Chronic Insomnia

[Rasputin]

Oddly, what has worked for me is the amino acid, L-Tyrosine, which is, actually, generally used to obtain mental clarity and stamina, as opposed to a state of relaxation or the like. A hike through a forest sounds quite pleasing, right about now. I hope you get to sleep, soon. Pleasant dreams...

I suffer with chronic insomnia also, and was referred to a behavioral therapist and a psychiatrist later this month for an ASD diagnosis as a condition for getting sleep medication.

I am taking medication for anxiety and depression and am trying a weighted blanket. The first blanket did not work, so I returned it and ordered a new one. It does not matter what time I go to bed; I still wake up every single night around 2:00 AM in the morning before going back to sleep and again waking around 5:15 AM as the sun starts coming up.

I am extremely sensitive to light and sounds, and am careful to shut off devices at night and run a ceiling fan to drown out sounds. I also have sleep apnea and cover my BIPAP machine to block light. Does anyone know if waking at the same time is characteristic of Autism? I am 61, and have never been able to sleep more than 5 hours or so my entire life. My father also had sleep issues and would get up in the middle of the night.

 

[Rasputin]

My brain refuses to sleep. Welcome to OKRAD in the evening....... I just wish the CBD oil had THC in it. I would be asleep.........If anyone else is awake, hello fellow insomniacs. I won't be so cheerful tomorrow, that's for sure. But right now? Anyone want to go running or biking or hiking through a forest? All this has just made me hyper.......... I hate my brain.

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This insomnia that we are all affected by is the subject of a research study that has identified specific genes responsible for Circadian clock issues.

https://www.researchgate.net/public...ymorphic_in_autism_spectrum_disorder_patients

I have requested a full copy of the researchers' article that I can discuss when I meet with my doctors later this month. One of the problem gene mutations seems to be C677T, which I have.

For those of you who have commented on gene hacking (a couple weeks earlier) and have homozygous versions of the MTHFR variant C677T, I would like to know what supplements have helped with insomnia. Please reply to this post, if you don't mind.

 

[Rasputin]

Has anyone here had any success using CBD Oil from Hemp? If you have, what dosage should be used for adults?

 

[Rasputin]

I wanted to share this. Last night I slept 5 hrs without waking, the first time I have done that in probably10 years. What worked for me was a cooling weighted blanket (12 pounds), a sleep mask to block out all light, 1 mg time released melatonin, Citalopram antidepressant, and walking for a half mile before going to bed. All of these things helped I believe.

 

[Rasputin]

I saw a new primary care physician on Christmas Eve, for chronic insomnia. The doctor diagnosed me with depression and an anxiety disorder, and referred me to a sleep doctor, a behavioral health doctor, and a psychiatrist.

I believe anxiety is involved, but I have lived with this so long that I am not aware of the anxiety. It's more like I am hyper-aware of everything and can not shut my brain off after I fall asleep. I am currently taking an antidepressant (Citalopram) and have tried Melatonin with it. So far, I can not tell if the drugs are working or not. I still wake up an hour or two after falling asleep, and do this 3-4 times every night. I also have sleep apnea and use a BiPap machine, but this insomnia seems to be in addition to sleep apnea.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and what helped your insomnia? I am skeptical of behavioral therapy because I don't think I have bad habits and I am not aware of the anxiety. I am worried about the health effects of chronic anxiety, and was just wondering what has helped others.

I am now sleeping with a 13 pound plush weighted blanket that feels great; I sleep on top of the bedding, but under the weighted blanket. I also sleep with both BIPAP and a sleep mask to block out all light, and take an antidepressant and time released Melatonin. Yet, last night I woke up at 90 minute intervals at 12:30 am, 2 am, and 3:30 am. Then I got smart and turned off the furnace, and slept until 8:30 am when I heard my wife bumping around in the kitchen. So now I have to either get earplugs or add ear muffs to my sleeping regimen.

Does anyone else here have these ridiculous sensitivities to light, sound, and I suppose bed linen?

