Posted by brian on July 02, 2008 at 18:51:55:

First time post here.
For approx the last 20 years I've had issues with sleep. Just started one day when I was 20 something. Throughout the years I've tried various medications (including natural) and some work for a while and others did not. For a long period I was on remeron/serzone combo that worked great until I had odd increases in my white blood cell count so I stopped taking that.

Currently I'm on 50mg DOXEPIN per night and I mix in through out the week some FLURAZEPAM (7 to 10mg). I don't think the Doxepin is doing anything but the Flurazepam does knock me out. My avg sleep M-F is about 5 hours at best per night. By Thursday/Friday I cannot be social after work due to the feeling terrible. The toll lack of sleep takes on the family is also an issue.

Doctor wise the advice over the years hasn't been so good. At one point I did all of the research and the Doctor prescribed what I wanted- I don't see this person anymore. My current Doc seems stifled and not sure how to cope with me. He sent me to a sleep center for an interview but after that they suggested my issue isn't related to physical (like Apnea) but something mental- which is probably right.

At night I do get wondering thoughts that creep in when I'm about to fall asleep. This awakens me and makes it hard to relax. The other thing that brothers me is morning headaches. I typically get them daily.

I've followed all sort of suggestions even I exercise 3 to 5 times per week. This helps wear me out but often I exercise when I'm tired in the first place.

I'm not sure what type of suggestions folks can give me here but I'm open to reading anything. I plan to seek out yet another doctor soon. For me it's getting to the point where I'm about to write a document about my issue and solicit several doctors for bids. May sound crazy but I've learned not all doctors are the same especially when it comes to giving advice about sleep related issues. Some just waste your time for the $$

-b

Follow Ups:

• Re: Chronic Sleeping Problems notsleepingagain 16:20 7/03/08 (1)
  • Re: Chronic Sleeping Problems brian 11:40 7/04/08 (0)
• Re: Chronic Sleeping Problems Natural1 08:51 7/03/08 (0)

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