Ohmygosh! Insomnia really sucks!
 

I tried and couldnt not sleep Wednesday night. I managed to fall asleep around 8am thursday morning...and woke up around noon and never got back to sleep again.

It's now FOUR in the morning on friday and I STILL have not fallen asleep yet.


ARGH!!!!!

And, I have to be up before noon because we've got someone coming over today.

Right now, insomnia seems to be my most annoying MS symptom. Weird, all my previous MS annoyances seem to have let up on me for the most part, except for the MS Trolls in my head that are apparently pumping caffeine directly into my brain somewhere.

I do have sleeping pills (amitriptyline) but they didnt work for me the other day...so I havent even bothered with it. I have trazodone too, but it makes me feel weird the next day.

Maybe I'll go sleep in my recliner.

I looked up MS and sleep disorders. I'm pretty sure that I'm not depressed. I dont feel sad. I'm actually pretty happy with the way things are going right now. The numbness and weird vision problems havent been bothering me lately (other than the left arm that goes numb every night when I'm sleeping, but it always wakes up when I do)

Except for a weird infection last week (dont ask..it was a girl thing) I dont think I have anything strange in the way of infection going on (well, maybe under a filling that's going to get removed in October)

I'm wondering if there's an exacerbation about to hit me. I hope not. That would probably not be good. (can you tell I need sleep. I tend to ramble on when I'm tired) An exacerbation would probably really suck right now...seeing as I just paid for a hotel room for my weekend trip in two weeks. (probably a good thing I paid the $8 for the insurance to be able to cancel if something were to interfere with my plans)

Does anyone else go thru stretches of insomnia that seems to stick around for several days at a time? I really dont feel like going to a psychiatrist, or going somewhere to have a sleep study done (how can they study sleep, if you're not sleeping...sounds like that would be a problem) Plus a sleep study sounds like it's expensive. I'm pretty sure my insurance company doesnt like me and wouldnt like me using them to help pay for a sleep study.

I guess I'll go lay down and listen to classical music...something boring, maybe that will knock me out?

right after I go have breakfast with my dad before he leaves for work.

I'm sorry that I didn't see you there Erin or I'd have dropped in earlier to say hello, and to keep you company. Insomnia is definitely not fun! :hug:

Do you have the Games on TV at the moment to give you something watch? I've been watching the cycling, and am waiting for the pursuit, or the "Cat & Mouse" as I call it. I like that one. :)

If you're unlucky not to be able to sleep on another night, may I suggest the Night Owl's thread? That usually brings out any other insomniacs who may be signed in.

I suffer from insomnia quite often. I really don't get too worked up about it 'cos I can just take a nap during the day. It passes and I'm able to sleep eventually. Seems the more I think and worry about it the worse it gets.

Just sleep when you can and get a good book or movies to watch for the times when you can't. :)

me! I do! it SUCKS OUT LOUD!

3 am still counting sheep, ticked off. I normally get out of bed, and go do something else. My MS MD said as long as I am resting and allowing my body time to just relax and rest I should be ok for short stints of insomnia.

I moved my copaxone to day time, cause some say it keeps them up. I drink warm milk, and dont watch TV for 2 hours before. NO computer either. the stimulus visually tells the brain its time to be awake. soft music, VERY DARK room, and deep breathing help. if I cant sleep, at least I can meditate.

I try to stick to a schedule. up at 6 and in bed ready to sleep by 10.

I hope you feel better.

Hi Erin,

Are you aware that this has been an ongoing problem for you, since before you came over to this forum? I can remember you talking about this way back when . . . but I know how it is that we can tend to forget about issues until they become a big problem again. :rolleyes: Look back though, by searching threads with your name and "insomnia" though . . .

So, what have you tried of the suggestions you've been given?

You aren't working, and don't have kids . . . so are you doing as much physical and mental exercises as you can during the day? Do you cut the lawn, weed the garden in the sun, go to the gym to work out, do regular stretching exercises, etc?

Have you tried to adjust your internal clock, as it seems you are a "night owl"? Do you limit how much sleep you get in a day, or force yourself to stay awake? Do you not nap after, say, 2:00 pm?

