I have debilitating insomnia issues where I cannot sleepFor 4-10 night

I just want to say that you’re not alone in this. Many people struggle with lifelong insomnia, and it can feel so overwhelming when night after night there’s no rest. What you described—the spinning head, the exhaustion, the sadness—is something others have gone through too, and it’s very real.

I know it can feel hopeless at times, but please don’t give up. If the thoughts of suicide become too heavy, please reach out right away—for example, if you’re in the U.S., you can dial 988 anytime to connect with someone who understands. You don’t have to carry this on your own.

Sometimes even just sharing with others who “get it” can make the nights feel a little less lonely. I’m glad you spoke up here—it’s a strong step.

I’m so sorry you have this. Once you are past the 4-10 days are you able to sleep? For how many nights until you get the insomnia again?

For decades I have had insomnia for 1-3 nights every 3-4 months but I never felt tired or sleepy or deprived. But I was much younger. In past 2-3 years, I get insomnia for 2-4 nights every 1-2 months and I often feel tired and out of sorts but I recover. I am also 75 years old. I have tried different sounds, breathing, sleepy tea, reading and more. I’ve also done the Tapping Solution meditations for getting to sleep and to quiet my racing mind. Sometimes these have helped and sometimes have not helped at all. My focus is to stay in bed so my body rests even though my mind doesn’t. I know many people have this. We need to share our efforts and solutions. Good sleep to all!!!

Hello my fellow human -- from a fellow human, 82 and never have had -- as you, too seem to have begun to have this problem in adulthood. Before that it seems nature takes over our well-being because our prefrontal cortex which helps us become autonomous responsible humans has not fully formed.

So comparing myself with yours, one of the reason after retiring and getting fulltime into figuring out the strange problem of obesity among us even as we have all the information about how to live a life to avoid lifestyle based health problems, obesity has been only rising! To understand this from a non-medical perspective I became 'obsessed' with and spent many years researching and writing what does seem to work. Of course we can't do it without eating right and moving more, but HOW does one GET into a lifestyle that will lead to better fit bodies -- with good sleep and playful exertion both physical and mental.

What I found that people who have kept up with their natural curiosity and autonomy seem to be the very people who enjoy most healthy body/mind. It seems healthy habits Happen to us when we are most human as in curiosity, agency and play.
In other words, by living the life We Want using our Natural Gifts.

Before retiring surely mine was dictated mostly by survival needs but for a Life after Retiring I still have equally urgent and pressing questions that are relevant to help improving on the 'good work' we see need for. For me these days it is how to help people stay OUT of diabetes Type 2. I went to bed last night at six in the morning, with dawn winking. In other words, my non-sleep hours are used to plan and execute what I want to do so that on my deathbed I won't look back and say: O'Damm!, I wished I did what Mattered Me the Most!
It is also known as finding one's purpose. Before going to bed, I feel a bit tired and a little sleepy but I go to bed reminding myself that having a Good Sleep will help me get Most the Next day. So sleep I Always very well.

I hope it helps you, my fellow traveler-on-Earth

I also am dealing with chronic insomnia (I’m 83). What’s so frustrating to me is, I have never had this problem my entire life. My doctor has given me more than one prescription to no avail. A friend my age, was sharing what has worked for her. She purchased a “shoulder covering” heating pad. She started out on the lowest number (1) and over months increased the temperature. But she said it’s been like a cozy blanket that is soothing and relaxing. She too wanted to stay away from too much medication and for her, this has worked.

Thank you so much. I am so a Christian , and do pray and believe every n the power of prayer.
I do my bible study and devotional
Sessions in the am. Perhaps I should change that for the evening.
There is no law a reason, but why this happens to me but when it does happen, it’s a cascading of a continuation of sleepless nights right now I am into my 14th night of no sleep and I cannot even drive my car. My head is just spinning around. I have been to so many doctors and they just keep giving me more drugs….
It’s very sad and depressing that this is all I feel like that they can do because they don’t even understand this issue

I never thought about having a professional sleep study or having sleep
apnea, It showed I had a problem. The CPAP has helped me sleep longer and more refreshed.

I have had insomnia for many years. It is not an easy road, as even though wanting and needing to sleep, are not alternatives when you only sleep 15 minutes and then up for hours, or can't fall asleep, even for the 15 minutes! I prefer a cool, dark room. It's hard to do a sleep study if you cannot sleep for 4 hours in a row - to get results. Medications - for me - are not an option. Even Benadryl can cause crazy nightmares. Have you tried a weighted blanket? Some find it very soothing and sleep inducing. Others have tried the one-piece blanket - but that can seem so confining as you step into it and are in a cocoon. Hard to get up quickly to go to the bathroom if needed. Good luck and hope you get some much needed rest/sleep.

Thank you for your thoughts! I think people see the word insomnia and they think oh that’s nothing, actually it’s so debilitating. I cannot even drive my car after four or five days without closing my eyes. I actually develop a condition that feels like something dripping through a sieve through my brain. I do every single thing that someone says to do as you have asked or mentioned., apparently none of that ever helps me when my brain decides it’s ready to shut down. It just shuts down and then I go to sleep…. In the meantime, it’s pretty miserable.

I have had insomnia for many years, and have been prescribed a wide variety of sleeping aids over the years. The most recent is called DayVigo, and it seems to be working extremely well—just thought I would pass the info on.

Thank you so much ! I will check that out.