Driving myself crazy with this insomnia! - Sleep Disorders Message Board

hanksmom · 11-23-2006, 07:51 PM

It started about 3 weeks ago. I just couldn't sleep at night. I would lay down at 10, and still be wide awake and upset at 3. I have to get up for work at 6. This turned into a cycle where I am worrying ALL DAY what that night will be like. I can't focus at work because I am so obsessed about not sleeping. As it gets dark outside now I literally will panic! I hate seeing night come, and I HATE getting in bed for the fear that I will not sleep at all again. I am now getting to the point where I will lay there and cry. I know it sounds stupid. I don't know what to do. I have had NO changes and NO stress in my life! All that is going through my head at night is the worry about not sleeping. If I drift off a little I will wake right back up even though I am severely tired. The weekends are 100% better because I don't have the worry of getting up early, so I sleep better. I guess it is anxiety? I have tried Tylenol Simply Sleep, and then some samples of Rozerem. The Tylenol didn't help and the Rozerem made me seem to have these dream like visions in my head while I was still awake. It made my mind think even more! I have a Dr.s appt on Wednesday...what do you think would be a good SHORT TERM medication for me?
I am SO tired, and I know that I could sleep if I could just chill with this anxiety about NOT sleeping. This sounds crazy. Please tell me that I am not alone???

Countrygirl1 · 11-23-2006, 10:01 PM

You are not alone!! I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, insomnia and possible idiopathic hypersomnia. I obsess and panic over my sleep partterns as well. One thing that has helped me is working on sleep hygiene practices. You should be able to google "sleep hygiene" and get a complete list.

CalistaBear · 11-24-2006, 03:00 AM

You are not alone at all hun!! I suffer from insomnia too. I've tried over the counter pills, teas, self help CD's, light music, change of diet..you name it. Nothing helped. I'd go to bed around 1am and STILL be awake at 4 or 5am. I used to cry too...so it's not weird at all. My days would be shot because of the stress I had trying to fall asleep! Have you tried Melatonin? I'm just about to try it myself, it's natural and you can get it at most places. What has helped me a bit so far though, is sea salt. I read a post on the panic board about how it helped with insomnia so I tried it, it's helped about 50%. Better than anything else.

Countrygirl1 · 11-24-2006, 12:15 PM

Sea salt! I have never heard about that. Where do you get sea salt? Very interesting!

hanksmom · 11-24-2006, 06:32 PM

Yeah, really! I think that you can get sea salt at the grocery store or at a whole foods store. Do you just drink it in water or what? I will try anything

I have to consider going on some medication short term I think just so I can ATLEAST get a little sleep in...I can barely function at work. Weekends are a little better...I find it easier to sleep when I am not worried about getting enough sleep for work...