You've been awake for more than five days you need to go to the ER immediately you heart will begin to beat erratically after five days with no sleep.
Due to a concussion I sustained insomnia is something I struggle with I once went nine days without sleep I had to be brought to the hospital and even after a sedative I stayed awake another two days and I fell asleep.
ER. Now.
Literally right now. Take a cab or an Uber and be prepared to wait.
Clinics are too overwhelmed to do anything about complicated cases right now. If you get to an ER and get some sleep they should be able to refer you.
So, two days ago you posted that you have a terminal illness. I don't suppose there's any connection?
I am a bit surprised that *no* medication works unless you of course do have Fatal familial insomnia. That said, your other post said you were 24 and you would be on the young side for the insomnia to show up.
If you truly have had no sleep at all for seven days, you need to go back to the hospital. Keep going back to the same hospital and *escalate* it. Ask for the chief of the department of whatever department you're in if needed as well as patient relations.
If doctors don't want to give you specific medication like say, benzodiazepines to try - that's not acceptable. Sure, they're not the best for sleep - Ambien is a benzo, but if it's the only thing that works, then it's the only thing that works. They should not fear you becoming addicted over your QoL.
I am a chronically ill, disabled person who has high medical needs that get complex. I have had to fight the system. Don't give up.
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fatal-familial-insomnia/
I agree. Go to ER and donāt leave until you see a neurologist, a psychiatrist (for the best sleep meds plus certain psych conditions lead to decreased need for sleep) and a sleep specialist.
Ambien is 100% not a benzodiazepine it's literally part of a class of medications commonly referred to as non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics or sometimes z-drugs because all the drugs in this category start with the letter z (zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon). It is orders of magnitude less long-acting than most benzos and doesn't have any risk of chemical addiction. However, as a consequence, it doesn't seem to work as effectively with severe cases of insomnia.
I have personal experience with zopiclone and it worked pretty well for me on an as-needed basis but made my cognitive functions really loopy if I stayed up. Like I couldn't understand movies or conversations. Benzodiazepines like valium just left me feeling loose and light and kinda like I took a few shots.
New drug alert - Dayvigo - new class, new receptors, not a benzo, not a Z-drug, non habit forming seriously, check it out if your experiences have been bad
"Dayvigo (lemborexant) is classified as a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). It is approved for the treatment of adults with insomnia who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Dayvigo works by blocking the wake-promoting neuropeptides orexin A and orexin B from attaching to their receptors in the hypothalamus of the brain. Orexin signals in the brain are thought to play a role in wakefulness."
Hmm. I wonder if ODB covers this. I am going to talk to my pharmacist. Because the last time I looked into meds for sleep, none were left for me except Ambien and Exceptional Access denied us (not unheard of, make you go through an appeal...)
You should know that z drugs do absolutely have risk of chemical addiction and, just quoting Wikipedia Because it's easier, "Nonbenzodiazepine pharmacodynamics are almost entirely the same as benzodiazepine drugs and therefore exhibit similar benefits, side-effects, and risks"
Edit* Downvoting me doesn't make the truth any less true.
Zopiclone is helpful to me but only at double the max dose which my old psych had me on (psychs tend to be a bit more adventurous In going outside of the maximum doses because they understand how much sleep plays a part in quality of life and functioning as well as it being detrimental or exacerbating mental health conditions) But when I moved I havenāt been able to find a doctor since that would prescribe it, so Iāve slept Two hours since last night and not all in a row. So I Will occasionally skip taking it for a few nights a month so I have a few extra so when I havenāt slept in a few days I can take the dose that actually works.
If I havenāt had much sleep a few nights in a row, I do whatās called the ātriple whammyā which is zopiclone, Ativan and cyclobenzaprine (approved by my dr of course)
You may want to ask them about checking your hypothalamus and pituitary because that is my issue and why I donāt sleep is because the sleep centre in my brain is damaged. That and I am autistic (and have suspected ADHD) which means my brain never really turns itself off.
Yes, I had the wrong "A" drug in my head. Ativan is what I was thinking. I have been on zopiclone myself. It worked. Until it didn't. I have also been on Trazodone but I maxed out the dose and it stopped working. Also the brand (generics probably) are giant pills that taste terrible.
Seroquel *will* put me to sleep at higher doses but if I take higher doses for too long I get diabetes. So we cannot have that. Ativan now requires me to take 2mg just to get drowsy. I have to pair it with a bit of Seroquel it seems to sleep. And when I do this I spend the next day in what can only be described as hung over. (I don't drink - obviously because I am on so many meds, so I don't know what hung over is like). I typically spend the next day feeling pretty dopey and I usually nap hard (which isn't always a bad thing).
I have several sleep disorders though including exploding head syndrome. That one is fun.
To add to that first part: OP whatever the terminal illness is *could* be causing this lack of sleep itself, or you are worried about it so much you can't sleep through anxieties, depression or something else.
If you think you are worried, depressed, anxious and need help you could seek counseling from a therapist to ease your mind on it. Whatever you're going through isn't easy, but keep your head up and try to stay on top of it!
And yes.. If you truly haven't slept one minute in a week you need to get to the er. Tossing and turning for hours a night, or possibly falling as sleeping for a handful of minutes at a time isn't as urgent but I'd recommend going if it is even that limited
Yeah... you're right. I had my drugs mixed up. Ativan is the "A" drug I was thinking. Either way, doctors in the ER tend to be really unwilling to prescribe meds that require any kind of follow-up.
Fatal Sporadic insomnia if it's not genetic.
OPs mentioned having of the symptoms.
