If I don't start sleeping I'm going to freak out!

HeidiRene

I am a chronic & severe insomniac. I once didn't sleep for 4 days straight. Seriously. I am at the end of my rope here. My insomnia was a HUGE part of my recent weight gain and it is sabotaging my weight loss success and my general happiness. Most nights I don;t fall asleep until 6 or 7am. It's awful.

When I was employed (and had health insurance) my doctor prescribed me Klonopin to sleep. Revolutionized my life. Now, I am unemployed, broke, unable to get any sleep medicine and struggling nightly. I am chrocically sleep deprived. It takes a toll on everything.

Someone gave me a singe Lunesta tonite and I was sooo excited. "1" good night of sleep in months and I was so happy. I fell asleep...for an hour and now I am awake. I want to scream/cry/freak out/give up!! I think maybe I took it too early but I just really wanted a good night of sleep.

Now I am back to the land of sleep deprivation and all its miseries. Don't even get me started on how I feel about my lack of access to the healthcare system while I am job searching.

This sucks!

Thanks for reading my rant. Sad me.

emilybeatrice1

i'm sorry to hear that. I am also a person who has sleep issues. i cant fall asleep, however once i'm asleep i can sleep for like 10 hrs. I understand your frustration. I even know that all the suggestions ppl give you have probably tried. so i wont give any, i will just say i'm sorry you are going thru this.

lisa28115

HAVE YOU TRIED MELATONIN....???

HeidiRene

Thanks Emily. Yes, I have tried deep breathing, listening to a sleep CD, lavendar, bubble baths, melatonin, sleep sheet sprays, sleepytime tea, sleep lotions, OTC sleeping pills, reading, relaxing music, TV, no TV, blah, blah blah!

The only things that have ever worked for me were Klonopin (thank God for the Psychiatrist who prescribed me this for sleep) and Ambien. Neither of which can I get right now b/c of financial struggles. It seems so unfair. Alas, I cry in my pillow. Sorry, I am having a major "woe is me" night but sometimes it just gets to be too much for me!

I have no options!

HeidiRene

People keep sending me tips, which is so sweet!! But, I have probably tried it. White noise, only using bed for sleep, yoga etc. I am hopeless unfortunately.

And, I AM freaking out. So miserable.

pornstarzombie

I am not advocating this, but I am also an insomniac and when the melatonin stopped working I would drink a little at night just so I could sleep. Usually a few shots with tylenol PM or advil PM or something.

I KNOW it isn't good for you, but sometimes you just need that one nights sleep to get your head together.

I should be in bed, I've been up since 4am this morning, but here I am on MFP. I definitely can relate.

HeidiRene

I am not advocating this, but I am also an insomniac and when the melatonin stopped working I would drink a little at night just so I could sleep. Usually a few shots with tylenol PM or advil PM or something.

I KNOW it isn't good for you, but sometimes you just need that one nights sleep to get your head together.

I should be in bed, I've been up since 4am this morning, but here I am on MFP. I definitely can relate.

I don't blame you one bit!! If I drank I would do this is a heartbeat regardless of whether it's healthy or not. Any true insomniac understands the insane misery of it. Do what ya gotta do!

rdsxgrl28

Have you tried contacting the makers of Ambien or Klonopin? Some drug companies have programs for people who can't afford their medications.

It might help.

XXXMinnieXXX

Aw its awful isn't it. Heard lots of good things about paul mckenna I can make you sleep book and cd. I've just ordered it of ebay, worth a try xxx

HeidiRene

Aw its awful isn't it. Heard lots of good things about paul mckenna I can make you sleep book and cd. I've just ordered it of ebay, worth a try xxx

U r very sweet. I will try anything!

HeidiRene

Have you tried contacting the makers of Ambien or Klonopin? Some drug companies have programs for people who can't afford their medications.

It might help.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had never thought of this. I will try and see what I can find out.

huck23

i can feel your pain. i am not able to sleep a full night anymore unless i drink myself to sleep. i do use melatonin, but because of all the water i drink i still wake up 3-4 times a night , but i change less sheets with all that water. friend me if you would like

TDGee

You didn't mention Benadryl. If you haven't tried it, do. It's cheap. Good luck.

HeidiRene

You didn't mention Benadryl. If you haven't tried it, do. It's cheap. Good luck.

Tried it. Thanks though.

michellebd1980

I'm so sorry to hear you can't sleep. I,too, deal with really bad insomnia. I suggest like the post above to contact the makers of Ambien or lunesta, and Klonopin.... Also, if you're in The US, dial 211, they'll tell you all the programs in your area to get help with this. Hope that helps!

HeidiRene

I'm so sorry to hear you can't sleep. I,too, deal with really bad insomnia. I suggest like the post above to contact the makers of Ambien or lunesta, and Klonopin.... Also, if you're in The US, dial 211, they'll tell you all the programs in your area to get help with this. Hope that helps!

I am in US. Never heard of 211. Will try. Thanks!

Chairless

Everyones different but i find Antihistamines generally knock me straight out.

liftandcycle

me too! I cannot sleep.. what I did is that I trained myself to get sleepy everytime I hear rain... so I started to listen to rain before I fell asleep, so now when I want to sleep I start playing the sound of rain and I will automatically get sleepy, you should try it!

