Can't fall asleep
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Can't fall asleep

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Posted by wolverine on July 23, 2007 at 06:55:30:

New poster. My problem is I can't fall asleep. I just lie there in a fug. It's not that I feel stressed or my mind is racing -- I'm so tired my mind is more like sludge, sort of dazed and empty (Lunesta doesn't help with the spacey feeling). Anyway, that little switch in my head that sends me to sleep won't go off. I've tried getting up and doing something else to reset the switch -- although it's difficult as I am so dazed it's impossible to concentrate on reading or a computer screen -- with no success. Basically if I don't fall asleep within the first hour, I'm toast for the whole night.
The funny thing is, if I do fall asleep, I invariably sleep like a baby. Indeed I have a hard time waking even after 10 hours deep sleep.
The problem started abruptly about 3 months ago while on holiday in Europe. I felt like a had no sleep for 6 days, and has continued since I have returned. Now it's seriously impacting my life and scaring me.
Questions:
My doctor thinks the sleep thing is a symptom of depression or anxiety. But I can honestly say I'm a fundementally happy, relaxed person. Is there a chance my problem is physiological rather than psychological, ie the chemical switch in my brain really is damaged?
My doctor prescribed Lunesta, but it has become less and less effective. I've already tried cutting out caffeine and alcohol, with no success. If I'm going to take drugs I feel like I need a narcotic not a hypnotic (I'm spacey enough from lack of sleep), something to knock me out and get me past the horrid hump of actually falling asleep—the chemical equivalent of a stiff gin and tonic. Actually a stiff gin and tonic + 3 mg Lunesta is the only thing I've had success with recently.
I hate taking the sleeping pills, but every time I don't take them (or try to reduce the dosage, even to 2 MG lunesta) I don't sleep. Given my 6 day no-sleep hell in Europe, I am scared of going cold turkey and toughing it out -- especially as I feel nothing has fundementally changed in my condition.
Help!


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