anyone else suffer from chronic insomnia??

[jennielynn1970]

This is just getting crazy. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't get enough exercise during the day, but when I'm awake in the middle of the night like this, it just drives me nuts.

I'm on all kinds of sleep meds (lunesta, seroquel, xanax to relax me, and the doctor is adding another one that needs to be taken with benedryl to work right). I'm just so fed up. I take nothing and I'm awake for DAYS. I take meds, I'm awake, but not for days, just hours until I collapse.

I know it will be better when school starts, but at times like this, it's so frustrating. I've tried every over the counter med I could find, the homeopathic, you name it I've tried it. They don't work. I wonder if part of my issue is the fact that I take antidepressants during the day (plus the abilify and seroquel are antidepressants, but tranquilizers, taken at night).

Frustrated and just TIRED!!!

[caseysmom]

Sounds like your sleep rhythm changes during the summer. Maybe you should try to get up at the same time you do during the school year? Fortunately I pretty much sleep like a log but I do have the same problem if I don't have to get up for work. When I was home with my broken foot I was up all night half the time.

[jennielynn1970]

that's probably part of the problem. I could be up all night if I wanted to, but I don't want to, lol. The school year kicks my butt come september when I need to get back to the right times. I've been trying really hard to get to bed on time, even early, and when the meds work, they work. But sometimes, I just can't sleep worth crap! Like now. Wide awake. Wondering what to do. I have no money so I can't go shopping, lol, otherwise I'd be at Walmart or somewhere that I could spend money. But alas, all I have is a 1 dollar bill in my wallet that needs to last me until this coming Thursday. Not good.

[caseysmom]

Get a book, that might do the trick...and thats free at the library :D

[pomtzu]

I don't have that problem. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat!!

Have you tried a glass of wine before bed? I know with the meds you're on that you shouldn't drink, but a glass of wine, or a beer, sure couldn't hurt.

BTW - what time do you go to bed for the night? Not too early, do you?

[Laura's Babies]

I really feel for you! I just have a problem from time to time when I am off where I will sleep about a hour and that's it. I get tired of filpping and flopping in the bed and just get up! I have gotten up, made a pot of coffee, drank it and went back to bed at 6am and slept good..

I just couldn't imagine not sleeping night after night! That has to be hard on the body and emotional well being.

[Asiel]

This is just getting crazy. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't get enough exercise during the day, but when I'm awake in the middle of the night like this, it just drives me nuts.

I'm on all kinds of sleep meds (lunesta, seroquel, xanax to relax me, and the doctor is adding another one that needs to be taken with benedryl to work right). I'm just so fed up. I take nothing and I'm awake for DAYS. I take meds, I'm awake, but not for days, just hours until I collapse.

I know it will be better when school starts, but at times like this, it's so frustrating. I've tried every over the counter med I could find, the homeopathic, you name it I've tried it. They don't work. I wonder if part of my issue is the fact that I take antidepressants during the day (plus the abilify and seroquel are antidepressants, but tranquilizers, taken at night).

Frustrated and just TIRED!!!



Join the club....I fall asleep anywhere anytime during the day so it must be interrupting my sleep at night. I have no problem getting to sleep but after 2 hours tops I'm wide awake. Either pain is waking me or just plain no reason , but either way, I'm wide awake , especially if a new moon is around the corner.
I get up and go sit in my lounger and turn the tv on or I read. I bring a blanket to snuggle up in and after an hour or so I fall asleep for a few hours. .
We're having big changes in temps at night now, drops to 4 or 6 degrees and I think it has a lot to do with it. Only a few weeks ago I had the a/c all night and now I have the furnace set for heat in case the house gets colder than 68 .
Watch those benzos, don't stay on that too long...I have a friend who has Alzheimer's because she was on those every night for the last 35 yrs. Needless to say her doctor was a real pill pusher. I make myself as tired as I can during the day and it seems to help. My daughter has the same problem and she looks like a zombie after a sleepless night. Guess you have lots of company, we should start a club for the sleepless...:D

[Felicia's Mom]

I have no trouble sleeping at night. As long as I go to bed and get up at the same time every day and don't sleep during the day.

