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

[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...

[jennielynn1970]

I use this site to check on my meds.... drug interaction checker


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.