay awake past 10:00pm. I've been on a series of 3 meds for years and they worked so great for so long, but now they have completely turned on me. Last night I was so tired I dozed from about 6pm until about 9:30. I'm sure this didn't help my sleep any. Tonight I'm going to try my doctors advice and take the full 50mg Seroquel. But the last time I did this the consequesnces were a disaster – I had a real HIGH all day (thinking that I had solved my problem only to be followed by a huge CRASH. Terror, fear and all the rest. I have 2 days left for my break (long week-end, etc.) and if the 50mg Seoquel is a disaster I can adjust it to what I know I can go to work with. Thanks for you reply
'wonderhussy' wrote on '25:Hello fellow sufferers! I have been afflicted with insomnia since April 2010. It kicked in quite suddenly, after 30 years of being able to sleep anytime, anywhere, deeply and solidly. I'm not sure what caused it, but I haven't given up trying to figure it out.
My insomnia is of this type: I fall asleep easily and quickly, and sleep well for an average of 3 hours. Then, I wake up, and unable to resume deep sleep. The most I can manage is a sort of half-assed stage 1 dozing that is not very restful.
So far I've tried all the usual. Behavioral therapy, herbs, acupuncture, yoga, sex, meditation, medical marijuana and about 100 different pills. The only thing that has worked thus far is a combination of Seroquel and smoked mmj, or Lunesta and smoked mmj. I don't like smoking or taking pills, though, so I'm trying to find a better way.
Right now I am on day 14 of a sleep restriction diet whereby I only allow myself to spend 6 hours in bed — I go to bed at 2:30am, and get up at 8:30am sharp. I have not deviated from this schedule, and I have cut down my caffeine intake drastically…but still have seen zero improvement.
I'm wondering how much longer I should keep trying — or if I should give up. I'm soooooo tired! And I'm a model, so I need my beauty sleep — I'm starting to look like an old hag!
When I finally give up on sleep restriction, next on the agenda will be hypnotherapy. And if that doesn't work, then my next step will be biofeedback. Sure, its $1700…but I'm desperate!
Meanwhile, tonight I'm going to try eating some mmj instead of smoking. Say what you will about marijuana — it works at least as well as “legit” drugs, and the side effects are comparable to killers like Seroquel. I have a legal prescription, so today I plan to go over to the local dispensary and get some cookies or something to eat before bed. Supposedly, the effects are stronger and longer-lasting than smoking, vaporizing or ingesting it as a tincture (all of which I tried, and smoking is the only one that works for me).
I am not a recreational marijuana user — I literally only use it in bed, as medicine. I should be the poster child for mmj!
Anyway, nice to meet all of you!
Wonderhussy,
Nice to “meet you”. I was intererested in your comments about Seroquel. I've been taking 25mg Seroquel for years and have found that my sleep has been getting progressively worse over time. Lots of psychological stuff going on too. My family doctor recommended I double the dose of Seroquel to 50mg/night. I did this for a few nights and by the 4th night I actually had 8 hours of sleep, but what a price!! The next morning I was OK but by the afternoon I was a real space cadet then followed by a real super downer. I had to go to work the next day and was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to do my job. So I went back to my normal 25mg and was fine (except my usual lousy sleep and depression). So I decided to try and add more Seroquel slowly (cut a 25mg pill in half). I have this waking up and going back to sleep thing. I have been fine for the first 2 but I just can't get back to sleep for the 3rd one – which usually happens aroung 4am. So my anxiety and fear that I wouldn't go back to sleep may have been part of the cause for the long time I waited to go back to sleep – I finally did, but I think it was very brief. But I woke up not feeling refreshed and “HAPPY”.I feel OK today but am scared what will happen this afternoon. My family doctor said that Seroquel wouldn't hurt me, but in the dose she recommended WOW – bad news. Along with the Seroquel I take 2 other sleep meds. I'm 67 years old and think my age is a factor.
Sure hope you can find a solution to your problem.
'cherrychapstik' wrote on '21:I'm wondering if anyone has tried the Neuro Sleep Zzzzz drink. It's orange and comes in a plastic bottle that looks kind of like an hourglass. My step dad raves about it and drinks it every night. However, my step-dad is pretty suggestible. I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it so I can get a more objective opinion on it. I think it contains melatonin, and a bunch of natural relaxers. I always think that stuff is just a crock slapped with the word “sleep” in order to get money.
Haven't hear of that one. Unfortunately I'm so far away from anything that is “natural” I doubt that it would have any affect on me at all. In desperation a while ago, I bought Nytol (or some other over the counter sleep aid). I added it to my usual prescription meds and it had NO EFFECT at all on me.
'christine9774' wrote on '19:Hi Molly
I totally understand how you feel, I've been dealing with the same thing. I hope things go well with your doctor and she can help you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! 🙂
Christine9774,
My family doctor recommended that I double the dose of my anti-depressant for a month to see it that helps. It started slow at first (marginally better night 1, then marginally better than that, etc. Last night (night 4) I actually got 8 hours of sleep. 3 different parts of the night. Bahtroom break – back to sleep, another bathroom break – back to sleep. I thought that would be it for the night but I went back to sleep again. I feel “NORMAL” and will see how it goes at work tomorrow.
'christine9774' wrote on '19:Hi Molly
I totally understand how you feel, I've been dealing with the same thing. I hope things go well with your doctor and she can help you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! 🙂
My family doctor changed the dosage for one of my meds. I'll start it tonight. She also gave me some interesting info. A few sites say that anti-depressants make insomnia worse. She told me that some anti-depressants do but the one I'm taking doesn't. I'm so tired my eyes look like 2 pi.. holes in the snow and I have to go to work tomorrow. I can't allow myself to be too hopeful.
'Martin' wrote on '19:Doesn't sound boring at all. If you had been a member here for longer you'd know that for many years growing up, I wanted to be a bus driver!!
Martin,
I drive a truck and deliver radiators. The driving part is OK but the warehouse work is hard for me sometimes. My other workers are good about helping out, though. What makes me mad though is that I have a BA from UCLA and when I had to go back to work a few years ago I couldn't find any work that was in any way related to the work I'd done in the past. So for now I just need to try and stick with my current job.
'Martin' wrote on '17:Do you think you're building up a tolerance to the meds you're on, or do you think there's another reason behind the sleep getting progressively worse? A therapist may be a good option as cherrychapstik suggests. Have you investigated cognitive behavioral therapy or tried finding a sleep specialist?
Martin,
I think primarily it's just becoming tolerant to the meds I've been taking for years. They worked fine for such a long time. There is a lot of psychological stuff going on too.On my days off I just “get out of Dodge!!!”. This may sound really boring to everyone but my favorite thing to do is to take the bus (I'm a delivery driver and frankly HATE to drive)and go out to our university for a hamburger. This allows me to feel “free” at least for a few hours.