 

[Streetwise]

I am now sleeping with a 13 pound plush weighted blanket that feels great; I sleep on top of the bedding, but under the weighted blanket. I also sleep with both BIPAP and a sleep mask to block out all light, and take an antidepressant and time released Melatonin. Yet, last night I woke up at 90 minute intervals at 12:30 am, 2 am, and 3:30 am. Then I got smart and turned off the furnace, and slept until 8:30 am when I heard my wife bumping around in the kitchen. So now I have to either get earplugs or add ear muffs to my sleeping regimen.

Does anyone else here have these ridiculous sensitivities to light, sound, and I suppose bed linen?

yes vit b complex is good ,vit D ,vit c high strength ,but im perimenopausal so my pain levels are uncontrollable ,cbt was helping ,it helps you feel calmer ,i change fabric every day ,from thick to thinner fleece to nothing ,keep forgetting the sunglasses ,feel a lot better with pure oj ,cool sleep a lot better ,but insomnia still happens ,hat on hat off,now ive had ibs so back to insomnia and hyperventilation .

 

[Rasputin]

yes vit b complex is good ,vit D ,vit c high strength ,but im perimenopausal so my pain levels are uncontrollable ,cbt was helping ,it helps you feel calmer ,i change fabric every day ,from thick to thinner fleece to nothing ,keep forgetting the sunglasses ,feel a lot better with pure oj ,cool sleep a lot better ,but insomnia still happens ,hat on hat off,now ive had ibs so back to insomnia and hyperventilation .

I have never slept well, but the insomnia seems to have gotten worse as I approached 60.

Last night I woke up four times, but did sleep uninterrupted for three hours. At this point I am just going to see what the doctors come up with.

 

[Rasputin]

Sometimes I take Ambien, but not every night or I get used to it and then it doesn’t work. So no more than once a week.
I do all the usual suggested things, reduce blue light, no caffeine after 2pm, have a dark cool quiet comfortable bedroom, routine before bed, no phone calls or social activity after 7pm, small easy to digest snack before bed...
I listen to audio books with the timer set for 30 minutes, sometimes that helps, or play meditation type music on Spotify, or I try counting all herbs and spices in alphabetical order.
Many times though none of this works. My pantry looks a lot like your stash there. Usually I end up taking more than one thing, like a melatonin and a Xanax or melatonin and a Benedryl and maybe something else. Whatever works though I get used to it and have to change what I take.
Telling my brain to shut up never works.

BraidedPony, I have the same sleep issues that you have. I met with a cognitive behavioral trainer today, and the only advice she could offer beside what I already do is to not go back to bed once I wake up until I become sleepy. I explained that I can not sleep longer than 90 minutes without waking up. She admitted that she could not help, but thought that a psychiatrist could. I have no idea what to expect, but I hope someone can prescribe something to enable me to sleep.

 

[TheSaltyStray]

I'm back to sleeping only 2-3 hours at a time. I fully sympathize with those that struggle with sleep.

@Rasputin as we age, humans tend to have less of a satisfactory sleep cycle and range.
Aging & Sleep Information - National Sleep Foundation

If I make it past what I am going through, old me may never sleep.

 

[Rasputin]

I'm back to sleeping only 2-3 hours at a time. I fully sympathize with those that struggle with sleep.

@Rasputin as we age, humans tend to have less of a satisfactory sleep cycle and range.
Aging & Sleep Information - National Sleep Foundation

If I make it past what I am going through, old me may never sleep.

TheSaltyStray, I was referred to a cognitive behavioral therapist, and she concluded that my insomnia is secondary to an emotional disorder. She did not identify any bad sleep habits, so I meet with a psychiatrist in two weeks. Since I have not been officially diagnosed with any form of autism, I intend to suggest this as a root cause and ask if there is a way to confirm through a diagnosis.