Does it really matter that much if you can't sleep at night? Even if you have to get up for a noon appointment, you can probably go back to sleep later . . . if necessary.

I don't have normal sleeping hours either, but then it doesn't matter too much because I only HAVE to be up for certain hours of the day (pick up kids, cook, etc.). I almost always wake up at 5:00 am (no more "fun" then still being up at 3:00, believe me :rolleyes:), but I just work around that. That is when I am most productive (maybe you are at midnight?), so that's when I do my shopping, cleaning, researching, etc.).

I think that perhaps you are too anxious about this, and that just makes things worse.

Cherie

Jim's suffering insomnia right now. It's been going on for about a month and yes it sucks. He usually combats it by taking an afternoon nap but then that probably interferes as well. He's sleeping right now because his spasms woke him up last night. This all started when the weather turned hotter so who knows. His doctor doesn't seem too concerened and even gave him marinol to help but it doesn't. I guess we'll just ride it out. Hope you get better! If you try something and it works let us know! :hug:

sorry Erin usually I am up dealing with my insomnia and on here bugging Anne:Poke::Poke::Poke: lol sorry i missed ya try to stay awake during the day today it really messes with me when i nap, unless i am so dead tired i cant get going then i will sleep regardless

there are so many reasons for insomnia, I know stress is my worse enemy, when i am stressing and usually over things i cant control i stress myself awake

:hug: Erin hope your day goes smooth and sleep finds you this evening

oh yeah, this has been an ongoing problem since at least 1995.

The past week or two has been different tho. Usually, I'll have insomnia, but will eventually fall asleep around 3 or 4am. Lately tho, I've been wide awake and wont fall asleep till after 6 or 7am. Yesterday I didnt fall asleep until about 8am. This morning, it was about 6am. (I ended up taking a half of a sleeping pill)

I dont work, no, but I'm fairly active all day. I dont just sit here on my computer, reading fanfiction and watching Fox News all day. I take walks. I take my mom to her appointments and try to keep her from going off on a tantrum because "no one takes her anywhere" (her words)

At night tho, when I try to fall asleep, my brain stays awake and wont go to sleep. I could be sitting here, yawning my head off and feeling totally exhausted, but my brain doesnt want to stop. I get weird headaches when that's going on too.

It just seems that no matter what I do, I cant sleep. If I do fall asleep, I have weird dreams that end up waking me up because they're either really strange dreams, or they're sometimes a bit disturbing. (and pretty realistic sometimes)

I just cant seem to stay asleep if I do get some sleep. It's like someone is giving me caffeine thru an IV pump or something.

is it aniexty? maybe mention to doc I know lexapro helped me when i first got DX'ed i could not sleep, i was too freaked out, now if i cant sleep, its cause i napped or am worried or so :Bang-Head: sore

have you had any type of sleep study done on yourself?

:hug: erin..it does suck.

for many years i got maybe 2 or 3 hours of sleep. my high pain is what caused the onset of insomnia.

i have to move about every hour or so. i can't let my back muscles relax too much or the bones shift and boy does that send pain levels through the roof.

if my eyes even open a sliver...i'm wide awake. :icon_eek:

i started taking melatonin. it has been amazing. it's not an rx. it helps regulate your brains sleep patterns. i also take my magnesium at night. for a year now, i rarely have insomnia. still have the pain. still have to move, but i can go back to sleep.

i have never been able to take rx sleep meds. took 1 pill of a low dose onw and slept clear through the next day. :eek: otc stuff i end up groggy and medicine head.

i hooe you get some sleep. :hug:

I am the same, Curious. I walk to the bathroom with my eyes closed cause if I open them, I can't go back to sleep. :p

Erin, you don't have to suffer with this, and there are plenty of things to try. When my kids are like this, I join them into every sport there is. :D I've even taught them self-hypnosis and yoga breathing exercises.

There IS a solution, you just have to try everything till you find it. :hug:

Cherie

I dont feel anxious that I can tell. it's just that my brain doesnt want me to sleep. I dont drink caffeine but occasionally. (when we go out to eat or something) It just feels like my brain doesnt want to miss anything. Even if there's nothing happening.

