fellow insomniacs?
- Thread starter Kye
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Howdy 
during a while in the wee earily hours...i was not doing much. i went too sleep around 3:30am and now its 8:50am.
im awake so much longer then i sleep. but, i feel terrible for it. i dont take anything for it since the doctor thought prozac would help, probably thought that the insomnia was somthing from depression. but, you cant convince a doctor who thinks your depressed that your actually a very happy person!
all the lack of sleep creeps up on me, and for about 2 days ill just sleep. then another month of sleepless nights. i dont have the luxury of work or school at the moment so its ok. so instead i ca dedicate this day too RAM. and hopefully with google, and these forums ill be getting my 1GB.
im awake so much longer then i sleep. but, i feel terrible for it. i dont take anything for it since the doctor thought prozac would help, probably thought that the insomnia was somthing from depression. but, you cant convince a doctor who thinks your depressed that your actually a very happy person!
all the lack of sleep creeps up on me, and for about 2 days ill just sleep. then another month of sleepless nights. i dont have the luxury of work or school at the moment so its ok. so instead i ca dedicate this day too RAM. and hopefully with google, and these forums ill be getting my 1GB.
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Kye,
I too suffer from bouts of insomnia and am awake till wee hours wondering why I cannot sleep. It has to do with the lifestyle I guess and everyone has different problems. Some are too energetic, some worry too much some are depressed so on and so forth. I am not a doctor (though my sife is) so will not prescribe anything in terms of medication
I am not sure how old you are, however, one of the simplest things one can do is excercise a bit which will induce sleep in normal cases. Anyway, it would be too remature to assume everything on my part.
We are here to help people in need but this is the most unusual problem for a RC Review site.
KGB: Yes you are absolutely correct about the meaning of insomnia.
I too suffer from bouts of insomnia and am awake till wee hours wondering why I cannot sleep. It has to do with the lifestyle I guess and everyone has different problems. Some are too energetic, some worry too much some are depressed so on and so forth. I am not a doctor (though my sife is) so will not prescribe anything in terms of medication
I am not sure how old you are, however, one of the simplest things one can do is excercise a bit which will induce sleep in normal cases. Anyway, it would be too remature to assume everything on my part.
We are here to help people in need but this is the most unusual problem for a RC Review site.
KGB: Yes you are absolutely correct about the meaning of insomnia.
personally, there is somthing which caused all the insomnia. but that was a long, long time ago. and also its sorted now. i use too sleep for about 4 hours, at around 11am, and wake up a little bit later, then up all night. eventually i never saw the light of day, since trying too sort my sleep out, caused me too sleep alot more, but only in the day. so, my day was then waking up at 5pm, and sleeping at 8am.
now, since work is a possibility, i have been trying too have a normal sleep pattern. but i cant sleep if im not tired. i go too bed at 3am. and normally wake up at 10am because somone will leave the light on, and the budgee we have will churp away. right now, im so, so tired. it ruins my day since im not good for much and being lethargic at everything because im too tired too anything.
sooo...after this last cup of tea im off too bed. im taking a distent learning computer technician course soon! after a year of stagnation and hermit lifestyle, its a welcome turn-around in my life.
im a pc enthusiast with a deep interest in religion and philosophy...and gaming. and thats about it
im 18, turned 18 three days ago! sorry if theres any spellings.
now, since work is a possibility, i have been trying too have a normal sleep pattern. but i cant sleep if im not tired. i go too bed at 3am. and normally wake up at 10am because somone will leave the light on, and the budgee we have will churp away. right now, im so, so tired. it ruins my day since im not good for much and being lethargic at everything because im too tired too anything.
sooo...after this last cup of tea im off too bed. im taking a distent learning computer technician course soon! after a year of stagnation and hermit lifestyle, its a welcome turn-around in my life.
im a pc enthusiast with a deep interest in religion and philosophy...and gaming. and thats about it
im 18, turned 18 three days ago! sorry if theres any spellings.
