Posts Tagged chronic insomnia
Help with long term back pain, please!?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on October 11th, 2010
I have suffered from low back and hip pain (different pain in both sides) for several years. The pain and associated symptoms (numbness and pain that radiates down my leg/legs) have continued to grow worse with every passing month. In addition, I suffer from chronic insomnia, sleep bruxism, and frequent headaches. I am afraid that if this continues, I will be unable to work full time. I have already severely limited my lifestyle to exclude all unnecessary physical activities. Simple chores such as cooking and cleaning have become exceedingly difficult to complete.
Diagnostically, I’ve had several x-rays and one MRI of my lower back. These have shown that I have a very minor case of scoliosis and my pelvis is tilted to the right. Additionally, I do have a herniated disk/degenerative disk disease at L4/L5 and bursitis in my right hip. I have also had a variety of lab work, which has ruled out Rheumatory arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis (negative HLA B27 blood test).
My doctors are unwilling to offer any further diagnostic tests, and seem to doubt some or all of my symptoms. Can anyone offer any additional possibilities, either diagnosis or tests? I have run out of ideas and am unwilling to accept that all this pain is completely unrelated. My current list of diagnoses contains about ten or fifteen different problems; some related, others are not.
I do not know if I can stress enough the severity of the pain, or the fact that the pain is not located in one place or limited to one type of sensation. Each diagnosis can explain only one part of the problem, but because everything is getting worse more or less together, I think there is some kind of overall problem. Forgive me for rambling, but I am desperate at this point. All conventional treatment has failed (physical therapy, chiropractic care, epidural steroid injections, pain management, etc.) and the only surgery that has been mentioned thus far is the possibility of a spinal fusion in the future, which I have been assured that it is not a guarentee and comes with its own list of permenant disabilities.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Related Resources
- Bruxism and sensitivity??? | Teeth Grinding – Teeth Grinding In Sleep
- Sleep Bruxism Information, Symptoms and Causes | Care Our Health
Mail this post
Could most qualified professionals distinguish between bipolar disorder & a combination of PTSD and adult ADD?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on October 5th, 2010
I’ve been in counseling and on meds for a decade. I’ve had so many different diagnoses from many professionals over the years that I don’t know WHAT’s wrong with me. I have a history of panic attacks, now pretty controlled. I’ve also been diagnosed with major depressive & post-traumatic stress disorder (witnessed my infant child’s killing), bipolar disorder, personality disorder-NOS. I’ve had awful, med-resistant, chronic insomnia all that time, and my therapists have described me as in constant state of "hyper-vigilance." I’ve had a couple of very brief psychotic episodes & what some might call mania. My most recent therapist has pretty much started from scratch with me, getting her own impressions of me over a period of four months now. She says she hasn’t seen bipolar, symptoms, rather, a woman with PTSD, severe sleep deprivation & unaddressed adult ADD. After doing some reading on adult ADD, I am tending to agree with her, wondering if I’ve been getting wrong treatment a long time.
Related Resources
- Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | health 71
- Making the Shift: My PTSD Recovery Poem | Making the Shift | Heal My PTSD, LLC – Your source for symptoms, causes, and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Mail this post
Suicide an option? Why or why not?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on September 28th, 2010
I’m usualy answering questions not asking, especialy ones like this. Just thinking. I’m a smart person so please don’t give me guilt trip answers like how would your family or children feel. I know how it works. I know how people think. I’ve been dealing with this for a long time. I don’t go around telling people I want to die.I don’t want to hurt anyone, trust me, I know suicide hurts loved ones, I think about it daily. I am 32 years old (female) was married for almost 12 years still in the process of divorce, we still love eachother Don’t ask. Our 3 aweome boys are with dad on the other side of the country. No possible way I can go back right now. Don’t deal with the issue. I am just going down hill. I have allot of family here. This is the first time I have ever lived alone and have been for almost 2 years. have been struggling with mental illness all my life. Eating disorder for 14 years, depression, ADHD, OCD, Tourrette’s, Chronic insomnia the past 8 years. the list goes on. I am in treatment but am now on SSI and medicade to pay for my therapy which I am totaly embarrased about and it’s not right, I don’t feel right using public assistance. I don’t want to hear that I shouldn’t be. I’m not getting the help I need because of the stigma attatched to me, the only ones in my area getting the attention are the ones doing running around saying they want to hurt themselves for the attention when they really don’t. STUPID. I spend 85% of my time alone or more. All I know is being a mom. That’s gone right now. I have someone who cares about me. But I will never have that person Which makes my depression worse and thinking about my boys and that I can’t afford to go visit. Let’s see. I’m getting worse. I want to be happy I really do. I try to think "what can I do to get out of this"? But something happens and I go days with no sleep. My med provider is an ass and see’s me just as the rest of the people who go there and will not listen to me, He doesn’t see many or any I’m sure people like me, This is a small town. He see’s too many people and assumes everyone WANTS to be on meds and are seekers. I need something diffferent. He just won’t listen. Reguardless. I want to be happy CHANGE . I’m trying. Have been. Can’t . But trying. Tired of wondering every day "am I going to sleep"? Tired of waking up to another miserable day, knowing I am just going to have yet another one the next. BUT I have a life ins plan set. and the 2 year suicde clause is over. it’s just a matter of doing it. I bought the plan because I knew it was going to happen. I don’t want to. I’m scared to to fricken’ heck. I don’t want to die. but then I do. I want nothing more than to just go. It hurts so much to be here. And the only reason I am is because I can picture my mothers face when my brother did it. And my sons. I want to watch them grow. God it hurts. So don’t tell me about hurting people. I know all about it.There is one person that can help, But I don’t think he wants to. So if you have gotten this far, my question is. Why not? Why wake up another day to misery only to make others happy?
