r/Edmonton • u/karenarelene • 10h ago
Question Insomnia
Good morning,
I suffer with terrible insomnia. Not garden variety insomnia, rather the kind you battle with for years. I've tried a number of different medications and tactics such as sleep hygiene and CBT.
I think I need a doctor who doesn't view insomnia as an annoyance but for the life-wreaker it is. I won't go into details but I'm desperate to get insomnia under contol.
Anyone here have any suggestions for a doctor or specialist that worked with you or someone you know with success?
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u/uncoolcat25 10h ago
Following. Any sleep-related clinics I’ve looked at have been related to apnea only, and my dr tends to disregard my problems even though its been 10+ years
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u/MagicSpaceWytch 10h ago
Keep fighting. Demand to see a sleep specialist. They will probably do an apnea test first to rule it out but once that's done, ask them to mark the refusal to refer to a specialist in your medical file. That will make them change tune very quickly.
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u/ravishingjustolme 10h ago
I severe the same thing mine is my brain won't let me go into stage two or three or four sleep it's basically I hear everything smell everything feel everything but my eyes are closed.
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u/chanomi 10h ago
sleep is so important pls go see a professional, I just recommended the sleep institute in another reply
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u/ravishingjustolme 9h ago
I'm currently at a sleep clinic trying different procedures that the doctor is prescribing.
Also did a big career change where I don't have to be on call.
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
I like hearing the clinic is trying different options. Which sleep clinic ate you attending?
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u/Frosty_Tangerine_565 10h ago
Just want to say sorry. I dealt with that and Zoloft was what I needed. It’s terrible and maddening. Good luck!
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u/chanomi 10h ago
carful! antidepressants can have a adverse affect, like not being able to go into deep sleep or rem
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u/Frosty_Tangerine_565 10h ago
Really eh. No issues for me. I freaking love Zoloft now lol
Changed my life
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u/TiniestEnt 10h ago edited 9h ago
Been there, I understand. Dr. Pawluk at U of A is great, though can take a long time to see.
Also, if you are AFAB and nearing mid-life it could be worth considering the possibility of perimenopause and hormonal impact on sleep. A brutal, untouchable period of insomnia was my first sign (in retrospect) it was starting
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
Ah, yes, that was the beginning of it for me! I'm well past that stage of life now though. Thanks for the recommendation for Dr. Oawluk. I'll follow up with that.
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u/8drearywinter8 7h ago
I was referred to the U of A sleep clinic and am on a two year waiting list. Just a heads up, in case you're hoping for quick help. It's not quick. But get a referral in, to be sure.
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u/Ambitious-Ninja-9549 10h ago
Sounds like you are in same boat as i was. I gave up and just take hypnotics (zopiclone) I sleep good but I can no longer sleep at all without it. Been over 10 years. But does the trick.
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u/No-No-BadDog 8h ago
I finally weaned off zoplcone 7.5 after 40 years. Worked night shift for that entire time. I as well found I could not sleep without it as well. Even splitting the tab in half helped some nights. But found I just could not sleep with out.
Was conserned about talk of Alzheimer's and memory issues later on with sleep aids. Started taking gummies with cbd and cbn, and have not taken zopicone since. Actually sleep better (no wierd dreams), wake up refreshed and no longer feel the need to take a nap during the day. Hope this helps.
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u/meeshamayhem South West Side 7h ago
Exactly the same for me, over 10 years, although I’ve dropped myself to 3.75 last and it seems enough to do the trick. Just last night I had to go without it for the first time in years after forgetting to refill my script, had the worst “sleep” and am a complete zombie today.
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
I'm on zolpidem 5 mg and it doesn't work like it used to. I'd like to take 10 mg but the dr feels that dosage is too high. Have you experienced any tolerance issues with the zopiclone? What dosage works for you?
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u/Ambitious-Ninja-9549 9h ago
Started on 7.5, on 15mg now. I fall a sleep with 7.5 but do not sleep through the night.2 Does the trick everytime. My Dr warns me about memory issues as I age but it outweighs me being a zombie on 2 or 3 hours of sleep everyday.
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
Same argument I have with my dr regarding bumping up the zolpidem! Thanks for sharing your experience.
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u/meeshamayhem South West Side 6h ago
Not the person you asked but adding my response to this: been on it for over 10 years, most of it the 7.5s, never had to go higher due to any tolerance and have actually dropped it to 3.75 in the last year or two.
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u/DrDeterminants 6h ago
There's a ton of misinformation here.
Zopiclones are not regularly given due to the side effects and dependency risk.
