[David McDaid]

Hello everyone

my name is david mcdaid and I am a postgraduate student in journalism studies at the university of strathclyde in glasgow, scotland.

I am writing a feature article on insomnia and how it affects the people who sufferer from it as well as those close to them.

I wonder if anyone would be kind enough to share their experiences with me?

I am writing primarily for a piece of course work, and your anonymity will be respected - although a pen name, location, at least would be nice.

Here are the kinds of thing i'd like to hear about what life is like as an insomniac -
- how long have you suffered from insomnia?
- how little do you sleep and how does it leave you feeling?
- how do you spend your sleepless nights?
- what have you tried to alleviate your insomnia?
- how has insomnia impacted upon your life regards work ?
- did you know that some of the most famous names in history were also insomniacs? Da vinci, van gogh, winston churchill?
- in britain there was a tv show that encouraged contestants to stay awake for one week to win approx $200 000 - how does this make you feel as a real insomniac?

I would be so grateful to any anyone out there who can help.

My e-mail address is deivi79@hotmail.Com

many thanks

david mcdaid

[wedbear]

Hi, my name is Ben and i am 24 years old.

For 2 years i have suffered with restless nights, body aches and stiff necks which are all related to the first one being sleepless nights.

Conventional practises dodnt really work for me, and i havent heard of any support groups near where i am from either.

But there is a product that works for me, helping me sleep and stops my aches and pains too. Its some kind of health pad that you wear when you sleep at night time they are called Kinohimitsu Health Pads, they have a website with loads of information on it where you can purchase the pads aswell, newbielink:http://www.kinohimitsu.co.uk [nonactive] since i have been using them i have slept so much more better and i actually feel good and alive for the first time in ages.

If anybody does know of any suppoort groups for insomnia or anxiety in the south east of england Let me know. cheers all

[plaidlumberjack]

[|)] hey people. Another long time insomniac here, has anyonelse found that they search for a group of insomniacs in their area or atleast a 24 coffee house or someplace to hangout all night and there's absolutely nothing... I mean, no groups, no people, no places... were not that rare are we?!?!? arg... i lost my night group of people a few years ago and i'm going insane from bordem, i've gotten too good at video games since... [|)]

[neilep]

Hi Ben, Hi Aaron........Unfortunatley there are no support groups for Insomniacs in the UK. I have spoken to a few people who have researched it recently,including David (three posts up),  and it seems if there are some then they are very well hidden.

It looks like the lack of a support network is not just constrained to the UK eh Aaron ?

It's amazing how little credence is given to the anguish and distress that Insomniacs tolerate. It just doesn't seem to be seen as serious enough, and my experience over the years confirms this attitude. I tend to get things said like "Oh, it's alright for Neil, he's up all night " or "you should have no problem seeing as you're awake all night"...pisses me off !!...I'd like to see them stay up all night, every single night !...with a smile on their face !

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[plaidlumberjack]

Ya, it seems we are the forgotten crazy people here , i wasent looking for a support group per say, but more of someone or somewhere to hang out at in the middle of the night so i dont go insane from mental atrophy, or mabye that is an insomniacs support group eh?

so far all i've found late at night is rave's and the random horror film fest. and i dont like raves.... oh well. at least we can work double jobs eh? *sigh* so it's no better for you uk'ers than it is for us canadians...

I just wish calgary HAD A nighT LifE! anyways here's pulling for you guys.

[DoctorBeaver]

I went to a presentation on insomnia a few weeks ago but it was so boring I fell asleep half way through []

[neilep]

Oh HA HA HA !!! []..Thanks a bunch ! []

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[DoctorBeaver]

Sorry [V]

[neilep]

quote:Originally posted by DoctorBeaver

Sorry [V]

Thats ok []

*sigh* nearly 6:30am....oh joy !

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[neilep]

have to stop myself from ****ing shouting at everybody...have to ****ing bite my ****ing tongue.

What ****ing day is it anyway ?...ok...it's Tuesday...been up since Sunday 3am.........**** !!...(sorry.....actually..I'm really sorry for the cursing...the last thing I would ever want to do is cause offence..)

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Desert_Rose]

Not to worry, Neil, that's my husbands normal form of communication with me 5 days a week.
***Neil, it's time to seek a specialists help!  I just read on another thread that you've been this way since you were 4 years old***
Have someone help you find a Sleep Disorders Specialist! Do this sooner rather than later!  Growl at me now--you will thank me later!
Joanne

[neilep]

Thanks Joanne...you're very kind.

