posted
I have had insomnia for 10+ years (since my tick bite), and was hoping that after 14 months of lyme and babs treatment it might be better....but it just gets worse. Anyone had any luck conquering this beast?? I just want to sleep!!!
I passed on the opportunity to have a sleep study (and methadone for sleep from a crazy neurologist) but I am fairly certain I am experiencing delta wave intrusion.
(BTW...I am taking enough sleep meds to anesthetize a small horse, so meds are apparently not the answer.)
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I've also had my share of sleep problems since getting sick. My sleep is very fragmented these days in which I wake up every 1-2 hrs. I found that I have to stick to a very consistent schedule in order to get some sleep. I try to walk in the mornings/afternoons and take a nice warm shower just before bedtime.
Best Wishes!
Posts: 187 | From Gaithersburg, Maryland | Registered: Feb 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Jen, I hadn't slept for 35 years; yes 35! my sleep apnea 2 nights showed that too. NO DELTA 4 SLEEP was recorded for either night where the body rejuvenates & heals itself making you feel refreshed.
Since my new LLMD took me off 2 abx in April, I am able to sleep at night ON MY OWN...NO MEDS! I sleep anywhere from 2-5 hrs. max with 2-3 pee calls.
NOW new LLMD put me on $700 of 23 supplements including a sleep formula which I'm starting tonight. I'm to sleep 8-10 hours WITHOUT PEEING! Get REAL!! I'll try most things once.
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Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064
posted
Insomnia had been the biggest and first symptom of mine.
For months, I slept for 1-3 hours and after that, couldn't fall asleep again or in a state that I couldn't tell I was wake or asleep.
Then with Abx treatment, sleep improved to 4-5 hours, but still a problem.
However when took 3X3(540mg) Cat's Claw first time, I got the best sleep (8 hours) since I was ill. That lasted for 2-3 weeks.
Then, my sleep got bad again, 4-5 hours, and I was at my wit's end.
Four days ago, I took 3X3(540mg) Cat's Claw again. From that night till now, I have had good sleep.
I hope this will last forever.
Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
If you have sleep problems, be sure to look for heavy metal toxicity, including all dental infections, wisdom teeth sites.
It affects your hormone production a lot.
Also check for sleeping location, electromagnetic exposure (pull the fuses into bedroom, no electric clocks, no nothing electically in your immediate surrounding, microwave towers, geopathic stress).
It is caused by more than just one thing -
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I have never been a good sleeper but other then ambien, etc. which can help (although you said that it doesn't help you)...I go see an accupuncturist (not just for sleep) and I take valarian root extract at night before bed.
One other thing I do at night sometimes are breathing exerices to try to slow down my breathing and for relaxation.
Not sleeping well really does stink... I hope things get better for you.
--David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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char
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8315
posted
Sorry to hear you have been so SLEEPLESS!
Three of us here have lyme with insomnia and the no sleepy for you demon seems to make the rounds tormenting 1 or 2 of us at a ritime.
We are each on sleep meds and each of us react differently are on completely different types.
My daughter's insomnia worsens with herxes. We get some relief from pulses and lowering the dose when it gets too out of hand. (Relative, right?)
Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
Correcting Adrenal insuficiency mad a big difference with my sleep. I get 11-7 on most nights since correcting the Adrenal problem.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Foggy, how did you correct your "adrenal problems"?
Just curious.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
lw dose Cortef for 3.5 months then herbal adrenal support.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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GiGi...I had an extensive (and expensive) heavy metals panel that came back clean. I am on chelation therapy nevertheless. Hoping that will help.
Foggy...I have been taking loads of a supplement called Adreset for adrenal support. I am not familiar with the protocol you mention. did your doc tell you about it?
Betty and Char...I am really curious as to whether my sleep will improve when I stop treatment. I have been on for about 15 months now, and still feel like I have some progress to make before I plateau. I can't r/o the fact that the insomnia may be a herx symptom.
Catsmeow...my mother took neurontin for peripheral neuropathy and it actually disturbed her sleep. Interesting that it has the opposite effect on you. I am taking Klonopin for RLS, and it used to knock me out....but no longer. These bugs aren't playing games!
Thanks all, and sweet dreams!!
Jen
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I struggle with insomnia as well. What frustrates me the most is that nothing seems to help for long. I also take Klonopin for restless legs, which does seem to guarantee me about 3 hours sleep a night. Several months ago, I started daily methylcobalamine shots and slept wonderfully for four nights. I was ecstatic; I foolishly thought I had found the answer to my insomnia. Lately, I've been taking 600 mg neurontin at dinner and another 600 mg at bedtime and have been sleeping about 5-6 hours. But, I suspect my body will soon adjust and I'll be looking for something new to try.
Dave, I was intrigued by your experience with Cats Claw, but also a little confused. Are you saying that you took it one time and slept well for 2-3 weeks. It sounds like you stopped it and restarted. Could you explain that a little more. Also, what other side effects if any have you experienced while taking it?
Lesley
Posts: 164 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2005
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
"GiGi...I had an extensive (and expensive) heavy metals panel that came back clean. I am on chelation therapy nevertheless. Hoping that will help."
DocJen, what kind of a heavy metals panel did you have. Did you have a "challenge test"? Can you describe what you did? Do you have metals in your mouth?
A negative test means very little, if the body is not able to release the toxic metals.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I do believe all the reasons cited above, heavy metal, etc., can cause sleeplessness.
BUT, while you are figuring out what the cause is, its still so essential to get a good night's sleep.
I thought the norm was waking up 5 or 6 times a night. I remember my doctor asking me if I slept good and I said yes. She asked how many times I awakened during the night and when I told her she said that wasn't normal.
I tried many sleep meds that didn't work.
At the FFC (Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center) they put me on Xyrem - a sleep med that will knock you out. It lasts 4 hours so you have to repeat it in 4 hours - most do, I didn't as I slept until around 6:00 a.m. with just the one dose.
I took it for about a year and loved knowing that I would sleep at night and not toss and turn.
I don't take it now as the mangosteen juice I've been on has me sleeping like a baby.
But if you need a good sleep med, that's the one that works. All the others didn't help me very much.
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