Missed inspection - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Chips · 11-06-2006, 05:30 AM

I am a school teacher. For the last 2 nights I have not slept (except for the odd hour). I suffer very badly with insomnia. I have a back condition that aggravates it.

I was due to be watched teach today by an inspector but pulled out - basically because I was so tired. I could hardly speak I was so drained. I went home.

I know people exagerate the hours they do not sleep but it is not uncommon for me not to sleep at all. Most days I drag myself through the waking hours but today I just couldnt. I didnt want to embarrass myself or let myself down. Now I feel so ashamed and pathetic. A member of staff said I was a coward.

Does anyone have any magic solutions?

I have tried the benzos, and newer drugs but none seem to work for me - I sleep a little more but awaken feeling groggy.

I am always either boiling hot or too cold at night and go from one extreme to the other. I have to keep turning because my back muscles start to lock.The slightest sound awakes me even though I also suffer from tinnitus.
My mind races at night and thoughts (otfen unpleasant) stream through my mind. Nothing will switch them off.

Lduby · 11-06-2006, 11:38 AM

I have been there. You sit and wonder why isn't my brain shutting off like everyone elses. For me I would just start to drift off then my brain would "jump" back on sending my heart racing. It sucks. I have tried many things too. Xanax (a benzo) just one a night finally helped me to relax and stop my racing heart....BUT I still have bad nights where nothing works. I tell myself as I lie down to sleep...I'm NOT trying to sleep just lying here thinking about fun relaxing things. And sometimes it works. like reverse phsychology. But what I'm trying to say is that knowing your not so alone out there may give you some comfort. As for those who said you just chickened out with the inspection....they obviously have never endured anything like this.....so they can kiss off!

Chips · 11-06-2006, 12:03 PM

Thank you Lduby. It is so strange - I long to go to bed to sleep but when there face an all night battle. A `battle` is what it is.

If I do sleep I wake up within minutes or at best an hour only to be left with a stream of thoughts. No matter what I try it doesnt work.