How can it be that you're SO exhausted that you can barely stay awake...yet you can't get to sleep??
I regularly get so exhausted that it physically hurts, but my body just won't let me fall asleep for some reason.
If you've had experience with this, have you figured out a way to recover your sanity by falling asleep before most of the night has come and gone?
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Sometimes it happens to healthy people too: they miss their sleeping time, and they can't fall asleep.
In my case, during lyme, the problem was MOSTLY toxins. When I was extremely toxic (herxes and God knows what else), I felt anxious, no matter what I did, I couldn't fall asleep.
When I did fall asleep, it was like those night terrors people describe.
Infections can cause that, i think too.
And electrosmog. Excessive electrosmog exposure during the day, and wireless phones in the house, wifi from neighbors, too many cell antennas around, that makes sleep an impossibility for me and my daughter.
I suppose electrosmog blocks melatonin production.
I hope you find out what is wrong.
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
So sorry this is happening to you
all I can say for comfort, for what it's worth, is that you are not alone
I hope others can give solutions
I had this for years - so tired I would sit in the car and not be able to open the latch on the door to get out
would sit there in the driveway
what was the use of dragging myself upstairs to bed when I would not sleep anyway
back to work the next day without sleep
doctor at Kaiser said - "I only had three hours of sleep myself last night" - I will never forget that - what was that supposed to mean or do for me???
they did nothing to help
it got better when I completely changed my diet - only rice and turkey and margarine and rye bread and salt for a while - then left out the rye, too
then tried one food at a time for three days - elimination/provocation trials
did that for years - lost 40 lbs, but slept better - never well
only started sleeping well again after 3 years on abx and 2 years on Buhner herbs
that's just my story
maybe it helps to share
maybe others have ideas that can help you sleep now
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
I can relate. It is very weird. It's like my brain is stuck ON no matter how tired I am.
I'm seeing a sleep psychologist to re-train my brain to sleep. I just started. Not sure if it's helpful.
My sleep Dr. told me that for long term, sleep psychology is best, even with people with damaged brains!
Mine flares with hormone changes and new meds.
I've found some relief with clomazapam for the immediate time... hoping to come off though at some point.
Sleep is important for healing. Hope you get some answers and sleep soon.
know you are not alone.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I barely slept for the last few years that I had lyme. I might finally fall asleep at 1 a.m. and then be awake 20 minutes later.
Do this 2 more times and then be awake the rest of the night.
My top lyme doc told me that lyme affects the sleep center of the brain. So, that is why this is happening.
Within no time of getting to this great lyme doctor, my sleep issues were a thing of the past.
With him, I received great lyme treatment--two different antibiotics taken together so that there was no way for the lyme to escape being killed. High doses of amoxicillin with probinecid and also flagyl.
He followed the Burrascano Guidelines. This is why I believe in the Burrascano protocol. It worked for me and for at least 5 of my friends.
It has been over 11 years now since I completed my treatment and I am still free of lyme disease and the coinfections. So, I was cured. I have the same life I had before lyme disease.
There are fewer and fewer lyme doctors who will follow Burrascano. But, if you ask around, you may be able to find one, especially if you are willing to travel.
The sleep problem was so horrible! I will never forget it.
I can give you some doctors names if you like--in Maryland and in D.C. Let me know.
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
My doc said upping melatonin to like 20mg . ..phenybut seems to help..
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
I did not sleep for months at a time- I was prescribed Valium and it helped a Lot-took for 2 years and would get 5 hrs of sleep a night -- but for some reason now valium dose zero to me - no clue why - its not because body got used to them because I have not taken them in 3 years-
other sleep meds did Zero for me -
supposed world's record for no sleep is 11 days-I could do that standing on my head -
Posted by tulips (Member # 44773) on :
In ine of his books, I forget which one, Stephen Buhner recommends liquid melatonin for insomnia.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
my docc has me on .5 ativan and 10 mg elavil. I'm trying desperately to get off them. I've gained probably 50 pounds. arrghh...
but without them I'm up for days with no sleep.
Posted by SLH516 (Member # 48060) on :
Any brands people recommend for phenybut? And how about melatonin, including the liquid? (I know many melatonin supplements actually have Benadryl or other things in them while the melatonin itself isn't good quality.)
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