[ready2learn]

First, thank you for reading my post. I have had insomnia on and off for years. However since January it has become a chroonic issue that is crippling me literally and physically.
I do see a doctor every three months who has prescribed meds both to get and keep me to sleep. I am now self pay due to losing insurance and can not afford the med that gets me to sleep.
I have chronic pain from a physical disability, depression ongoing, nightmares and PTSD. The insomnia is wrcking havoc on my body and my mind. It is adding strain on my marriage, and greatly increasing my phsical and emotional pain.
I have researched the topic and have tried the suggestions with an open mind. Some work for a while. Nothing works all the time. I only have caffiene once a day, in the morning.
Does anyone have any suggestions, I try to have an open mind.
I am under incredible stress financially which I suspect is main culprit. It is difficult for me to relax. Thank you for your time. Just knowing someone cares helps a lot.

[Phreak]

You have cronic insomnia, perhaps cut caffeine out completely.

Mindfulness meditation could help with an over active mind.

Obvious things like keeping a bedtime routine, maintaining a time you go to bed and a time to get up.

TBH you say you've researched it and seen experts, I doubt that there's anything we can offer that you don't already know

[healingme4me]

You do mention having a physical disability, can you get any health insurance assistance through ssdi? Such as medicare?

How about chamomile tea, at bedtime? Routine is important. Stress can add to issues around insomnia. I believe that the cost of my sleeping pill, without insurance, for the generic, is about $1 per pill, I am not 100% certain about that. Can your doctors office, refer you to some place that can help you out, considering you are without insurance?

[Blake04]

I am under incredible stress financially which I suspect is main culprit.

Yeah sounds very likely. Maybe devoting more energy towards fixing that situation could be the solution?

Im sorry if it sounds like painfully obvious advice, but the more time your spend looking at the symptoms instead of the main cause, the more fixated you become on sleeping. Knowing you can't sleep, and telling yourself that, very quickly becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Perhaps take up a new hobby? Maybe even one that could make you some money down the line?

Or start writing a dairy? Getting some of your worries formulated without anyone actually seeing them can be of great aid.

Maybe something physical? You mention a physical disability, but is there some sport you could take up? Both for actually using your body, but also just to get out and filling your head with something else then worries.

And of course, Phreak's advice. Contrary to popular belief, "sleeping in" on weekend does you absolutly no good. Your body is hardwired to following the sun. When it rises, you should aswell. And meditaton could indeed but the way to go. If you actually follow through with it and gives it time, that is.

I would say "best of luck", but luck isn't part of this. Determination is. So ehh.. Best of determination.

[MusicMike]

It sounds like addressing your chronic pain, anxiety, depression, etc. could go a LONG way toward helping you sleep. Are you in therapy? That's one way to help. I find that journaling, something you can do on your own, helps me sleep. There are books that can guide you in journaling productively. I like "Journal to the Self" by Kathleen Adams.

[googoo]

Originally Posted by ready2learn

First, thank you for reading my post. I have had insomnia on and off for years. However since January it has become a chroonic issue that is crippling me literally and physically.
I do see a doctor every three months who has prescribed meds both to get and keep me to sleep. I am now self pay due to losing insurance and can not afford the med that gets me to sleep.
I have chronic pain from a physical disability, depression ongoing, nightmares and PTSD. The insomnia is wrcking havoc on my body and my mind. It is adding strain on my marriage, and greatly increasing my phsical and emotional pain.
I have researched the topic and have tried the suggestions with an open mind. Some work for a while. Nothing works all the time. I only have caffiene once a day, in the morning.
Does anyone have any suggestions, I try to have an open mind.
I am under incredible stress financially which I suspect is main culprit. It is difficult for me to relax. Thank you for your time. Just knowing someone cares helps a lot.

You could try playing a radio very quietly.just loud enuf 4 u 2 hear & that might help ease u in2 sleep by giving yr mind something 2 concentrate on while drifting off.