My husband doesn't sleep.
Posted , 16 users are following.
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
lydia31947 jennifer83333
Posted
Hey, just wanted to add to please definitely consider CBT-I. I have a psych background and we learn a lot about the damage drugs/sleeping medication can do. CBT-I has been shown to not only work with people who have insomnia, but for cancer patients, people with psychiatric disorders, people with chronic pain, people who are coming off opium addiction, people with hearing issues and other medical/health issues. It's very hard at first, not easy like taking a pill. Sleep restriction means that you may lose sleep initially but your husband can't give up, because the long-term impacts work.
keri39353 jennifer83333
Posted
jennifer83333 keri39353
Posted
No. He was able to work up until he had his replacement surgery. During recovery from that his insomnia got so bad he isn't able to work now. I'm sure that really adds on to the stress which isn't helping the insomnia. We have no income now and no idea what to do. His disability payments for hip replacement have ran out.
atulit75078 jennifer83333
Posted
hi jennifer, how are you doing? is everything ok?
jennifer83333 atulit75078
Posted
Husband is still on Xanax. Sometimes he sleeps. Sometimes he is suicidal. USC KECK still hasn't set an appointment. He still cant work. Seems we are both losing our minds. But thank you for asking, at least I know someone is thinking of us. Things couldn't be looking worse to be completely honest. It's all a waiting game that no one seems to realize just how desperate he has become. Not only mentally but now he is losing muscle mass and having extreme joint pain. We are in complete financial ruins and have lost everything except for hope and our love for each other. I have lost any faith in the health care system. I don't know what to do. Thank you for letting me rant.
atulit75078 jennifer83333
Posted
Hi jennifer, did you make him read the books and the audio from sasha or meadows? i am saying you it would change his sleep pattern. how many hours is he sleeping everyday right now? Make him understand - "the harder he tries to sleep, the tougher it will take for sleep to come by". sleep is natural. there is nothing called someone who cant sleep. i know this sounds different than what he is going through now. but trust me meds dont work. try CBT and the books and audios i told u please. make him convince that he will be good again.
lee09162 jennifer83333
Posted
Hi! I am new here, but I am also one of many of the insomnia sufferers. It is really hard, and I truly understand.
My insomnia worsened over the years. But I can tell you what set it off to the extreme...and this is not to worry you, but to warn you...that I had taken Valium (another longer acting type of Benzo very similary to xanax). Without realizing it, I became physically dependent.
And I am a retired RN. I should have known better. Xanax does wonders to help with sleep, but it is really a slippery slope. How long has your husband been on Xanax? This in the long term, aggravates insomnia. I should know, because at the height of my withdrawals I was not sleeping at all. I then had to get a script for Ambien. If I had not, I would have not slept at all. But then I found out about the "Ashton Manual"...(after I had to make an ER visit due to many nights without sleep and I was coming unhinged). Ashton Manuel is invaluable in weaning off of xanax, valium, activan, or klonopin.
When the time comes for him to wean off of xanax, please please go to the Benzo forum...just type it in Google search and you will find the website... lots of people who have managed to withdraw from it. MD's know nothing about weaning off. Please do not do have him go "cold turkey"!
How to manage insomnia?. It is a lot of work and so many different methods work for many different people. It is, as you know, trial and error.I use mindfulness tapes to listen to before bed. It helps a lot. I also take melatonin. A good one sold on Amazon is a gummy bear form and is really good.
Stress lowers men's testosterone levels. Please make sure his doctor checks his total testosterone and "free testosterone). You do not mention his age, but make sure that he has a value that is adequate for that of a normal 35 yr old...and not what is considered "normal" for a 60 yr old. Most MD's accept low T as part of ageing and will not prescribe it. Actually, a naturopath that deals with men's health and hormones can check his lab values and prescribe a compounded transdermal cream to use. "T" helps with depression, sleep, and muscle tone.
Also, you may want to check out food allergies. They absolutely can contribute to severe insomnia.
But lastly (sorry this is so windy), I am very concerned for him continuing to use the xanax. Personally, any doctor who gives out more than 3 or 4 doses of it ought to have their medical license pulled.
Another drug I tried and that is harmless overall, is hydroxyzine pamoate. It is also know as oral vistaril. It has a very mild anti-anxiety affect but it can be helpful when it is time to wean off of the xanax (or any benzo).
jennifer83333 lee09162
Posted
Thank you for the well thought out reply. I dont have the time for a proper reply at this time but I would like to message you when time allows. I hate Xanax and everything they are doing to my husband. Also, he is 59 years old. His insomnia started about 2.5 years ago. I will find time soon to message you.
atulit75078 jennifer83333
Posted
any update jennifer?
venkatesan21677 jennifer83333
Posted
In this world thousands, Lakhs of humans do not sleep regularly. Now the life style has changed. I dont know the history but I can assure that taking sleeping pills is also a suicidal attempt. But there is no way. While consulting neurologist ask for whether Melatonin tablet can be taken. Clonazepam pills makes our life miserable.
derek76 venkatesan21677
Posted
I tried Melatonin a couple of years ago and it did not help. I've been taking it again over the past few weeks and it still did nothing for me.
jennifer83333 derek76
Posted
I agree melatonin doesn't work for all people. My husband tried different doses different brands and it just didn't work. .... but then again nothing has worked for him.
derek76 jennifer83333
Posted
My next try will be CBD oil.
atulit75078 jennifer83333
Posted
how are you doing Jennifer and hows your husband now?
sharing99849 jennifer83333
Posted
I think your husband needs to practice a routine to help his mind and body rest at night. Try to follow these tips to get better sleep.
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