Does anyone here suffer from insomnia?

[zalansky]

I am having a serious bout of insomnia. I go to bed, feeling very tired, and lay there for hours without falling asleep. Last weekend I laid awake the entire night and never fell asleep.
I have 2 small children, 9 months and 3 years old. I need to sleep so I can care for them properly and I am very concerned what could be wrong. The only way I can sleep now is if I take some form of sleeping aids. Even then, I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep.
Obviously I need to see a doctor. But, they are closed today and tomorrow...so I am wondering if anyone can give me any insight into this problem? This has been going on for a few months now but became much more serious when I stopped taking Zyrtec (allergy meds) about 3 weeks ago. Thanks, if you have any insight.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I've had off and on insomnia for the past three years. For the past year it's been a constant thing. Ask your doctor about trying Lunesta. It was prescribed to me after a surgery to help me sleep, and it works wonderfully. It keeps me asleep all night (which is my problem) and I don't have any side effects. I don't even wake up groggy. I take it right before I go to bed, and I sleep like a baby. I don't know what causes insomnia, but nothing seems to help it. My problem is that I can't stay asleep, and it takes a long time, sometimes hours to fall back asleep. Lunesta is the only thing that has helped.

 

[DznyFan]

I suffer from serious insomnia (hormone related), and until you can get into the doctor, get yourself some Tylenol PM so at least you can get a little sleep. Or, you might try Melatonin, 3 mg. It's available over the counter, alongside the vitamins and other supplements.

 

[zalansky]

Thank you both, and I have been taking Simply Sleep - by the makers of Tylenol, to help me sleep the past few nights. I am just hoping that I won't have to be on medication forever because of this. I am feeling very anxious, can ya tell?

 

[zalansky]

Bump, anyone else?

 

[MrVisible]

The weekend before last, I was on graveyard shifts, and I spent the past week trying to adjust my schedule to days. It's been over a week since I've gotten more than four or five hours of sleep; I just keep waking up in the middle of the night. From deep sleep to wide awake, instantly. And then I can't fall back asleep. I can be completely exhausted, lying comfortably in bed, and sleep just won't come.

I'm exhausted all the time, my eyeballs feel sandpapered, all the color and warmth has been leeched out of life... bleah.

Someday, I'll get eight hours of sleep. I keep telling myself that.

 

[mytwotinks]

Hi, sorry to hear about your problem. I am 33 and for the last couple of years have really been having some sleep issues. I either can't fall asleep for hours or I do only to wake up at 3:00 and can't go back to sleep. The next day I can't keep my eyes open so I end up taking a nap which only makes the next night worse. I have tried to not take a nap, but there is something about the night time that just leaves me feeling wired and I can't get to sleep. I have taken Ambien and that really gets me to sleep. Right now I am trying not to take anything, but I had been taking Tylenlon PM and that really did the trick too. I have to take it every night though and I really hate having to do that.

My dh is a fireman and works nights some. I felt like with the Tylenol PM I was still able to wake up if my kids needed me for something. Last night I was up till at least 2:30 and for some reason woke up for good at 5:40. I sometimes get so tired that I actually feel nautious. I've talked to my Dr. and she always asks about depresion. I really don't think it is that for me, but being this tired is a real downer so who knows ? Good luck. I'd love to know what your Dr. suggests.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I'm nocturnal for some reason...have been forever. I cannot sleep a wink without a sleep aid and have been to my doctor several times because of it. I used to take Tylenol PM and it always made me very groggy the next day so I stopped. My doctor put me on Ambien and while it would make me go to sleep fast, after a couple of hours I was wide awake. He then switched me to Ambien CR and it worked great for a while and now I don't stay asleep on it either. My doctor decided to get me to try to take a sublingual Melatonin and one Tylenol PM. For the past 3 months, I've been taking two sublingual Melatonin (GNC-1mg each) and one Tylenol PM and I sleep like a baby. Good luck!