Hi every one my name is Andy,
six years ago my mum had a car crash where a young man was killed, two weeks after the accident my mum had her first epileptic fit which was very scary for her and for my family since then my mum has suffered from long periods of depression that have led to insomnia. My mum’s lack of sleep effects her in all sorts of ways consequently the whole family has suffered along with my mother and has put massive strain on my father. For the past six years I have become encapsulated with the cause and effects of insomnia to the individual and the family I am in my last year of a degree studying screen production and I am looking for an individual who suffers from insomnia but to a higher level of severity to follow and observe over a month period. My reasons for the documentary are I know how such a condition can affect some ones life and it is incredibly upsetting, I feel the need to bring awareness to a condition that receives very little recognition in today’s society there fore very little sympathy is given to those who suffer. At the moment I am in the research stage of this documentary and am simply looking for people to talk to or for people to me in touch with friends of family who suffer from such a horrible condition so any feed back would be fantastic.
Thank you for your time
Best wishes
Andy Smith
Producer
Gass Productions
six years ago my mum had a car crash where a young man was killed, two weeks after the accident my mum had her first epileptic fit which was very scary for her and for my family since then my mum has suffered from long periods of depression that have led to insomnia. My mum’s lack of sleep effects her in all sorts of ways consequently the whole family has suffered along with my mother and has put massive strain on my father. For the past six years I have become encapsulated with the cause and effects of insomnia to the individual and the family I am in my last year of a degree studying screen production and I am looking for an individual who suffers from insomnia but to a higher level of severity to follow and observe over a month period. My reasons for the documentary are I know how such a condition can affect some ones life and it is incredibly upsetting, I feel the need to bring awareness to a condition that receives very little recognition in today’s society there fore very little sympathy is given to those who suffer. At the moment I am in the research stage of this documentary and am simply looking for people to talk to or for people to me in touch with friends of family who suffer from such a horrible condition so any feed back would be fantastic.
Thank you for your time
Best wishes
Andy Smith
Producer
Gass Productions
cirianz
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It's not actually insomnia but is something to look into if you are preparing a doco. A number of studies over the last few years have found that, as a result of hormonal & metabolic changes most people experience major sleep pattern changes between the onset of puberty untill somewhere between the ages 20-25yo. During this period the sleep pattern shifts so that the body's natural sleep period is between 3+am & 11+/- am. since few jobs & schools fit in around this most people during this time span of 10 or more years spend most of their time highly fatigued as a result of a combination of sleep deprivation & 'insomnia' I believe in one of the articles I read it did refer to a school that had adjusted it's 'open hours' somewhat to fit in with this, however, & had been quite stunned at the results. Even students who had been basically written off by their teachers experienced major improvements in performance & comprehension & significant improvements in their grades. I'm afraid, however, that I only followed these articles out of personal interest at the time (having experienced a similar phenomenon myself) & never kept track of Journel & article references sorry. But it is not particularly obscure research, if it relates to your documentary it shouldn't be too hard to find.
As a side note, I developed Epilepsy when I was 14yo if you wish to talk about it or want any information about dealing with the physical &/or psychological consequences then I'd be only too happy to help in any way I can. The causes of your mother's depression could be chemical (I would need to know more about what type of seizures & what medications she is on) or it could be a result of trying to deal with the beliefs & assumptions about what it means to have epilepsy & the changes in her personal expectations for how her life was going to be & the loss of many freedoms & choices, including that of control over her own body, which she once took for granted. It's a very complex situation & as you said, very stressful, but not one that can't be dealt with. If I can be of any help, just drop me a PM & let me know
.
As a side note, I developed Epilepsy when I was 14yo if you wish to talk about it or want any information about dealing with the physical &/or psychological consequences then I'd be only too happy to help in any way I can. The causes of your mother's depression could be chemical (I would need to know more about what type of seizures & what medications she is on) or it could be a result of trying to deal with the beliefs & assumptions about what it means to have epilepsy & the changes in her personal expectations for how her life was going to be & the loss of many freedoms & choices, including that of control over her own body, which she once took for granted. It's a very complex situation & as you said, very stressful, but not one that can't be dealt with. If I can be of any help, just drop me a PM & let me know
.doco
thank you very much for your information, its nice to listen to some one who knows what there talking about as I said before I am really trying to meet a subject who suffers with greater severity than my mother to progress my research (talking to people is the best form of research) I know its a long shot but can you put me in touch with any one who suffers badly from insomnia and the related conditions. Would they be willing to meet me for a chat or even a phone call/forum message? I have been trawling chat rooms and forums for some time now and I really want to find what I am looking for can you help or do you know any where or any one that can!?
