1. Community
  2. Symptoms
  3. Sleep Problems

My husband doesn't sleep.

Posted , 16 users are following.

jennifer83333
jennifer83333

He tries to sleep but can't. Sometimes he goes 5 days with no sleep. This has been going on for about 3 years. The Dr has tried him on many different drugs, he's tried a few different varieties of weed, acupuncture, reflexology, chiropractic. You name it he's tried it. He used to be ok mentally after 2 or 3 days with no sleep but now even after just 1 night of no rest he becomes very agitated and has started not making sense when talking. Yesterday he finally fell asleep after 2 nights and he ended up falling out of bed and was so disoriented it really scared me. The worst it's ever been. He has no memory of falling or of any of the things he is saying. Sometimes it will seem as though he is wide awake and all is fine and then he will start saying random things. Often getting mad at me for trying to get him to sit down when he is up wondering around. He was able to get about 6 hours of sleep at one time the other night but when he woke up he said it was like he was awake the whole time, felt like he hadn't slept at all. He is unable to work now because of sleep deprivation and I'm fearful for his health and safety. A sleep study was done but he never slept. We just got approval to travel 200 miles to see another specialist but at this time my expectations are low due to the fact that so far his pulmonologist and his neurologist can't seem to do anything except have him try more pills that don't work. I know this sounds rather odd and I'm sure I've left out details but any help would be wonderful.

0 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

Next
  • jay_babes
    jay_babes jennifer83333

    Posted

    Hi i really feel for you , it is the other way round i am the non sleeper and my partner is you, so i know how you feel ,because even though i am the one having the trouble people forget about the loved ones who have to deal with it, just as stressful and worrying, the trouble is lack of sleep can be so many things its a mind field you seem to be doing all the right things to help him but not getting to the source of why he is not sleeping, you see i had terrible secrets that i had not told any one from my past, kept them hidden for years even from my partner, it was destroying my whole life, it caused me to go into deep depression ,anxiety, eating disorder, ibs, ocd, bdd, migraines, and and whole load of weird behaviour until i spoke about it to my partner, then my family, it was like the world had lifted from my shoulders, now i am getting the help i need, i am seeing a CARA  counsellor and my life now makes sense and i can see a future, i hope this helps, and wish you all the best , let me know how you get on x
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 jay_babes

      Posted

      Thank you for your concern I very much appreciate it. We went to see his neurologist again yesterday and he just gave different pills again. I honestly don't know why we are even seeing him. He hasn't suggested any kind of counseling, just writes scripts for more pills. I dont want my husband hooked on pills. Im going to call our insurance and see about some counseling services tomorrow. I will keep you updated.

  • lydia31947
    lydia31947 jennifer83333

    Posted

    Have a look into cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. Research shows that it's just as effective than sleeping medication, with better long-term improvements. 

    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 lydia31947

      Posted

      Thank you. I've never heard of this before. I will be doing some research on it. I will let you know.

  • ahmed35711
    ahmed35711 jennifer83333

    Edited

    its just simple insomnia problem
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 ahmed35711

      Edited

      Obviously you have not gone years with only 2 or less hours of sleep on only 2 or 3 nights a week and no other sleep in between. So when you can go 3 years with a total of 6 hours or less of sleep a week and live a happy productive life then I encourage you to tell me again that it's just a simple case of insomnia. So please if you don't have some sort of useful or meaningful message please don't reply. Thank you.

  • jay_babes
    jay_babes jennifer83333

    Posted

    I do not know how some one can say it is simple insomnia , insomnia is not simple and that obviously do not suffer with it, if they did they would know it is NOT simple, people who have this this suffer and it can be terrible, and i am sorry jennifer that you have to hear this from small minded people, you are having a real hard time and need help, so glad there are other people on this forum that give sensible advice x
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 jay_babes

      Posted

      Thank you. I was so mad when I read that message about it being simple insomnia. You are correct there is nothing simple about it. It seems as if my husband is loosing his mind and all i can do is stand here and watch.
  • venkatesan21677
    venkatesan21677 jennifer83333

    Posted

    Hai. Iam a CSVD patient with nerve probelms. I am also suffering from insomnia & taking clonazepam tabs.for the past 9 months.  Now I have become a addict of tablets. Though I have lessened the dosage without that I can't sleep.  Few years back I slipped my sleep & worked during night times.  This has resulted in brain shrinkage & nerve problems.  So I wish to tell that if U slip good sleep for nearly 7 hours the above gifts will follow.  Can't concentrate on anything.  So be careful while taking sleeping pills.  Whatever medicine U take for insomnia will make U addict & suffer. If U have not tried why don't U try yoga, meditation which will calm your brain & focus towards better life. Wishes!

    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 venkatesan21677

      Posted

      You mentioned something very important to me, something I had not thought of until now. For years 12 - 15 years he worked 6 days a week most of the time 70 - 85 hours a week. We used to joke and say that he only slept on Sundays. This is something I will for sure be asking the Drs about. Thank you. Also the Dr has just given him Xanax which I am totally against knowing the addiction risks.
  • atulit75078
    atulit75078 jennifer83333

    Posted

    Hows he doing now? Does he have any other medical problem? May be that problem is the cause of his insomnia? Did he try CBT-I? When he feels he hasnt slept at all, though you see him asleep thats like paradoxical insomnia. Many insomniacs actually understate the amount of sleep they get. Medication is not the answer to Insomnia. But eroding the underlying cause is.
  • atulit75078
    atulit75078 jennifer83333

    Posted

    Hey jennifer , let me know something on my take on it which I have posted above?
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 atulit75078

      Posted

      Hi. Sorry for the delay in my reply I actually was doing some research on CBT-I. It does sound like something he should try. Also you asked his age...59. He has a little high blood pressure but under control with one med and his cat. He had Shingles a year and a half ago on his face and in his eye. Luckily no permanent damage. Because his insomnia is so bad he's been unable to return to work since his hip replacement a year ago. He is stressed since we have no income but the insomnia started a couple of years before. It's just much worse now.

    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 atulit75078

      Posted

      He still isn't sleeping. Seems very agitated, restless, can't sit still. The Xanax the Dr gave at last appointment made him slightly suicidal. Luckily we got thru it safely.

      I don't know what to do.

    • atulit75078
      atulit75078 jennifer83333

      Posted

      Can u do one thing - when he lies down u see how is he sleeping, many a times Insomniacs tend to underestimate their sleep. So plz look into it
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 atulit75078

      Posted

      I've started keeping a journal... kind of a sleep log I guess. I note the date, medication name, medication time, sleep times, and total sleep for the day. I've just started keeping it this detailed but I've always kept track of how he reacted to which medications.

      He does take micro naps sometimes without realizing it. They normally last from 2 seconds to 10 or 15 seconds and only after he's been awake for a few days.

      He doesn't take care of himself like he always has before. He doesn't shower as often, comb his hair, he wears the same clothes for a couple of days (normally pajamas). His cravings for food have increased drastically and his heartburn is out of this world.

      I'm wondering if the CBT-I will work with him since sleeping medication hasn't?

      It's late here so I'm going to get some rest but tomorrow I'm going to make a list of all the different medications the Drs have given him over the past 2 years. I'd like your input if that's ok? His Drs have never suggested any kind of treatment except for pills.

    • atulit75078
      atulit75078 jennifer83333

      Posted

      CBT-I definitely works more in the long term than medication. It has a 90% effective rate in all its patients. Medications is not the answer. Insomnia is basically self afflicted. Your husband needs to change his thinking process.
    • jennifer83333
      jennifer83333 derek76

      Posted

      No. That drug doesn't sound familiar but I will double check. Thank you.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.