Sleep deprivation?

I don't know where to post this, really, so I hope this is a good place.

At what point does sleep deprivation become severe? I've heard people can die from total sleep deprivation, but what if you do sleep but it's only 2 hours or less a day, can you die? How else will that affect you? What if you constantly go more than 24 hours without sleep?

My doctor doesn't believe that sleep is a serious issue for me. He knows it's "bad" but no matter what I say, he doesn't seem to understand how bad. I just got off a period of 43 hours with no sleep. That's the longest that I've ever kept track of with no sleep. The doctor will give me sleeping pills, but I've been on them so much I fear becoming dependent and/or addicted. I've taken them, and OTC stuff, but even then I don't sleep enough, and as soon as I am out of them, I go back to not sleeping at all.

I have tried having "sleep routines" and using my bed for nothing but sleep, but no matter what I do, it doesn't seem to help. I have suffered insomnia since January of this year, but it's been very extreme lack of sleep for about a month now.

The lack of sleep has ruined my coordination. I am constantly dizzy, and sometimes it gets so bad that I literally cannot stand up without falling because of my coordination. I slur my speech a lot, and at it's worse, I start babbling nonsense just because I can't talk. I get physically sick (vomiting, coughing, headache, etc) and I know it's only making my depression and anxiety worse, too. I can't read, write, or concentrate to my normal capabilities. I think there are other effects of it, but I can't recall right now.

I have a variety of reasons I can't sleep. Sometimes it's something particular on my mind, sometimes it's general restlessness, sometimes it's up crying from sadness, sometimes anxiety, but most often it's just that I am not tired, even after being awake over 40 hours, I didn't feel tired. I lay in bed, trying to sleep a lot. It's just a never ending battle.

Any tips on better sleep, aside from medication? My doctor won't listen to me and help me, so I read there are sleep clinics at some of my local hospitals. I can't afford to go right now, but if I do end up with funds available to do so, do you think they could help? What would they do, exactly?

Thanks for any help!

Well, for one, I am truly sorry you are going through this - I have been through it and it was sheer hell! Your doctor does not seem sensitive, much less "informed".

Sleep deprivation is critical - you have already mentioned many of the symptoms.

I suffered 7 days with about 3 hours scattered sleep and I ended up hospitilized, not waking up for another 7 days! (Medication assisted).

My most immediate recommendation to you would be to change doctors.

There is help out there!

Thanks. I can't afford a new medical doctor right now, the one I have is the only one available because I can use him through the school. I'm hoping to get some sort of insurance plan soon, though, so I will try to change.

I know you said aside...I would think taking the sleeping pills doc prescribed is a good idea...don't fear about dependancy...you need your sleep. There are several meds out for sleeping - what does he have you on?

Hoping you can get a peaceful nights rest...

I have gone 4 days and nights with no sleep. Its terrible. I am bipolar...so this happens mostly when manic, although it happens when I am depressed too.

I hallucinated....and had to be hospitalized. It was frightening. I am starting now to get manic, even taking my meds properly, and last night I didnt sleep a wink. I tried to get hold of my pdoc and my therapist today...nobody in. It makes me nervous...cause I know last night was just the beginning.

Sleep is very important....and I think its very dangerous to go without it.

Annie

Thanks Direction. I've been on Ambien in the past, and now I'm on Sonata. I'm going to pick up that prescription because I realize I do need sleep now at least, but I don't see how it's a permanent solution, which is what I need, but I will take them until I can get a better solution.

Annie, it's hard, huh? I haven't been a full four days without sleep, but when I get only 2 hours of sleep a night, soon enough it feels like it. Hallucinations seem scary! I hope you can get some rest yourself. My mom called her doctor for some recommendations and he suggested "sleepy time" tea, so I'm going to get some of that and see how it goes.

"I will take them until I can get a better solution"

I think that is a sound choice...