I’ve never talked about this to anyone. I can’t afford to. I can’t afford to have someone think I’m a danger to myself and be put away somewhere and loose my apartment. It’s all I have. That would just make things so much worse. But I’m scareing myself. I have never been this serious about it. To have been planning for the past year how to do it, researching the best ways. To make it look like an accident. Can’t talk about it in therapy. Can’t give myself away. Tired of acting. Just tired. Wish he would try a little harder. Why?
Oh I know. I have been reading allot about heaven and hell. LOL I have to be ready. Or really just want to know what’s going to happen to me. I understand that it may just be nothingness. But right now a neverending sleep sounds so much better. SLEEP. GOD.
I am on medication. Seriquel. Ativan. Concerta. Topimax. The Seriquel makes my heart race and skip which has put me in the ER a few time the past month. I have been on it for 7 years. I want off. The psyciatrist just tells me to eat better. I am on a heart monitor for a month. I forgot to mention. I get scared everytime I take it. But if I dont’ I don’t sleep. Can’t win.
Related Resources
- What is considered in the treatment of chronic insomnia | health 71
- Medications Used for the Sleep Disorder of Chronic Insomnia
Mail this post
I need help talking to my doctor about my Ambien perscription.?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on September 13th, 2010
I need to talk to him about my Ambien prescription, I had been going to a previous doctor and was prescribed a variety of sleepaids over a period of time, trying to determine which ones worked the best.
Our Results:
Tradazone 50mg doses as needed- Completely ineffective
Ambien (Zolpidem Tartrate) 10mg doses as needed- Worked in the beginning
The main problem is that they don’t work that well anymore, i might have developed a tolerance, but my theory is that because Ambien and other hypnotics are treatments for temporary insomnia (4-6 weeks), and I have Chronic Insomnia and need a better long term treatment.
Does anyone know a drug that is more effective or faster acting than Ambien 10mg? Does Ambien come in a higher dosage.
Related Resources
- Increased Risk of Death in Men With Insomnia and a Short Sleep Duration | Science Magazine News
- tuaregontherun.com » Insomnia Sleep Disorder – Chronic Insomnia Relief Can Come Naturally
Mail this post
Natural insomnia remedies?
Posted by admin in information on insomnia on September 1st, 2010
I’ve been plagued with chronic insomnia for the last month or so. No matter how exhausted I am, it takes me a very long time to fall asleep, then my natural sleep rhythm is constantly disrupted due to constantly waking up, sometimes several times an hour.
Any natural remedies for an uninterrupted sleep cycle? I’ve tried melatonin, but that only worked for a week. My mattress is comfortable enough, but I should probably buy new pillows, as the current ones are getting old. I am VERY reluctant to resort to prescription medication, but I’m in a desperate situation here. The sleep deprivation is really affecting my work and my ability to function. I’m always feeling exhausted, scatterbrained, and depressed. This is no way to live…please help 
I honestly don’t think it’s sleep apnea, because I don’t wake up gasping for air, but I DO wake up with racing thoughts, so I believe the insomnia is psychogenic. Probably need to reduce the stress in my life, but I don’t know where to begin
(((((Choco, Fallen & Glitterkitty)))) The Nolte thanks you.
Reefer’s not an option for a corporate whore who’s subject to random drug testing. Somehow, I don’t think my insomnia excuse would help me avoid termination.
Great stuff there, Peachers! (((hugs)))
Smoked, might be worth a try! Do you know which brands work best?
((((Major)))) I haven’t tried the light therapy yet…I know this is something we discussed earlier! I need to seriously look into that this weekend.
