Posted by geha on December 28, 2009 at 13:27:53:

In Reply to: A whole new level of exhaustion posted by rc9 on December 28, 2009 at 12:40:08:

I am in a similiar situation (and hence been posting a bit lately). Even if there are some psych components, we are medically ill and need help. I have had chronic insomnia, with better or worse stages, for 7 years. I have been averaging about 4.3 hours a night for the last 6 months, with a range of zero (no sleep) to 9. So I am in a rut badly now and have started a new talk therapy specialist in additition the the meds I take. (My MD has me me back on generic Ambien now- but 20 mg, but I have "went around the circle with different meds. The 20 mg seems to work better now, but I did think previously that 10 mg was the max you should go)

As for discipline, it seems as if you already have a bit because you keep plowing through this.

As much as I hated to do it, I talked with my doctor, and soon received Family Medical Leave (FML) benefits to deal with work. I get an extra 5 "sick days" for incapacitation due to insomia. At first I was worried about getting fired when my last bad rut came. It had not shown to my boss (yet), but I knew that too often I came in and worked when I was less than half there mentally. Gross misinformation to a client to cost could me my job. If that was not a wake up call, the possibility of getting into a car wreck going to or from work and having a bigger problem was. You have to be at your current job for a year to receive FML benefits and if you work for a very small company you may not qualify.

Getting back to discpline- I think that you need to redirect it. Instead of using it to attempt to stay afloat, refocus. If you can do ANYTHING about your work situation: FML, or new or different job, (or quit if you can), then do so. If work is a huge stressor, then it must be dealt with in any way that you can.

As for other stuff: I have never know anyone personally to benefit froma sleep study whose insomnia was not physically caused. Perhaps see a therapist if you are not, or another if you are. Most give you some homework- tracking your sleep, daily activities, etc.

I don't really have any "answers"; only hope for you, I, and the countless other sufferers out there.

Follow Ups:

• Re: A whole new level of exhaustion rc9 08:31 12/29/09 (1)
  • Re: A whole new level of exhaustion geha 12:24 12/30/09 (0)

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