Severe Insomnia: How do people make it with so little sleep?

My wife's psychiatrist diagnosed her over 40 years ago, with schizoaffective disease, takes an anti-psychotic med daily, that totally controls episodes... however, it seems to have given her insomnia and sever depression. Over the years she has tried numerous meds, some that worked, and then some that didn't. As she went without quality sleep, her depression worsened. About 20 years ago, she would take Deseryl/Trasodone with a Dalmane... worked well for about 10 years, and she was happy. Then either both meds stopped working for her, and or the generics weren't as good as the brand, she was then switched to just Temazapam/Restoril for sleep and depression... with Xanax .25mg, on an as needed, no more than 3/day, basis. Again, worked in the beginning, 10 years ago... but kept needing more and now, she understands that the side effects, for her it's nausea with dry heaves, come from taking to much Temazapam, 60mg, or from having too little in her system. I am trying, with her dr,, to gradually get her back to only taking 30mg. She wants to try TMS for the depression, hoping that a major mood change, may give her life meaning and purpose, along with restorative sleep, but will not start the TMS until the nausea and dry heaves are gone. This has been her experiences, just wanted to share her path.

@paulalina

I am inspired by your comments about meditation & yoga. My wife and I have talked about it but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I think it is time. Can you recommend what type of yoga/meditation works for you ? We are both arthritic, 73 & 71 yrs old. I'm very inflexible and want to improve in this area.

Thanks in advance,
Gary

@cmd

Curious, our 35 yr old son has severe insomnia and does not sleep. He maybe gets 1 hr, some nights 0, and on a good night 3-4. No pattern to what nights he gets some sleep or none at all. Tried all kinds of meds and talked to many professionals. Nothing works. About ready to start Dr Steve Orma's CBT-I program. Feedback we have read is that it is hard to follow and stay disciplined. Anyone have any personal feedback ? Other proven solutions that help when really not sleeping at all ?

Thx,
GRL

@lamberg1
I have suffered from severe insomnia for over 25 years. What has not worked for me: 2 evaluations by “sleep specialist” physicians, instructional sessions with a “sleep expert”, a variety of medications. What has helped but not solved my insomnia: increased exercise per week (3 Pickleball, hour Pilates, hour yoga), sleep mask, walking around, a small bowl of cereal (1-2 PM), some nights valium 5mg or trazodone 25mg one hour before bedtime, listening to a mildly interesting audiobooks.

I can tell you first hand, it can be difficult. I would encourage a sleep study, as I was mis diagnosed for years. My MCV and MCH labs were off for 10 years prior to my OSA diagnosis. Those labs are directly related to blood oxygen levels and no other MD seemed to know that! No MD ever suggested a se sleep study because I’m otherwise healthy. However, I was born with a narrow airway and it doesn’t take much for the tongue to block it. I’ve also adopted practices of meditation, mindfulness, grounding, etc. , which I desperately needed. I hope this helps!

Just a couple lines about the lack of sleep. I know the reason why my lack of sleep happened, but what good does that do me? It has been 25 years of this problem, but I have accepted taking some kind of pill to get the maximum sleep. Will someone tell me if the problem is still there if you are taking a pill? Is it possible to take a drug without it working? I know these things are NOT good for anyone, but neither is a lack of sleep. Which is the worst? Does a person's age enter in to the good or bad factor? Are pills worse than the lack of sleep? The most I can sleep WITH a pill is 4 7 1/2 hours. Without a pill I am up absolutely for 2 and 1/2 nights... 'cause I fold after that. We do not talk about how long it takes to go to sleep. I guess if we sleep at all (we problem sleepers) we feel lucky! Well, like in other situations, misery likes company! This is a helpful site!!

@lamberg1
Try Somatic Yoga. There are several kinds, but any one of them should do. A qualified yoga instructor is a must.