What can I do against chronic insomnia and fatigue?

Question

I'm suffering from chronic insomnia and feel extremely tired during the day and a lack of energy. It has been like this for me for many years now and has taken a huge toll on my career and private life. I'm currently in a relationship I care very much about, but it seems to break apart as well. I have already tried all kinds of prescription medications for sleep, but do not want to take them anymore. Is there may be a herbal supplement or another method that could help?

Answer 1

My mother suffered from chronic insomnia from ages 9-60. Two hours of sleep was a GOOD night. Many nights, no sleep. She ached of tiredness. Finally , at the age of 60 she found the right doctor through a sleep clinic. He taught her that she needed to train her brain with a "circadian rhythm." You'll have to figure out how many hours of sleep you require, and what hours you want to sleep, according to your work, etc. We'll pretend that you want 8 hours of sleep from 11pm-7am. First you buy an alarm clock that has a loud alarm (they make those.) You set it across the room and set it for 7am. When it rings you jump out of bed, turn it off, and you don't return to your bed until 11pm. The bed is only for sleep and sex. I don't care how sleepy you are. Jump in the shower if that's best , have a cup of coffee, just don't get back in bed. That night go to sleep at 11pm. Get up when the alarm rings at 7. Your brain will get used to it. There's more. The doctor put my mother on 200 mgs. of Elavil and .5mgs of Klonopin. You take those meds at 10:30pm. My mother is now a vibrant 79-year old happy woman. She didn't realize how depressed she was. The Elavil is for Depression AND sleeping. She now sleeps 7 hours straight through. This is the closest thing to a miracle I've ever seen. Print this out and get this to a doctor ASAP. You don't need any long , lonely dark nights any more. This is the answer you've been looking for. I only give this full answer to people that really sound like they are true insomniacs. You can start the schedule tonight. No napping during the day!! There are a few more tricks that I'll teach you later, but this is quite enough to get you started. No caffeine after 6pm. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. This is what I'm here for. I have your name so I'll know who you are. Good luck. :)

Answer 2

I think looking further than drugs is the right way forward, as like you have said they don't always help.
I'm an Occupational Therapist and I know that help is out there for people with chronic fatigue, you just need to be able to access that help. See your doctor and ask to see an occupational therapist, who can give you advice on fatigue management and may also have information on herbal/alternative drugs.
Although not working directly in this field, the patients I've seen who involve their partners in their treatment feel much more supported by their loved ones and the partners feel more like they can help too, even if just by understanding what your going through.
Best of luck and I hope this resolves soon for you xxx

Answer 3

As well as ME & MS, you might also get your doctor to check your thyroid gland.
I had similar symptoms for eight years or so, falling asleep for no reason during the day, even during conversation.

Had all sorts of tests, they found nothing until I had a serious internal infection. Discovered that I should have been treated for an underactive thyroid.

If this IS the case, you need to get it sorted. It is a life-threatening condition when left untreated.

Good luck.

Pete.

Answer 4

First of all, go see a doctor and explain all your symptoms. Secondly, completely stay off of caffeine (i.e. soft drinks, chocolate, coffee) and taking naps. Thirdly, learn to relax. When you go to bed at night (and make it a routine time), play relaxing music and leave the TV off. If you can't get to sleep, read a book. Don't turn on the TV and don't get on the computer! I know you don't want to take sleep aids; but sometimes when I can't sleep, I break a caplet of Tylenol PM in half and take that. It relaxes me just enough to crash. Good luck to you! Remember: Make it all (except for the Tylenol) a routine!

Answer 5

id suggest you speak to you doctor, you may be lacking in a nutirent that you body needs such as iorn. the doctor will do some different test including diabetes.

you owe it to your self to get it sorted so that you can have a better quality of life. when you find out what it is, you can then see if herbal remmedies would help.

Good luck and all the best

Answer 6

dont drink any caffeine before you go to bed
and go tothe dr they will supply something to make you sleep if that still dont 3work go to a counselor to see if they can help perhaps talk to you about your problem

Answer 7

Get yourself checked for ME or MS