Thanks again Andy
thank you very much for your information, its nice to listen to some one who knows what there talking about as I said before I am really trying to meet a subject who suffers with greater severity than my mother to progress my research (talking to people is the best form of research) I know its a long shot but can you put me in touch with any one who suffers badly from insomnia and the related conditions. Would they be willing to meet me for a chat or even a phone call/forum message? I have been trawling chat rooms and forums for some time now and I really want to find what I am looking for can you help or do you know any where or any one that can!?
Thanks again Andy
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I've never had a problem sleeping, guess I'm lucky.
It does get a little awkward though if I haven't had at least a little bit of physical exertion during the day.
I usually sleep about 6 hours a night but once every ten days or so I'll sleep straight through 9 or 10 hours.
My erratic work schedule means I keep different hours to most folks, which means I may go to bed anywhere between 11pm and 4am.
If there's one thing that virtually guarantees a good night's kip it's, er, well, let's just say it takes two
And contrary to popular belief, a skinful o booze will not give you a long restful night's sleep. That's in my experience anyway, I get a much better night's sleep if I go to bed sober. The hooch may knock you out, but it will be a disturbed slumber.
Took me a long time to realise that as well, was I ever surprised
It does get a little awkward though if I haven't had at least a little bit of physical exertion during the day.
I usually sleep about 6 hours a night but once every ten days or so I'll sleep straight through 9 or 10 hours.
My erratic work schedule means I keep different hours to most folks, which means I may go to bed anywhere between 11pm and 4am.
If there's one thing that virtually guarantees a good night's kip it's, er, well, let's just say it takes two
And contrary to popular belief, a skinful o booze will not give you a long restful night's sleep. That's in my experience anyway, I get a much better night's sleep if I go to bed sober. The hooch may knock you out, but it will be a disturbed slumber.
Took me a long time to realise that as well, was I ever surprised
Too true, I have spent several years trying in vain to disprove this belief, but no matter how hard I try to research the thesis with varying levels of liver saturation, the statement always holds true.floppybootstomp said:Hooch may knock you out, but it will be a disturbed slumber.
Took me a long time to realise that as well, was I ever surprised
Time for more research, anyone care to join me?
cirianz
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Andy I'll happily help all that I can and am quite happy to talk about anything that I've learned from my own experience or from the studies I've made both in Neuro psychology (this subject was of significant personal interest to me as you can guess) and what personal study I've made of this feild in Neurology.
I experience 4 different types of seizures and for years suffered significant depression & a combination of insomnia & sleep deprivation and there is no doubt at all that it put tremendous stress on my marrige. Not however the seizures themselves, after the first couple my partner was very pragmatic about them, but the side-effects, both of the medications and of comming to terms with the Epilepsy itself.
One thing that is very hard to remember & to deal with on a daily basis is the side effects of the Epilepsy medications. It would help to know which specific medications she is on but all of them do have some features in common. One of the most significant in this case is that they are all, to some degree or another, sedatives. When this increase in the need to sleep is put in combination with a depression induced insommnia it can create a very nasty viscious circle! In addition some anti-epileptics are apetite stimulants & in addition, because they slow the metabolism, increase the storage of fat rather than conversion of intake to energy. This leaves the person feeling very lethargic and exhausted and also causes weight gain which contributes to depression. Epilim/sodium Valproate also causes a craving for salt to the point of addiction levels. This also contributes to weight gain. Even knowing this most women will never believe that such a gain is not their own fault & will blame themselves regardless.
