can't sleep

[stephanie]

I have had this problem since Thanksgiving. It started with not being able to fall asleep until 2 or 3 am and then getting up at 7 am for work. I did that for a few weeks and now I am having trouble falling asleep at all. Some nights (with the help of Xanax - 0.5 mg) I can fall asleep but I wake up four hours later and I don't feel tired. Any advice? My doctor also put me on Zoloft. It made me sleepy after the first week but I am wondering now if it is keeping me up? I am so frustrated with this problem. So tired during the day that I just can't cope. I am also concerned about what this is doing to my health. I have a daughter and am married. My husband is pretty sick of my complaining. I have been to the doctor, what else can I do? Just deal with it?

[bridget]

Hi Stephanie-
I totally understand your feelings. I was in the same place as you 2 1/2 yrs ago and maybe even worst off, bcuz I felt at the end of my rope. I'm 36 and have 5 children and the summer of 2000 I had a horrible 2 1/2 mo. episode of insomnia that left me feeling completely hopeless and helpless. B4 this I was a christian, but one that didn't have a whole lot of faith (which was proven by my feelings of desperation during this episode) But God intervened in a amazing wasy for me Stephanie and I'm still blown away by His incredible love and the way in which He showed it. I'm not talking about religion here as most people in this world think of it. I'm talking about a real relationship with the God of this universe who cares about you soooo much and about every little detail of your life. He changed my life around and I'm not the same person I was b4 that experience. I'm convinced that He allowed it to help me see how really helpless I am w/out Him and to show His love. To let you know how He helped me in detail would take alot of space here, so if you want to e-mail me, I will share my story with you. But I just want to encourage you Stephanie...God does care about you and He is fully able to help you. After all, He is the creator of your being and who better to help you than your creator. If you had a watch that broke, would you try to fix it yourself or would you take it to a watchmaker? My address is: Bridget1051@aol.com I hope to hear from you.

Bridget

[<Rtufts@aol.com>]

Hi Stephanie!

Sorry to hear about your sleep problem. I had chronic insomnia for 18 years but I got rid of it through nutrition and exercise. For this to suddenly come upon you, something has changed in your life(ie.an extra stress, change in your eating , lack of exercise etc)

If you want to send me a detailed food diary over the next 3-4 days plus your exercise regimen, I'll take a look at it and get back to you.

Sincerely,
Rick Tufts. C.N.P.
Registered Nutritionist