I can't sleep at night

[Denisej007]

I have been on dalmane for approx. 8 years. I hate em' but I can't get to sleep without them. I have tried everything in the book to fall sleep on my own but nothing works but pills.  I also take for pills seizures and nerves. I can stay up 3 days before I colaspe usually during daytime, then, I only sleep about 4 hours. I need 8 hours a night to control seizures.
D

[huneybee41]

you could try melatonin it is over the counter. Peoples bodies need melatonin anyway I would give it a try.

[Suri123]

Hi Denisej007, how are you? I feel you might have taken quite few medications for your sleeplessness over years and so want to stop further. Flurazepam can be taken for sleep but long-term use is not good. You need to learn and follow the healthy sleep habits and not to depend on the drug forever. Consult your sleep specialist for a review and know the present status. There are drugs which are non addictive and can be tried. Try to relax. Avoid coffee/tea, smoking, alcohol and a bulky spicy meal at nights. Do regular casual exercise, concentrate on some fine work like reading a book, listening to soft music, have warm shower and a gentle body massage prior to sleep. Avoid tickling clocks, very bright-blinking lights, and very tight clothing or bedding. If you still do not feel any improvement, consult a sleep specialist and get sleep test done. Take care and update on your progress.

[Denisej007]

Thanks for the tip. I will look for melatonin at the local Rx. store.
I would rather take something over the counter than prescribed.
Take care
D

[RobinHC]

It sounds like you are really frustrated with taking pills in order to sleep.  It is a hard problem to live with, and it is irritating to rely on pills and have to deal with the side effects.  

Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed for taking medication in order to sleep.  Some of us are just different than the rest of the world and it really is harder for us to sleep than it is for them. Sometimes we need medication just to level the playing field as have a fighting chance.  Finding and taking the right medication, when it is needed, is different from "normal" people just using medications to make it easier to fall asleep.

Which would say is your biggest problem with sleep?

1. Trouble falling asleep.
2. Trouble constantly waking up at night, not staying asleep.
3. Sleep doesn't seem to do any good, still tired next day

Robin

[Denisej007]

I have tried everything. At one time I thought I wasn't getting enough physical work done during the day until I helped a friend "flip a house" I painted, chaulked, dug line holes until my body was completely worn out........but when the lights went out, there I lay eyes wide open, wondering and worrying why I can't sleep. By sunrise, I started drifting off but then it was time to get ready for another day.
Thanks for the message.
D

[Denisej007]

Yes I am frustrated taking pills to sleep, plus they leave a bad taste in your mouth. But that is the only way I can get to sleep. I do keep a clean air machine running at all times. I seem to sleep better when I repeated noise. To answer your question, I have trouble falling to sleep. But once my eyes open whether it is to go to the rest room, etc I am up for the day. Crying seems to help me....yes, I have cried because I couldn't sleep. Anyhow, it occurred to me to get a 3rd shift job...so I started working in the payroll department at Philip Morris, that wasn't the answer becuz I had a grand mal seizure there.
I know there are people worse off in this than world than me, I was just expressing my troubles.
Take care Robin
Denise

[Suri123]

Hi Denisej007, how are you doing? Thanks for your reply and updating on your concerns. I do agree that you are having a very hard time to get normal sleep and the stress you are going through might still make it worse. Have you got a sleep study done to know the sleep pattern and are you on any medications that are prescribed? Ambien (Zolpidem) is given for short-term treatment of insomnia. You can consult a sleep specialist and a neurologist and get investigated. Take care and share your thoughts.

[Denisej007]

I must go to the worse Drs. ever. I told my neurologist and psychiatrist about not beening able to sleep their reaction is "Humm"
I guess it's too expensive of an area for them to deal with. I have tried Ambien, I stayed up all night waiting for it to work.
Take care now!
D

[Suri123]

Hi Denisej007, how are you doing? Thanks for having replied back. I do understand how hard you are going through now and how stressed your life. I do agree sometimes proper care is not been provided to address the concerns but that's not the end so keep patience and get a second opinion and evaluation from another doctor. Massage therapy can be useful. Make yourself comfortable and try to have sleep. Take care.

[Denisej007]

I had two massage therapy sessions with a therapist at my chiro. office. I was told I have so many knots in my shoulder and back, that they didn't know how long it would take them to work out. So, they discontinued my treatments. I have to laugh...even though the pain can be unbearable. I think I am just hopeless. Right now, my main focus is to get rid of the "objects" in my left breats and the knots on my wrist.
Sleep will come, at least that is what I keep saying.
you be now!
D

[Suri123]

Hi Denisej007, thanks for your time in replying and giving your details. There are many instances of prolonged therapy or complications arising out of treatment time which is not expected initially so one need not carried away by them and stop treatment half way. Even if it takes couple more months, it may be right thing to go ahead with therapy unless one is sure it’s of no use. Your positive way of taking things will sure help you out to overcome your stress. Try at a different therapist. Thanks again, take care.

[Denisej007]

Hey Suri, We're doin' OK here. I hope you are doing the same. It was the chiro. dr. that dis-continued my massage therapy. My guess is...insurance reasons. But that is only a guess. I also have seizures