[wavey]

From the age of 15 (now retired) I have dealt with severe insomnia. On my best nights I was getting 5hrs of sleep. Did go to sleep clinics, nothing wrong but they ack. only 1 hr of REM sleep which they said was typical of Bipolar.

I am very open to any suggestions cause my pdoc and psy do not know what to try anymore.

tks

I don't know if this would be beneficial or not. But I just saw my pdoc today. I recently went off of my antidepressant. I've been having some difficulty with sleep. My pdoc suggested I try some Melatonin. He said it's available over-the-counter & it's inexpensive. It supposedly helps to "draw back" one's sleep time. So instead of not being able to get to sleep until the wee hours of the morning, one should be able to get to sleep around 10 or 11 pm. He suggested I take 3 to 5 mg. at around 7 pm. I may try it!

[Restin]

What have you tried to help you sleep? If it's any help, I tried all the tricks and none work. Benzodiazapines and anti-depressants did nothing. Over-the -counter sleep meds worse than nothing. I got on Ambien and it worked like a charm, but big brother gov is restricting those for seniors now. (you mentioned you're retired. I am too). I switched to Lunesta this year and it works just like Ambien. It cost very little on a medicare advantage plan. You didn't mention if p-doc tried you on that. If p-doc won't let you have Lunesta, quit him asap as most doctors will let you. most doctors will gladly prescribe Lunesta. It isn't a sedative, it just pushes the sleep button in your brain.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Is Ambient restricted? I am 59 and take Zolpidem (generic Ambien).

Originally Posted by Restin

What have you tried to help you sleep? If it's any help, I tried all the tricks and none work. Benzodiazapines and anti-depressants did nothing. Over-the -counter sleep meds worse than nothing. I got on Ambien and it worked like a charm, but big brother gov is restricting those for seniors now. (you mentioned you're retired. I am too). I switched to Lunesta this year and it works just like Ambien. It cost very little on a medicare advantage plan. You didn't mention if p-doc tried you on that. If p-doc won't let you have Lunesta, quit him asap as most doctors will let you. most doctors will gladly prescribe Lunesta. It isn't a sedative, it just pushes the sleep button in your brain.

[mountain human]

Have you heard of Belsomra? It's a new sleep med, supposed to work on different part of the brain than Ambien, which I've been taking for 8 years.

[wavey]

Originally Posted by mountain human

Have you heard of Belsomra? It's a new sleep med, supposed to work on different part of the brain than Ambien, which I've been taking for 8 years.

I've tried everything. Ambien and Lunesta. Nothing works.

I'll ask my pdoc about Belsomra's availability here. Tks

I'm going back on a healthier lifestyle I had with the DASH 'diet'. With metabolic syndrome, it can only help.

Tks for your inputs.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Do you use stimulants? (tea, coffee, etc) it is normal for insomniacs to do it while lacking sleep, but it should be avoided at all costs!

Originally Posted by wavey

I've tried everything. Ambien and Lunesta. Nothing works.

I'll ask my pdoc about Belsomra's availability here. Tks

I'm going back on a healthier lifestyle I had with the DASH 'diet'. With metabolic syndrome, it can only help.

Tks for your inputs.

[wavey]

I have cut down to 2 cups when I get up. I find it difficult to quit completely.

[TimTheEnchanter]

why do you need coffee ? the meds? they could be causing your insomnia! I have fallen off the coffee wagon recently too, because for a few years I need to work...sometimes I think it would be best to quit sleeping pills and try lithium but I am little afraid...your body gets used to the sleeping pills, sadly!

Originally Posted by wavey

I have cut down to 2 cups when I get up. I find it difficult to quit completely.

[wavey]

If you are bipolar it is better to have a mood stabilizer.

[daethspellz]

Try melatonin. If not, tell your doc you need a sleep medication.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Maybe...some mood stabilizers make you more insomniac then you do need sleep, anxiety meds. Actually, for some people the insomnia is part stress of no falling asleep. Eventually, if you do not take stimulants, you WILL...it is guaranteed.

