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Not sleeping

Tue, 10/30/2007 - 14:06
So I just came here to write...complain...about what's going on with me right now. I don't want to irritate my friends or family by putting on a 'woe-is-me' act and I think holding back my feelings helps the people close to me deal with my epilepsy. I'm not sleeping. I'm getting at best 4 hours of sleep a night. I average around 1.5 - 2. There are a number of reasons for this: 1. My medication keeps me wired, so I don't feel sleepy until I'm totally exhausted. Usually 24 hours after I last slept. 2. For some reason, when I go to bed I lie there for 2 hours or so before I fall asleep. 3. When I do fall asleep, I have a seizure almost right away. In a night where I get 4 hours of sleep I'll have about 3 seizures. (I have nocturnal epilepsy) 4. I think, and this is the big thing, that I am afraid to sleep. I certainly was last night. My seizures are painful...they're the most pain I've ever felt in my life, like being lit on fire from the inside. So ya, I'm afraid of them. My boyfriend says I should just try to go to bed earlier, but when I do that I lie there even longer...I could be doing something productive. This is starting to really affect me. Le sigh. Anyway, sorry for complaining. I'm just...tired and lonely :) Thanks, Kelly

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not sleeping

Submitted by ShortCircuit on Wed, 2007-10-31 - 15:05
The generic ambien doesn't work as well as the patented version. The few times I've taken it, I've woken up w/ a splitting headache. When I had insurance, could afford the patented version, it worked like a charm. FYI, when i was on Topamax, I had severe insomnia. I was up 3 days at a time, felt like I was losing it. If you're on topamax, that might be a side effect.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not sleeping

Submitted by Kelter on Wed, 2007-10-31 - 18:54
I am on Tegratol (sp?) and Lyrica, a pain medication not approved in Canada for epilepsy treatment, but seeing as my seizures induce pain my doctor prescribed it. Would up the dosage to stop the seizures but I'm at max.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not sleeping

Submitted by bex on Wed, 2007-10-31 - 15:14
I am so not sleeping at the moment. It has got worse as I have started to reduce my seizure meds. I go to bed feeling knakered but am so wired when I get there. Will have to try the meditation thing I think. Have been trying the lavender but think its run its course with me! And tried hot baths. Definitely don't want any more meds at the moment.... But do agree its better to lay and get some rest. Hope you all get some sleep soon! Bex

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