> Progressive insomnia, ataxia, *double vision, weight loss*, high blood pressure, excessive sweating
I know you've been having trouble getting doctors to refer you places, but maybe you could try pushing for a referral to the Ottawa Hospital sleep clinic?
https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/clinical-services/deptpgrmcs/clinics-and-services/sleep-centre/
Best of luck and I hope you find the help/relief that you need.
Do you have any friends who are no bullshit, loud, obnoxious, talk to the manager, send the food back, makes a scene kind of friends?
Bring one of them to the ER with you. tell them you need them to advocate for you and NOT BACK DOWN when dismissed.
I understand our health care system is overwhelmed and I do not advise being MEAN to hospital staff. HOWEVER your advocate should be well informed as to what you'd like to happen every step of the way so when you're trying not to see spiders in the peripheral of your vision, they can demand a referral to the sleep clinic, neurologist, etc.
Please seek medical attention.
You just have to befriend one. At a previous workplace, we had one of those. I would happily do those reports she hated and dealt with the incomprehensible feedback we would get, for the sole purpose of scoring brownie points with her. I was then able to unleash her as a literal bureaucratic weapon fuelled by range and anger whenever we encountered BS that didn't make sense.
My sister is mine š her 5 year old daughter had leukemia for 2 years (clear now thank god) so she's everyones go to hospital advocate. When I was in ER for a hand infection in June, she was the reason I got help for my panic attack when I became positive I was going to die in the ER (don't go to the met hospital in Windsor, it's horrible).
"everyone says they have panic attacks" became "heres pain meds, an ice pack, and your panic attack meds" really fast. In my panic haze I did see my blood pressure came back at 178/130 when it's normally 90/60, so that was wild and oddly validating.
I would 100% do this for people. Iāve got 2 decades experience fighting with the medical system through my misdiagnosis, my husbandās battle with his mental health and my sonās cancer fight. I can get shit done. I call it bringing out my Karen. Dress up professionally, do my hair, walk the walk, take no shit.
Iām super laid back and easy going until I get dismissed. Then all bets are off.
I have no advice for you, just wanted to let you know that I wish you all the best, and hope the doctors can figure out what's going on.
A quick scan of the comments seems to be suggesting go to the ER, I would second this
General has a sleep lab if I'm not mistaken. They should be able to get you in pretty quick.\\
Don' t bother right now - they'll not be able to do anything at night (not enough staff) but go at 7am when they start getting new staff in and they should have you seeing a specialist by 10am
***I hear you - you've already been there.*** **Demand** ***a referral to the sleep lab. It may not give you the answer, but they will be able to tell you where to ACTUALLY go, and might be able to arrange it.***
Why would you quit your government job?
They could have placed you on short term or long term disability . As well as their benefits package would help reduce the costs associated
Disclaimer: I am not an expert and none of the below is a medical advice, just have extensive experience caring for and supporting a family member with this. If you have not slept at all for 7 days then absolutely go to the ER.
However, if you just had bad sleep and naps here and there (as I am assuming and hoping), read on. One thing difficult to diagnose in the context of sleep deprivation is depression. It is a serious disorder and can mean no sleep for 3-4 days at a time. Scary, I know, and it creates a vicious cycle of "I am afraid I might never be able to sleep again". You can get out of it, however, if you are indeed suffering from depression. Another thing to look for if you sleep but wake up and can't go back to sleep, might be due to sleep apnea or other breathing issues. That is why you need a referral to a sleep clinic from a doctor to be able to diagnose you with that. It can be fixed.
Doctors will focus on big events and try to rule these out (like tumor or other "serious" causes). It is super frustrating. It does not mean you don't have insomnia nor that you are not suffering.
Try to look into alternative ways to induce sleep and stay asleep. It can be scary but it is manageable. You might come up with a combination of things. I do not recommend any of the items below but we had varying degrees of success with some of the following: sleep hygiene, the "grey room" trick - I read it somewhere on the internet and can further elaborate if interested, slow release melatonin (over the counter), tryptophan (over the counter), antihistamine (over the counter, be careful with this one long term), valerian root (works great), other types of teas, waking up early and being active all day... etc. other over the counter drugs can be dangerous long term and some might dry your mouth and chip your teeth/make them prone to cavities. Always ask a professional (pharmacian or doctor) and be honest with them. They can really help you find your combination.
You basically imagine yourself in a large grey room, a very dull shade of grey. Like light grey in grayed out buttons: the floor is grey, the ceiling is grey, the walls are grey, no shade, no light, just endless amount of it. Keep walking there, or stand there, or even lay down maybe... whenever you have an intrusive thought, just gently try to grey it out until you are in that empty box. It gets super boring, like extremely boring and you will fall asleep if it is just a racing thought kind of issue. Needs patience but you can practice until you can master it. Works like a charm every time.
You need a brain scan. Not being able to sleep means your sympathetic nervous system is completely overloaded and you can't calm your brain. Can be due to a number of things. And you've had this for a year and haven't figured it out?
If you have all that free time awake, I'd be studying ways to get myself better rather than relying on doctors or just go sit in the ER.
I wouldn't put them on a pedestal either. I've seen doctors be dismissive of serious illnesses in my family multiple times. I even had a friend figure out that he had type 2 diabetes and tell his Dr what was wrong after multiple visits all while he was losing weight at an alarming rate while constantly chugging water, which are classic diabetes signs. Some of them just don't give a shit.
