Insomnia Check-In 12/20/15

[Deleted]

Welcome to the insomnia check-in. Things have been a little hectic so I apologize for the delay in starting a new one this month.

If you would like to be added to this check-ins, please send me a PM so that I can tag you in the future. (Please let me know if I am missing anyone)
mama2a @led runnergirl812 2kiddos oreille Ray lo95 @ummaggie2

*We encourage all who are currently struggling with or recovering/recovered from insomnia to join us.*


1. Are you a current, recovering or recovered insomnia sufferer?

2. Did you always suffer from insomnia or was there a trigger?

3. What are you doing to treat or cope? Is it working?

4. Any major break-through lately that has helped you sleep.

This month's I have included an FYI from The National Sleep Foundation.

[oreille]

OMG.

For months now, my pattern is: If I take benadryl, I sleep through the night (at least 6-7 hours at a strech). If I do not take benadryl, I wake up sometime between 1:30 and 3:30am. Every night, without fail. I'm up for several hours, and then usually fall back asleep between 5:00 and 7:00 (if it's a day I work, I get up at 6:45 to start getting ready).

No racing thoughts or hypomanic symptoms. I'm just. . .awake. . .as if my body is ready to be up for the day. But, to be honest, I take benadryl every 3rd night or so, because that much chronic sleep deprivation would bring symptoms on eventually.

I take the benadryl because it is on my ob's "safe list". I don't have another long term solution. The OB and PCP refer to the psychiatrist because I have a psych diagnosis, and the psychiatrist refuses to prescribe anything because I'm pregnant. I don't *want* to take any meds anyway, but I *do* want to sleep at night. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Deleted]

Dec 22, 2015 3:09:55 GMT -5 oreille said:

OMG.

I take the benadryl because it is on my ob's "safe list". I don't have another long term solution. The OB and PCP refer to the psychiatrist because I have a psych diagnosis, and the psychiatrist refuses to prescribe anything because I'm pregnant. I don't *want* to take any meds anyway, but I *do* want to sleep at night. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

This is pretty much me, too. I'm sorry you're dealing with that and I hope you're able to get some sleep soon.

[Deleted]

1. Are you a current, recovering or recovered insomnia sufferer? Current.

2. Did you always suffer from insomnia or was there a trigger? Always.

3. What are you doing to treat or cope? Is it working? I've done just about everything short of drugs I shouldn't be taking and nothing is working.

4. Any major break-through lately that has helped you sleep? I wish. I need to set up an appointment with my psychiatrist because I feel like I'll end up inpatient soon if something doesn't change.

[Deleted]

3 am, still awake. Got home from second job around 1:30.
My full time gig had a last minute time change. Start time was 11 and now we're looking at 9 am. ugh

[Deleted]

How is everyone doing this week? Everyone getting a good night's sleep?

[Deleted]

Jan 3, 2016 0:40:40 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

How is everyone doing this week? Everyone getting a good night's sleep?

I've been surprisingly sleeping alright the last couple nights, unfortunately, I think it's only because I've been so sick my body just can't handle it. I still wake up for like 6 hours in the middle of the night, but at least I'm able to nap again in the morning.

What about you? How's your week been going?

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2016 0:16:00 GMT -5 @led said:

Jan 3, 2016 0:40:40 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

How is everyone doing this week? Everyone getting a good night's sleep?

I've been surprisingly sleeping alright the last couple nights, unfortunately, I think it's only because I've been so sick my body just can't handle it. I still wake up for like 6 hours in the middle of the night, but at least I'm able to nap again in the morning.

What about you? How's your week been going?

Up and down. I slept until noon yesterday. Sometimes if the room is too cold I just can't get out of bed. It doesn't help that MH keeps the ceiling fan on in an already cold room.

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2016 9:58:16 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Jan 4, 2016 0:16:00 GMT -5 @led said:

I've been surprisingly sleeping alright the last couple nights, unfortunately, I think it's only because I've been so sick my body just can't handle it. I still wake up for like 6 hours in the middle of the night, but at least I'm able to nap again in the morning.

What about you? How's your week been going?

Up and down. I slept until noon yesterday. Sometimes if the room is too cold I just can't get out of bed. It doesn't help that MH keeps the ceiling fan on in an already cold room.

Ugh my husband does the ceiling fan thing too. He tosses and turns like crazy without it though, so still bothers my sleep. We moved the bed and did some tweaking with the blades, so at least the fan isn't directly blowing cold air into my face.

