All the sudden an insomniac - Sleep Disorders Message Board

ajax18 · 04-29-2007, 07:13 PM

I quit being able to sleep when I was 20 years 10 months old. I stilll remember. It happened early one morning. I awoke and couldn't get back to sleep.

I've been on elavil since then. I've tried not taking it, but without it I simply do not sleep but 3 to 4 hours every 3 days. Even with elavil, my spine constantly burns, my head is in a fog. I don't think well, and it makes performing my job all the more difficult to impossible. Elavil does put me to sleep, but I'm always tired regardless. I've haven't felt refreshed in ten years, but for very brief times.

I've had a full work up and nothing was found therefore the psychologist I've seen concludes that it must be mental. If it were simply an attitude problem believe me I'd change it. Something happened to me that night and I have given up finding out what. The doctors look at me like I'm the only one in the world this ever happened to. I know there must be someone else, otherwise they wouldn't have all these drugs.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening to someone?

mkgbrook · 04-30-2007, 11:05 AM

Go to a sleep specialist and get evaluated for a sleep disorder.

Let them know you can no longer sleep without this drug.. but even using said drug you wake up tired and fatigued. Also let them know your work performance is suffering and about the chronic back pain. All these symptoms point to a sleep disorder.. they might physically see an issue as well.

You will be scheduled for a sleep study and get the answers you need if your problem is physical.. it could be the medication itself causing your issues. When you have a sleep issue.. see a sleep specialist.. no other for treatment.

Sincerely,
MG

bethsheba · 04-30-2007, 06:36 PM

Definitely not a mental problem...do take MG's advice.

When I told a pscyhologist that I worked with that I stopped breathing for periods of time (when I was awake), he told me that I was probably stressed and that's why I would stop breathing....I thought he was in la la land at the time because for starters, it usually happened when I was very relaxed. Anyway, years later I had a sleep study done only to find out that I stopped breathing in my sleep as well---two different causes, one was obstructive sleep apnea and the other was central apnea. Neither cause was related to stress or emotional/psychological issues (although the sleep deprivation that resulted caused some). I need to write that guy a letter....arghhh.

Anyway, do see a sleep specialist, board certified if possible. The other guys just don't have a solid background in this new and growing field.

Bsheba

quiet storm · 05-01-2007, 12:51 PM

I disagree. It could very well be a mental problem. You all seriously underestimate the power of anxiety and depression. Insomnia is a well known side effect of both.

mkgbrook · 05-02-2007, 08:53 AM

Good experimental technique is to eliminate the obvious. A sleep study and evaluation will definitely confirm or rule out a sleep disorder. This in itself can provide peace of mind Quiet Storm.

I never said it wasn't anxiety. However, anxiety is a side effect of sleep deprivation which is most often caused by a latent sleep disorder.. so what do you do. Get it checked out and track your symptoms to the source so you can treat or cure your problem. In the case of a sleep disorder you want to go to an ABSM sleep specialist because most other MD's are clueless to all the subtle sleep disorders out there. 60% of adults have some form of sleep disorder.. 30% have chronic sleep disorders. A good nights sleep can do wonders for ones disposition.

Sincerely,
MG