[jennielynn1970]

I think I finally fell asleep around 4 or 5am. Not good. I'm awake now, but still want to sleep cause I 'm just so exhausted. I didn't take a 2nd dose of meds, I wanted to, but I'm so close to being out, I won't have a dose for Wednesday night if I take an extra one before then. ( I get paid on thursday, the only reason wednesday has anything to do with anything at all, lol. so, no funds for refills till thursday. )

I was up and baked some pound cake last night. I was sooo bored. I have a book to read but that doesn't make me tired, it just gets me more into the book and I don't want to put it down. It's not one that I really want to read anyway, one of the girls left it here and it looks like a sappy love story (Dear John it's called, based on a movie I believe).

My psychiatrist wants me to try a new sleep med... along with all the others.... but I have to take it with benedryl. I don't understand why I should want to take a new med if it's only effective with something like benedryl. I am guessing it makes you loopy because of the benedryl.

Right now I'm on Seroquel (an add on for depression, but is used for sleeplessness), Abilify (another add on, but is a tranquilizer), Lunesta, and Xanax (I think that's what it is... I have the generic). Now they want me to go on the one where I need the benedryl yet too.

I stopped taking the wellbutrin during the day, I just didn't like it and I thought it was screwing up my sleep, and I've cut back on my Lexapro, but other than that, I think I just need a really good day of work to make me tired. This happened last summer too. I'd go down to the pool and swim at 2 or 3 am for an hour or so. I've done that a few times this summer, but last night I was at my place (still here) and I don't have a pool or anything like that to go out and do at 3am safely.

SIGH. I so want to go back to bed, but then I know I'll be in trouble tonight.

Whoever asked when I go to bed, it's usually around 10 or 11pm. I've tried going earlier, but that didn't work with the meds. It's like I have to be tired in order for them to work. Last night I took them and I wasn't tired, part of the problem.

[Catty1]

It was for a totally different reason - but the mom of one of my friends went into hospital for a while to just wean her off all her meds, get her system somewhat clean and start all over again.

Hope you find an answer soon. I also hated Wellbutrin - I called it "Hellbutrin". lol

ETA: There is a forum called Crazyboards.org and they have a section on Sleep Disorders. http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index.php/forum/42-sleep-disorders-perchance-to-dream/

It's free to register, and is non-professional. You can lurk and see what other people have found that works for them (or not).

[lizbud]

I think I finally fell asleep around 4 or 5am. Not good. I'm awake now, but still want to sleep cause I 'm just so exhausted. I didn't take a 2nd dose of meds, I wanted to, but I'm so close to being out, I won't have a dose for Wednesday night if I take an extra one before then. ( I get paid on thursday, the only reason wednesday has anything to do with anything at all, lol. so, no funds for refills till thursday. )

I was up and baked some pound cake last night. I was sooo bored. I have a book to read but that doesn't make me tired, it just gets me more into the book and I don't want to put it down. It's not one that I really want to read anyway, one of the girls left it here and it looks like a sappy love story (Dear John it's called, based on a movie I believe).

My psychiatrist wants me to try a new sleep med... along with all the others.... but I have to take it with benedryl. I don't understand why I should want to take a new med if it's only effective with something like benedryl. I am guessing it makes you loopy because of the benedryl.

Right now I'm on Seroquel (an add on for depression, but is used for sleeplessness), Abilify (another add on, but is a tranquilizer), Lunesta, and Xanax (I think that's what it is... I have the generic). Now they want me to go on the one where I need the benedryl yet too.

I stopped taking the wellbutrin during the day, I just didn't like it and I thought it was screwing up my sleep, and I've cut back on my Lexapro, but other than that, I think I just need a really good day of work to make me tired. This happened last summer too. I'd go down to the pool and swim at 2 or 3 am for an hour or so. I've done that a few times this summer, but last night I was at my place (still here) and I don't have a pool or anything like that to go out and do at 3am safely.

SIGH. I so want to go back to bed, but then I know I'll be in trouble tonight.

Whoever asked when I go to bed, it's usually around 10 or 11pm. I've tried going earlier, but that didn't work with the meds. It's like I have to be tired in order for them to work. Last night I took them and I wasn't tired, part of the problem.


Did the same Dr. put you on all of these meds at the same time? Sounds
like a heck of a lot to be taking. Maybe you should visit the Dr. to see if some
of these meds are working against each other. Can't hurt. Good luck.:)

[pomtzu]

Could it be that you are over-medicated? Sounds like you're taking a lot of rather powerful meds, and sometimes with so many different ones, they just counteract each other. Just a thought..........