Most anti-Epileptics also effect memory storage & retrieval to some degree or another. I myself remember very little of the year when my daughter was 4. It also effects cognitive processes. I developed Epilepsy in High School & when they started me on Epilim I went overnight, literally, from an 98% average in mathematics to a 67% average. I am also no longer able to play chess. I simply cannot think that way anymore. I can remember being able to think like that, but when I try it's like trying to tie my brain in knots & it just wont go. Another common side effect is decreased co-ordination. Sometimes a tremor may also develop. It is possible that your mother is more likely to bump into things, drop things & she may have trouble maintaining her balance, especially if she closes her eyes. They can also create what they call a "Clouding of the mind" which basically means that it gets harder to think & you lose track of your thoughts more easily. I suspect I had better continue this in another box, this is looking rather full.
I experience 4 different types of seizures and for years suffered significant depression & a combination of insomnia & sleep deprivation and there is no doubt at all that it put tremendous stress on my marrige. Not however the seizures themselves, after the first couple my partner was very pragmatic about them, but the side-effects, both of the medications and of comming to terms with the Epilepsy itself.
One thing that is very hard to remember & to deal with on a daily basis is the side effects of the Epilepsy medications. It would help to know which specific medications she is on but all of them do have some features in common. One of the most significant in this case is that they are all, to some degree or another, sedatives. When this increase in the need to sleep is put in combination with a depression induced insommnia it can create a very nasty viscious circle! In addition some anti-epileptics are apetite stimulants & in addition, because they slow the metabolism, increase the storage of fat rather than conversion of intake to energy. This leaves the person feeling very lethargic and exhausted and also causes weight gain which contributes to depression. Epilim/sodium Valproate also causes a craving for salt to the point of addiction levels. This also contributes to weight gain. Even knowing this most women will never believe that such a gain is not their own fault & will blame themselves regardless.
Most anti-Epileptics also effect memory storage & retrieval to some degree or another. I myself remember very little of the year when my daughter was 4. It also effects cognitive processes. I developed Epilepsy in High School & when they started me on Epilim I went overnight, literally, from an 98% average in mathematics to a 67% average. I am also no longer able to play chess. I simply cannot think that way anymore. I can remember being able to think like that, but when I try it's like trying to tie my brain in knots & it just wont go. Another common side effect is decreased co-ordination. Sometimes a tremor may also develop. It is possible that your mother is more likely to bump into things, drop things & she may have trouble maintaining her balance, especially if she closes her eyes. They can also create what they call a "Clouding of the mind" which basically means that it gets harder to think & you lose track of your thoughts more easily. I suspect I had better continue this in another box, this is looking rather full.
cirianz
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These are just some of the side effects of anti-epileptics in general, each medication also has specific side effects of it's own. I strongly recommend that you get her a copy of the "New Ethical" or some similar highly specific drug index. It is important to know what the side effects of any medication are in order to deal with them, but also it is vital to know the contraindications under which the medication must not be taken, It is highly unlikely that your Dr or a specialist will have a full record of your medical history in their head, & few have the time to read your file through in this day and age. Even more importantly it is important to know what the toxic levels of any medication are (One Dr put me 600mg above toxic level causing my liver to pack it in. It took over two years for it to recover enough for me to return to 'normal' functioning) and to know what the potential interactions are with other drugs. However qualified any Dr or Specialist might be they all make mistakes. The chemicals they are using are not trivial & she is the only one who's primary medical concern is herself. In addition increased knowledge is increased control and independance. A vital ingredient when fighting depression.
The most significant psychological causes of her depression are likely to be. Firstly, an ultimate Betrayal by her body. Not only has it betrayed her initially, but even if the seizures are gotten under control, she will never be able to fully trust it again. Furthermore it continues to betray her on a daily basis as she suddenly finds that even her own mind no longer functions as it once did. Also she will have lost many freedoms that she once took for granted. A big one is driving. In New Zealand it is required to go 5 years without a seizure to hold a drivers licence. I have never held one & I find it hugely frustrating to be DEPENDANT on the good will of other people to get about. To have had that freedom & suddenly lose it would be horrifically depressing. Very few people like to be dependant on other people & more & more she will be feeling trapped and helpless. For her to be feeling angry and depressed in such a situation is perfectly normal.
