Sleep deprivation question

[meg321]

and i should have added RANT..I went to a pulmonoligist to test my breathing and my sleep problems.  Well, the inhalers are helping with my asthma.

But he seems to have no answer for the sleep problem. He gave me requip for RLS because my feet move a lot when i sleep.  For God sakes, i know what RLS is, i have experienced it for a long time off and on but i have not had it for a long time now.  I told him that and he had nothing to say.  He just wants me to stop taking trazodone with no suggestions to help me sleep.

He is useless..and i am wasting time and money on him.  He sent me with another appt in 4 mo...for what? I insisted I needed something to help me sleep since my trazodone is not helping now and he won't prescribe a larger dose.
I am going to SF next weekend with a friend who is coming up from LA.  So he gave me 12 ambien, reluctantly. with a threat not to ask for more.

Why would I be going to see him if I can get meds from my specialist or over the counter, i am trying to help myself. He acts like i just want drugs....AND TODAY I WOULD LOVE SOME...  Some Drs.are stupid !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I havent been sleeping this week much at all and i can't function, I am experiencing all my symtoms once more.

I just want to say that I am 65 and in 5 yrs i will be 70.  I just want, as much as I can, to live a good quality of life NOW...

btw, i have had an ongoing sleep problem for years.  It is rather a severe issue now.

Anyone else suffering from sleep deprivation and have you found answers?

thanks, hugs,

meg

[Erin0313]

Meg,

   I hope the good doctor gets you something to help - fingers crossed :)

   Ren,

    I started IV steroids on Monday and was zooming like crazy. Less than 2 hours of sleep with Ambien, meditation etc. Guess who was sick and had to go in 4 hours late because of lack of sleep. Yep hubby couldn't suck it up but I was early to work and stayed late to make up for what will be his 4 hour short pay check, lol.

Take care ladies
Hugs,
Erin :)

[Ufrustrated2]

>>Anyone else suffering from sleep deprivation and have you found answers?

sure. my med charts are full of this complaint over the years. mainly can't get comfortable, the constant "uncomfortableness", intermittent pain, to not sleeping through, those kind of things. and that wierd sleep paraylisis stuff i get.

they recently tried the ol AD stuff AGAIN!. a  no go. it did help me to sleep, but it also made me feel so much NOT like me the next day i quit taking it. then the psych prescribed an anti-histimine for sleep and to help me with libido. i quite that recently too. didn't help with the libido, almost thought it made it worse. i don't think it helped wiht sleep.

local neuro's office called about something and asked AGAIN for a sleep med. i asked for ambien. we'll see if they send it.

since i'm in a smart arse modde, i'll say this:  i think the love affair the va has with AD's is due to the pharm companies and their lobbiest people. they are by far the costliest meds on my med printout they send me. hey pharm companies, how come the same meds are so much cheaper in other countries than here?

[LATW]

That is awful your sleep study didn't help help your situation out. I had one and it showed my o2 levels were dropping into the low 80's.  I go back to get tested for c-pap levels.

I have spasms at night.  Baclofen has really helped.  

Sorry you are having such a diffiuclt time.

LA

[meg321]

MEN  !!!  

The GOOD DR...meaning my MS Dr....is going to call my sleep DR, the BAD DR and talk to him and if she doesnt like what he is doing, she will prescribe something for me....i shouldnt speak too soon i guess...but she is The Good DR after all..LOL

hugs, meg

[rendean]

meg: I use Ambien or Ativan to sleep, however this doesn't work if I am having leg pain. Sorry you are having such a tough time! I like Alex's hypnosis idea.

While pregnant with my kids, I took relaxation classes in preparation for labor. The midwife taught us to let your body relax starting with your toes, then your arches, then your ankle and so forth while playing soft music or something else to duplicate "white noise". This technique worked very well then..haven't had as much success with it lately though.

Erin: My hubby calls in "sick" also if he doesn't get enough sleep. Aggravates the tar out of me!

