I had undiagnosed lyme for apparently 13 years; the last 3 were brutal with most late stage symptoms (neuro lyme, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc...) I have been treated as follows:
July - Cats Claw 375 3x day
August - Cats Claw 375 3x day; Minocycline 200mg / day
September - August - Cats Claw 375 3x day; Minocycline 200mg / day
October to December - Rocephin IV 2G every other day & cats claw 2x day; minocycline 400mg day; Vicodin 2 to 3 per day; and a bunch of supplements.
January - Doxycycline 400mg / day; Vicodin 2x day; and some supplements
I am probably about 80% back to normal BUT I now have Insomnia every night. Has anyone dealt with this. I can lay in bed forever and be lucky to get 2 hours sleep. This started after the PIC line was removed gradually but has gotten completely out of control.
I am seeing the LLMD later this week but need any suggestions or advice.
Thanks for any help and for all the help this board has provided this past 6 months.
Posted by WillBDone (Member # 14269) on :
I can totally relate. Sleep is SO important to the healing process.
A benedryl shortly before bed has worked well for me so far.
My neurologist said he recommends Benedryl or Tylenol PM before you try the other more potent sleep aids.
I've also read Magnesium may help some.
Posted by jmo (Member # 13141) on :
I had good luck with melatonin.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I tried melatonin, valerian root, and L-tryptophan .... even took them all at once ... for several weeks. I finally gave in and take Ambien.
I consider it a last resort. I was getting no sleep and the natural stuff, though it was very relaxing, did not help.
I take half a regular 10 mg Ambien before bed, then another when I wake up four hours later when the first wears off.
I tried the CR (extended release), but only got about 5 hours from it.
Posted by jamescase20 (Member # 14124) on :
Glad to see you taking 400mg minocin...my duck dont know what max safe dose of that is. what is the max safe dose? is it 400mg? The pdr only says 200mg...thats not going to be strong enough!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
have you had a SLEEP STUDY done for possible SLEEP APNEA, where you stop breathing waking up gasping for air?
i never would have, but someone sugggested this, and i DO HAVE SLEEP APNEA, GET NO "LEVEL 4" SLEEP ALLOWING MY BODY TO REJUVENATE FROM INJURIES AND WAKE UP AS TIRED AS GOING TO BED, and dx me with restless leg syndrome!
so i haven't had any decent RESTORATIVE SLEEP in over 38 years!!!!
i've tried every sleeping pill discovered; that's why i'm on here in wee AM hours! i've wide awake; sleep to noon or after.
i'd give anything for a decent night's sleep! NO pee calls, waking up refreshed, and my body heeling! well, i can wish can't I? lol Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I do 25mg benadryl before bedtime and if needed, one-half tab of 1mg ativan under the tongue.
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
I've found that intensive exercise during waking hours can be helpful, as can hot baths and if you're up to it sexual intercourse etc. I know that might be a taboo thing to post, but IMO it is true. I had a terrible time in past with insomnia, the worst thing you can try and do is count sheep or just lay there. Ambien is OK for regularizing you sleep, but don't take it for more than a few days or you'll be hooked. IMO the worst thing about medical insomnia is sitting around thinking about or worrying about your failure to sleep. This is why I suggested baths, sex, and reading or other activities. Don't torture yourself over not sleeping...try to find some good bedtime activities and see how long you go before sleep takes over.
Posted by EWT1638 (Member # 11315) on :
Hi,
Insomnia is very common. My LLMD Rx Flexeril, 2-3 tabs 1/2 before bedtime. It has really helped me, I too was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep. See what your doc says about any interactions with your current meds.
Good luck! Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
Hi Betty and Magaro,
Betty, I have'nt slept eight hours(unless heavily self medicated in my younger years)ever!
Beat ya!....lol
What's with this Bruce? Heavy exercise....???
Yeah right!....
NOT!!!
Bruce you suggest a couple things that lymies can't do at all...besides the inability for our
muscles to regenerate like they are supposed to...
OVERSTIMULATION PHYSICALLY will cause the reverse of sleep.
As a matter of fact, it just frustrates real lymies more and causes either more "PTSD"
or "disease caused hypertension".
EWT1638-I just want to go to sleep not stop my "Cardiopulmonary/vascular" systems completely!
LOL!
Are you sure your doc says 2-3 tabs of flexeril?
I have tried all of the above.
I have also seen written, where this one,(sleep aid or technique),works for patient "A" but does'nt work for patient "B".
So, again, unfortunately, it's a hunt and peck technique you must employ to find what is best
for yourself and your own unique geneology/strains of disease(s).
I would suggest trying the least harmful/expensive first, right on up to and
including the one that will finally work for you. It may be that even the one you finally
settle on only works for a little while and or intermittently. So that you may have to switch
up on the sleep aids to keep whatever causes it, IN YOU, to settle down and let you sleep.
It IS VERY IMPORTANT to gain the advantages of the "DEEP HEALING" stages of sleep.
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