It is clear to me that my brain is not sending a signal to my body that I need sleep, and I am tired of doctors guessing. A bigger concern is I can not sleep longer than 90 minutes at a time, so I never enter REM sleep. This can be detrimental to both my physical and mental health. People on this forum inquiring whether they should pursue a diagnosis or not should understand there is more at stake than merely disclosing quirkiness. This is as much physical and chemical as it is mental, in my opinion.

 

[Rasputin]

I'm back to sleeping only 2-3 hours at a time. I fully sympathize with those that struggle with sleep.

@Rasputin as we age, humans tend to have less of a satisfactory sleep cycle and range.
Aging & Sleep Information - National Sleep Foundation

If I make it past what I am going through, old me may never sleep.

TheSaltyDog, for our sake I hope we find a resolution to enable us to sleep. Have doctors indicated why you are not able to sleep longer? I see a sleep specialist on January 21st.

 

[TheSaltyStray]

TheSaltyDog, for our sake I hope we find a resolution to enable us to sleep. Have doctors indicated why you are not able to sleep longer? I see a sleep specialist on January 21st.

Sorry for the delay in response. I am sleeping much better since restarting Prazosin, at higher doses, for PTSD. I will probably forever have issues.

 

[Rasputin]

Sorry for the delay in response. I am sleeping much better since restarting Prazosin, at higher doses, for PTSD. I will probably forever have issues.

I am currently wasting money by going through CBT classes for insomnia. Not only have I not learned anything, but what they have taught are things I am already doing. I guess I have to waste money by going through the motions before the psychiatrist will prescribed something that might help with the anxiety.

 

[TheSaltyStray]

I am currently wasting money by going through CBT classes for insomnia. Not only have I not learned anything, but what they have taught are things I am already doing. I guess I have to waste money by going through the motions before the psychiatrist will prescribed something that might help with the anxiety.

Be honest and transparent about your anxiety and struggles. I know it feels like bureaucratic BS but keep jumping through the hoops until you get the help you need.

 

[AspieOtaku]

I get bad anxiety and sometimes i cant stop thinking i cannot stop thinking for days or weeks. My brain does not shot off i panick alot always worried too too much stress even and cannot sleep or relax anxiety kicks in and self harm when it gets real bad and i panick and go a long time without sleep i dont know if im alone or not i have to be prescribed downers just to beable to sleep

 

[Thinx]

That sounds difficult, have you found anything that helps at all? Rest, exercise, talking to a friend, anxiety Meds? Watching interesting films or listening to music? Have you had therapy for the trauma you have been through?

 

[watersprite]

You’re not alone. There are things you can do before resorting to downers as you say.

@Thinx mentioned them above.

I’ll reiterate exercise as I’ve proved to myself that a couple hours of activity &/or workout a day guarantees me a good sleep.

Being inactive produces the opposite.

When I was diagnosed, the neuropsych prescribed daily an hour of running to combat anxiety.

Also. Turn off lights & technology at 10 p.m. & take a small amount of melatonin.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Just a few sources and articles on the topic:

Sleep problems in autism, explained

Insomnia Severity in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder is Associated with sensory Hyper-Reactivity and Social Skill Impairment

Melatonin in treatment of chronic sleep disorders in adults with autism: a retrospective study - PubMed

The 5 Best Supplements for Restful Sleep — Autism Dietitian

 

[Streetwise]

My brain refuses to sleep. Welcome to OKRAD in the evening....... I just wish the CBD oil had THC in it. I would be asleep.........If anyone else is awake, hello fellow insomniacs. I won't be so cheerful tomorrow, that's for sure. But right now? Anyone want to go running or biking or hiking through a forest? All this has just made me hyper.......... I hate my brain.

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Do you still own that variety of non prescribed medicinal sleep preparations!? If you do I say find the best one and lock up the rest, the problem with insomnia is, it effects your memory!

 

[Judge]

I've continued to take Melatonin for the last 3 years. Seems to work for me most of the time, keeping me from waking up too early and booting up like a computer. With no appreciable difference at times when I chose to increase my dosage.