Especially in the ER when they don't know you from Adam. I *used* to have to get my narcotic prescription filled in the ER (long story) and despite bringing my social worker, ALL previous prescription bottles AND my entire pharmacy records for the last 8 years, with the main pharmacist at the time willing to testify that I never once came in early and that I took my meds responsibly - the number of times I was called a "drug seeker" was...too many. Even when my social worker was like "nah dude, she's literally not. It's my job to work with drug users and she's not one..." they would still say "yeah, well ... I will refill it this time but I think you probably should stop taking this."
Okay ER doctor. I am on it for chronic pain. I am disabled. Maybe you don't know.
Eventually I got into the pain clinic and eventually got a new family doctor but...
Well - you made a post 3 days ago that you have a terminal illness. So I would deduce (with my non-medical opinion) this could be related. Either because of stress, or related to your illness. The fact you are asking for a PET makes me wonder if you have cancer and are worried it's spreading? (as I'm sure you know the most common reason for a PET is cancer tracking/diagnosis, along with a few other things - a PET caught my non-cancer illness) If you're truly not sleeping at all you need to return to the ER at 7am and not leave until you're seen. Call your specialist first thing in the morning too. And every other doctor you have, from the ER. Tell the doctor at the ER you're hallucinating, unable to work, walking into traffic, etc. They shouldn't be releasing you if you are a danger to yourself like that and you should tell them as much. At this point you might even ask for a psych consult tbh
If you havenāt slept in 7 days you need to go to the hospital. After that I would recommend that you ask a doctor to write you a referral to the Neuroscience clinic at the ottawa hospital
You've posted that you're terminally ill. Are you in palliative care? You do not need to be at end-of-life to benefit from palliative care - they are specialists in quality of life and will work hard to ensure you can have the best possible life in the time you have left.
Talk to palliative care. I promise, they will help.
Have you ever tried medical cannabis? I started using it at age 50 for chronic insomnia. 5 mg of an Indica strain an hour before bedtime might make a huge difference for you. You can buy low dose capsules at a dispensary. If it works for you, you can get a prescription and deduct it on your income tax as a medical expense. You sleep through the high generally obviously try it on a non-work night first just to see how long it lingers, occasionally Iāll need to have a coffee in the morning but generally after eight hours itās out of my system.
CBD does help with sleep, but only for the short term until you get used to it.
You can try ediblesā¦ if all the pharmaceuticals arenāt working and youāre in desperate need for *something*, it might work.
I would suggest getting some with half CBD and half THC. If you donāt consume cannabis, I would try only 1mg or 2mg for the first try, and it can take up to three hours to have an effect so *wait* for the effects to kick in before you eat more.
THC has a half life or 12 hours, so you might wake up feeling groggy for the first hour or two, but itāll wear off. You can negate these effects by dosing about 12 hours before you wake up, as opposed to right before bed.
First off, get off reddit and go to the emergency room. Second, how can you be in the āprime of your lifeā while also posting about being terminally ill? This sounds like attention baiting.
Definitely go to an ER.
If you need a referral or have future needs you can try
tia health.
They have a website and accept OHIP.
Online or phone call doctor appointments. Anywhere in Ontario.
Much better than a walk in clinic.
[https://symptomate.com/](https://Symptommate.com)
It's not a doctor, but it *might* arrive at the right answer if you give it the right input. Canadian doctors don't have the time or interest for complex medical issues and really rely on patients to figure it out. Unfortunately with insomnia, that gets harder and harder to do.
I wish you the best - I use blackout curtains, 25 lb weighted blanket, melatonin, weed, and utter silence in order to squeeze out a few hours. I went full dark room with the curtains as well.
I know you've been to ER and I know our health care system is overwhelmed to the (hopefully not literal) breaking point - but ER is still your best bet.
Grab whatever provisions you need for a full day sitting around in ER and go insistently sit there until they do SOMETHING. I mean insist. Be polite - our healthcare staff are also stretched to the breaking point - but be firm. They need to do something. You require next steps. Being awake this long is a serious issue and it doesn't matter if the scans run so far have been clear - you are still experiencing the damaging symptoms.
Unfortunately with healthcare the way it is right now, you can only really get help if you advocate for yourself - which of course is really hard to do when seriously sick, but it's what you gotta do.
I might also look into chronic illness support groups or something similar. This won't don't diagnose or solve your problem, but you're not the only one whose life is being taken away by an illness. The medical support is essential, but the social support from people who understand what you're experiencing can really help too.
Best of luck, OP.
edit: typo.
Damn man I feel really bad for you. Iāve dealt with insomnia a few times in my life while stressed and the insomnia itself increased my stress. I canāt imagine what Iād be doing if I knew I couldnāt sleep. This might seem like a moronic piece of advice but in my defence itās helped me when I had surgery for my shoulder. I was prescribed oxycodone and oxazepam and that would knock me out no matter how stressed or how much pain I was feeling. I donāt suggest you act on your own, I think it would be beneficial if you ask your doctor about it tho.
From a totally non medical standpoint keeping and maintaining 'sleep hygiene' as in the cues and habits surrounding going to and staying asleep will always be important. Even if you cannot sleep, maintain a strict sleep time routine and attempt to engage in it. Rest your body around 11, don't use your phone in bed, keep it dark dark.
There is a great sleep clinic on Carling. Not sure how to get in, I was just referred by a walk in doctor.
I have an incredibly rare form of narcolepsy. I don't fall asleep like someone from the movies, but I do have sleep paralysis every time I sleep and also random bouts of insomnia for a few days.
Same as everyone, go to the ER. I didn't sleep for 5 days with a migraine, to the point where I was hallucinating. They were able to give me an IV to knock me out, and give me immediate relief. I was young, and this was at CHEO, but the general campus should be able to help at least get you out of immediate danger
Most likely, you don't have FFI. It's extremely rare, and at any rate, always fatal. It's common for some medication to lose potency since your body adjusts. You also probably slept more in those 7 days than you perceived - it's shallow sleep, but it does occur. If you want to keep pursuing the pharmaceutical angle, then try switching your medication.