 

[zalansky]

I have spent lots of time on the internet (I am sure my doctor hates this and has said so) researching what could be the cause of all of this? Either a serious medical condition, or anxiety and /or depression. I am fairly sure I don't have a serious medical condition, I just had an extensive exam a month ago for life insurance. But, if I think about it, I have had some major anxiety the past few months - so that is what I am attributing it to. The biggest thing is I quit working full time to stay home with my kids. I worked my entire life and just quit at 37 years of age. The first few months off were great. But I admit it, days now are long and boring and almost always very challenging. It is not easy being home from 8am until 7pm with two demanding children. I joined a moms group, actually two...but there is more drama in those groups than there was in my work office!
Like I said, I will have to talk to the doctor about all of this. I just hate the idea of being on any pills long term, whether they be a sleep aid or some kind of anti-anxiety pills.
It is just so odd to me to be so tired when climbing into bed and then lay there for hours and feeling more and more awake as time goes by. I will keep you posted and I truly thank you all for taking the time to post.

 

[DznyFan]

Zalansky~

After reading your second post I had a thought... you mentioned your age - I slept PERFECTLY up until I hit 39-40. I started having 'bouts' of insomnia - 2, 3, 4 nights in a row where I couldn't go to sleep. Then 2 or 3 months of my normal sleep - no problems. I since found out [after a surgery] that progesterone levels affect sleep. As I mentioned, I have horrible insomnia now (didn't get to sleep until 1:00 last night). Sounds like you might have a couple different attributing factors, like a definite need of an outlet to burn some energy! Let me just say that having 'been there, done that', I really hope that you get through this, or at least start getting some sleep.
Hang in there!

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Z,

I have never really had insomia per se, however knowing that our kids are around the same age I can relate to part of what you are feeling. I'm sure at some point when you're going to bed, you realize that you may be woken up 0-2 times that night with Cam and you don't let yourself get into a deep sleep with the ANTICIPATION you are going to be awake in a few hours for a feeding, rocking, diaper change, etc.

My baby still wakes up once most nights and I never feel quite rested in the mornings. I'm sure with some of the other things you've said about your mom's group you've had a lot on your mind and no outlet to exhaust your energy. I have a rule that at my house we have manditory outside time from 6:45 - 7:45 each night but I do that a lot for my own sanity and to unwind from work without sitting in front of the tube eating snacks.

Maybe there is some activity you can do for yourself? I know a lot of gyms have kids rooms and you could get in a yoga class while the kids play with other kids? Maybe a class at night in Real Estate or at a local college in something you enjoy could help shift your focus? Even a 30 minute walk by yourself or with your family at night may help with your sleeping issue?

I hope you find something (either medical or non-medical) to help you out.

 

[zalansky]

Thanks Hillary!

I think I have lost a bit of the sense of who I am by being home alone quite a bit, coupled with my overly sensitive nature. I take things way too hard, like my moms group problems - that wouldn't normally bother most people as mush as it has bothered me. Also, there is the issue with my sisters which is still largely unresolved. And health issues with my father, which make me miss my mother even more than I already do. I think all of these things have mounted into too much stress and my body can't take it any longer. ??? I also agree with you in that I believe all of this began with my anticipating Cam waking up several times a night. My body got used to waking up, whether she actually did or not.

I do have a gym membership that has a daycare, that I have not ever used because I was nervous to take the baby for fear she may get sick. That needs to stop because you're right, excercise will help. Also, funny you mention a class, because I told DH last week that I am registering for two classes at the local college this Fall. I need brain stimulation and more human adult contact.

Thanks for the suggestions, they all help. You're a good friend.

 

[HaleyB]

I do have huge sleep issues, but mine are related to a long term illness.

What stands out for me, in your posts, along with life changes (which cause stress, which causes insomnia) is the Zertec. You stopped taking it because...?

It does have a sedative effect and if you took it at night for a long time your body may have just gotten used to it. I know the best thing to do with insomnia is to let it play out and hope that it goes away in a few nights, after your body adjusts to the no meds. However as a mother I realize that is unrealistic. Perhaps the easiest solution is to go back on the Zertec?

I have found that 3mg of meletonion helps, and I do not seem to become dependant on it. Ambian is great except that once I use it the only way to get back off, for me, is to go with out sleep for a few nights (yuck). Same thing with most of the other meds that work.

