Insomnia...It's back for me and it sucks!

Not sure what is going on but, I haven't been able to sleep normally for about 2 weeks now.

I'm averaging about 2 - 3 hours of sleep a night and it's really starting to effect my day to day routine in a bad way.

I wasn't too bothered at first b/c I'm a trooper and can manage to get through a lot of crap and still function. Last night...it all changed.

I flipped the f out on my husband for waking me up at 1:30 a.m. even though all he was trying to do was cover me with a blanket. I woke up and flipped out because all I wanted to do was sleep.

I'm the type of person that cannot, under any circumstances, go back to sleep once awake.

So, I've been awake since 1:30 a.m. and I'm still up. Plus, I already mentioned I haven't slept much for the last couple of weeks.

I feel like a complete mess right now.

I'm now at the point where I'm so tired that I can't sleep. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?

Being too tired to sleep. I know it sounds weird but, it's true. I'm in a weird state of mind.

I have dealt with this in the past and it didn't end very well. I actually ended up in a hospital.

I hope it doesn't end the same way with this bout of insomnia.

Anyone else suffer from this crap?

Any advice? Please do not suggest I focus on my breathing...please just don't.

It doesn't work for me.

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Melatonin?
Works wonders for me.
Or get drunk

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

The story of my life

For me a huge part of the issue is that thinking about the insomnia feeds into the insomnia. The more you think about it, the worse it gets, so the more you think about it, so the worse it gets.... ad infinitum.

My advice? Take a nice long, hot, shower or bath ( personal preference ) and focus upon thinking about nothing. Relax and accept it - you've got insomnia. Big deal. Look at it like it's just a speed bump and not a mountain.

If that fails, try watching a documentary about something that barely interests you. That puts me to sleep every time.

It started for me around the 4th. By the 9th I'd had no sleep at all and wound up walking out on my girlfriend. I also quit drinking the next day thinking that was having an effect and it hasn't helped at all. I've been doubling up on sleeping pills and over the counter liquid sleep aids just to literally knock me out, but then I have horribly vivid dreams that I can't wake up from which make me not want to sleep once I'm awake even though I'm ridiculously tired. This month has been hell from start to finish.

originally posted by: Sremmos80
a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Melatonin?
Works wonders for me.
Or get drunk

lol. drinking is my initial go to remedy...it just doesn't work the way I wish it would.

I end up waking up once the effects of the alcohol wears off and then I'm wide awake and not able to go back to sleep.

Melatonin you say? How does one go about procuring that? I'll look it up myself so no worries on replying. I'm just hoping it's something I can pick up at a rite aid or Walgreens.

Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it.

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Ya your local drug store will have it.
I hope it works for ya!

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Wal Mart has it in their vitamins isle for four bucks. In fact if you've got a dollar store around, most of them carry it as well.

a reply to: Hefficide

Huh good to know about the dollar store!
Could save a few bucks that way

I have an insomnia thread on ATS. During that horrid bout I got some of the best advice.

The best thing for me that has worked wonders, I didn't get it here, sleep naked under a down comforter. SERIOUSLY! Something about the body being able to regulate temperature properly. I have kids, and currently sleep in my undies, but whatever, it works.

Now, it didn't solve all my problems, but it does help. I think even just sleeping naked helps. I started doing it until I purchased the comforter. Can't hurt to try it.

I've been through some frustrating bouts with insomnia.
Alcohol and melatonin work fairly well.
Melatonin doesn't make me groggy in any way, but if I take it about an hour before going to bed I sleep longer and have more vivid dreams.
Every now and then I drop a benadryl to help me sleep, but it leaves me with a case of the drag-ass when I first wake up.
Getting plenty of exercise and good sex doesn't hurt much, either.

a reply to: Hefficide

You are exactly right about thinking too much about it. I'm actually probably feeding into that notion by posting this thread.

It has definitely become worse as each day passes...probably for that very reason.


Nice advice. A warm shower or bath usually helps. Boring documentary is even better.

originally posted by: Sremmos80
a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Ya your local drug store will have it.
I hope it works for ya!

Thanks so much!

I'll look into it.

a reply to: Doodle19815

Sleeping naked is the only way I can sleep.

I also have to have a sheet between me and the comforter or it's just not right.

It's something about how much cooler the sheet stays as opposed to the comforter.

Melatonin works for me as well, as long as I remember to take it at a decent hour.

originally posted by: Night Star
Melatonin works for me as well, as long as I remember to take it at a decent hour.

I'm definitely going to look into melatonin.

What do you consider a decent hour?

I recommend, as a fellow sufferer, what has been previously mentioned. A long hot soak in a bath, works wonders for me, if only because I drift into bed half asleep...best wishes.

Melatonin, diphenhydramine, doxylamine succonate, valerian... to the best of my knowledge the ingredients in every single over the counter, non prescription sleep aid that there is. NONE ever worked for me. Not even a little. Though diphenhydramine did have the fun effect of making me sleep twenty hours once I finally did sleep.

I'd love to recommend prescription Ambien because it works. But I cannot because I am one of those people who would black out on it. I'd take it and be wide awake, totally stoned out my mind, and not remember a bit of it the next day. One day I might share the tale of how my last dance with Ambien ended up with my right ear ripped in half and me laughing hysterically about it - much to my ex-girlfriends exceptionally angry dismay.

Lunesta, another prescription only medication did diddly for me.

Now, my PTSD medication - Klonopin works. But it isn't labeled for insomnia.

Headphones... Works for me.
Doesn't matter what I'm listening to, talk radio or heavy metal.

originally posted by: Hefficide

Melatonin, diphenhydramine, doxylamine succonate, valerian... to the best of my knowledge the ingredients in every single over the counter, non prescription sleep aid that there is. NONE ever worked for me. Not even a little. Though diphenhydramine did have the fun effect of making me sleep twenty hours once I finally did sleep.

I'd love to recommend prescription Ambien because it works. But I cannot because I am one of those people who would black out on it. I'd take it and be wide awake, totally stoned out my mind, and not remember a bit of it the next day. One day I might share the tale of how my last dance with Ambien ended up with my right ear ripped in half and me laughing hysterically about it - much to my ex-girlfriends exceptionally angry dismay.

Lunesta, another prescription only medication did diddly for me.

Now, my PTSD medication - Klonopin works. But it isn't labeled for insomnia.

I avoid all Rx pills as much as possible. I've taken them of course but, never really enjoyed the "buzz" that I had heard about. Sleeping pills make me too tired the next day.

Ambien-You should totally share that story man! Sounds like a good one.

How is the ear these days?

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

The ear is scarred, but makes for a GREAT party conversation. LOL