Ugh, I just called to ask my father to lend me the money for sleeping pills. He will, but he had to lecture me. He's a "recovering" crack addict, and now he's anti-all medication, it seems. I don't understand his logic.

He tells me that "once I get a normal cycle back, I will be fine." I've been dealing with insomnia since January, if it was so easy to get a normal cycle, I would have done it by now. He doesn't grasp the concept that I can't go to bed at 10 pm, wake up at 8 am, have a full day, and repeat. I think it's a situation that he can't understand unless he was to experience it himself.

The up side is he still is going to help get them...I know not the same as if he understood and helped.

asylumgardens,

Have you thought about hypnotherapy to help you get on the right path to sleeping good? Sleep is so very important for good health!!!

What part of TN do you live in? There is a extremly good hypnotherapist in the Knoxville area.

Rick

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
He doesn't grasp the concept that I can't go to bed at 10 pm, wake up at 8 am, have a full day, and repeat.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> But you can... keep working on this. Only since January (though I know it seems like a long time to you) means it hasn't really become chronic. Good self care will mean that you get the new prescription just before you need it, so you don't run out. It means you take it at the same time each night, and put your tush into bed when you take it. It also means you do things to help prepare yourself for sleep, yes a routine... write down those things on your mind, so you don't have to hold them in your thoughts afraid you will lose them, and so you know you don't have to worry about them all night, there's nothing you can do at night about most things anyway.

Don't stop doing what you know to be right and good for you, just because it hasn't worked yet. Keep working at getting that routine down, and you will find sleep and rest. ((((hugs))))

Hey Rick, what type of certification do you hold, btw?

Sky,

You do a wonderful job of saying what I forget to say..... Thanks.

My certifications? I am a Certified Hypnotherapist from the National Guild of Hypnotists. The oldest and largest organization for hypnotists. I am also certified in pediatric hypnotherapy, Parts Therapy, Complementary Medical hypnosis. I have an advanced certification in HypnoAnesthesia & Pain Management. And I was recently certified by the HypnoBirthing Association in HypnoFertility.

I am also an Emergency Medical Technician. But that's kind of irrelevant.

Rick

Thanks Rick. I am in Knoxville, do you have the name of the person?

Thanks Sky, too. Yes, I realize I can build up a routine, but what I meant was, it's not going to happen in no time, which my father seems to think it will. I do try, and I can get a routine when I have sleeping pills, but as soon as they're gone, I try to stick with the routine and I can't fall asleep again. What a pain.

Hi Asylumgardens,
Have you tried exercising during the day? It helps with sleeping at night but you've got to be consistent. I've been sleeping better since I've been exercising everyday.

I know exercise isn't any fun but you do get use to doing them after awhile. It doesn't have to be anything dramatic. Get a half hour exercise video-cardio- I like Denise Austin.
I hope you get some much needed sleep soon.

asylumgardens,

I sent you a PM with Ron's contact info. He is the best in your area.

Let us know how it goes, its always nice to here how excited people are after their sessions.....

Rick

asylum, I also use a cd that I listen to at sleep time... it puts the brain into delta wave. Have you tried any of those?

Thanks for the compliment, and info Rick! TC

Thanks Rick, I got the PM.

Sky, is it a specific cd that does it? I sometimes try listening to music that I personally find relaxing, but I've never heard of anything that puts the brain in a certain state specifically?

Your Welcome SKY

I just said the same thing in a PM. I have CD's that I sell. Ron might have one availible as well.

SKY you don't use yours every night do you?

Rick

I got the sleeping pills from my doctor, and now that I have a regular schedule for work.. I'm off for my GOOD night sleep (hopefully - optimistic is the best way to be, right?) and hopefully build up a pattern of good sleep.

Goodnight

asylumgardens,

How is the sleep going?

I put a layer of Theta wave sounds behind the music and words on all of my CD's. It helps the clients experience the deepest possible level of trance.

Rick