 

[Cantw8]

insomonia is usually the result of having too much on your mind. Your children are very young, that in itself can cause a worried mind. I would suggest finding something to do, physically before bedtime.....no, I'm not talking about THAT Go for a jog, excercise, play a sport...those kind of things. Also, no eating and no caffine for at least two hours before bedtime...try to evaluate what is going on in your life right now, if you think about it I'm sure you will discover that something is bothering you...find out what that is and deal with it You will soon be having a good night's sleep Best of luck...being tired is a drag both physically and emotionally

 

[Blondie]

I've always had trouble sleeping. Recently it's gotten really bad. I just lay there for hours trying to fall asleep.

I finally went out and bought some Melatonin 3 mg. I tried it about 10 years ago and I'd always wake up with a headache. I was grasping at straws so I decided to give it another try.

BINGO! Worked like a charm and no headache! I often combine it with over the counter Unisom Tablets (not the gels--which is the same thing as Benadryl.) Unison Tabs have something in it called Doxylamine Succinate.

Good luck!

 

[nicolemarie]

This thread was in the CB "window" when I signed on just now and I wanted to respond to you.

After my son was born, I suffered some insomnia, too. I am an early riser anyway, but I was waking up off and on all night, then being up at 4:00 for the day. It made me miserable.

You mentioned starting to exercise and I wanted to affirm that REALLY is what worked for me. I have always exercised, but took some time off with my babies because I felt I didn't have the time. Well, the truth is, you don't have time NOT to have time. It does so much for body and mind. Like you said, even just a 30 minute walk.

That would be my advice - get that heart pumping and it will make you sleep so much better.

Wishing you well,

NM

 

[dcentity2000]

Sadly, there is no decent drug therapy for insomnia.

The obvious drugs, atypical hypnotics such as Zopiclone, only work for a maximum of two weeks - you become immune very quickly. As such, doctors are heavily advised not to prescribe these drugs for more than 7 days.

Older tranquilisers, such as benzos and barbiturates, are more troublesome. You become immune almost as fast and run a decent risk of addiction; again, these drugs should only be prescribed for a short time.

The only long term treatments that aren't going to mess up your sleep cycle are sedative antihistamines and antidepressants (such as Dothiepin) in low doses. Even then, they're less than ideal.



Rich::

 

[lulugirl]

I have struggled w/ sleep issues my entire life. I started taking melatonin a few weeks ago, it has made a huge difference in my ability to fall asleep as well as the quality of sleep. I order it from www.jigsawhealth.com.
I hope you find a solution for your sleep problems, I know how frustrating it is.

 

[zalansky]

What stands out for me, in your posts, along with life changes (which cause stress, which causes insomnia) is the Zertec. You stopped taking it because...?

It does have a sedative effect and if you took it at night for a long time your body may have just gotten used to it. I know the best thing to do with insomnia is to let it play out and hope that it goes away in a few nights, after your body adjusts to the no meds. However as a mother I realize that is unrealistic. Perhaps the easiest solution is to go back on the Zertec?

Haley - I think you are right. I was on Zyrtec for 4 months because my allergies this year were worse than ever. I stopped taking it because I felt somewhat tired during the day and attributed it to the Zyrtec, when more than likely it was due to the baby waking up several times a night. So I stopped taking the Zyrtec cold turkey without advising my doctor. That was about 3 weeks ago and I can honestly say I feel like I am in some sort of h*ll since then. Stupid me, I have also been sneezing every day, some days worse than others...thinking the Zyrtec made me super sensitive to allergens that didn't bother me much before, like dust or colognes. My DH had called the pharmacist last week and she confirmed there is a sedative in the Zyrtec, for me to take Simply Sleep (made my makers of Tylenol PM) for a few nights and I should be back to a regular sleep pattern within a week or two. Here I am a week later and it is worse. So, I am taking Zyrtec tonight and tomorrow night and going in to the doctor first thing Wednesday. Do you think this could be the cause or at least a big part of it?

Boy that was long and drawn out. I hope that this is all it is. Thank you again, all who have responded, it means alot to me! And may we all sleep like rocks tonight!

 

[Blondie]

Just wanted to add that Melatonin can be bought at most pharmacies, I got mine at Rite Aid. GNC also carries it. I take (1) 3 mg. tablet about 45 minutes to an hour before I want to fall asleep. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm gone!

I've never had anything else work this good for me! I've been told that there is also a sustained release Melatonin, but I haven't been able to find it.