yea I thought about getting a sleep study done, but the fact is I have no money for one and they won't be much help if i can't get to sleep while im there doing a test

they would more than likely send me home with results inconclusive

Actually it is OK if you cannot sleep while at the sleep study. They measure brain waves to see just what your cycles are if any. This is a good thing to do, and they can get to the bottom of it. As far as money goes, can you borrow from a family member to get yourself back on track? I would ask my local church, do what ever it took, to be able to have a half way normal life.
Do you have a supportive family who could do this for you? If you can't hold a job, you couldn't pay them back. If you got well, then you could do for them the way they want and pay them back. My mom did multipal loans for me, and I did pay them back. It is worth a consideration. Sleep clinics do find cause, and if you don't sleep, that is what you are there for anyway. Just think about it. ginnie

oh I didn't know that, I heard of people being sent home from a sleep study with no results because they couldn't get to sleep

looks like I may have to look into that more seriously then, thanks again ginnie for the suggestions

Unrelated but in my youth I went thru a period of severe insomnia. Being very poor and having two absentee parents going to a doctor was out of the question. I learned to meditate. Can't recall where I read it but when you meditate deeply it mimics the same state the brain goes into during sleep.

Don't know if it is true or not. What I did learn is that once I was able to settle myself and meditate I would feel very much better after. Not refreshed as sleeping did but not that mental exhaustion that accompanies lack of sleep. While learning meditation can be taxing without being guided you will need to be more patient because of your PCS.

Try to find a location with minimal distractions. Seat yourself in a position that supports your body well. Remember to accommodate any back or neck injury. I prefer cross legged on the floor on a pillow. Closing your eyes is good for novices. Now here is the really hard part. Focus your mind on nothing. It's OK when thoughts intrude that is normal.

For those just learning it can be helpful to think of the mind as a white slate that is written on by thoughts. Just keep wiping it clean. Do not expect to be able to last very long initially. 30 minutes or so is OK. Make sure no clocks are in sight. Like many things meditation is a learned skill but one I find very valuable. Practice everyday. When you get the hang of clearing your mind, and you will. Then meditate one a single point in your chest, stomach, groin or head. No thoughts just a single point.

As you become more comfortable with this type of meditation your ability to stay longer in this state and the depth you go will increase. You will feel much better and calmer afterwards. If you try this remember not to expect too much to soon. Meditation is not an immediate skill. It requires dedication and practice but I found the benefits were huge to me.

Hope you feel better soon.

I am sorry that you still have not found an answer to your sleep problum, I hope that you find something soon

Abel, my neighbor friend is a nurse, who works 12-hr shifts.
She has recently tried several of the over the counter sleep meds at Walgreen's and found that one in particular does work for her & then over time, will grow ineffective --- despite all varieties/brands list the same active ingredient of diphenhydramine, which is essentially, yes, benadryl.

What mg. dosage of lunesta did you try?
(You may require a double-dose?)

And what mg. dosage of Ambien are you trying?
Hang in there.

Ive tried 3mg of lunesta one night then 6mg the next night and still had no effect which after calling my neuro he told me never to take more than one

I haven't tried the ambien yet because Ive yet to get a hold of one but hoping today I will even though im having serious doubts that it'll work

I don't understand all this because I don't ever seem to be fatigued which I thought was supposed to be one of the main symptoms

Hmm ... I'm petite 119 lbs and 3 to 4 mg rx lunesta is what worked best for me. However I was on it longterm for 9-10 mos.

Yeah its so weird that nothing seems to make me even drowsy, everyone I talk to says that all the stuff ive been trying would have knocked anyone else out, admittedly my sleep schedule wasn't rigid before i hit my head but I would always get tired eventually

its like everyday i get up is the worst day of my life, not complaining just stating fact, Im not sure if its the feeling in my head all the time or what but I would be safe to guess if I did get one full night of sleep I wouldn't be in such bad shape

I guess I can only keep trying

Thinking of you there in FLA., Abel.
My dr. approved today for a new Rx lunesta, 2mg.
I am in hopes that since I have been out of it for about 10 days, that it will work effectively for me, albeit it's a lower dosage for me.

At any rate, thinking of you there, and hoping that you are doing everything that you can to be self-supportive in your sleep hygiene habits, bedtime routine, and that you get a good night's sleep tonight, or very soon.

Please keep us posted on what you're doing "with it all", what changes you've made, the changes you are encountering, and how it all is going for you.

Did you contact a TBI Support Group there this week?
Do let me know if the weblinks I sent to you were helpful or not.
It's difficult not knowing if you are located in Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa --- or what county there. If you'll private message me your location, I can better help you with contacts for your area.

Sincerely,
Theta