[mel43]

Hi all.

I haven't slept since Thursday night. It probably goes without saying, I feel awful!

I've tried all the usual things: warm milk, deep breathing, soothing sounds and headphones, etc.
Last night I had an oxycontin and a temazepam and I still didn't sleep a wink. What's wrong with me?!

So what's worked for other insomniacs? I haven't had trouble sleeping since I was in primary school.

[tamjk]

For me it's exercise followed by a book, not a good book.

I go for a bit of moderately intense exercise and take a chaser of an educational, dull, dry book. My current go to book for insomnia is "Basic and Clinical Biostatistics". I failed the subject at uni that that book was the text for, it literally bored me to sleep!

[daturah]

I would go see a GP, if I were in your position. It sounds like there is something on your mind, even if you can't work out what it is. A GP might give you a stronger sleeping tablet to break the non-sleeping cycle, which might give you a bit more clarity to work out what the problem is.

At least, that's what has happened for me when I have had bouts of inexplicable insomnia in the past!

[mel43]

Thanks for the replies.

I can't exactly exercise as I'm still recovering from spinal surgery. I do go for a short walk (less than a km) every day, unless it's raining, and my physio exercises twice daily. I could probably try a boring book, though I may end up reading all night

I really don't think I've got anything on my mind that would stop me sleeping, except maybe the fact that I can't sleep! Which is why I asked my GP for sleeping tablets. I'll call him today and see if I can take a higher dose.

For years I've watched tv in bed til I fall asleep, which is a big no no when it comes to insomnia, so I don't know why all of a sudden I can't sleep!

[Gee gee]

Hi. I have had insomnia for a 1 year since my son was born. A good night it takes me 2 hours to fall asleep, on a bad night I don't sleep at all. I have taken tamazepam (about 3 x per week) to get me through. However, I have just started acupuncture and chinese herbs. I was very sceptical because I had tried everything else to no avail (i.e. hot bath, relaxation techniques, milk before bed, I even saw a sleep specialist in cognitive behavioural therapy - all a waste of time). The acupuncture has definitely worked though and I highly recommend it. Insomnia sucks.

This post has been edited by Gee gee: 30/01/2013, 09:45 AM

[HollyOllyOxenfre...]

When my insomnia was really bad, I basically had to reset everything. I cut out all caffeine, started getting up at the same time every day regardless of how I'd slept the night before, made sure I got some natural light pretty close to when I got up for the day. When it came to bed, it was only a place for sleep - no TV, no reading in bed, just quiet. I followed the same routine each night when going to bed, and did some breathing exercises and meditation type exercises to relax and calm myself down. I would then give myself 30 minutes, and if I was still tossing and turning after that, I'd get up, give myself an hour to watch some non engaging television or read a book, then start again.

It took me about a week to reset the clock after about two years of terrible sleep, getting 3-4 hours a night at it's worst. I still get the occasional bad night, but disregarding medical circumstances it's never been that bad since. And I have been able to reintroduce caffeine and have the occasional sleep in too.

Good luck OP, insomnia sucks