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LITTLE SLEEP!
Hi all,
Happy, Healthy New Year, emphasis on the healthy!
It’s been about two months now that I haven’t had a full nights sleep. Psychiatrist and Neurologist prescribed Diazepam, Temazepam and Trazodone. Nothing worked! Sometimes it would help me fall asleep but that’s it. Up every hour to every two hours. Strange this is I’m up at almost exactly 4:00 AM every morning (night).
Drs seem to have given up so I’m turning to you folks for can’t ideas, if anyone else had the same problem and solved it, PLEASE let me know. I’m ready to hit myself on my head to sleep, (obviously kidding but I am desperate). Thanks
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Wow, those sleep drugs have a lot of drug interactions, with what I'm currently taking (https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements).
I'm in the same situation where I wake up 3 to 4 times throughout the night - sometimes feels like I get hit in the head - Stabbing migraine, brain on fire, pressure (atmospheric related), blah blah blah. I have an Inflamed Brain - 24x7 headaches with 3 to 4 migraines weekly.
Neurologist has been trying all sort of treatments. I now have a referral to see Immunologist in 3 months.
attached
1st - from The Yale LISTEN Study Town Hall: October 2023
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/listen-study/media-player/listen-town-hall-oct-2023/
2nd and 3rd - from Patient-reported treatment outcomes in ME/CFS and long COVID
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40627388/
I don't know how old you are, but it's a common problem and gets worse with time. Nocturnal arousals can awaken us and if our mind is busy with problem-solving, that's about it for that night. Sore joints from lying too long on one side or improperly for your joints' condition (there are ways to lie on one's side so that hip joints don't get stretched too much and get sore). Obstructive sleep apnea is a big one, cardiac arrhythmias (those two hold hands a lot), kidney disease or disorders if you have to rise more than once or twice at night (as we age our pituitary glands secrete less ADH, anti-diuretic hormone, which helps the kidneys to use less water and pass it into the bladder). Rumination, doing compulsive behaviours, spending too long gaming or on other online pastimes, not enough exercise (even a 15 minute brisk walk twice a day does wonders).
Clearly there has been a change, even if unnoticed. It's up to you to figure it out and to convince yourself, with acceptance and motivation, that you can/cannot do something about it.
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2 Reactions@gloaming First, I’m an old fart 78, at least that’s what my son says.
I wake up every morning with a sure throat and, gross, drool all over my pillow. Acting as if diagnostician, to me it points to OSA, obstructive sleep apnea. Strange thing is I went to my pulmonologist and he said I no longer have OSA! Sorry but I don’t believe it! I think I’ll make a follow up appointment and te
Ll him his diagnosis is WRONG! So now it’s me against my Dr. Nice guy, so the battle won’t be too bloody. Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks for reading, and a HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!
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1 Reaction@dennismm - You made me smile! Thanks for the visual on on a short and not too bloody battle with your doctor at your upcoming appointment. I've had some fun disagreements with my primary cares over the years (82 now and hopefully a little wiser 🙃). One thing that has helped me with the doctor patient conversations is to plan my conversation before going to the appointment. I found this information on one of my favorite patient websites - https://www.patientrevolution.org/tools.
@gloaming In my last post I neglected to include some important information.
Let me give you a real world example of my problem.
I was up at 3:00 AM, and I realized I neglected to send some important information to a company I’ve been dealing with. So what does this dummy do? I grabbed my iPhone and I immediately typed a long email until 3:45 AM! So by that time I was fully awake and couldn’t sleep if you hit me on the head with a hammer!
Example number two:
I ordered some products from Amazon and realized they were defective. So once again, this dummy grabs his iPhone at 4;15 AM to request a return! Do you see a pattern here??
All I know is I can’t take it any more! I’m so tired during the day, but of course I could never nap, even as a child. I can’t live on 3-4 hours of sleep a night any more. Neurologist prescribed;
TRAZODONE
HYDROXYZINE PAMOATE
DIAZEPAM
TEMAZEPAM
It’s like taking placebos. Nothing, nada, zip. The HYDROXYZINE didn’t work but the entire next day I’m very lethargic. I have to struggle to do anything. Fell asleep at the dinner table and almost had my head in my mashed potatoes!!
So the neurologist, psychiatrist, GP and nurse practitioners could not help me! Hey I’ll go to a witch doctor if he helps me sleep!!
My Apple Watch just displayed a message saying the my sleep pattern was poor and it registered 3 hours of sleep!!
Guess I’ll make 3 phone calls today and call each one of them for the fourth time!! Someone has to have a solution, hopefully.
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2 Reactions@johnbishop
I come from an all medical family, and my Dad had a sign hanging in each waiting room that said:
Want to save time? Prior to your appointment, write down all your questions so you don’t have to call back and say “ oh I forgot to ask you something.”
He was the smartest man I’ve ever known. My Mother used to say:
“Your father has more degrees than a thermometer.”
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3 Reactions@fourleaf
Wow sorry to hear about your problems! I hope you get better soon!!!
I guess I’m lucky as no headaches, no pain. Just jump up at 4;00 AM to send emails. Driving me crazy!!!
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2 Reactions@dennismm does your watch have a sleep apnea detection option, my Samsung watch died. I know you said your doctor told you that you no longer have sleep apnea but worth a try. Have you tried any supplementals like magnesium. A friend has tried everything and is having luck with magnesium lotion she rubs in (she said bottom of feet works best) before bed. Just some thoughts.
Thanks!
Yes I take magnesium supplement. Never heard of magnesium cream though. If I didn’t know any better I’d think it was a joke.
@dennismm Once again you made me smile 🙂. At 82 I make my nightly trips once or twice to the bathroom and I see that stupid iPhone sitting on my night stand next to my bed when I get back. I hate to admit it but my worries haven't been as bad as yours but I do pick up the phone and check for messages even though I turn off the ringer at night when I go to bed.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to listen Dr. Edward Creagan at a Mayo Clinic social media seminar in a small breakout meeting. He gave me a sleep tip which has helped both me and my wife even though it's sometimes a struggle - set a regular sleep schedule and stick to it. Doesn't mean I fall asleep right away but I am in bed at the same time every night and I get up every morning at the same time (5am) which I've always done since my daughter brought home her first cat - no need for an alarm clock and I don't know why they know it's 5am before I do! Here's an older (2015) newsfeed article and video from with Dr. Creagan that may provide some suggestions if you haven't already tried them:
-- How to Cope in a Troubled World:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-cope-in-a-troubled-world/