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Posted by toaph on July 28, 2000 at 13:30:51:I'm looking for some advice. I had a sleep test a couple years ago. I did have some sleep-onset REM during my MSLT, which I guess qualifies me for Narcolepsy. I have no other symptoms (cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, etc). The real revelation of the sleep test, though, was that my sleep never dropped below phase 2. This explained why no matter how much sleep I got I was always tired. I've read a lot about Narcolepsy and other disorders, but I never hear much about my flavor of non-restorative sleep.
I have not tried any medication yet, because my doctor told me to stop drinking, smoking, etc. before trying any meds. During brief periods of sobriety in this time, I would find that the less I was using substances, the more I would dream, and the more frequently I would wake up during the night. It was as if the chemical veil was lifted revealing the true nature of my disturbed sleep. Still, I would be somewhat less tired during the day than when I was using.
I've finally had some luck with more consistent, prolonged sobriety. This time, however, the sleep has not changed the way it had in other, more brief periods of sobriety. The chemical veil does not seem to be lifting. The few dreams I do have remain hazy and muted, although I still wake up a lot during the night (especially early morning hours). What has changed, unfortunately, is that I'm experiencing pretty severe insomnia. When I lie down, despite the fact that I'm desperately tired, I often can't fall asleep (1-2 hours awake in bed is not uncommon). If I'm lucky enough to fall asleep promptly, I usually wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep (usually awake an hour or so). On really bad nights I can't fall asleep AND wake up and can't get back to sleep. Even if I am lucky enough to fall asleep promptly and not have any prolonged awakenings during the night, I am still very, very tired the next day.
I had hoped that sobriety would improve my sleep enough that I would not need medications, but that isn't the way things are turning out. I have tried some acupuncture and herbal treatments and have found it to make no difference whatsoever. I am thinking of going back to my Dr and asking to try some meds. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what to try. I was initially interested in Provigil, which might help me be more alert and productive during the day, but now I'm starting to think more about sleep aids. It just gets so very difficult to lie awake for so long virtually every night. My mind gets to obsessing on how much I hate this disorder, and I have some frankly dark and ugly thoughts I'd rather not describe.
I'm really not feeling very good about my situation these days. Things seem so hopeless, like I'm searching for help that just doesn't exist. If anyone has any advice on how to improve my situation, with meds or other means, please let me know. Thanks.
-- Toaph
- Re: non-restorative sleep - need help PHILIP 20:23 7/31/00 (0)
- Re: non-restorative sleep - need help PHILIP 15:09 7/29/00 (0)
- Re: non-restorative sleep - need help Pat 10:28 7/29/00 (0)
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