Insomnia, what do I do?

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Some say insomnia can't be cured, but I can't go on living like this. I can't think straight all day and it's affecting everything, then at night time I'm restless and just can't seem to relax and go to sleep. I just about get a few hours of sleep in the morning.

I've tried changing my daily habits like diet and routine but it hasn't made a jot of difference. Even the over-the-counter pills I sometimes use as sedatives don't make me drowsy any more.

I just want a good night's sleep. If this carries on then I'll see the doctor, although if insomnia can't be cured then what can the doctor do? In some cases insomnia can kill you, which scares me. I really love sleeping. What am I going to do?

I listen to audio books or podcasts before I go to sleep. It focuses my mind on something and helps me drop off more easily. I've suffered from insomnia off and on throughout my life.

I like the Sleepcasts on the Headspace app.

I would listen to audiobooks (although they keep taking my favourite audiobooks off the internet but I don't want to pay) but I share a bed with my boyfriend and there's nowhere else for me to sleep in the apartment (couch is too uncomfortable).
I don't like sleeping with headphones as they get in the way, and ear pieces make my ear lobes sore. I rather listen to audiobooks out loud anyway.

I was recently diagnosed with DSPS (Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome), which means my body's circadian rhythm is delayed so that I am tired during the day, and awake at night. And since the jobs I have are during the day, I'm always forced to try to sleep during the time my body is most awake. It's true, there is no "cure" per say, but there are healthy coping mechanisms and things I can do to make it more bearable.

My general doctor that I see every year was pretty dismissive of my sleep issues; I had to go to a sleep specialist to get this diagnosis. My advice would be to go straight to a sleep specialist and cut out the GP entirely as soon as you can get a referral.

My friend swears by putting Vicks vapo rub on her feet and then put socks on.

It seems I have been sleeping a bit better for the last couple of nights, so I think it was just an insomnic phase. But it felt like it was going on forever at the time. Sometimes I can go a few weeks without having a sleepless night at all, whether I drink caffeine or not. It just goes in cycles, like my digestion and mood does.

Different things work for different people so I guess its a case of trying various options until you find the one that works for you.

After many years of experimentation I have found that the following works really well for me;

1. I sleep on a futon - with a mattress topper and an a 15tog duvet instead of a sheet - 10g duvet on top. Much firmer than a normal bead but once I got used to it (didnt take very long) a lot comfier. Now, when I am away from home and have to sleep in a normal bed, I hate it!

2. I sleep better alone. I find another person in bed with irritating - well, if I want to go to sleep that is

3. I have a low level red night light in each corner of the room. Three are the led type that plug straight into a socket and come on automatically - one is a remote control lamp. I find this low level light really comforting. Ive experimented with different colours and red is the best one for me.

4. I have the radio on throughout the night. Always UK Radio 4 - which rarely has music, its mainly documentary, news, discussion and shipping programmes. When I go to bed I have it on loud enough to hear what people are saying and then as I settle I reduce the volume until all I can hear is a gentle murmur.

I still wake up a few times during the night but I dont feel stressed or worried and usually drift off again soon after. There are odd nights where I am only lightly napping but I still feel relaxed and Im OK when its time to get up.

I do suffer from anxiety and can ruminate on things at times - something that is not conducive to relaxed sleep. I keep a notebook handy and when this happens I write down when is worrying me and at least one possible solution. This process of 'doing something' seems to help settle most things.

Im not suggesting that this regime will work for you, but it perhaps illustrates how there is often not one simple thing that will work - its more a combination of things worked out over time.

I hope that you can start working on things that prove effective soon.

Is it hormonal? I have insomnia for about 4 or 5 days before my period each month.

No, I can get it at any time, sometimes for a few weeks at a time. I had a good night's sleep last night, but tonight is just awful. I'm just wide awake, too cold when I get out of bed but too hot when I'm in bed. My body is restless. The only time I can sleep soundly is in the day. Maybe daylight helps me sleep.

But whether I sleep in the day or not does not affect my body clock. My body clock has a mind of its own and no diet or routine change will work for me.



Strangely I actually liked it a little bit when I was having side effects from the booster, because at least then I slept. Now I feel better again and full of energy I'm sleepless again.