Related Resources
- Random drug testing and my life in limbo | Mercede Johnston
- Should physicians undergo random drug testing? | KevinMD.com
Mail this post
Does anyone have a happily ever after story with their bipolar parent?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on September 1st, 2010
My mother was diagnosed as bipolar about 5 years ago, after I had been out of her home several years. Previous diagnoses include depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, chronic insomnia, sleep apnea & hypoglycemia. She has visited half a dozen doctors to get these diagnoses. She continually cycles through taking medicine from 1 doctor as prescribed, to taking medicine from several docs who do not know she is doctor shopping, to all-herbal(and I mean like, 20 – 30 different supplements a day), to no medicine.
With each new diagnosis/treatment, she seems to believe that she has turned a corner. If I try to talk to her about behaviors that seem harmful, she becomes too tearful and sleepy to talk. Recently, she has done some very hurtful things. I’m beyond trying to confront her about it.
Does anyone have a similar situation that turned out well? I keep hoping for the best, but her behavior gets more erratic and hurtful as time goes by.
Related Resources
- Understanding Insomnia: The Dying Sleep | Youth on Health
- Chronic Insomnia is Deadly | Sheila Schoonmaker's Maiden Blog
Mail this post
Insomnia of Michael Jackson?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on May 17th, 2010
I have chronic insomnia. The Michael Jackson such a rich man fail to treat insomnia? No treatment for my chronic insomnia?.
Related Resources
Mail this post
Chronic Lyme sufferers' stories?
Posted by admin in insomnia therapy on May 10th, 2010
Anyone here suffering / have suffered from chronic Lyme? What has worked for you? Have you had trouble finding treatment?
Myself, I was misdiagnosed for seven years with asthma, then they decided that it was all in my head. I had a constant upper respiratory infection, chronic insomnia, fatigue, arthritis in my hands, and headaches. Not to mention depression and anxiety. I finally recieved treatment from a Lyme specialist, and now, after eight years and a lot of switching medications, my symptoms have died down to a tolerable level.
Related Resources
- Jenna’s Lyme Blog « Chronic Lyme Disease Or Mercury Poisoning?
- The Mystery Disease NBC 5 Chicago – Lyme Disease – | CancerType | Lyme Disease
Mail this post
What Is Insomnia?
Posted by admin in information on insomnia on February 4th, 2009
What Is Insomnia? How Do You Treat Insomnia
Insomnia
Many adults have suffered from symptoms of insomnia at one point in their life. As many as 30-40% of adults surveyed report symptoms of insomnia over the period of a year; however, less than 10% of people actually have chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person has difficulty falling asleep and/or maintaining sleep through out the night. Loss of sleep can be caused by multiple factors like stress, depression or life event changes. Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder that can be diagnosed and treated. Women and the elderly are the most common targets of this disorder. There are two types of insomnia, primary and secondary.
The causes of primary insomnia are environmental influences that a person may encounter and are not related to other health conditions. In contrast, secondary insomnia is related to other issues such as health conditions, chronic pain, medication or other substances one is consuming, like alcohol.
Insomnia can also be classified by the amount of time one is affected by it. Acute insomnia is a short-term ordeal, where difficulty sleeping is sporadic, or may last for only a few weeks. However, chronic insomnia is long-term. Chronic insomnia is distinguished by being unable to sleep for at least three nights per week, and can last for a month or longer.
The causes of acute insomnia are most often related to irregular conditions in a person’s day-to-day life experiences. Significant stress from life like loss of a loved one, loosing a job or divorce can cause trouble sleeping. Illness, physical strain or medications may disrupt a person’s sleep cycle for a period of time as well. Some medications for colds, allergies or depression can act as stimulants. If this is the case, speak with your health care provider to find an alternative that will not disrupt your sleep. Other environmental influences can cause sleep disruption as well, like light, noise or temperature. In today’s modern society, working ‘swing shifts’, a night shift or jet lag also commonly cause sleep cycle disruptions.
Chronic insomnia is related to other underlying conditions such as depression or anxiety, pain or discomfort during the night or chronic stress. If the trouble sleeping is related to a medical condition, it is imperative that the medical condition is addressed. Loss of sleep while ill may lead to decreased ability to recover from an illness. In addition, treating the medical condition causing ones insomnia will most often relieve the symptoms of insomnia.
Signs and Symptoms…
There are various signs and symptoms of insomnia. Commonly sufferers of insomnia report the inability to fall asleep, waking during the night, failure to return to sleep after waking or waking up too early in the morning. Unrefreshed rest resulting from a pattern of sleep difficulties may cause significant daytime sleepiness and general fatigue. These symptoms can lead to irritability, problems concentrating or memory problems. Insomnia is one of the leading causes of absenteeism from work and decreased productivity while at work. Fatigue and tiredness may leave a person feeling drained at the end of the day, which can also negatively influence their quality of life while at home.
