Anxiety vs Insomnia

[Onix]

I know I PMed you..but I didn't read this first

The doctor definitely can't *make* you take any medication. But, he/she may be able to give you some more information about options, which will most likely include medication. I am curious though---it sounds like it is really difficult for you to talk to a therapist about what is going on...I am wondering what makes going to a doctor to talk about it easier (especially since you don't seem to want what he/she probably has to give ((i.e. medicine)). Does it feel safer because doc may not want you to dive into the emotional aspect of this?

And, I know you don't know me...but...oh lord.... I have all kinds of life-difficulties

I really truly believe that although a lot of people don't talk about them, everyone is struggling with certain things and suffering in some areas. I just think that is humanity. We are imperfect, raw human beings. Our imperfection is beautiful...and often painful. Isolation can be especially compounding in this area when people aren't talking about the reality of our lives that includes our stresses and struggles. ((This makes me think of postsecret.com you ladies should check it out if you haven't! ---people coming together in their rawness and humanity)).

Really, I just want to validate your feelings, but also try to normalize the fact that a lot of people struggle with sleep problems and all kinds of other problems. It is so easy to believe that everyone else has everything together and is super happy (especially based on the happy-ever-after story lines all over the media). But, I think everyone is a little messy. And, its in that messyness that ultimately I think we find each other in the most intimate ways.

I once heard a parable....that if you imagine all of the people on earth as wells (like the water kind)....the deepness in the well represents the deepness of the person's innermost thoughts (i.e. all of our most secret feelings are the deepest in the well, while the top by the grass is our "surface selves". And, interestingly...the place where wells come together...and share their water (the deep feelings water) is deep deep deep deep down . Just like people

I gotta run...but smiles all around

[beccaB]

Could you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder? Maybe your doctor should have you participate in a sleep study. When my husband did that he had to spend a night in the hospital and they studied the way he slept. He had to be woken up periodically and electrodes were stuck to him to measure certain patterns. They couldn't find anything at that time though.

[shootingstar]

Could you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder? Maybe your doctor should have you participate in a sleep study. When my husband did that he had to spend a night in the hospital and they studied the way he slept. He had to be woken up periodically and electrodes were stuck to him to measure certain patterns. They couldn't find anything at that time though.

My partner had this testing at a specialized sleep disorder testing lab at hospital. He has had sleep disorder since his 20's. He has never really felt truly rested from sleep. He is mildly narcopleptic and has tried prescribed daily drugs...which he no longer takes. It didn't make him feel well for rest of day and since it would have been a drug for the rest of his life, he didn't want his body to become addicted to it. This drug was to keep him awake during the day. It still didn't help him sleep better at night, though it was to help stabilize sleeping patterns.

His disorder causes him to fall asleep at theatres, driving, etc.
there is a real reason why he no longer owns a car..this is 1 of the major reasons. Driving after 1 hr., he needs to stop and nap. I don't mind.

And yes, cycling is very helpful to him to "stay awake" during day, as well as a transportation mode. His sleep disorder is compounded by tinnitus (ringing of ears) and high sensitivity to air pressure/weather changes leading to headaches. He seldom takes Tyelonol for headaches. He doesn't see the point when barometric changes is the cause. There is no drug to solve this. Sometimes I don't even know he's experiencing all of this...he's used to it that he isn't always signalling/complaining to me.

Solo's problem sounds as if she can at least isolate when insomnia occurs.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have had insomnia for the first time in my life since early August. It started right when my Nanny got sick and has not lessened. Like you I can go to sleep but I wake up many times. At first my doctor and I really believed it was just the overwhelming grief and stress of Nanny, so I went on Ambien. It keeps me asleep but I feel like crud the next day. I am still fighting mine and going back to my doctor this week. I feel like my grief has lessened but my insomnia hasn't. I miss Nanny but I think my insomnia is my inability to relax my mind. Friday I went out for a margarita and slept like a baby which has been the case the other two times I have gone out for drinks in two months. So obviously taking the edge off works but I don't think it is a very health solution. My doctor has suggested therapy in the past but I am stubborn and not open to it - yet. My doctor also suggested working out right after work until you are exhausted. I haven't had enough energy to do it which is kind of his point.

[solobiker]

I have had insomnia for the first time in my life since early August. It started right when my Nanny got sick and has not lessened. Like you I can go to sleep but I wake up many times. At first my doctor and I really believed it was just the overwhelming grief and stress of Nanny, so I went on Ambien. It keeps me asleep but I feel like crud the next day. I am still fighting mine and going back to my doctor this week. I feel like my grief has lessened but my insomnia hasn't. I miss Nanny but I think my insomnia is my inability to relax my mind. Friday I went out for a margarita and slept like a baby which has been the case the other two times I have gone out for drinks in two months. So obviously taking the edge off works but I don't think it is a very health solution. My doctor has suggested therapy in the past but I am stubborn and not open to it - yet. My doctor also suggested working out right after work until you are exhausted. I haven't had enough energy to do it which is kind of his point.