I have through out the years been seen by a variety of specialists..I've done a few sleep studies at various sleep disorders clinics.. have been hooked up to a bunch of wires...had various therapies from psycotherapy to Congitive Behavioural Therapy...tried many diets and changes of way of life...and of course sleeping pills !...ahhh...Nitrazepam !...my dear old friend !!...I only take some when I really need it....haven't had any for weeks now and unless I absolutely require forced sleep I rarely take it at all...I have grown accustomed to this way of life. I don't for that to mean that I have got used to it so much that it has become a habit..no no...I mean I have accepted that this is the way it is for me...I really have no choice...been doing it for 36 years !!...I can't actually imagine going to bed at 11pm , then sleeping till 6 or 7.....what a bizarre concept !!

However...It just so happens that I am indeed scheduled for another sleep study in a couple of months time...oh joy !!...Thanks again Joanne....

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Carolyn]

Hi Neil - I am curious.  When you finally do get to sleep, is it more of a fall or a crash?  Do you sleep for hours or days?  And do you get sick of answering insomnia questions?  24 hours is probably the longest I've stayed awake, and it feels like I'll never catch up on the sleep I've missed. I also am very grouchy when I do get up.  Grouchy is my word, B----h is more likely the word my family would use.

Carolyn

[neilep]

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for asking

I don't personally get sick talking ' insomnia '  I see it as therapy!..Though others may get sick of me mentioning it !!.To answer your question though, when i finally get to sleep it's very very very rarely longer than a couple of hours,,,even after a long period of being awake...if i'm lucky. I will fall asleep again for another couple of hours.

It's debateable as to whether one needs extra sleep relative to the length of time you have been awake...i think it used to be generally considered that despite the amount of wake time , one would always just need your usual amount of sleep to recover. I think it's right down the middle !...i have seen people sleep for a few extra hours in which it seems that the body is recuperating….others…like myself, just sleep the same old tiny amount,. It’s worth noting that having too much sleep can make you feel really awful too.

Personally, I’m a very light sleeper. and even after prolonged periods of being awake..i can be woken very easily.

This last period was a particularly long period for me (53 hours !!)..I recall noticing the time at 6am this morning then the next thing I knew it was 7am…then it was 9.

I hope you manage to find your pattern again Carolyn.


Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Desert_Rose]

Neil,
my husband who has “missing mate insomnia” brought this up....(when I don’t go to bed at the same time he does), here’s what he suggested.  

This is non-sexual-sorry.

It’s best to have your hunny bunny available for this the first time.  
1) Laying in bed, with her head under your "wing", and on your chest, in a 1 sided embrace...
2) Corral all your focus, concentration and attention to this....your eyes closed.
3) Picture your hunny’s hair.  By individual hair folicle....
   The texture, is it fine, medium, coarse?  Soft? Softer?  Brittle, in curlers? (egad!)
   The color is it the same color as the rest, lighter or darker?
   Then count it as 1
   The next strand
      texture
      color
      count as 2
      repeat....(my hubby gets to about 25)
Your mind will not have a challenge keeping count because you are using all your mental forces for this very important query....Right?

keep going, you will either bore your mind into giving up and letting you sleep
Or
you will have a good appreciation for your hunny’s hair.
Or
Both

Hunny should feel free to move away soon after you slip into Dreamyland....ZZZZZzzzzzzz!

Good Luck
Joanne

[neilep]

Thanks Joanne,

Gosh !!..I just have to try and get to grips with the concept of going to bed the same time as wifey !

It's seems like it's based on the premise of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I had where I literally was supposed to bore myself so much that my brain would close down and sleep...but this sounds far nicer and pleasanter a task.

I will most certainly give it a try and will report back...THANK YOU.

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Carolyn]

Hi Joanne - I'm going to try that when hubby gets back in town.  He's off on ANOTHER hunting trip.  That sounds very similiar to what I do to get rid of hickups, only I use eyes instead of hair.

Carolyn

[neilep]

Hi Ya...4.10am here.....erhmm!!..it didn't work !..I'll try again when I go to bed...again...wifey will be asleep but I'll grab here head anyway !(lol)....sorry !!

I was just too awake...I'll give it another go later...Good Luck Carolyn !

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Desert_Rose]

Yes, definitly give it a several nights tryout....it can't hurt.  Plus your body gets "relax time" as well as it makes you do "nothing else" for a short while anyway.  I can't say that I have used it, but hubby swears to it.
lots of luck to both of you!
Joanne

[Desert_Rose]

I was doing a search for something else, ran across this and thought of you!
http://www.enzymeessentials.com/search/answers/question_50.html

Joanne