Complete Lack of Sleep

@lisalucier I am referring to the basis for what is wrong. I believe I know what has happened to my body based on experiences since September 2015. Simply put, I believe my serotonin connection between my gut and my brain is disconnected. The majority, over 90% of our bodies serotonin comes from our GI tract. I believe I severed it in September 2015 and was provided confirmation of such in July 2017 when I began taking serotonin supplements. If you look up what serotonin controls in the body, that is the majority of what my problems are. No Circadian Rhythm, serotonin controls the sleep/wake cycle. Lack of appetite, serotonin is involved in the rhythm for eating as well. Sadly, I believe this is beyond the scope of medicine and medical science and will be wide awake until my death.

@cliffordjames I can't begin to imagine how difficult your situation is. I'm glad you are asking a lot of questions and being a strong advocate for yourself. You mentioned that you are taking serotonin supplements. Do the supplements help you?

Maybe you have already seen these articles but thought they may be related to your situation.

This is Your Brain on Serotonin
-- https://upliftconnect.com/brain-on-serotonin/

Depression, Serotonin, and the Mind-Gut Connection - Big Think (YouTube)
-- http://bigthink.com/videos/emeran-mayer-on-depression-and-the-mind-gut-connection

NIH - The Gut-Brain Axis: The Missing Link in Depression
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4662178/

John

Hello @cliffordjames

I just now read your post. I feel badly that you are not getting regular sleep. Any person who has had a sleepless night or two (and that includes all of us) understands how difficult it is to function without sleep. As you know, we at Mayo Connect, are not medical professionals, nor can we diagnose problems. We are just patients like yourself who have encountered medical difficulties.

With that said, you mention that you have seen a sleep specialist for a consultation but you do not mention if you have had an overnight sleep study. Have you had a sleep study? While I understand that you do not think that this is a sleep problem, the sleep study would give a sleep specialist very good information about your brain activity at night.

I would encourage you to follow through with a sleep study if you have not done so already.

Regarding "an episode of disorientation and sensitivity to light that lasted 2 days" that you mentioned. Have you seen a neurologist regarding this? I am also thinking about a Neuro-Opthamologist. These might be very helpful people to consult with.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

@cliffordjames I would begin with a neurologist( perhaps one who is board certified in sleep disorders) or knows someone who is . A neurologist will know where to begin for sure. Many hospital even in small cities have sleep clinics now who have doctors and nurses who specialize in sleep disorders. However, I think that you need to find out what event caued this problem in the first place RiGHT NOW..don’t wait. You need to see someone immediately. This is a very dangerous thing. If I were you I would call for an immediate dr. appointment with a neurologist and if you cannot get one , have someone take you to the ER of a large regional hospital. I am really concerned about you and you should be as well. I amso glad that you wrote. Please get cared for today.

@johnbishop No, the serotonin supplements did not help. I am simply a man without an official diagnosis or doctor.

@johnbishop No, nothing helps. No Serotonin supplements, No medications. My body just dumps them as there is no connection to my brain from my gut.

Are you sleeping ? How do you live without sleep?

Hello, your post appeared on my Daily Digest feed, and can see that it's from a couple years ago. I am so sorry to hear what you are/were going through(hopeful you found a doctor to help w/your lack of sleep). Sending prayers and that you may find relief soon

How can you live like that? I would think you would die from no sleep at all.