Women specifically can suffer from insomnia due to fluctuating hormone levels at specific points in their life cycle. Sleeplessness may be caused by menopause, menstruation and pregnancy.
Steps to insure sleep…
A person can make several helpful choices to encourage a restful night of sleep. The first and most basic being listen to ones own ‘internal clock’. A person’s sleep-wake cycle is regulated by ones own Circadian Rhythm, which is a portion of the body’s ‘internal clock’. When a person begins a new sleep pattern, the body’s sleep clock is still on its original schedule and wants to sleep at its preprogrammed time. This is the most basic reason why a person still feels tired even though they are unable to sleep. If a person is having trouble sleeping, there are steps that can be taken to promote a restful night. Some basic sleep hygiene steps (steps to promote sleep) are:
* Sleep at the same time every night, including weekends. At the same time, ensure you are getting the proper amount of sleep that your body desires.
* Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that may keep you awake. Alcohol, although it can make a person feel sleepy, can also reduce sleep quality leaving one feeling unrested in the morning.
* Get regular exercise, studies show exercise may reduce stress. However, do not exercise with in 3-4 hours before bed.
* Avoid heavy meals before bedtime. However, if you are hungry, a light snack before bed may actually help you sleep.
* Make sure your bedroom and bed are comfortable. Keep your sleep environment dark, quiet and at a comfortable temperature, not too cool, not too warm. If light is a problem, try black out curtains or a sleep mask, if noise is a problem, try a white noise machine, a fan or ear plugs.
* Have a time to relax before bed. Reading a book or taking a bath may promote relaxation.
* Do not use the bedroom for anything other than sleep or sex.
* If a person feels unable to sleep and does not feel drowsy, get up. Engage in something that is relaxing like reading or listening to music.
* While in bed if one finds their mind flooded with tomorrows ‘to do list’, make a list before bed. This way ones thoughts will not constantly replay what needs to be accomplished the next day.
Diagnosis…
Insomnia can be difficult to diagnose because of differentiations in individual sleep patterns and reported levels of fatigue. If you feel you suffer from insomnia, see your health care professional. The initial evaluation may include a physical exam and questions about your medical history. To determine the level of sleeplessness you are experiencing, your health care provider may ask you several questions, like how long the symptoms last, weather or not you snore, or if the symptoms occur every night. A health care professional may also ask a person to start a sleep diary so one can record the events as they happen. Currently there is also a short survey available to health care providers which is designed to evaluate the level of daytime sleepiness and sleep-wake patterns; this will assist in determining how severe ones insomnia may be. If a health care provider thinks it is necessary, they may refer one to a sleep disorder clinic for further diagnosis or treatment.
Treatment…
There are several different treatment options for insomnia. A person working with their health care provider can decide on what is the most appropriate course of action to take. The course of treatment will be based on what is keeping a person from experiencing the level of sleep their body specifically needs. A health care provider may suggest behavior modification, like creating an environment that is conducive to relaxation and sleeping. Another option may be to practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation. Exercise during the day may also be recommended, as it does reduce stress and promotes a deeper level of sleep.
Sleep Hygiene Tips
As an alternate option, a health care provider may prescribe a medication. Currently there are several medications available for treatment of insomnia. These medications, called hypnotics, are prescribed when the cause of insomnia has been determined and other appropriate therapy options have been explored. A heath care provider will determine, based on your medical history, your current medical condition and your level of insomnia, if hypnotics are right for treatment. Hypnotics carry out their chemical task on specific sleep related areas of the brain. Hypnotics do induce sleep and some activate the ability to stay asleep through the night. There are side effects from hypnotics, as with any drug. Before starting a regimen of medication, talk to a health care provider about any side effects like morning headaches, sleepwalking or dependency.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Erica Thorpe is a contributing writer for the American Sleep Association Other articles that he has contributed can be found in the Insomnia section of the ASA.
Information on Insomnia
Many people suffer from what they think is insomnia when in most cases it is anxiety. You may be wondering what this has to do with beds, but the truth is that this anxiety can keep them from falling asleep and having a good night’s …
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Even in the event that snoring has become a problem, there are instruments to help you get a quality nights sleep and feel rested in the morning. Click here for more information:. Natural Home Remedies For Insomnia and more information …
Natural Home Remedies for Insomnia
Some people might benefit if they took a small cardboard to bed with a pencil. Let them put dots on it when the light is out. This would help them to fall asleep. For more information regarding Natural Home Remedies for Insomnia, …
Mail this post