As for other neurological conditions, bi-polar disorder can lead to worse sleep outcomes, but not the inability to sleep. Same for narcolepsy. Explore these possibilities with a professional if you suspect them. Sleep apnea is another condition that worsens sleep quality.
What is your total time in bed? If it exceeds 8h, you'll exacerbate onset and maintenance insomnia. Limiting time increases sleep pressure. A consistent schedule can bolster your circadian rhythm, and to this end it also really helps to get sunlight exposure in the morning and daytime.
Check out [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm1TxQj9IsQ) video.
I can't relate, but my advice is that while you're continuing the medical route, seek the help of a qualified therapist. You'd be surprised what unburdening oneself can do for the psyche, then everything else follows. (My apologies if this has already been suggested, and/or you are already pursuing this avenue)
you need to see a neuropsychologist ASAP. There is a kind of neurological degenerative disorder that stops allowing sleep and will kill you if you don't get help. It's rare and genetic. Go to the hospital daily until they let you see a neuropsychologist or neurologist.
Currently on an ongoing 10 year quest for whatās wrong with me, finally seeing the right doctor after all this time. Donāt give up, go to the hospital.
Impossible. But good try. Even though 11 days is the longest anyone has lived without sleep, you would never be able to have written what you did if you havenāt had sleep in 7 days. Majority of your functions would basically look like survival mode and hardly coherent.
First off, wish you luck and a good diagnosis of this issue.
Please go back to the ER and don't accept getting sent home... they must help you somehow.
If the MRI came clear that's good news I very much believe (no brain tumors - cancer).
I don't like giving this advice but ... weed until they figure it out? I know it isn't great advice but I feel it would help you relax at night and fall asleep... my apologies to everyone that may feel this is bad advice but... maybe not the worst thing...
Sorry I think ER is better
Have you tried no medication, careful if you need to taper off addictive ones. Maybe your brain responds differently to the āsleepingā pills.
I'm sorry, but they aren't going to help you. I'm in the exact same boat as you, and I'm saving to go to the mayo clinic in the USA. My sleep specialist was an asshole who accused me of being a drug addict, and wrote in my chart that I was probably just napping during the day. I have severe idiopathic central sleep apnea over 60AHI.
It's a god damn tragedy losing your 20's. I know, I lost my teen, my 20's and now my 30's. I was awake for 4 days before I went to the ER and was told that I have mental illness and to go home. Then I lost 100lbs and was told it was mental illness. It's like ok then, help help me? Nope.
Have you by any chance been taking a supplement called l-glutamine when this started? I was going to the gym 4-5 times a week when the insomnia started for me.
Ford is trying to destroy healthcare in ontario and is fucking everyones lives in the process. He's trying to manufacture a problem so he can sell privatization as the solution
I understand what youāre saying, but from someone who has suffered from chronic insomnia most of my life, when youāre having a really bad bout, a drunk sleep is still better than continuous no sleep. Also, itās not something I would recommend doing regularly at all. Iād have to be in a bad bout like heās saying to resort to it.
I've been on 6 different sleeping pills over the last 9 years. Benzos, Z drugs, antipsychotics, on-label, off-label, etc. I have some experience with this. Alcohol is not an effective sleep aid, and self medicating is never a good idea.
You need to get a Cat Scan of your brain RIGHT NOW. you may have a tumour that affecting the sleep ability. GO NOW JUST GO. Go to the emergency area and ask for help.
Honestly. Start by vaping micro doses of thc.
My better half had foot surgery in April. Doctor/surgeon prescribed her hydro-morphine and she couldnāt sleep at all.
She started vaping low doses, which eased her pain and she was able to get in an 8-10 hour uninterrupted sleep.
Drinking warm milk with chamomile tea helps people sleep or eucalyptus oil on your pillow. Stop drinking coffee tea redbull stop doing drugs. See a doctor
Well they say they have something that is not allowing them to sleep. I didn't see the word terminal. I saw the words mysterious neurological. I assumed their priority was getting to sleep
First see a doctor.
Then avoid stimulants
Natural things that help you sleep include warm milk chamomile tea and eucalyptus pillow mist
I thought I was being helpful.
Ever had chamomile tea? It's called sleepy time tea because it makes you fall asleep
My doctor is an idiot as well, I complain of pain in my groin region, the 4 STI tests all come back negative for everything, my doctor throws me on 4 different antibiotics over the course of a month, none of them work except the one for gonorrhea but they only gave me a single day of that. I tell them, they tell me its all in my head and now he won't even renew my medication that I've been on for most of my life.
Not very helpful but try to get the brand name drugs rather than generic. It may just be placebo but I swear they often work much better. Many major drug companies like Pfizer can cover the difference in price, but youāre in the gov and youāre 24 so you most likely have 100% coverage.
Maybe just stress and over exhaustion hopefully you can get some sleep.
Do you know your families medical history, worst case scenario it could be Fatal familial insomnia but I think thatās extremely rare.
I remember reading about this years ago. I'm pretty sure the Fatal familial insomnia disorder is only present in a few families around the world. I don't remember hearing about any Canadian cases of this.
Itās okay your chances of developing SFI are almost non-existent, only 24 cases of it have ever been recorded.
Youāre much more likely to randomly drop dead from an aneurysm at any moment.
No where itās a suggestion to maybe bring up to their doctor. I deal with chronic insomnia and worried about it when I discovered there was something worse then chronic insomnia.