The most significant psychological causes of her depression are likely to be. Firstly, an ultimate Betrayal by her body. Not only has it betrayed her initially, but even if the seizures are gotten under control, she will never be able to fully trust it again. Furthermore it continues to betray her on a daily basis as she suddenly finds that even her own mind no longer functions as it once did. Also she will have lost many freedoms that she once took for granted. A big one is driving. In New Zealand it is required to go 5 years without a seizure to hold a drivers licence. I have never held one & I find it hugely frustrating to be DEPENDANT on the good will of other people to get about. To have had that freedom & suddenly lose it would be horrifically depressing. Very few people like to be dependant on other people & more & more she will be feeling trapped and helpless. For her to be feeling angry and depressed in such a situation is perfectly normal.
cirianz
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In addition she will be having to deal with the attitudes and misconceptions that most people, most likely including herself hold about epilepsy. I have encountered such a wide variety of such notions over the years that sometimes it staggers me, but the most common are that I am somehow... "Not quite right in the head" and another is that it is somehow 'contagious' as if they might somehow get 'contaminated' by being to close to me for too long. The chances are high that some of your mother's friends will have... disappeared. Also many people are simply afraid that I might have a seizure in front of them & they won't know what to do. In this case I usually just say "stick a pillow or the like under my head, move any furniture out of the way & just wait untill I've finished" Something casual like that reduces the 'fear of the unknown' to something almost ordinary & manageable. Also Your mother may be feeling ashamed of her Epilepsy & afraid to tell people. The possible causes of this are less easy to define but Learning to see it as simply a medical condition might help to overcome that.
Another factor she will likely be having to deal with will be the feeling that she can't or shouldn't do so many things that she used to do. When seizures are occuring very frequently much of this is just common sense, but as seizures come under control or are reduced in frequency then there is no reason why she cannot do most of the things she has always done. It is very easy to confine yourself to a box made of fear, but in the end we can all just as easily be killed crossing a road. I swim, go boating, ride my bike & once spent two seasons picking fruit up the top of 12 foot ladders. There will be some things she will not be able to do or will need to change the way she does them. But everybody has to live their life within the limits of their own abilities and circumstances. With or without the Epilepsy I would never have composed a symphony or played cricket for England. Those are not my gifts or circumstances. It is up to each one of us to find out what our limits & what our gifts are and live our lives the best we can within them. Often we find that they are far different from where we thought they were and they change constantly.
Another factor she will likely be having to deal with will be the feeling that she can't or shouldn't do so many things that she used to do. When seizures are occuring very frequently much of this is just common sense, but as seizures come under control or are reduced in frequency then there is no reason why she cannot do most of the things she has always done. It is very easy to confine yourself to a box made of fear, but in the end we can all just as easily be killed crossing a road. I swim, go boating, ride my bike & once spent two seasons picking fruit up the top of 12 foot ladders. There will be some things she will not be able to do or will need to change the way she does them. But everybody has to live their life within the limits of their own abilities and circumstances. With or without the Epilepsy I would never have composed a symphony or played cricket for England. Those are not my gifts or circumstances. It is up to each one of us to find out what our limits & what our gifts are and live our lives the best we can within them. Often we find that they are far different from where we thought they were and they change constantly.
cirianz
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The point of all this, however, has not just to provide information & make you feel depressed yourself, The main point is that many of thses difficulties can be overcome or dealt with. One of the best things my Dr (and yes, I mean an MD) ever did for me was to put me on to Ginko Biloba. This increases the oxgen levels to the brain & elsewhere in the body, and as such greatly increased my memory function. I am probably still a bit more absent minded than most, but I fit within the realms of normal functioning now. In addition my ability to think logically and clearly has returned. I never knew just how much I had lost, until I got it back again. This also helped to reduce the lethargy & physical exhaustion to a point where I was able to resume normal physical activity. But I wont ever forget what it was like to walk the short slope to my house "one step at a time" never knowing if I would have the energy for the next.
Another thing I would Recomend is st Johns wort. It is a mild anti depressant & can be bought over the counter here, although I know it is a prescription only medicine in some european countries, but if you can get it then do. It functions in the same manner as the tri-cyclic anti-depressants but is much gentler on the body and will not interact with whatever anti epileptics she is on.