Thanks for your post. I go to the Drs tomorrow so we will see what he says. Like you I have a hard time with relaxing my mind. I slept okay this weekend, although now my mind is starting to race. I will try to keep my mind focused on other things. Happy sleeping to everyone

[NbyNW]

I haven't experienced anything as severe as what you've described, but when I have racing thoughts I will get up and write them down. Could be something like a to-do list or an idea I have for a project I've been working on. I might write down questions related to a problem that I've been trying to work out. Sometimes I'll sketch whatever's in my head if that's appropriate.

When I was in grad school I kept a notebook handy on my nightstand, since I had trouble turning my brain off before going to sleep.

Somehow getting it out on paper put me at ease that I would be able to take care of all of these thoughts the next day or later in the week.

Good luck with the doctor, and I hope you are able to figure out a way to get some sleep!

[tulip]

I'll just chime in here for the general good: there is NOTHING wrong with seeking help through counseling. It does NOT mean you are crazy or weak. Quite the contrary, it is a courageous act of being proactive in your own health and happiness.

[solobiker]

Could you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder? Maybe your doctor should have you participate in a sleep study. When my husband did that he had to spend a night in the hospital and they studied the way he slept. He had to be woken up periodically and electrodes were stuck to him to measure certain patterns. They couldn't find anything at that time though.

My Dr wants me to do one of these. We will have to see how it works.

[shootingstar]

My Dr wants me to do one of these. We will have to see how it works.

Hey solo, just enjoy being pampered when you're at the sleep clinic session. Might be awkward with all the wiring, but you will be in good hands. An experience to talk of, years from now.

[VeloVT]

Sorry, brief threadjack...

Hey shootingstar, had your partner found anything that helps the tinnitus? My SO also suffers from tinnitus. It affects his sleep as well as being a constant, unpleasant distraction. I would love to be able to find something that helped him.

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

I had good results with Tinnitus Tamer. You do have to devote a little time to it - but not a lot of time, and in my case it was well worth it.

[shootingstar]

Sorry, brief threadjack...

Hey shootingstar, had your partner found anything that helps the tinnitus? My SO also suffers from tinnitus. It affects his sleep as well as being a constant, unpleasant distraction. I would love to be able to find something that helped him.

Thanks!

He hasn't found anything substantive to help him. I'm not sure he'll be looking into Oakleaf's software suggestion. He does suffer ..and has endured this for past few ....decades.

For time being, if I am aware of problem if it's particularily bad at times, I provide some short-term harmless distraction. Has your SO had tinnitus for long and does he know possible causes?


As a side note, last weekend I walked by a bike spinning class at a community centre. I had to use their washroom in middle of my ride. Abit shocking how loud the music was. Rm. was only size of a living rm. Instructor really had to holler above the music ...for ..5-6 people spinning away.

[Laterider21958]

It's interesting to hear of the different things others have tried to overcome their sleeping problems. It appears that I'm not the only one to have the problem. I can kind of pin-point the beginning of my sleep problems to a particularly stressful period in my employment, During my sleep I began to dream about problems or relive difficult situations which occurred during my working day. My dreaming wakes me constantly during the night. Sometimes I can go back to sleep after 10 minutes or so, sometimes I'm awake for a few hours. Listening to talkback radio helps me - must be the constant drone of voices which distracts my thought processes. Other times I have to put the TV on and let that drown out my thoughts. Sometimes I have to get up and have a hot chocolate drink and then return to bed. Like others have mentioned - it's not the going to sleep that's the problem - it's being able to stay asleep. However, even the slightest noise or movement in the first 1/2 and hour of going to bed can mean a very difficult night. To overcome this I've moved rooms as my husband likes to go to bed later than I and then reads for a while and I found this made it almost impossible for me to continue to sleep. It would be wonderful to have a full night of sleep and wake up feeling revitalised.

It's strange how one particular period in a person's life can have such an impact even 7 or more years later. I have found that there can be triggers that begin a particularly bad sleep pattern. If you can identify the triggers I think that would be the answer. Keeping pen and paper on the bedside table to write down things that pop up in your mind and going to bed when you first begin to feel tired helps, as does a regular bed time. I've also identified being too hot seems to mean lots of dreaming, so I try to keep bedding light.

Recently I attended a sleep and hydration training session (for work) and I am trying to drink lots of water to see if that helps.