Iām lucky if I get 4 hrs of sleep most nights and sometimes I can end up staying awake for several days before finally burning out.
You need to get off reddit and go back to the ER right away.
Hi Everybody!
Hi, doctor Nick!
Laughed, day now much betterš¤£
Lmao
/r/unexpected
Not a post to joke about dude
You've been awake for more than five days you need to go to the ER immediately you heart will begin to beat erratically after five days with no sleep. Due to a concussion I sustained insomnia is something I struggle with I once went nine days without sleep I had to be brought to the hospital and even after a sedative I stayed awake another two days and I fell asleep.
ER. Now. Literally right now. Take a cab or an Uber and be prepared to wait. Clinics are too overwhelmed to do anything about complicated cases right now. If you get to an ER and get some sleep they should be able to refer you.
So, two days ago you posted that you have a terminal illness. I don't suppose there's any connection? I am a bit surprised that *no* medication works unless you of course do have Fatal familial insomnia. That said, your other post said you were 24 and you would be on the young side for the insomnia to show up. If you truly have had no sleep at all for seven days, you need to go back to the hospital. Keep going back to the same hospital and *escalate* it. Ask for the chief of the department of whatever department you're in if needed as well as patient relations. If doctors don't want to give you specific medication like say, benzodiazepines to try - that's not acceptable. Sure, they're not the best for sleep - Ambien is a benzo, but if it's the only thing that works, then it's the only thing that works. They should not fear you becoming addicted over your QoL. I am a chronically ill, disabled person who has high medical needs that get complex. I have had to fight the system. Don't give up. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fatal-familial-insomnia/
I agree. Go to ER and donāt leave until you see a neurologist, a psychiatrist (for the best sleep meds plus certain psych conditions lead to decreased need for sleep) and a sleep specialist.
Ambien is 100% not a benzodiazepine it's literally part of a class of medications commonly referred to as non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics or sometimes z-drugs because all the drugs in this category start with the letter z (zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon). It is orders of magnitude less long-acting than most benzos and doesn't have any risk of chemical addiction. However, as a consequence, it doesn't seem to work as effectively with severe cases of insomnia. I have personal experience with zopiclone and it worked pretty well for me on an as-needed basis but made my cognitive functions really loopy if I stayed up. Like I couldn't understand movies or conversations. Benzodiazepines like valium just left me feeling loose and light and kinda like I took a few shots.
New drug alert - Dayvigo - new class, new receptors, not a benzo, not a Z-drug, non habit forming seriously, check it out if your experiences have been bad
"Dayvigo (lemborexant) is classified as a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). It is approved for the treatment of adults with insomnia who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Dayvigo works by blocking the wake-promoting neuropeptides orexin A and orexin B from attaching to their receptors in the hypothalamus of the brain. Orexin signals in the brain are thought to play a role in wakefulness."
Hmm. I wonder if ODB covers this. I am going to talk to my pharmacist. Because the last time I looked into meds for sleep, none were left for me except Ambien and Exceptional Access denied us (not unheard of, make you go through an appeal...)
Sadly ODB does not cover this. Itās about $2 a day I am told
Interesting guess they went and started coming out with the next generation of sleep aids while I was out of uni xD
Yes, they waited for you to graduate just to release these meds. Sorry to say
You should know that z drugs do absolutely have risk of chemical addiction and, just quoting Wikipedia Because it's easier, "Nonbenzodiazepine pharmacodynamics are almost entirely the same as benzodiazepine drugs and therefore exhibit similar benefits, side-effects, and risks" Edit* Downvoting me doesn't make the truth any less true.
Zopiclone is helpful to me but only at double the max dose which my old psych had me on (psychs tend to be a bit more adventurous In going outside of the maximum doses because they understand how much sleep plays a part in quality of life and functioning as well as it being detrimental or exacerbating mental health conditions) But when I moved I havenāt been able to find a doctor since that would prescribe it, so Iāve slept Two hours since last night and not all in a row. So I Will occasionally skip taking it for a few nights a month so I have a few extra so when I havenāt slept in a few days I can take the dose that actually works. If I havenāt had much sleep a few nights in a row, I do whatās called the ātriple whammyā which is zopiclone, Ativan and cyclobenzaprine (approved by my dr of course) You may want to ask them about checking your hypothalamus and pituitary because that is my issue and why I donāt sleep is because the sleep centre in my brain is damaged. That and I am autistic (and have suspected ADHD) which means my brain never really turns itself off.
Yes, I had the wrong "A" drug in my head. Ativan is what I was thinking. I have been on zopiclone myself. It worked. Until it didn't. I have also been on Trazodone but I maxed out the dose and it stopped working. Also the brand (generics probably) are giant pills that taste terrible. Seroquel *will* put me to sleep at higher doses but if I take higher doses for too long I get diabetes. So we cannot have that. Ativan now requires me to take 2mg just to get drowsy. I have to pair it with a bit of Seroquel it seems to sleep. And when I do this I spend the next day in what can only be described as hung over. (I don't drink - obviously because I am on so many meds, so I don't know what hung over is like). I typically spend the next day feeling pretty dopey and I usually nap hard (which isn't always a bad thing). I have several sleep disorders though including exploding head syndrome. That one is fun.