HeidiRene

me too! I cannot sleep.. what I did is that I trained myself to get sleepy everytime I hear rain... so I started to listen to rain before I fell asleep, so now when I want to sleep I start playing the sound of rain and I will automatically get sleepy, you should try it!

I tried a noise machine for awhile that either rained or sounded like the ocean. Didn't work for me. How did you train yourself?

rbbrrmqn

I sent this to you but in case others are in need--
go to WWW.PPARX.ORG they offer help to those who need meds numerous programs are under this one program

kleighsamboer

you may be lacking magnesium. about 80% of women are. it costs about $10 for a 30 day supply. Fred Meyer has the best one I have found. It is Nature's Made. Please if you try the magnesium buy that one. The cheaper brands and even some of the more expensive ones only have mag. oxide in it which our bodies does not absorb. You need a brand that had more than 1 type of magnesium in it. I used to be an insomniac and I have some central nervous issues and the magnesium truly has helped me. I know how frustrating it can be and I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping!

lorro

Espie's sleep programme has been shown in clinical trials to be effective, i recommend it over medication any day. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.goodmedicine.org.uk/goodknowledge/sleep-adhd-fatigue

Trinketona

I work graveyards so its hard for me to sleep sometimes. What works for me...Benadryl!!!!!!!!! It totally knocks me out. After 30 minutes of taking it and I start slurring my words and have fallen asleep in my car. :laugh: Not while driving. I got home an was sooo sleepy I couldnt get out of the car and just slept there. I've been able to sleep up to 14 hours with Benadryl.

abhiforlife

I very deeply sympathise. I've had sleep issues in the past and they were painful to deal with and yours sound way worse. I sincerely hope you find something, anything, that works.

The only thing (other than medication) that worked for me was to literally knock myself out by doing physical activity. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4-5 hours of solid physical activity, which wasn't possible on anything but a weekend. You might give that a shot.

HeidiRene

I work graveyards so its hard for me to sleep sometimes. What works for me...Benadryl!!!!!!!!! It totally knocks me out. After 30 minutes of taking it and I start slurring my words and have fallen asleep in my car. :laugh: Not while driving. I got home an was sooo sleepy I couldnt get out of the car and just slept there. I've been able to sleep up to 14 hours with Benadryl.

I wish Benadryl worked for me.

abhiforlife

Espie's sleep programme has been shown in clinical trials to be effective, i recommend it over medication any day. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.goodmedicine.org.uk/goodknowledge/sleep-adhd-fatigue

Thanks for that link, I've read a couple of those documents and it seems like very useful info to have.

HeidiRene

I very deeply sympathise. I've had sleep issues in the past and they were painful to deal with and yours sound way worse. I sincerely hope you find something, anything, that works.

The only thing (other than medication) that worked for me was to literally knock myself out by doing physical activity. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4-5 hours of solid physical activity, which wasn't possible on anything but a weekend. You might give that a shot.

When I trained for a marathon (wasn't dealing with insomnia at the time) but I could never sleep the nights of long run days. So, I am skeptical but hopeful...I will try this. Thanks!

tiffanypardus

wide awake as well, I sleep like **** for 3 days 4 hours maybe then the 4th day I'm out cold. I'm going to be one cranky b*$%h tomorrow.

abhiforlife

I very deeply sympathise. I've had sleep issues in the past and they were painful to deal with and yours sound way worse. I sincerely hope you find something, anything, that works.

The only thing (other than medication) that worked for me was to literally knock myself out by doing physical activity. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4-5 hours of solid physical activity, which wasn't possible on anything but a weekend. You might give that a shot.

When I trained for a marathon (wasn't dealing with insomnia at the time) but I could never sleep the nights of long run days. So, I am skeptical but hopeful...I will try this. Thanks!

I suspect you had heightened anxiety for the big day. That's the worst thing about insomnia, the bad effects esp. the anxiety builds on itself and your sleep gets worse and worse.

Good luck!

HeidiRene

I sent this to you but in case others are in need--
go to WWW.PPARX.ORG they offer help to those who need meds numerous programs are under this one program

this is so sweet! I encourage others to try this site if they need help getting meds. Unfortunately, I plugged my info in and they can't help me.

HeidiRene

I very deeply sympathise. I've had sleep issues in the past and they were painful to deal with and yours sound way worse. I sincerely hope you find something, anything, that works.

The only thing (other than medication) that worked for me was to literally knock myself out by doing physical activity. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4-5 hours of solid physical activity, which wasn't possible on anything but a weekend. You might give that a shot.

When I trained for a marathon (wasn't dealing with insomnia at the time) but I could never sleep the nights of long run days. So, I am skeptical but hopeful...I will try this. Thanks!

I suspect you had heightened anxiety for the big day. That's the worst thing about insomnia, the bad effects esp. the anxiety builds on itself and your sleep gets worse and worse.

Good luck!

No, it wasn't worrying about runs. After running long distances I couldn;t sleep that night. Don;t know why.