I have been suffering with insomnia for many years intermittently, but the last 4 years has been awful. I don’t sleep a minute 2-5 days a week. If I sleep, it’s generally 1.5-3 hours until the one night I crash for about 5-8. The awful or probably good thing is that I actually don’t get tired. I can get a lot done if needed and my CMP and Depression don’t interfere in my productivity. It’s a terrible feeling though, I can usually tell by early afternoon if I’ll be sleeping that night.
The longest I’ve gone within sleep is 11 days. Some may not believe this, but I assure you I saw every single second of those days. I’d look at the clock and the minute hadn’t even changed. It was hell, and I did start acting a bit psychotic toward the end. The most annoying thing about this is later that year I heard that a man had broken the Guinness Book of World Records for days without sleep! Guess his record??! Yep! 11 days, But, he had family and friends over 24/7 with games and food and just a great big party to keep him awake. I say I did it the real way. I might just have to do that again to maybe say I have accomplished something in my life.
Well, I don’t want to go overboard here. I just know your frustration and how demoralizing it can be when I know I’ve tried everything legal, several different MDs and nothing works at all. I’m here to listen, advice as I’m able. I’m an RN and enjoy researching things in the wee hours, so questions are great too! Thanks for having me, I look forward to hearing from some of you! M
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maaslider
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Being an RN, do you think your workload during the day might be making you overtired so that at night when it comes to sleeping you just can't, or are you hyped up with tons of energy? Because that may be mania. If so, that can come with bi-polar types and can last days or even weeks at a time. You can usually get a lot done during this episode but it is like haphazard, in a way where you start one project and move onto something different before finishing your original task. You can also make rash decisions during a manic episode that usually you regret later on. I have hypomania (with rapid cycling) which is a lesser version of full blown mania. The fact that you don't tire out makes me lean towards this guess. I would suggest talking with your doctor and perhaps they can either prescribe you a sleep medicine or bi-polar medicine depending on your diagnosis. I have insomnia issues as well (all my life) but I am restless and get overtired easily but am also depressed so I don't have the energy to get much accomplished. I sleep at most 3 hours at a time and then can't sleep any longer. I also have nightmares that wake me up and I can't fall back asleep. I wish you well with your sleeping issue, fellow nightowl.
Welcome! I think you might like the support of the people at this site. My story is very similar to yours. I wonder if you aren't also bipolar? I changed and became bipolar II about 3 years ago and have had insomnia ever since then. The longest I have gone without sleep is 5 days, thank God!
Similar to you, I can function well and get a lot done, not feeling impaired on those days. Should I have a day I feel impaired in any way, I don't drive and try to go to sleep to avoid any mishaps around the home. My long days fully awake and fully alert have morphed into shorter days with 3-4 hrs. sleep and then the balance of my days full of trying to get my work done and falling asleep with my face planted in my paperwork...very frustrating!! And it's very hard to compose poetry or essays etc., draw or illustrate when you're only half awake...hard to do a quality job half awake. Inspiration and excitement don't usually flourish in that air!!
Bye, love & hugs!! Sue
Hi and welcome to our community.
Sleep is not only about whether you feel tired or are able to function. Our sleep hours are when the body has the chance to repair and regenerate. The inability to do that may build up problems for the future.
Hi Maaslider - This is the same message I posted to Hollick:
Unfortunately, insomnia is a huge problem for many of us. In my case it can be caused by a lot of things, but some of the things I do help:
- First, I take Lunesta. Without that I would never sleep.
- Second, I take Clonidine (it is a blood pressure med with a one off use for Restless Leg Syndrome). I will also use Voltaren gel for RLS if the Clonidine is not enough
- If I am still having issues (like during a full moon), I take L-Tryptophan, Melatonin and or Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc
- I take most wireless electronics out of my bedroom - no cell phone, handheld landline, no tablets, etc.
- I keep the blinds closed and the curtains are room-darkening to keep it as dark in there as possible
- Try to keep my covers and clothing consistent with whatever I am feeling... I tend to perspire a lot, so much of the time I have to keep everything cotton and light
- As Ruby says, I also found out that I have severe sleep hypopnea, and was actually getting really sick until they found it. This alone has been a constant battle to get the masks right, the ramp right, etc. After 9 months I am almost there now 😊. But this is something you might research and talk to your doc about if it looks like that might be an issue for you. I really do sleep much better now.
Most of that helps quite a bit. Good luck with getting yours under control!
After reading all these entries and the input from many I would like to hear the rest of the story.........Bi-Polar has a flip side, what is that like?
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