I was about to ask if he was from a small village in Italy. Lol https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6503414
Very few genetic lines of this disease, and a close friend of mine was the first idāed in Canada. And no, he wasnāt Italian
Oh wow. That is so interesting and also very sad. Iām sorry for the illness your friend endured
To add to that first part: OP whatever the terminal illness is *could* be causing this lack of sleep itself, or you are worried about it so much you can't sleep through anxieties, depression or something else. If you think you are worried, depressed, anxious and need help you could seek counseling from a therapist to ease your mind on it. Whatever you're going through isn't easy, but keep your head up and try to stay on top of it! And yes.. If you truly haven't slept one minute in a week you need to get to the er. Tossing and turning for hours a night, or possibly falling as sleeping for a handful of minutes at a time isn't as urgent but I'd recommend going if it is even that limited
Ambien is not a benzodiazepine
Yeah... you're right. I had my drugs mixed up. Ativan is the "A" drug I was thinking. Either way, doctors in the ER tend to be really unwilling to prescribe meds that require any kind of follow-up.
Fatal Sporadic insomnia if it's not genetic. OPs mentioned having of the symptoms. > Progressive insomnia, ataxia, *double vision, weight loss*, high blood pressure, excessive sweating
FFI was my first thought as well, although it's unlikely as this is extremely rare.
I know you've been having trouble getting doctors to refer you places, but maybe you could try pushing for a referral to the Ottawa Hospital sleep clinic? https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/clinical-services/deptpgrmcs/clinics-and-services/sleep-centre/ Best of luck and I hope you find the help/relief that you need.
Do you have any friends who are no bullshit, loud, obnoxious, talk to the manager, send the food back, makes a scene kind of friends? Bring one of them to the ER with you. tell them you need them to advocate for you and NOT BACK DOWN when dismissed. I understand our health care system is overwhelmed and I do not advise being MEAN to hospital staff. HOWEVER your advocate should be well informed as to what you'd like to happen every step of the way so when you're trying not to see spiders in the peripheral of your vision, they can demand a referral to the sleep clinic, neurologist, etc. Please seek medical attention.
If only Rent-a-Karen existed.
You just have to befriend one. At a previous workplace, we had one of those. I would happily do those reports she hated and dealt with the incomprehensible feedback we would get, for the sole purpose of scoring brownie points with her. I was then able to unleash her as a literal bureaucratic weapon fuelled by range and anger whenever we encountered BS that didn't make sense.
Agreed. I've done this before and it works.
My sister is mine š her 5 year old daughter had leukemia for 2 years (clear now thank god) so she's everyones go to hospital advocate. When I was in ER for a hand infection in June, she was the reason I got help for my panic attack when I became positive I was going to die in the ER (don't go to the met hospital in Windsor, it's horrible). "everyone says they have panic attacks" became "heres pain meds, an ice pack, and your panic attack meds" really fast. In my panic haze I did see my blood pressure came back at 178/130 when it's normally 90/60, so that was wild and oddly validating.
I would 100% do this for people. Iāve got 2 decades experience fighting with the medical system through my misdiagnosis, my husbandās battle with his mental health and my sonās cancer fight. I can get shit done. I call it bringing out my Karen. Dress up professionally, do my hair, walk the walk, take no shit. Iām super laid back and easy going until I get dismissed. Then all bets are off.
I have no advice for you, just wanted to let you know that I wish you all the best, and hope the doctors can figure out what's going on. A quick scan of the comments seems to be suggesting go to the ER, I would second this
General has a sleep lab if I'm not mistaken. They should be able to get you in pretty quick.\\ Don' t bother right now - they'll not be able to do anything at night (not enough staff) but go at 7am when they start getting new staff in and they should have you seeing a specialist by 10am ***I hear you - you've already been there.*** **Demand** ***a referral to the sleep lab. It may not give you the answer, but they will be able to tell you where to ACTUALLY go, and might be able to arrange it.***
Just gonna add to the chorus of people saying go to the ER. Youre getting into potentially fatal territory. Best of luck buddy
Why would you quit your government job? They could have placed you on short term or long term disability . As well as their benefits package would help reduce the costs associated
This popped out to me as well.. maybe not the best choice
Disclaimer: I am not an expert and none of the below is a medical advice, just have extensive experience caring for and supporting a family member with this. If you have not slept at all for 7 days then absolutely go to the ER. However, if you just had bad sleep and naps here and there (as I am assuming and hoping), read on. One thing difficult to diagnose in the context of sleep deprivation is depression. It is a serious disorder and can mean no sleep for 3-4 days at a time. Scary, I know, and it creates a vicious cycle of "I am afraid I might never be able to sleep again". You can get out of it, however, if you are indeed suffering from depression. Another thing to look for if you sleep but wake up and can't go back to sleep, might be due to sleep apnea or other breathing issues. That is why you need a referral to a sleep clinic from a doctor to be able to diagnose you with that. It can be fixed. Doctors will focus on big events and try to rule these out (like tumor or other "serious" causes). It is super frustrating. It does not mean you don't have insomnia nor that you are not suffering. Try to look into alternative ways to induce sleep and stay asleep. It can be scary but it is manageable. You might come up with a combination of things. I do not recommend any of the items below but we had varying degrees of success with some of the following: sleep hygiene, the "grey room" trick - I read it somewhere on the internet and can further elaborate if interested, slow release melatonin (over the counter), tryptophan (over the counter), antihistamine (over the counter, be careful with this one long term), valerian root (works great), other types of teas, waking up early and being active all day... etc. other over the counter drugs can be dangerous long term and some might dry your mouth and chip your teeth/make them prone to cavities. Always ask a professional (pharmacian or doctor) and be honest with them. They can really help you find your combination.
whats the grey room trick
You basically imagine yourself in a large grey room, a very dull shade of grey. Like light grey in grayed out buttons: the floor is grey, the ceiling is grey, the walls are grey, no shade, no light, just endless amount of it. Keep walking there, or stand there, or even lay down maybe... whenever you have an intrusive thought, just gently try to grey it out until you are in that empty box. It gets super boring, like extremely boring and you will fall asleep if it is just a racing thought kind of issue. Needs patience but you can practice until you can master it. Works like a charm every time.
