Insomnia

Anyone else an insomnia sufferer? I've had insomnia problems for years, a lot them associated with anxiety and (until now) unexplained pain. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this past winter. My doctor has prescribed several differnt sleeping aids. I was on ambien for bit, it worked for a while and then stopped working. Then my doctor tried propavan, which have me horrible nightmares and then lunesta, which I haven't had great success with either. I've also tried meditation and similar relaxation techniques but I still find myself awake all night about 5 times a week. It's currently 3:51am in my part of the world as I am writing this. My fibro isn't even flared today but I can't relax at all to sleep. The depravation is seriously affecting my life. I'm not quite sure what to do.

I'm so sorry you are having such severe insomnia. I think that it just requires experimenting with stuff. This is what helped me:

Sounder Sleep System: The Insomnia Solution - Michael Krugman

But it's all individual I think.

(((Anxiousvalkyrie))) I'm sorry you're suffering from insomnia. Nothing worse than being awake all night!!! I never had insomnia until I started a particular antidepressant. My Dr. then put me on Restoril (sleep aid) and Lorazepam (anti anxiety) which seem to work well for me without causing a hangover in the morning. Of course medications work differently in each individual. I hope you find some relief soon and get to the root of your sleeplessness. Best wishes!!!

I have this problem, too, but fortunately Ambien does the trick and has been for several years now. But to bring up your concern, Insomnia can have its roots in our ways of defending. As long as your unconscious can keep you awake, the better it can keep traumatic memories and feelings from reaching the surface of your mind. But, of course, that's an explanation not an answer. I believe that on-going therapy will eventually make it safe for you to fall asleep in peace, at least much of the time. I used to feel a wave of fear every time I drifted off. Sometimes, now, I can take a short nap in the day without having the fear wave prod me awake. Therapy definitely has helped, and hopefully I'll be able to leave off the meds .

Have had troubles since childhood with insomnia. Ambien was prescribed because the celexa was keeping me awake and also I wasn't sleeping through the night after my mom passed and my divorce was processing. It helped because I'm a mom, don't have time to run ragged all the time.
Over the years I'd learned to self analyze my dreams, which helps settle my subconscious.
Recently tapped into an additional traumatic event and will relook at my insomniac history with new eyes.

I have insomnia and can relate. Sleep meds work for me a bit, but without it its really bad.

I am sorry you too go through this, as another one said it sucks