Originally Posted by wavey

If you are bipolar it is better to have a mood stabilizer.

[quasicrystalline]

If you've already tried, disregard, but like the second poster here, I also got help from melatonin. Only the higher dose, though. I tried .3 mg once. Didn't work so well, but if I take 5 or 10 mg, it works MOST of the time. I can scrounge some sleep at least. Might help to try if you haven't.

Also, Seroquel, as far as medications have gone helped me somewhat too. It stopped working eventually, though.

[wavey]

Melatonin does't work for me. Seroquel messes me up. I know my Zoloft causes insomnia but It saved my life several times. tks

[RisuNeko]

I take ambien now but my insurance only covers 15 pills a month so i sleep half the month like a normal person and sleep 1-3 hours the rest of the time.

[wavey]

Originally Posted by KinkyGuy

why do you need coffee ? the meds? they could be causing your insomnia! I have fallen off the coffee wagon recently too, because for a few years I need to work...sometimes I think it would be best to quit sleeping pills and try lithium but I am little afraid...your body gets used to the sleeping pills, sadly!

Seeing my pdoc this week and I will discuss with her what med(s) could be causing this, if any. Sorry for my last post, I interpreted it as saying why meds? when what you probably meant was just that it could adverse effects. Just so tired and frustrated. Have a nice day!

[RisuNeko]

There are also a lot of oldschool antihistimines and trycyclic antidepressants and typical antipsychotics that can help with sleep immensely if ambien, lunesta, and melatonin don't work for you and risperidone and other atypical antipsychotics "mess you up". I've used them before but they caused mania in me for some reason. Apparently that doesn't usually happen though.

[arich62]

Ambien has worked the best, Lunesta worked well for me too. Right now going on withdrawal symptoms, since forced off ambien by big brother. An urgent care doctor prescribed me two months ago, with one refill, went back and was denied. I have cheap state insurance. Primary I hear though should be able to prescribe. Have to get a primary which won't be for another 6 weeks, so just another 6 weeks with almost no sleep. Anyhow been since my script ended last week, have had 5 sleepless nights. I just about laughed at the urgent care doctor when he told me to try Melatonin or Benadryl. That stuff is NOT for insomnia folks. For mild, occasional sleepiness yes, for major insomnia? NO WAY. That's like taking someone off a prescription pain killer for severe pain and asking the person to try ibuprofen instead.
I hear that cognitive behavior therapy (for insomnia) can work very well - but that also takes a bit of time, at least a month to start seeing results. As I assume, the majority of people with insomnia on this board are going crazy and need (as I do) immediate relief.

[arich62]

Originally Posted by The Skeezyks

I don't know if this would be beneficial or not. But I just saw my pdoc today. I recently went off of my antidepressant. I've been having some difficulty with sleep. My pdoc suggested I try some Melatonin. He said it's available over-the-counter & it's inexpensive. It supposedly helps to "draw back" one's sleep time. So instead of not being able to get to sleep until the wee hours of the morning, one should be able to get to sleep around 10 or 11 pm. He suggested I take 3 to 5 mg. at around 7 pm. I may try it!

Hi Skeezyks! Long time, no see. How have you been. I'm suffering insomnia right now. Have to get up at 5:30 am every morning to attend school. I Was given ambien in urgent care two months ago because I was running out of sleep meds, told to make an appointment with a primary, of which I am still new to the area where I live and don't have an appointment until April 28.
Anyhow Ambien worked like a charm and now withdrawal symptoms this past week (have one left which I am saving for tomorrow night for a test on Thursday).
If you have not used a controlled substance before then Melatonin might help some. It does absolutely nothing for me, nor does Benadryl. To me both are an overrated joke. To prove my point to my wife I took 100mg of ZZZquil (with same over-the-counter ingredients as Benadryl). before bed time Saturday and didn't even wink an eye.
For me though Benadryl and Melatonin are kind of like taking ibuprofen for severe pain (instead of naproxin, corizone, or another painkiller), or herbal hormones to transition from m2f, instead of the prescribed stuff most take.
I do hope you can find something to treat sleep, maybe melatonin can work for you, for some. Not for me though.