My sleep has been all over the place. I still have trouble falling asleep at night, with most of the sleeping happening early morning. I've been very lucky with kids who sleep in. My oldest (5) gets dressed and plays in his room until he gets bored, and my almost 2 year old has always been morning sleeper. 5 year old also has afternoon classes, so I don't have to worry about not waking up on time. We initially wanted a morning class but it was full. The afternoon class has been a god-send for my insomnia induced anxiety, however. I hope my sleep is improved by fall, since all students start early in the morning in kindergarten.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2016 0:28:06 GMT -5 @ummaggie2 said:

Jan 4, 2016 9:58:16 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Up and down. I slept until noon yesterday. Sometimes if the room is too cold I just can't get out of bed. It doesn't help that MH keeps the ceiling fan on in an already cold room.

Ugh my husband does the ceiling fan thing too. He tosses and turns like crazy without it though, so still bothers my sleep. We moved the bed and did some tweaking with the blades, so at least the fan isn't directly blowing cold air into my face.

My sleep has been all over the place. I still have trouble falling asleep at night, with most of the sleeping happening early morning. I've been very lucky with kids who sleep in. My oldest (5) gets dressed and plays in his room until he gets bored, and my almost 2 year old has always been morning sleeper. 5 year old also has afternoon classes, so I don't have to worry about not waking up on time. We initially wanted a morning class but it was full. The afternoon class has been a god-send for my insomnia induced anxiety, however. I hope my sleep is improved by fall, since all students start early in the morning in kindergarten.

I completely understand the early morning wake up issues. I'm actually working my ideal schedule right now (11-7) and it has been great. I start a revolving schedule mid-February which involves a 7-3 shift. I am dreading that so much.

[Deleted]

@wallieflowers, hopefully you'll be able to adjust relatively easily. I'm just going to enjoy my/kids' schedule for now.

I really really want to start working again, but I want a very flexible schedule which isn't easy to find. I really don't want to do the kids' drop offs at 6:45am and rush to pick them up on time like I used to. That was a big stressor in my life which contributed to worsening insomnia. But I miss working, interacting with co-workers and the challenge.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2016 14:32:22 GMT -5 @ummaggie2 said:

@wallieflowers, hopefully you'll be able to adjust relatively easily. I'm just going to enjoy my/kids' schedule for now.

I really really want to start working again, but I want a very flexible schedule which isn't easy to find. I really don't want to do the kids' drop offs at 6:45am and rush to pick them up on time like I used to. That was a big stressor in my life which contributed to worsening insomnia. But I miss working, interacting with co-workers and the challenge.

What about doing something part time?

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2016 9:20:55 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Jan 11, 2016 14:32:22 GMT -5 @ummaggie2 said:

@wallieflowers, hopefully you'll be able to adjust relatively easily. I'm just going to enjoy my/kids' schedule for now.

I really really want to start working again, but I want a very flexible schedule which isn't easy to find. I really don't want to do the kids' drop offs at 6:45am and rush to pick them up on time like I used to. That was a big stressor in my life which contributed to worsening insomnia. But I miss working, interacting with co-workers and the challenge.

What about doing something part time?

Even part time in my field (law) really isn't part time. You are still expected to answer calls and emails and go to court if a hearing is scheduled on your off day. I've had a few colleagues regret going part time because their salary is slashed in half yet their working hours aren't. Plus you are expected to do everything family related on your off day and get side eyed for taking a day off. It's awful. If I go into something other than law, then it would be a career switch and I don't know if whatever I am making part time would cover the daycare costs for my two kids. I know that there are more daycare/school options once my youngest is eligible for 2 year old classes. I know I just have to wait a bit - but it's driving me crazy meanwhile.

[melissanikiforak]

Hi my name is Melissa. Have suffered with chronic insomnia for years. Have a 2 month old and my insomnia is worse than ever. Needing some help!

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2016 21:15:58 GMT -5 melissanikiforak said:

Hi my name is Melissa. Have suffered with chronic insomnia for years. Have a 2 month old and my insomnia is worse than ever. Needing some help!

Welcome! And congrats on your baby! Sorry you are suffering from insomnia too. I had on and off insomnia before, but got really bad after I had my second child. Have you talked to your doctor about it yet? I feel like I waited too long before seeking help and nothing helped at that point. I know how awful it is to be exhausted but can't rest.

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2016 21:15:58 GMT -5 melissanikiforak said:

Hi my name is Melissa. Have suffered with chronic insomnia for years. Have a 2 month old and my insomnia is worse than ever. Needing some help!

Welcome Melissa. I'm Wallie, one of the MW mods. I also run the insomnia check-in.

Congrats on the new little one, i'm so sorry your insomnia has worsened.

I also encourage you to read our welcome post pinned to the top of the board.