I'm going to see if my dad or my aunt want to take a walk around the block later today if it's not raining then. Maybe I can tire myself out that way and hopefully sleep normally for at least one night.

Erin, I've battled insomnia for a few years. Some nights are better than others, but most nights I'm lucky to sleep 2 hours then catnap for the rest of the night.

I don't like how the sleep aids...prescription and over the counter make me feel the next day. One thing I found that has helped was to use a sleep mask. I read something recently about how even the smallest amount of light in your room can stimulate the eye at night. If my eyes opened just a tiny bit while asleep even a single red LED light can be enough to "wake" the brain .

I used the mask for about 4 weeks every night. So far I have been sleeping at least 6 hours straight. This week the mask bothers my eyes so I haven't used it, but I try to get my room as dark as I can. Even my 12 year old son uses one. We have an air cleaner running in his room that has red LEDs and the light was just enough to keep him from staying in a deep sleep.

I have had insomnia a lot, I asked my PCP for something to help, he gave me temazepam 30MG, it knocked me OUT and I slept all night without waking once..........the next day I was SO groggy I didn't like it...... I put a hole in the capsule and took out about 1/4 of it and it worked great.....I told the doc and he lowered the dose to 15MG but now I sleep but wake a few times during the night but I go right back to sleep............the next day I feel fine.....20 MG would be PERFECT for me but they don't make it in 20's so for now I am taking the 15's and I am slill ok with getting my much needed rest..........:-)

Joe

I have a sleep mask around here somewhere. My aunt gave it to me in an easter basket earlier this year. She's a nurse and gets the freebie crap that the drug companies hand out. It was a freebie for Ambien I think (no Ambien in the box, just coupons if I were to get a Rx)

I have to dig thru all the debris on my other computer desk and see if I can find the sleep mask.

I'm not napping today at all, to see if I can be tired enough to sleep once it's time for bed.

When I can't sleep because my brain won't stop, I tune to talk radio and hit the sleep timer on the clock radio. I know this might sound like too simple a solution but it's worked for MANY people I've suggested it to and for me over 90% of the time. Your mind gets engulfed in the conversation of others and not the ones in your own head!

I also think the melatonin might be a good suggestion. I just looked it up because I remember someone on another board posting that it is not advised for MS patients but the first hits that were returned all cited at least one study that concluded that nocturnal melatonin levels are reduced in a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis. Interesting!

From my own experience, and from your description, it sounds like your brain waves are out of whack. There are several different kinds of brain waves - Alpha, Beta, and Delta, Gamma, and Theta. The brain shows different types which correspond to states of arousal - Alpha corresponds to relaxed alertness, Beta to active concentration or anxiousness, Delta and Theta are associated with drowsiness and deep sleep. These waves are produced by different areas of the brain, so MS brain lesions can interfere with normal brain waves. For instance, you may be experiencing excess Beta waves, which could result in insomnia.

I went to a neuropsychologist and had neurofeedback therapy. They attach EEG electrodes to your scalp and ears and positively reinforce the desired type of brainwaves. Your brain can form new pathways, and the results can be quite dramatic. I'm hoping after my Medicare kicks in, I may be able to do some more treatments. My insomnia actually resulted from a perpetual state of Theta and Delta waves. My brain was confused about when it was supposed to sleep!

You can look this stuff up on the internet, it's for real!

Still cant sleep, but different reason for it...
 

Ok, tonight, I still cant sleep, but the reason is because I keep having to run into the bathroom to go potty every half hour. (apparently my body hates me this past few weeks)

Now I'm stressed!

Maybe your bladder needs medicating Erin.

I remember my Continence nurse asking if my bladder got me up overnight, and she said if it did she could give me something to prevent those night visits.

I didn't need it at the time, but I'm thinking that I might soon if my number of toilet breaks overnight doesn't diminish soon.

I dont think it's the bladder. I've been having weird annoying problems with a different kind of infection in that area. I need to go see someone about that. I think I had too many antibiotics last year, and that made me susceptible to another type of infection in that area. (at least that type of infection doesnt cause the MS to act weird, at least according to my neuro)

It calmed down on me after a bit last night, so I actually was able to fall asleep around 330 or 4am...slept till 1pm tho... At least I got some sleep!