I've got insomnia and finally went the doctors, but I'm so frusted.
Posted , 4 users are following.
So I've been struggling to sleep for over a year, I've had broken sleep for over 6 months and unable to sleep longer than three hours without waking up, other than that I wake up hourly and it's extremely annoying and exhausting. I'm so tired, and I'm just fed up of it all now.
I finally went to the doctors after putting them off for months and months, as I went around two years ago and got adviced to "exercise before bed" but told him I finish work at 4am after strenuous activity all night as it's a very physical job, he just said to me "You don't see construction workers not going the gym, do you?" Ugh. Not the same thing at all, so he was useless.
Second time I went, got sent for blood tests. Needed to go back and get them done again after the results, but it was nothing to do with why I wasn't sleeping so I didn't bother going back.
This time I went, the doctor told me I need a sleeping routine for two weeks and to keep at it. So this involves;
•Going to sleep at the same time every night.
•Waking up at the same time everyday.
•Having wind down time before going to sleep, but no watching tele or going on my phone. (I'll just stare at a the wall, it's sound... Joking)
•Taking the sleeping pill an hour before sleep.
•If I can't sleep within 45 minutes, get up and out of bed and go do something and try again in half an hour.
•If I wake up I have to get out of bed and go downstairs and sleep again in half an hour.
•No naps are allowed, regardless of how tired I am and regardless of whether I've had 3 hours or less sleep.
•Repeat x14
So this routine is really not the best thing in the world for me, as I work nights she's wanting me to go to sleep around 7am and wake at 2pm. Most frustrating thing ever, is the fact that when I'm not in work I've got 19 hours to try to stay awake when I'm so god damn drained and tired as it is. I usually go to sleep around 12pm if I've got the day off work, so this is going to kill me. I have been prescribed me Zoplicone sleeping tablets, but only 7 days worth and she said it's a one off and won't be prescribing me them ever again after that, which is also frustrating.
I don't have too much trouble falling asleep, it's just waking up every hour that's the problem. Or waking up after 3/4 hours and being wide awake. What do you guys think of what she's suggesting? I would really like to hear some opinions over it.
1 like, 5 replies
NECKBONE Brokenbutterfly
Posted
The way your latest doctor is going about it is probably the best. She's right about not doing sleeping pills long term. The effects wear off very quickly and they don't have any benefit beyond a few days, just leave you more drowsy and hating every waking moment more than you do now. Try to get back on some semblance of a schedule with a constant time to bed and time getting up. The point of this is to get whatever rhythm you once had back.
I know this is easier said than done, but the night shift thing may be what needs to change. There is no shortage of research that shows a drastic difference in the quality of sleep between people who work during the day and those who work at night. Night shift makes you much more likely to have bouts of insomnia and much harder to get back on track. People evolved to be active in the daylight hours and sleep at night. That's our natural circadian rhythm. We all have to do whatever is needed to pay the bills and take care of our families, so no judgment here. Your sleep may just be the tradeoff for now.
trisha1260 Brokenbutterfly
Posted
Brokenbutterfly,
I have been dealing with horrible insomnia and idiopathic hypersomnia for 30+ years I've been to a ton of doctors, tried every med had sleep study after sleep study and all the doctors say the same thing about sleep hygiene. You have to reset your circadian rhythm, and teach your body when to sleep. This is specially difficult with nightshift workers. Yes it is difficult but it will definitely help and if you are sleep deprived enough it is worth it, You can do it.
I hope this helps😀
Brokenbutterfly trisha1260
Posted
I tried it but unfortunately it didn't work for me.
dustin09330 Brokenbutterfly
Posted
I'm with ya on this it's only been a few months for me and it just happened with a snap of a finger. Went from getting ok sleep to horrible sleep with many nights of 1 to 2 hours. Its miserable and I panicked which led me to sleep specialists and we tried every drug for sleep out there. Didnt help what so ever and if it did it was only for a few days. I started the sleep restriction therapy 5 days ago and it sucks. Knowing I'm not alone helps but I just look at everyone else and they're happy, sleeping and aren't stressed out. I carry on and try to make the best of things but I want give up in finding something to help me. I know you wont give up either. What other choice do we have. I'm tired of not sleeping and tired of trying meds that don't do anything for me. That's why I'm hoping CBTI will help me get into a rhythm again. I've stuck with it and will continue to. I wish you the best and if I find something that works I will let you know. Best of luck to you.
Brokenbutterfly dustin09330
Posted
Thank you for your reply, did the CBT manage to be of any help to you and what was the sleep restriction therapy like? It's horrible to struggle with being able to sleep because it's hard for others to understand and it's so frustrating seeing others go to bed, sleep for a whole straight 7/8 hours and you're there struggling to sleep for two hours straight. It is tiring. They're all rested and you're the opposite.