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I can only sleep for 2 hours. What helps Intermittent Sleep?
I have been struggling with intermittent sleep for the past three months. I can only sleep 2 hours at a time. I am on ambien I have tried melatonin and valerian. Every time I take ambien or valerian it only puts me to sleep for two hours. I have also been in a sleep study for sleep apnea and they couldn’t diagnose me because I didn’t sleep enough. This has taken a toll on my body and CNS. Everything started with diarrhea for two weeks than one day I went totally fatigued. After that I experienced head aches and my ears started to fill plugged. I also have acid reflex and bloating and muscle weakness. I am also seeing flashes in the corners of the my eyes. I also have a cough and sometimes increased heart rate. I have seen many doctors have been through a mri, colonoscopy and have had my thyroid levels check and Doctors can’t figure out what’s going on. I have also had a battery of tests done. I am 38 years old and have been totally healthy expect for mild psoriasis. I am reaching out for help and suggestions.
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Hi @hip786, welcome. Here's an older discussion on Mayo Clinic Connect that may have some ideas for you.
- Intermittent Sleep has Become a Problem: Suggestions? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intermittent-sleep/
However, it sounds like you've recently had a number of new issues come up like unexplained diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, congestion, bloating, muscle weakness, increased heart rate and more. Did these all start happening around the same time? What came first: interrupted sleep or the other issues? Were you a good sleeper before these issues?
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1 ReactionBowl issues fatigue than intermittent sleep followed by headaches, ear aches and other issues. I have never had sleep issues or headaches in my life.
Have you been to a gastroenterologist (GI specialist)?
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1 ReactionYes they did a colonoscopy and didn’t find anything
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1 ReactionYou may want your GP review your medication. Sometimes they are the cause of problems.
@hip786 hello, I have been experiencing similar symptoms. Did you ever get relief?
Do you happen to live by any cell phone towers?
I finally have been sent to a cognitive behavioral specialist by a Sleep Dr. I am keeping a diary of sleep; how often I am awake at night, what seems to be the problem, when I have taken naps, etc. I take CBD/THC tinctures 2:1 sublingually. But, just in doing the diary I am noticing differences and actually getting some quality sleep. He also suspects an issue with the settings on my CPAP. But, for years, I have been intermittently waking up WIDE AWAKE for no reason. It is bizarre. I do suffer from reflux, and the best advice is on webmd: GERD triggers. I am also on Pantoprozole, but periodically take an antacid. Hot camomile tea after dinner helps, too.
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2 ReactionsMary, that's very interesting the journaling your sleep is revealing some patterns that are helping you get quality sleep. Yippee! This journal will also be helpful for your upcoming appointment. Who will assist you with recalibrating your CPAP is your sleep doctor suspects the settings are not optimized for you?
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1 ReactionThe diary is for the cognitive guy. The real sleep doctor will help arrange that--or I am doomed to another sleep study. Appointment in a few months.
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