Wellbutrin - the drug from hell! That's one scary med. I think it should be banned!!! Nervous break down in a bottle......:mad:



ETA: I saw Liz's post after I sent this. Great minds think alike......

[jennielynn1970]

Hope you find an answer soon. I also hated Wellbutrin - I called it "Hellbutrin". lol




OMG.... that's exactly what I called it!!!! I was a shrew on wellbutrin!

[jennielynn1970]

I was wondering if I was overmedicated myself. Yes, the same doctor put me on all these meds. I trust him, but wonder sometimes about the meds he puts me on.... like the Wellbutrin. even the nurse at the other doctor I go to said "He put you on THAT???" she knew that my Lexapro works ok, and just said that it's such in the opposite direction from where Lexapro and Zoloft are, she was worried about the interactions. I didn't like it and stopped it myself.

I've been trying to get myself off the Lexapro, but it's been really hard. I've been cutting it down and cutting it down, but when I went for almost a week without it, I was light headed, dizzy, headachey, and just felt like crap. I felt too incapacitated to drive. So... back on the Lexapro. Maybe I need to wean myself off of it even slower than what I was doing. I was just hoping to have it done before school started. Oh well.

[jennielynn1970]

Wellbutrin - the drug from hell! That's one scary med. I think it should be banned!!! Nervous break down in a bottle......:mad:





as I said with candace's post, I called it Hellbutrin. It made me nervous, edgy, and bitchy like you wouldn't believe!!! Poor Dave, he really puts up with a lot from me!! I try to keep myself so even around him, but it's so easy to just say something and not think about what I just said, it just slips out sometimes, and then I feel like crap. Why is it that we are the nastiest to the people we are the closest to sometimes?? Is it because we feel like they'll take it and know what we are going through so won't hold it against us??

[Grace]

I agree with liz and Pomtzu. It sounds like you are taking way too many meds, and I'll bet they are all in conflict with each other. Each one wants to be in control - so it ends up that none are.

[jennielynn1970]

I use this site to check on my meds.... drug interaction checker (http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php)


I checked on the xanax, and it gave a different generic name, so that's NOT what I'm on.. there were a lot of interactions it said to look out for.

There are still interactions it said I need to look for with Seroquel and Lunesta together... said it can make it stronger effect basically.

I didn't add in the newest one the doc wants me to take because I'm just not sure I want to add yet another medication.

[Catty1]

Even a pharmacist can be a good resource of drug interactions - they work with meds all the time!

I'm inclined to agree with the over-medicated thought. Given the side effects all these can have, you may want to get a second opinion...does this shrink do nothing but push pills?

Has either your GP or psych suggested a sleep study? It's for more than just apnea. If the type of insomnia can be pinned down more exactly, then it's easier to treat.

[jennielynn1970]

No one ever suggested a sleep study. I wonder if that would do anything. I know they end early in the am... I'd be just falling asleep at that point, lol.

[Catty1]

A sleep study would do something. Get a referral and they can answer all your questions. They can monitor what your brain is doing while you are trying to sleep.

My case was very simple - and included commentary on my meds. I am SO glad my GP suggested it - or I would be living the rest of my life with meds that treated symptoms and did little to address the cause.

[Grace]

A sleep study would do something. Get a referral and they can answer all your questions. They can monitor what your brain is doing while you are trying to sleep.

My case was very simple - and included commentary on my meds. I am SO glad my GP suggested it - or I would be living the rest of my life with meds that treated symptoms and did little to address the cause.

Wonderful idea!! As Candace says, even if you don't sleep, those electrodes will provide lots of information.

[phesina]

This is just getting crazy. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't get enough exercise during the day, but when I'm awake in the middle of the night like this, it just drives me nuts.

I'm on all kinds of sleep meds (lunesta, seroquel, xanax to relax me, and the doctor is adding another one that needs to be taken with benedryl to work right). I'm just so fed up. I take nothing and I'm awake for DAYS. I take meds, I'm awake, but not for days, just hours until I collapse.

I know it will be better when school starts, but at times like this, it's so frustrating. I've tried every over the counter med I could find, the homeopathic, you name it I've tried it. They don't work. I wonder if part of my issue is the fact that I take antidepressants during the day (plus the abilify and seroquel are antidepressants, but tranquilizers, taken at night).