Of course one of the obvious necessities to help her overcome this depression (& therefore the insomnia) is all the support and encouragement her family and friends can give her and the Dr's will waffle this off to you as if it's some sort of 'Happy suit' you put on each morning. But it's not, it is hard and it is stressfull as you quite obviously know. Trying to adjust to the changes in her behaviour on a day by day, hour by hour basis while being supportive stretches you to the limit, and all the while you are also having to deal with the shock and grief of dealing with such a thing happening to someone you love. Here is where it is vital to look after yourselves, especially so for your father who you say is very stressed. Make sure that you make time for yourselves to do things that you enjoy & cut yourselves plenty of slack, punishing yourselves for your mistakes achieves nothing but to drain you more. And always remember that it is not your fault, that may sound silly but it took my mother years to stop feeling guilty for my having epilepsy. Another form of what the shrinks will call "survivor guilt".
Learning to live with epilepsy and with someone who is epileptic is mostly a process of adaptation, there are lots & lots of little techniques & coping mechanisms that you will all develop, as you go along, to live with the situation, but it won't happen quickly. All that I can offer is that it won't be forever. It's just one step at a time.
Also, it may seem obvious but let your mother sleep-in in the mornings if she can & if it is possible. The notion that getting up early will somehow help her get to sleep early does not apply here & she is not being lazy. Although I expect you've figured this one out already it is still worth mentioning.
Another thing I would Recomend is st Johns wort. It is a mild anti depressant & can be bought over the counter here, although I know it is a prescription only medicine in some european countries, but if you can get it then do. It functions in the same manner as the tri-cyclic anti-depressants but is much gentler on the body and will not interact with whatever anti epileptics she is on.
Of course one of the obvious necessities to help her overcome this depression (& therefore the insomnia) is all the support and encouragement her family and friends can give her and the Dr's will waffle this off to you as if it's some sort of 'Happy suit' you put on each morning. But it's not, it is hard and it is stressfull as you quite obviously know. Trying to adjust to the changes in her behaviour on a day by day, hour by hour basis while being supportive stretches you to the limit, and all the while you are also having to deal with the shock and grief of dealing with such a thing happening to someone you love. Here is where it is vital to look after yourselves, especially so for your father who you say is very stressed. Make sure that you make time for yourselves to do things that you enjoy & cut yourselves plenty of slack, punishing yourselves for your mistakes achieves nothing but to drain you more. And always remember that it is not your fault, that may sound silly but it took my mother years to stop feeling guilty for my having epilepsy. Another form of what the shrinks will call "survivor guilt".
Learning to live with epilepsy and with someone who is epileptic is mostly a process of adaptation, there are lots & lots of little techniques & coping mechanisms that you will all develop, as you go along, to live with the situation, but it won't happen quickly. All that I can offer is that it won't be forever. It's just one step at a time.
Also, it may seem obvious but let your mother sleep-in in the mornings if she can & if it is possible. The notion that getting up early will somehow help her get to sleep early does not apply here & she is not being lazy. Although I expect you've figured this one out already it is still worth mentioning.
Hi Andy,
I too had a car accident, no one was hurt luckily, but I now suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and depression.
My son was 13 at the time, he's now 24 and I'm now 60. He was not with me when I had the accident, but as he got to see the devestating affect on me, it has left a permanent mark on him.
I was studying for a degree in fine art at the time, now I rarely paint or do much of anything.
My sleeping patterns are chaotic, my concentration minimal.
If I can help with your research feel free to ask.
Give your mother my best wishes.
lostsoul
I too had a car accident, no one was hurt luckily, but I now suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and depression.
My son was 13 at the time, he's now 24 and I'm now 60. He was not with me when I had the accident, but as he got to see the devestating affect on me, it has left a permanent mark on him.
I was studying for a degree in fine art at the time, now I rarely paint or do much of anything.
My sleeping patterns are chaotic, my concentration minimal.
If I can help with your research feel free to ask.
Give your mother my best wishes.
lostsoul