3 Months Insomnia - Lunesta And Ambien Not Working...

[JodyM75]

So, I've got this wonderful thing going on where I can get to sleep fine, thank you very much, but I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm up.  Every. Night.  Doc originally put me on Ambien, which helped one night.  Then she switched me to Ambien extended release.  Same thing.

 

I've been taking Lunesta 3mg for 5 nights.  Worked the first night, waking up at 3am since then.

 

The fact that these meds aren't touching this problem really concerns me.  The docs seem concerned, too, but just keep switching me around.

 

I am also taking melatonin extended release.  Helps me get to sleep, but nothing much in the middle of the night.  I've even tried waiting unitl I wake up at 3 and taking it then, but it doesn't help me get back to sleep.  I also get outside in the sunlight every day for at least 15 minutes.

 

They also sent me to a local lung/sleep doctor, who taught me meditation/yoga breathing.  I already knew yoga breathing.  I did give it a try, though.  He wanted me to get up at 5 am and breath for an hour and 20 minutes every morning.  As much as I believe in preventative medicine and alternative therapies, I was resentful every time I did this and decided to stop.  And, frankly, I have a hard time justifying paying a specialist to teach me meditation breathing.

 

Three months of this is a long time, and I do recognize my stress and anger when I initially wake up is probably half the problem.  I don't know how to break this cycle, though. 

 

I have had this happen before, years ago, but it wasn't this bad and didn't go on for this long, but Tylenol PM helped then.  Does anyone have any suggestions? 

 

I should also note that I've decided to switch from my current PCP to an Internal Medicine office nearby, because I really don't like the "pat me on my little head and send me on my way" bedside manner of my current doc.  I haven't for a long time, but this last time really set me off.

[icelandgirl]

That sounds awful... ((hugs)). I hate not being able to sleep.

A couple of things...what time are you going to sleep? If it's on the early side maybe moving it back an hour would help.

Have you had your thyroid checked? I had this happen to me recently when I went hyper. I'd go to sleep fine and then wake up between 3 and 4 and not be able to go back to sleep. It was driving me crazy.

I'm not sure what else to suggest. When I am unable to go back to sleep I will meditate and sometimes that does it.

I do hope you get some sleep...

[bartfull]

So how long have you been gluten-free? I ask because I had terrible insomnia for years. (I know exactly what you mean about the stress and anger in the middle of the night!). After I had been gluten-free for a few weeks it got better. I still do wake up early (2 or 3 AM) sometimes, but not as often as before, and if I feel like I am too wide awake I just get up. I have the luxury of going back for a "nap" around 6 because I don't open my shop until 10.

 

Also, believe it or not, eating something can help. It's hard to sleep when you're hungry. Have a dish of ice cream or something and see if that helps. And if your hands and feet are cold that makes it hard to sleep too. Maybe a hot shower?

 

I'm also wondering what your age is and if it could have something to do with menopause.