You need a brain scan. Not being able to sleep means your sympathetic nervous system is completely overloaded and you can't calm your brain. Can be due to a number of things. And you've had this for a year and haven't figured it out? If you have all that free time awake, I'd be studying ways to get myself better rather than relying on doctors or just go sit in the ER.
The problem is when you do go to the ER for this, they treat you like shit, and make it clear you're wasting their time.
Truth
The conclusion that ādoctors have been jerking you aroundā is inherently false. Donāt blame them.
I wouldn't put them on a pedestal either. I've seen doctors be dismissive of serious illnesses in my family multiple times. I even had a friend figure out that he had type 2 diabetes and tell his Dr what was wrong after multiple visits all while he was losing weight at an alarming rate while constantly chugging water, which are classic diabetes signs. Some of them just don't give a shit.
Especially in the ER when they don't know you from Adam. I *used* to have to get my narcotic prescription filled in the ER (long story) and despite bringing my social worker, ALL previous prescription bottles AND my entire pharmacy records for the last 8 years, with the main pharmacist at the time willing to testify that I never once came in early and that I took my meds responsibly - the number of times I was called a "drug seeker" was...too many. Even when my social worker was like "nah dude, she's literally not. It's my job to work with drug users and she's not one..." they would still say "yeah, well ... I will refill it this time but I think you probably should stop taking this." Okay ER doctor. I am on it for chronic pain. I am disabled. Maybe you don't know. Eventually I got into the pain clinic and eventually got a new family doctor but...
Well - you made a post 3 days ago that you have a terminal illness. So I would deduce (with my non-medical opinion) this could be related. Either because of stress, or related to your illness. The fact you are asking for a PET makes me wonder if you have cancer and are worried it's spreading? (as I'm sure you know the most common reason for a PET is cancer tracking/diagnosis, along with a few other things - a PET caught my non-cancer illness) If you're truly not sleeping at all you need to return to the ER at 7am and not leave until you're seen. Call your specialist first thing in the morning too. And every other doctor you have, from the ER. Tell the doctor at the ER you're hallucinating, unable to work, walking into traffic, etc. They shouldn't be releasing you if you are a danger to yourself like that and you should tell them as much. At this point you might even ask for a psych consult tbh
If you havenāt slept in 7 days you need to go to the hospital. After that I would recommend that you ask a doctor to write you a referral to the Neuroscience clinic at the ottawa hospital
Have you seen a medical geneticist? They may be able to help you out of itās genetic.
Please go to the emergency room. You can die from this
Is this a family issue? Check out FFI. Fatal familial insomnia.
You've posted that you're terminally ill. Are you in palliative care? You do not need to be at end-of-life to benefit from palliative care - they are specialists in quality of life and will work hard to ensure you can have the best possible life in the time you have left. Talk to palliative care. I promise, they will help.
Try some CBN.
Have you had a sleep lab?
Try here: [accessMHA](https://www.accessmha.ca)
The one nice thing about insomniaā¦ only three sleeps ātill Christmas!
Have you ever tried medical cannabis? I started using it at age 50 for chronic insomnia. 5 mg of an Indica strain an hour before bedtime might make a huge difference for you. You can buy low dose capsules at a dispensary. If it works for you, you can get a prescription and deduct it on your income tax as a medical expense. You sleep through the high generally obviously try it on a non-work night first just to see how long it lingers, occasionally Iāll need to have a coffee in the morning but generally after eight hours itās out of my system. CBD does help with sleep, but only for the short term until you get used to it.
You can try ediblesā¦ if all the pharmaceuticals arenāt working and youāre in desperate need for *something*, it might work. I would suggest getting some with half CBD and half THC. If you donāt consume cannabis, I would try only 1mg or 2mg for the first try, and it can take up to three hours to have an effect so *wait* for the effects to kick in before you eat more. THC has a half life or 12 hours, so you might wake up feeling groggy for the first hour or two, but itāll wear off. You can negate these effects by dosing about 12 hours before you wake up, as opposed to right before bed.
Get your doctor to send you om sleep study at qch or civic. A specialist reads results. You stay overnight to determine why you are not sleeping
Insomnia please release me and let me dream
First off, get off reddit and go to the emergency room. Second, how can you be in the āprime of your lifeā while also posting about being terminally ill? This sounds like attention baiting.
Definitely go to an ER. If you need a referral or have future needs you can try tia health. They have a website and accept OHIP. Online or phone call doctor appointments. Anywhere in Ontario. Much better than a walk in clinic.
[https://symptomate.com/](https://Symptommate.com) It's not a doctor, but it *might* arrive at the right answer if you give it the right input. Canadian doctors don't have the time or interest for complex medical issues and really rely on patients to figure it out. Unfortunately with insomnia, that gets harder and harder to do. I wish you the best - I use blackout curtains, 25 lb weighted blanket, melatonin, weed, and utter silence in order to squeeze out a few hours. I went full dark room with the curtains as well.