Frustrated and just TIRED!!!

I suffer from insomnia also, and I have not come up with a solution. It's been really bad lately.

[Asiel]

I have to agree with all who said you might be overmedicated. If you weren't on Zanax it might have been Ativan (lorazepam ) or another type benzo but I find it strange that any doctor would be keeping you on that or many of the others you mentioned. Benedryl to go along with the meds? Isn't Benadryl used for allergies? Maybe you should speak to your doctor about going to a sleep clinic, they could get to the root of the problem. Sounds like you might have some kind of sleep apnea and maybe you are on the wrong meds.
Just be careful and check your meds carefully, if you want to wean yourself off you might need help with that, it has to be done real slow.

I hope you'll find a solution to your problem , I know going without sleep can drive you to the edge sometimes.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm going with the "over medicated" group.

All my life I have had a problem sleeping. I would try all kinds of meds. I especially noticed there were several combinations that would keep me awake if taken together. I have to be so careful with this.
I can almost bet it's the drugs working against each other. Good luck.

[jennielynn1970]

Ativan!!!! That's the other one I'm on!

Will have to talk to my doctor the next time I'm in there and see what he says. Maybe my family doctor as well. It seems like whenever I say I can't sleep, my psychiatrist just hands me another medicine. I like being able to sleep, but I worry about the over medication myself.

[RobiLee]

Been there, done that.

You won't like my answer but I say GET OFF THE MEDS!

I was a bit shocked when I saw all the meds that you were taking because not too long ago I was taking all of those too and you could have been talking about me. Over the past few years I have been on every kind of anti-depressant you can think of. Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Lexapro, Cymbalta and the list goes on. Then the dr. started adding more pills to take along with the anti-depressant. In the end I was taking an anti-depressant (don't even remember which one), Abilify, Seroquel(powerful stuff if you ask me), Xanax, Klonopin and Ambien. I was a slave to those pills. Making sure I took them every day and making sure I had the money to get my refills. Then one day I realized I was a complete MESS. I still felt depressed most of the time so what good was it doing to be taking all of those pills. Those are some powerful drugs and my dr. would even have me take blood tests to make sure all was ok with my liver because of the damage that the drugs could do. I had enough. I went cold turkey and quit taking all of them. It was SO hard. The withdrawl effects were not pleasant but I worked through it. I feel so much better now that I'm not taking those medications AND now I can finally get a peaceful night's sleep. The sleep thing surprised me because I thought I would never be able to sleep again. Sure I still have bouts of insomnia once in awhile and sure I still have problems with depression but it is something that I just try to work through on my own and I like that so much better than being a slave to all those pills.

[cassiesmom]

I have a parallel problem - I'm taking Effexor-XR which is giving me very vivid dreams. I'm wide awake nightly around 3 AM for a good hour, hour and a half - then I fall asleep again and start dreaming, and when the alarm goes off I'm still tired. I slept most of the day today. I've got an appointment with shrink Sept. 1 to see about getting off of it.

I agree with the sleep specialist recommendation. I wonder if you're having rebound insomnia from one of the meds. I hope you sleep well tonight and wake up feeling rested, Jenn!

[Bonny]

Could it maybe be hormones? If there is an imbalance that could cause sleep problems. When I was going through change I was up doing dishes at 2:00 in the morning because I could not sleep.

[Catty1]

Jennie - as a medical professional once put it to me, "I am the expert, you are the boss."

You have a total right to get your sleep problem diagnosed properly with sleep professionals to get the correct treatment.

I have a feeling that your shrink will not believe in over-medication unless you very strongly say you want to get off all the meds and start over.

cassiesmom mentioned rebound insomnia. One type happens after a person comes off sleep meds, and is temporary while the body readjusts its schedule. The other is caused by sleeping meds - link and details below.

http://web4health.info/gr/answers/sleep-rebound-insomnia.htm
Question(s):

Written by: Martin Winkler
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest revision: 27 Aug 2008.
Why do I experience a worsening of sleep after using a sleeping pill? What is rebound insomnia?
Answer:
Many sleeping pills have a negative influence on the sleep architecture, and cause non-restorative sleep.