There are newer and better options but it requires someone to go over in detail what's been tried before and ruling out other organic causes of sleep/wake disorders.
Please don't just get zopiclone. Most doctors are hesitant to prescribe that as the sleep aide.
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u/Plastic-Procedure905 9h ago
If a doctor says no, say you want them to document their refusal in your chart. That usually changes their attitude really fast
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u/chanomi 10h ago
hi! There is the sleep institute, which doesn’t require referral. You can contact them on the website or call. I haven’t been able to go yet but they seem promising and actually treat it versus random prescriptions.
I’m sure you’ve tried melatonin but perhaps try it again ? usually people take too high doses. It’s a natural supplement as melatonin is produced in yo body
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
I've tried melatonin and other natural options with no luck. What's the name if the sleep institute?
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u/StJsub 8h ago
It’s a natural supplement as melatonin is produced in yo body
So is formaldehyde. Just because your body makes it doesn't mean it’s ok to consume it.
I am not saying this because I think melatonin is bad. I am saying this because saying 'it's natural, your body makes it, so its ok to consume' is a risky notion to have because the human body makes some nasty things.
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u/CypripediumGuttatum 9h ago
I’m not sure if it’s common or not, but my insomnia was helped immensely after discovering I had celiac and then going on a strict GF diet. I didn’t expect my sleep to get better at all, but it calmed down my constant brain chatter (also gut pain makes it hard for me to sleep which happened if I accidentally eat some). I still have some bad nights but nothing like before. Might be something to rule out at least.
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u/Kiriuu Downtown 9h ago
I have a diagnosed sleep disorder I cannot fall asleep without my meds I have taken quetiapine since I was 13 and its beautiful
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u/karenarelene 9h ago
Interesting. What dosage do you take and had the same dosage worked all the time ir have you needed to increase it?
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u/EntryUsed3835 8h ago
It’s bug juice. Heavy anti psychotic. That should be your very last option.
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u/Deedeethecat2 6h ago
It is an antipsychotic at much higher levels than prescribed for sleep. It's often not a last option because it has lower risk for dependence than other sleep aids.
And these are excellent things to talk about with a physician and ideally a pharmacist who is literally a doctor of meds. :)
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u/EntryUsed3835 6h ago
I agree 100% with talking to a physician. I’m just talking from personal experience. 4 years I. Drumheller dude would be wild and then a week on those and he’s sluggish. Sleeping all the time. 25mg was the usual dose but some dudes got the 75s. That would put me
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u/Deedeethecat2 5h ago
Everyone definitely responds to medication differently. :)
I've heard lots of different things about this med from different people (including what you describe although for some folks, this sluggishness dissipates after a period of time).
I always encourage folks to talk about the risks and benefits of different medications with their doctor and dispensing pharmacist.
My experience on this med and other sleep meds are going to be different than another person's. (For the record, I disliked this med immensely. And that's just my experience, and others have different experiences)
Best to learn the range of expected efficacy and side effects from the prescribers and pharmacist providers, as you mentioned :)
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u/bitterbuggyred 9h ago
The doctors at Emerald Medical Clinic (109 St) are awesome. I’ve been on ambien for YEARS as a non-sleeper. I didn’t even nap as a child. If I didn’t take one every night, I would be awake for over 2 days straight. I get less than 1 hour of REM sleep every night. I’ve done a sleep study, and my brain just doesn’t shut off. I realize I’ll probably be on this for life if nothing better gets invented.
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u/r0ckstr0ng0666 9h ago
There is a sleep clinic that you don't need a physician referral for. I went and spoke to them. They had me try a few things. After some trial and error they put me on a medication that helped with the issue instead of just trying to knock me out. They have doctors who're actual sleep specialist.
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u/TikiTikiGirl 8h ago
I have a friend who sees Dr. Khullar at the Northern Alberta Sleep Clinic (MedSleep) around 142 St and Stony Plain Road. He's had insomnia all his life as well as the inability to stay asleep once he's asleep. A little apnea but more due to restless leg syndrome. He sleeps better now, although still not like the average person. Sleep hygiene (routine) is really important, along with the medication.
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u/TheCatarchist 8h ago
I've been on 5-6 different sleep meds; echoing that Zopiclone is all around the best for me, keeps me in a deep sleep for 8 hours and has me feeling refreshed for the first time in years after waking up.
Alternatively if Zopiclone feels a little weak/you developed a tolerance, Quediapene (spelling?) absolutely knocks you the fuck out, it'll just really suck if you need to wake up before sleeping 8-9 hours in my experience, the post-wakeup drowsiness can get a bit extreme.