[notthisagain]

I am one of those people whose mind races and I have a habit of waking up on the hour, every hour. Here are some of the "natural" and OTC methods I have tried:

Aromatherapy (lavendar and chamomile pillow sprays) - smells nice, but didn't do much otherwise.
Beer- LOL
Chamomile and other herbal teas - nothing
Eliminating caffeine - didn't work that well
Magnesium (pill form and supplement form) - helped with muscle pain, but not for sleep.
Meditation and muscle relaxing techniques - couldn't stop my mind from racing.
Melatonin - worked at first, but stopped working
OTC sleeping pills - nothing
Pillows (all different kinds)
Room darkening shades - helped keep light from coming in, but not the insomnia
Sleep masks - see "room darkening shades".

My pdoc has me on Klonopin, Lamictal, and Klonopin, which I take at bedtime. At first it seemed to work well. Now it seems as though it's lost its effectiveness as far as me being able to sleep completely through the night.

I need to talk to him about changing my dosages, or trying something else. I am wary of taking Ambien because I have heard horror stories of people doing things like driving, cooking, and buying things online under the influence of Ambien. That's all I need on top of everything else.

[berthegel]

Originally Posted by wavey

From the age of 15 (now retired) I have dealt with severe insomnia. On my best nights I was getting 5hrs of sleep. Did go to sleep clinics, nothing wrong but they ack. only 1 hr of REM sleep which they said was typical of Bipolar.

I am very open to any suggestions cause my pdoc and psy do not know what to try anymore.

tks

Hello , ive recently went a month without any sleep at all, and before that i was loosing weeks regulary, and 3 and 4 days constantly for about 5.6 years,
most sleep info I've read is , no stimulants, no TV I myself try and avoid news or politics before bed , or distractions , no stuff in bedroom other than bed and wife , keep body temperature in the middle , breathing techniques ( I find in thru nose and then sort of force out thru pursed lips , I have a pressure point near the top of my nose and where eyebrow starts , if I put my thumb knuckle onto this point it can help relax me if my minds turning over) then there's hot milk, Horlicks, don't have a big meal , I've tried some herbals , they sometimes work , but I tend to get a headache the next day. I found that if I think I'm not going to get any sleep after 3,4 hours , then don't take any sleep meds just go without the sleep , then during the next day try and not nap and this can help the next night .
Bye

[RisuNeko]

I've always been told the "stay up all night if you can't sleep and then the next night you'll sleep great" but if you're bipolar (or maybe just me) that's a load of hooey, I've been up for I don't even know how many days, I've lost track and staying up all night doesn't make it any easier to fall asleep the next night, it's always the same. Racing thoughts all night long. Exhausted but not "tired".

[berthegel]

Hello, risuneko , I only mentioned it because it comes up in advice papers
it only works for me intermittently, and not much really during bouts of insomnia, after 4 hours of not getting to sleep , i used to take a sleep aid and because my thinkbox was going over and over , i knew it wouldn't have effect, I tried to do a less is more thing with sleep aid, but I know what you mean about missing sleep one night and the next night sleep will be easy being wrong for insomnia,
I have depression anxiety social phobia , and long bouts of insomnia, and when loosing sleep for long periods and trying to function socially , everything used to spiral , I used to move my bed around or try lying the opposite end

[RisuNeko]

I used to try lying on the opposite end of my bed when I was a kid and couldn't sleep. Haven't done that in forever though.

[HypnoGuru]

You really just have to experiment with a bunch of different ideas. I prefer to try to control your mind while trying to sleep. But if that fails and you have no other options then I would seek professional help.

Insomnia is such a pest, I never had chronic insomnia though.