Why am I not sleeping?
 

I have never suffered from this before. I am aware this could be pain waking me. I am suffering graphic frightening dreams, but I cannot remember the last time I woke up feeling like I have slept.

What could be causing this and what can I do about it?

For the first 9 months I used to have surreal thoughts, they never used to frighten me but were so unusual or bizarre they would wake me up. Don't know why they have eased or indeed why my insomnia was virtually gone away but it has.

Can anybody observe you sleeping? Sleep apnea can cause stressful dreams. A sleep study can help or maybe a take home sleep study.

Also, hypoglycemia can cause stressful dreams. You can try eating a complex carb snack before bed. Here in the states, we have a food called Glucerna that is formulated to last a long time. It is sold for diabetics but also works for people who struggle with low blood sugar.

Low blood sugar can also be a cause of your collapses.

MCT Oil can also help. It is Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil that the brain uses when blood sugar is low.

Hope this give you and your doctors some things to look at.

My best to you.

I know the feeling. Talk with your doctor (if you have a good one) about possible causes. Mark mentioned sleep apnea. But others have speculated the disruption comes from structural damage or decreased levels of melatonin. There are a variety of medications that might be able to help.

Dear Mark,
The problem is I know that in the past when I collapsed from not eating enough I shake, can't breath properly, get very hot etc.

The collapses I now exp. are immediate with no warning signs. I fall asleep and cannot communicate. I do not shake or sweat or feel faint.