19 replies to this topic

[MarEB]

I understand why Michael Jackson wanted to be put to sleep. I have been to numerous doctors and natural health specialists and I haven't gotten any relief. I can't sleep. Can't eat. I've lost 20 to 30 pounds over the last six months. This has been going on since the fall of '09, but has gotten progressively worse since April '11. I'm at the end of my rope. I keep thinking that the insomnia is a symptom of something else, but I don't have a clue what that could be. There is autoimmune disease in my family. One sister and mother are celiac, another sister has a thyroid condition called hashimoto's disease (sp). Dad died of a brain tumor. I've tried trazodone, Ativan, bioidentical hormones. My hair falls out in bunches. I've got no energy. I'm a massage therapist, but I don't have the strength to work. I feel like a prisoner. My celiac sister says she's gotten help for several hard-to-diagnose conditions from this site. Please, does anyone have any ideas? This started with peri-menopause. Other than this, my life is great. No other stresses or psychological problems. Thank you in advance for any ideas.

[rosetapper23]

I strongly suspect nutritional deficiencies. I suppose your doctors have tested you for the most common ones (iron, D, and B12); however, alopecia and insomnia can both be caused by deficiencies in certain B vitamins (B2, B5, Biotin, and folic acid). Take a look at this website and see if certain vitamin/mineral deficiencies describe your condition:

http://www.behealthy...cy-Toxicity.pdf

Regarding the hairloss, a number of us take a B vitamin coenzyme complex (I take three times the dosage on the bottle because I have trouble absorbing B vitamins) and a product called BioSil, which contains silicon.

You may be experiencing malabsorption problems--and, believe me, doctors tend to be clueless about vitamin/mineral deficiencies. You may have to experiment a bit.

[bbdailey]

Have you gotten your thyroid checked? I have hashimotos and have had lots of trouble getting to sleep. Also your hairloss matches up with thyroid symptoms.

[MarEB]

Thank you. I will look into vitamins/minerals and the website you provided. Right now, I'm having a hard time eating anything. Just got some Ensure and will try that. I'm very grateful for your quick response. It helps to have some new ideas to explore.

[MarEB]

My family doc has checked the thyroid and says everything's normal. I went to a doctor who specializes in bioidentical hormones. He put me on armour thyroid. I took that fo two months, instead of levothyroxin, but had to quit because of a racing heart.

[Skylark]

I get insomnia if I don't take fish oil. I have to get at least 1000 mg of EPA/DHA combined in order to sleep normally, which means I usually take the concentrated stuff. I also take a multivitamin/mineral/trace element supplement and I don't sleep as well without it, but it's nothing like the insomnia I get from forgetting fish oil for a few days.

[maximoo]

have you done a sleep study?

[MarEB]

have you done a sleep study?

I'm looking into it. My insurance will not cover it. Plus, I'm not sure I'd sleep enough consecutive hours in a row for them to get a good reading.

[Bubba's Mom]

You may need a calcium/magnesium supplement? A deficiency in those can cause sleep problems. Low iron can cause insomnia too.

[MarEB]

You may need a calcium/magnesium supplement? A deficiency in those can cause sleep problems. Low iron can cause insomnia too.

I think that's a good idea. I've tried it before, but not consistently. I'll get back on it.

[GFinDC]

Hi,

Losing 30lbs is a significant symptom. Have you been tested for celiac disease? Are you on the gluten-free diet?

If haven't been tested you should stay on a regular glutney diet until the testing is done. The test results are even less accurate if you stop eating gluten before hand.

Celiac can cause weight loss and nutritional shortages could explain the hair loss and weakness.

Celiac is hereditary so if another family member has celiac it is more likely you will have it also. It is not an automatic thing though, just a higher chance.

[love2travel]

My chronic insomnia is severe like yours. I've had it for years but it is largely due to my severe chronic pain that makes it so hard for me to lie down as it causes so much pain. Even if I lie on a wrinkle I must get up and straighten it out. But I did have insomnia before my accident, too. I have tried everything and the only thing that helps me is a prescription for Zopiclone. I also take muscle relaxants and painkillers. I have been taking Zopiclone for about 15 years and have had zero problems with dependency as I restrict taking it to once a week. I hate to recommend prescription drugs but I was having so much trouble that I went to the ER for injections just to help me sleep - it was that bad. Often I went several nights without even falling asleep (even in sleep study) so I was bumping into walls and such. Doctors have told me I am the worst case of insomnia they have ever encountered. My doctor worried that my organs may begin shutting down from not sleeping so that is why I am on Zopiclone and it is a miracle to me. When I travel I take Ativan to help me relax (i.e. flying) but I reserve it for that only.

My chronic pain doctor told me to take 900-1800 mg of magnesium glycinate which really does help my restless leg syndrome a great deal. If you start magnesium just make sure to titrate up slowly to prevent diarrhea.

I really hope that you find something that helps you. Insomnia affects every aspect of our lives as you know and it can really be extremely debilitating.

[MarEB]

Hi,

Losing 30lbs is a significant symptom. Have you been tested for celiac disease? Are you on the gluten-free diet?

If haven't been tested you should stay on a regular glutney diet until the testing is done. The test results are even less accurate if you stop eating gluten before hand.

Celiac can cause weight loss and nutritional shortages could explain the hair loss and weakness.

Celiac is hereditary so if another family member has celiac it is more likely you will have it also. It is not an automatic thing though, just a higher chance.

That test is on the list, for sure. I didn't think I had it since I don't have the symptoms my sister has. But I understand how symptoms vary person to person. Thanks for the info.

[MarEB]

My chronic insomnia is severe like yours. I've had it for years but it is largely due to my severe chronic pain that makes it so hard for me to lie down as it causes so much pain. Even if I lie on a wrinkle I must get up and straighten it out. But I did have insomnia before my accident, too. I have tried everything and the only thing that helps me is a prescription for Zopiclone. I also take muscle relaxants and painkillers. I have been taking Zopiclone for about 15 years and have had zero problems with dependency as I restrict taking it to once a week. I hate to recommend prescription drugs but I was having so much trouble that I went to the ER for injections just to help me sleep - it was that bad. Often I went several nights without even falling asleep (even in sleep study) so I was bumping into walls and such. Doctors have told me I am the worst case of insomnia they have ever encountered. My doctor worried that my organs may begin shutting down from not sleeping so that is why I am on Zopiclone and it is a miracle to me. When I travel I take Ativan to help me relax (i.e. flying) but I reserve it for that only.

My chronic pain doctor told me to take 900-1800 mg of magnesium glycinate which really does help my restless leg syndrome a great deal. If you start magnesium just make sure to titrate up slowly to prevent diarrhea.

I really hope that you find something that helps you. Insomnia affects every aspect of our lives as you know and it can really be extremely debilitating.

I can not imagine your pain. You have a much more severe case than I do. Thank you for responding. I have tried Ativan and a couple of other drugs that made me feel horribly depressed the next day. Trazodone worked for awhile, but not much anymore. Thanks for letting me know there's something available as a last resort. I wish you all the best.

[Learner01]

When I started getting wonky symptoms I started a journal. Every once in a while I'll go back and read through the details. It's an eye-opener! I highly suggest you do that. Make sure you date your entry. Note your symptoms and other quality of life points. What you've eaten and how you feel. Note any changes that you've made in your habits. Make a checklist of the things you need to follow-up on, i.e. a thorough thyroid workup (regular thyroid tests may not detect an abnormality), celiac/gluten test, etc. You must be your own health advocate as no one else is living in your shoes. Insomnia is an evil and torturous thing. I hope you find an acceptable resolution.