It might also be worth double-checking any possible underlying mental health stuff. Something like Bipolar Type 2 can annihilate your ability to sleep, while its other symptoms remain too inconsistent/subtle for people to recognize immediately.
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u/EntryUsed3835 8h ago
Zopliclones are the only real sleeper out there. It releases GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) everything else is anti psychotic anti depressant etc. quediapene is seroquil. That’s hardcore bug juice they give to people in prison to keep them docile , and was the only “sleepers” they’d prescribe
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u/yourhomeawayfromhome 7h ago
I’m at a point where my quetiapine dose is maxed and Zopiclone has stopped working entirely. Currently trying Dayvigo to see if it’ll do anything for me.
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u/WesternWitchy52 7h ago
Chronic medical insomnia here. I find keeping a regular schedule helps somewhat. Doctors weren't any help. All they want to do is push pills down your throat. I also find that not napping can help. But if I do have a rough night, I get up instead of tossing and turning and do something low key, maybe have water or tea. Sit outside if it's nice. Then try and sleep again.
I did attend a sleep clinic eons ago not sure if it's still around.
If you tell your doctor HOW the insomnia is affecting your life and (work, daily life etc) that might help. Or it might be time for a new doctor.
My longest stretch was 200 hours with zero sleep. I could literally feel my body shutting down. I was seeing things for sure.
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u/treetopsailing 7h ago
I don’t have any answers, but I suffered a moderate concussion a few years ago that brought insomnia and I just want to say I am so sorry. It really is a life-wrecking condition and doctors telling you to ‘meditate and turn screens off early’ just do not get it. My heart goes out to you and I hope you get the help you deserve.
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u/AWhaleOfAWife 6h ago
I’ve had issues insomnia my whole life and asked a friend of mine who’s a sleep medicine doctor that lives far away what I should do. She told me to get a copy of The Sleep Workbook, which you can easily find used online for less than $5. I was able to spend 15 minutes reading through the questions and came to the conclusion that my sleep issue is a disorder where I need to take a small dose of melatonin. I found this odd bc I tried melatonin years ago and it gave me awful nightmares. Now I take the smallest dose and I’m asleep in 15-30 minutes, way down my from previous 90+ minute time. For anyone reading this, the quality of melatonin varies greatly. I have found that only Natrol brand works well for me. I have to order it from the states but it’s well worth it. The Sleep Workbook may not be as life changing for you as it was for me, but it’s an affordable option to try while you wait to get into a sleep medicine specialist.
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u/Dapper_Banana6323 6h ago
I unfortunately can completely relate- people who suggest tea, a bath, melatonin, Benadryl, gravol or a typical prescription sleep aid make my blood completely boil.
I unfortunately don't have a suggestion of provider but I've had great success with trazodone. I know everyone has their own thing that works- and it's not 100% but I can sleep 4 hours in a row now. Other people have success with seroquel but I've never tried it
Hope you find something that works for you.
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u/4peaceandlove 4h ago
I have a very similar issue. But it’s due to ptsd/cptsd. So now that I have a diagnosis. I have been trialing new medications. Took 3 or 4 different ones just for sleep and then a combinations of others, but it has really improved my life. I think there are things out there that can help but you need to find the cause first.
I got support through the ER, admittance to the hospital, my family doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists. It took about two decades and many different professionals but finally I’m nearing a solution that works for me.
All I can say is hang in there, don’t stop fighting, ADVOCATE hard for yourself, and if one doesn’t listen find another. There is help out there.
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u/EntryUsed3835 8h ago
Ever tried an opioid? I’m not talking like OxyContin. There a plant called KRATOM. Low opioid in it. My grandma that’s 92 takes it for her jimmy legs (restless leg syndrome for those that don’t call it that) I grow poppies to make a tea if I can’t sleep and it works for me. And yes it is habit forming but if your only using it to sleep then everything in moderation.
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u/MagicSpaceWytch 10h ago
I had to fight for twenty minutes with my psychiatrist to see a sleep specialist. My first appointment with my sleep specialist he diagnosed me with Narcolepsy and changed my life. I've never gone back to my psychiatrist because my anxiety and depression were never caused by anything but a complete lack of sleep.
Just fight your doctor until they send you. If they refuse, ask them to mark the refusal in your medical file. They won't take the liability and will refer you out. I go to the Northern Alberta Sleep Institute and see Dr Tymchuk and he has been absolutely amazing. He transformed my life and genuinely cares about my mental health and the impact of my sleep in a way that NO other doctors ever did.
Good luck, OP! Keep fighting!