[meg321]

LOL...I am done with sleep DRs !!!  Can you believe one of them said the same thing your husband said..."if you get tired you will sleep" .  These sleep study Drs. need to have experienced  a lack of sleep themselves...Jerks !

let us know how the sleep study goes...

hugs, meg

[wadeheather]

I have horrible sleep issues too.  For months my hubby wouldn't even sleep in the same bed with me because I toss and turn and kick, even with sleep meds. I have no idea when I'm doing it and think I sleep well, but wake up exhausted and can barely stay awake all day.  I have a sleep study next week.

I agree with the others, switch doctors!!!! Everyone deserves sleep!

[Erin0313]

Meg,

   I feel your pain!!! Lack of sleep is so awful that you just want to scream and cry.

  My hubby said that if you are tired enough you will sleep. Hah I would like to smack him when he says stuff like that. People that don't have health and pain issues have no idea what it is like to long for sleep and not get anywhere near enough!

Last week was a really bad week sleep wise for me and I guess hubby felt it because he was too tired to work after a bad night so he had to stay home "sick", lol. If I did that every time I didn't sleep I would probably only get out of the darn bed once a week or so, ha ha.

Ok so this is not a laughing matter, that's just how I keep going. I have tried the natural things Alex talks about and they help but once you are all wound up and beyond meditation you need help. My neuro gives me Ambien for when I take steroids. It won't even put me to sleep on the roids just take the edge off so I save a few for when i am not on the steroids and am where you are now. Oh what a difference 4 or 5 solid hours can make.

Thinking of you and hoping that you have sleep and nice dreams (or none because you are down for the count)

Hugs,
Erin :)

[HVAC]

If its allergies I saw this thing on the Doctors (TV) that is a filtration system that blows over your head so you have clean air since allergies can be worse at night. I do not know if it works.

Alex

[meg321]

Thanks Shell,

This is my second try at a sleep dr..this looked good and did the overnight sleep study but that was it.  i don't want another, its just a waste of money when you shop around.

I did call my specialist and she will get back to me..and i ordered a sound machine. I try to slle with the tv or radio, and it is okay but you can only get certain music here and there are so many interruptions.  At least this will help, but I will still need something to sleep I am afraid.

The stupid Dr didnt even suggest anything like maybe a sound machine or anything else.
I am smarter than he is for God sakes...sheesh !  I did finally take an ambien last night..

Thanks sweetie,

meg

[sllowe]

The sleep deprivation is a killer. I struggle with it always.  I've been on ambien for a long time and it only works intermittently only.  The med that worked best for me was temazapam (generic for Restirol) but I ended up getting allergic after 5 months. I could not believe how I felt in the morning when taking that - it was wonderful and I was glad to know what a nights sleep was worth the next day.

No sleep leaves you functionless and like a zombie in every way - mentally, physically. For me, it's as if I'm out and about in the world, but not really there.

I told my Dr. that if I could sleep, I know I could get through my days. What about the neuro who dx'd you? That's who prescribes mine. Can you call and get an appt?

Feeling your pain,
Shell

[kmil1999]

Has he sent you for an overnight sleep study?

there are so many docs getting into sleep medicine, that to have this person not even try or want to help is ridiculous!

Find another doctor that specializes in sleep medicine and actually wants to care for patients!

Good sleep thoughts to you,
Karen

[meg321]

Hi Alex,

I have not considered that but if I could find a good one here, i would try it.  First, i need some sleep to even think..lol

thanks,

meg

[HVAC]

Meg,
  I know this may sound nuts. I am not anti traditional medicine. I was having so much problem falling and staying asleep because of pain. I started going to a counselor who is also trained in hypnosis. I asked if it might help.

I fall asleep right away with self hypnosis. Also when my doctor offered me pain medication at the yearly exam I can't believe I did but I told her I did not need it. I am also using it on my mood. I know it does not work on everyone but it works for me and it is something I can control.

I am in a particularly bad place today so I just used it and feel a sense of calm. I am not giving up medication just using it as a compliment.

Good luck,
Alex