Sleep Problems - Any comments - Sleep Disorders Message Board

buntt · 12-09-2006, 07:27 PM

About three weeks ago I started having insomnia. Basically, I would fall asleep for a few hours and wake up and then not be able to go back to sleep for a while. The insomnia then progressed to not being able to sleep till really late (around 2-4am). I am naturally early riser, so once the sun is out its out of the question for me to fall back asleep. The insomnia waxed and waned for there were a couple of nights I did get good sleep, however, now three weeks into the process, it seems to be a constant companion.

My doctor prescribed Rezorel on MOnday and also Prolexa and Xanax. I haven't really tried the prolexa, though the rezorel worked good the first day and gave me choppy sleep the next day and the third day I was able to sleep well without any aid. However, the last two days I have goote about 3-4.5 hours of sleep (almost no sleep yesterday). Its as if I get into bed and the desire for sleep simply vanishes.

I should mention I am also mildly OCD (which also went into overdrive about 5-6 weeks ago, about 1-2 weeks before the insomnia). however, now I mostly obsess about my sleep so the OCD seems to have diminished.

At times I feel really hopeless and feel like my whole life is going to unravel soon (i.e. I won't finish school, my wife will leave, etc, etc).

It seems I am following a classic pattern and obsessing too much about not sleeping, but given the OCD I can't help but obsess and obsess.

I am not worried that this will become permanent and that I will somehow have to adapt to getting by on a few hours of sleep per night (or none).

Any thoughts, feedback, comments, enpathy would be appreciated...Am I alone in how my insomnia has develped and seems to have taken over my life???

Countrygirl1 · 12-10-2006, 10:26 AM

Really all I can offer is empathy-of sort. Although my insomnia has improved over the past year, I still have significant bouts with it now and then. It can take over your life, your thoughts, your motivations. I am sorry that you are having such a tough time. All I know is that I believe that my insomnia improved since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and started using CPAP. Also, my goal is to practice steps of good sleep hygiene. Of course, I don't always do that. Best wishes to you!

mkgbrook · 12-11-2006, 09:03 AM

I concur with country girl. I used to only get at most 4 hours of sleep a night. If the son/sun was up I had to forget about sleep. I would go to sleep wake up.. have trouble resuming sleep. Then just live tired... this amplified during my pregnancy and even more after the birth of my son. It wasn't until three years later when my son was finally sleeping through the night and there were no interruptions that my GP suggested I might have sleep apnea.

Well consultation and evaluation determined I did have sleep apnea, severe sleep apnea. With my CPAP I only wake up when my son jumps on me, the alarm clock goes off, or I have to use the rest room. If I have a short night due to studying, family illness, or whatever reason.. 4 hours on my CPAP is worth 8 not. If you haven't been evaluated by a sleep doctor you might want to consider it.

Sincerely,
MG

buntt · 12-11-2006, 04:35 PM

I did get see a couple of sleep doctors and neither thought that a sleep study was required because, I guess, I don't have the other symptoms of sleep apnea. But I am curious about sleep apnea...

my sleep problems coincided with an increase in OCD, which coincided with an acute stressor in my life (job search, end of PhD program).

However, I still don't undertstand why I don't feel sleepy at night though I should after being sleep deprived....my doctor suggested lexapro and rozerem. I am however hesistant to try anti-depressants given the potential side-effects (e.g. insomina, seizures, etc).

Any thoughts on the SSRIs (anti-depressants) or other alternatives.

thanks

Countrygirl1 · 12-12-2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buntt

I did get see a couple of sleep doctors and neither thought that a sleep study was required because, I guess, I don't have the other symptoms of sleep apnea. But I am curious about sleep apnea...

my sleep problems coincided with an increase in OCD, which coincided with an acute stressor in my life (job search, end of PhD program).

However, I still don't undertstand why I don't feel sleepy at night though I should after being sleep deprived....my doctor suggested lexapro and rozerem. I am however hesistant to try anti-depressants given the potential side-effects (e.g. insomina, seizures, etc).

Any thoughts on the SSRIs (anti-depressants) or other alternatives.

thanks

buntt, my sleep doc did not think that I had sleep apnea. Instead of the standard two night study that he usually orders, he scheduled me for a split night study. The look of shock on his face when he told me,"You DO have sleep apnea" was quite comical. I ended up having to have a second night for a titration study to determine the pressure setting for C-PAP