Dear Dr. Gould, PLEASE HELP

[kenneltech]

Hello Dr. Gould,

I really hope you or someone out there can help me.  I have severe PTSD, bipolar disorder and insomnia.  I have had mental illness since I was a child (I'm 55), and haven't slept without medication since I was 12 years old.

The problem is:  I am afraid to go to sleep.  If I start to drift off, I jump up in sheer panic and terror!  I don't even know what it's like to sleep like a "normal" person.  I have been to 4 sleep disorder clinics, and they can't find a sleep disorder.

Right now, I'm on Ambien CR and two temazepams at night, and now they're starting not to work.  I need knock out drugs, not just sleeping pills.  They have to keep changing me around because after awhile, the drugs don't work anymore.

IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE?   I have been in treatment (although I need EMDR, but my insurance won't cover it and I can't afford it, I live in CO, is there anywhere I can go?), have had three series of ECT treatments, am on medication, and I've been told I will probably be on sleep meds for the rest of my life!  I'M SO TIRED OF THIS!!   Where can I go, and what else can I do?

Thank you,  kenneltech

[adel_ezz]

Dear Dr. Gould, PLEASE HELP

I've heard that AD can cause mania which happened to me. Is there anyway to post my question to help find out whether my mania is a sign of BP or due to AD
ezz

[xanweaner]

Good luck with the NLP. Re: sleep disorders - I had suggested that you look into the sleep disorders lab associated with the University in Denver. They were supposed to have a pretty good program, and if I recall, is headed up by neurologists.
Re: hypnosis - was your experience with a ph.d. psychologist who utilizes hypnosis in the practice, or did you see a hypnotherapist? The training is considerably different as the ph.d. would have logged in far more hours as well has far more training.
Good luck!!

[kenneltech]

Thank you so much for the info.  I will try that NLP or look for a psychologist that specializes in sleep disorders.  I did try hypnosis, but, I guess I'm not a good candidate, it didn't work for me.

[xanweaner]

Hi there,
In order to reach Dr. Gould, you need to enter on the
"Ask a Doctor Forum". You will find this when you first enter the Medhelp site. Then you will go the "Mental Health Section". At that point, you then should be in the "Ask a Doctor Forum". You can put your question there for Dr. Gould to respond.
Good Luck with getting some help....I am surprised that these sleep disorder clinics gave you this diagnosis. There are some excellent sleep disorder centers in Denver - I would suggest you go to the one associated with the university and run by neurologists, not pulmanologists. Have you considered hypnosis with a psychologist trained in this field? Also, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) might help, too.
I cannot imagine your pain - I hope that Dr. Gould can provide you with some direction.

[Crystlas]

I feel so bad for you.  I had severe PTSD from the abusive marriage I lived through.  I found cognitive-disassociative (sp?)  therapy to be very effective for me.  As far as not sleeping, I did that for almost four months.  I would get pockets of sleep but not good rest.  I would go two weeks straight w/o sleep, so I feel your pain.  That was when I was very manic and first diagnosed.  Anyhow, there is a doctors forum on this site, but they charge you.  Some clinicians float through these forums ever so often and give professional advice.  In my opinion, for you, I think dealing with the PTSD is the answer for you.  I did well in therapy and then, after 7 years, got involved with my now to be second husband.  I put all that trauma out on him due to the fact of not having been in any serious relationship for those seven years.  During my hospital stay a nurse suggested I write my ex a letter.  As soon as I put it in the mailbox I felt closure.  It was weird, I just released the rest of the **** he piled on me with his abusive ways.  I am so clear headed about it and my relationship is so much better with my fiance.  I hope you the best in getting better.  Try talk therapy and re-establishing yourself with the present.  PTSD is not a chemical imbalance like BP, but an emotional disorder that is cured through therapy.  

[shawn47]

kenneltech -- have you had a sleep study?  In itself, it won't cure you but a sleep study can provide all those doctors a baseline of information that can be tracked, possibly finding what the problem is and a solution.  blah blah blah, but it may help.  At least it's something proactive, ya know?

[kenneltech]

I know Ambien and Temazepam are addictive.  But my question was, how can I ever sleep without meds?  I have been on every sleep med there is throughout 35 years, and have been to 4 sleep disorder clinics.  They tell me that it is the severe PTSD, and that I will never sleep naturally without meds.  I can sleep when I get to sleep, it's GETTING to sleep that's the problem.  I need KNOCKOUT pills, because when I start to relax, I wake up in sheer terror and bolt upright.  I have gone for as long as a week without sleeping, because I have tried it numerous times.  I also need EMDR treatments, but my insurance won't cover it.

I take other psych meds, and some of the suppliments counteract with them, so I don't dare take them.  Besides, I tried melatonin a couple of times in the past, and it's not strong enough.

Where do I go on this site to get  the doctor's opinion?

Thank you very much for your input.

kenneltech

[Crystlas]

The reason your Ambien and Temazepam are no longer working is because they are physically addictive to the body.  You have to wean yourself off of them SLOWLY in order to avoid nasty withdrawl symptoms.  I ONLY use temazepam when I have to get sleep to break a severe manic cycle.  I only take it once in a blue moon.  I recently discovered dissolvable Melatonin in 5mg.  It is great and puts me into a relaxed state for sleep. If I need, I take some Valerian root capsules, Chamomile capsules or Passion Flower capsules as a booster.  Not all three, but I mix them up to keep them working well.  This is a natural method that I will use for as long as I can, since it works.  You can get these OCT suppliments at a health food store.  BTW, this is not a Dr. forum, just support from other people like you.  

[shawn47]

I've heard of a sleep disorder -- don't know what it's called -- where a person has horrible nightmares, complete with sounds and smells, right after they fall asleep.  Needless to say this could cause a very bad night.  I used to have something like this, only all night long, whenever i'd go back to sleep.  Not sleeping is an extremely frustrating experience that affects everything you do, no?  I hope you find answers.