Rebound insomnia is defied as a worsening of (at least) one of the following parameters compared to the time before starting drug treatment:

* sleep latency = time until you fall asleep
* nocturnal awakenings = waking up at night
* total sleep time

And you have to feel either

* sensation of non-restorative sleep
* diurnal fatigue
* worsening of anxiety / tension

Drugs with moderate or severe rebound insomnia effects are :

Benzodiazepines
* Triazolam (Halcion)
* Midazolam (Dormicum)
* Brotizolam (Dormex, Noctilan, Lendomin)
* Loprazepam (Dormonoct)
* Lormetazepam (Noctanid)
* Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, Fluscand)

Non-benzodiazepines
* Zopiclone

Sometimes, withdrawal effects or hang-over cause additional complaints for the patients.

[pomtzu]

I don't know that I would trust a doc that prescribes another med on top of all the others, at the drop of a hat. You're taking so many powerful meds right now, that I don't know how you can even stay awake! :eek: I would think that they would knock you flat on your butt!

My brother had a similar problem, tho not sleep related. His doc had him on so many different meds for high b/p, cholesterol, non insulin dependent diabetes, arthritis, heart and circulation issues, back problems, and I don't know what else, but he was like a walking zombie and could barely function. He couldn't even sit down without falling asleep in a matter of a couple of minutes. He took himself off all but what was absolutely needed, and he improved dramatically.

I still believe that doctors get kickbacks for prescribing certain meds. It seems that some are more concerned with their own wallets, than that of the health and welfare of their patients.

[lizbud]

I just wanted to add one more thought. Doctors are human beings too
and subject to the same failings as all of us. I trust my Dr too, but I also
trust the way my body feels and it I wasn't getting the best results, I'd
certainly say something about it.:)

I can just imagine all the "confusion" in a human body taking so many
different things at the same time. I sure hope you get this cleared up
soon. I know it's no fun at all for you.:(

[carole]

I can well empathise i have had a sleep disorder for over 14 yrs now, and i thought things were bad until now, they are worse than ever, as i am at that time of life, where the hormones are crazy, i can get to sleep ok, but never can stay asleep, i just lie with my eyes closed, i never get up or go and watch tv or read, for me that is the worst thing i could do because i will develop a habit, a bad one, i just have to hope that i will eventually fall back to sleep, which i do,but i can lie there for hours some nights, each night is different, some worse than others.

I used to go to bed early ,now i go to bed quite late, and read myself to sleep, it works a bit better as the nights are now shorter, sometimes i lie there just waiting for a hint of daylight, hoping it is time to get up, luckily for me i can take a nap during the day, which i often do to make sure i get enough sleep .]

I also tried herbal tea that is especially for getting to sleep, it helped a little, well so i thought, but in hindsight think it really did not do to much.

I would never take medication for it, it would not work for me anyhow, i am one of those people because of another health problem never go into rem, so we are told anyhow.

I have no answers, but just know you are not alone, millions of people world wide have this problem, i can only wish for a solution that works for you and say sweet dreams.,i also wish that for myself lol.

[RICHARD]

http://creativedreaming.org/patricia-garfield/

Ditch the meds and get to bed.

I can put myself to sleep so fast I don't even THINK about it.

Unless I am really stressed out? I can knock myself out in less than 5 minutes and even DREAM WHAT I WANT.

----------------------


It's easier to drop a pill than it is to really take a few days to read, and a few evenings to practice, how to put yourself to sleep.

Read the book and try some of the techniques.

You are just lying there tossing and turning, put your mind to work.

It sounds like SoCal, Hippy, New Age horsecrap.

Maybe, but, I am not losing any sleep over it.:confused:

Pun intended.:rolleyes:


---------------

Tell you what would make me lose sleep.

Worrying about the side of effects any medication.

I have been up since 4:15, I am going back to sleep.;)

[jennielynn1970]

Just had to update this thread.....

I found that LUNESTA has a "rest for less" care program, where you can get up to $50.00 off your prescription, even if you have a prescription plan (just not federally funded like medicare or medicaid....). I was so excited, cause even at my co-pay, with all my meds, my $10.00 co-pay can make or break me some months.

I just had to write about it, to let others know in case you didn't know. I got my first FREE prescription of LUNESTA today. I was so happy cause I had totally run out and I wasn't going to have money till Thursday, and even that is an iffy thing because of all my bills I'm trying to pay.


Oh, an update on the sleeping... I started taking Sonata, which helps me fall asleep (it's for insomnia), and I still take the Lunesta (to keep me asleep), and they are both working well.