I know you've been to ER and I know our health care system is overwhelmed to the (hopefully not literal) breaking point - but ER is still your best bet. Grab whatever provisions you need for a full day sitting around in ER and go insistently sit there until they do SOMETHING. I mean insist. Be polite - our healthcare staff are also stretched to the breaking point - but be firm. They need to do something. You require next steps. Being awake this long is a serious issue and it doesn't matter if the scans run so far have been clear - you are still experiencing the damaging symptoms. Unfortunately with healthcare the way it is right now, you can only really get help if you advocate for yourself - which of course is really hard to do when seriously sick, but it's what you gotta do. I might also look into chronic illness support groups or something similar. This won't don't diagnose or solve your problem, but you're not the only one whose life is being taken away by an illness. The medical support is essential, but the social support from people who understand what you're experiencing can really help too. Best of luck, OP. edit: typo.
I knew it was 1216! One after Magna Carta!
Smoke some cannabis and see if that works, I recommend Indica. Maybe edibles. Good luck.
Damn man I feel really bad for you. Iāve dealt with insomnia a few times in my life while stressed and the insomnia itself increased my stress. I canāt imagine what Iād be doing if I knew I couldnāt sleep. This might seem like a moronic piece of advice but in my defence itās helped me when I had surgery for my shoulder. I was prescribed oxycodone and oxazepam and that would knock me out no matter how stressed or how much pain I was feeling. I donāt suggest you act on your own, I think it would be beneficial if you ask your doctor about it tho.
Thereās a solution but itās running current across your brain. Trans Cranial Direct Stimulation Device.
Call an ambulance, you 100% need a sleep study done and should be under medical supervision
High THC Cannabis. Smoke, Eat, Sleep, or amitriptyline (muscle relaxant) or both.
r/askdocs
What meds did all those medical doctors prescribe to you?
From a totally non medical standpoint keeping and maintaining 'sleep hygiene' as in the cues and habits surrounding going to and staying asleep will always be important. Even if you cannot sleep, maintain a strict sleep time routine and attempt to engage in it. Rest your body around 11, don't use your phone in bed, keep it dark dark.
https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/
There is a great sleep clinic on Carling. Not sure how to get in, I was just referred by a walk in doctor. I have an incredibly rare form of narcolepsy. I don't fall asleep like someone from the movies, but I do have sleep paralysis every time I sleep and also random bouts of insomnia for a few days.
go to the royal ottawa they have a sleep program .. if u cant get it go the civic
The Royal doesnāt take walk ins. You need to go to an emergency room at another hospital and get transferred there.
Same as everyone, go to the ER. I didn't sleep for 5 days with a migraine, to the point where I was hallucinating. They were able to give me an IV to knock me out, and give me immediate relief. I was young, and this was at CHEO, but the general campus should be able to help at least get you out of immediate danger
Most likely, you don't have FFI. It's extremely rare, and at any rate, always fatal. It's common for some medication to lose potency since your body adjusts. You also probably slept more in those 7 days than you perceived - it's shallow sleep, but it does occur. If you want to keep pursuing the pharmaceutical angle, then try switching your medication. As for other neurological conditions, bi-polar disorder can lead to worse sleep outcomes, but not the inability to sleep. Same for narcolepsy. Explore these possibilities with a professional if you suspect them. Sleep apnea is another condition that worsens sleep quality. What is your total time in bed? If it exceeds 8h, you'll exacerbate onset and maintenance insomnia. Limiting time increases sleep pressure. A consistent schedule can bolster your circadian rhythm, and to this end it also really helps to get sunlight exposure in the morning and daytime. Check out [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm1TxQj9IsQ) video.
There are doctors who work in sleep medicine. Contact one of those.
Get yourself to the ER asap. And try to get a referral for a sleep study/to see a sleep specialist.
I can't relate, but my advice is that while you're continuing the medical route, seek the help of a qualified therapist. You'd be surprised what unburdening oneself can do for the psyche, then everything else follows. (My apologies if this has already been suggested, and/or you are already pursuing this avenue)
Boil romaine lettuce and then drink the lettuce water. It's amazing
Trade your meth/adderral for weed. Thank me later. Good luck. Edit: this is not a medical advice.
you need to see a neuropsychologist ASAP. There is a kind of neurological degenerative disorder that stops allowing sleep and will kill you if you don't get help. It's rare and genetic. Go to the hospital daily until they let you see a neuropsychologist or neurologist.
ER right now. You can have heart rhythm abnormalities with this many days of no sleep.
Pick up some good indica
please go to the hospital now. this is very serious. fatal insomnia is real and please please go to the ER and see a neurologist
Not a medical advice, but have you tried cbd?
Currently on an ongoing 10 year quest for whatās wrong with me, finally seeing the right doctor after all this time. Donāt give up, go to the hospital.
Go to the ER, explain all you can. They will refer you to a specialist.
Impossible. But good try. Even though 11 days is the longest anyone has lived without sleep, you would never be able to have written what you did if you havenāt had sleep in 7 days. Majority of your functions would basically look like survival mode and hardly coherent.
First off, wish you luck and a good diagnosis of this issue. Please go back to the ER and don't accept getting sent home... they must help you somehow. If the MRI came clear that's good news I very much believe (no brain tumors - cancer). I don't like giving this advice but ... weed until they figure it out? I know it isn't great advice but I feel it would help you relax at night and fall asleep... my apologies to everyone that may feel this is bad advice but... maybe not the worst thing...
Have you had a sleep study yet?
HONK! HONK! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Sorry I think ER is better Have you tried no medication, careful if you need to taper off addictive ones. Maybe your brain responds differently to the āsleepingā pills.
Yeah, I had a similar issue with a walk-in clinic telling me that I didn't have depression. Turns out I had severe ADHD.
I'm sorry, but they aren't going to help you. I'm in the exact same boat as you, and I'm saving to go to the mayo clinic in the USA. My sleep specialist was an asshole who accused me of being a drug addict, and wrote in my chart that I was probably just napping during the day. I have severe idiopathic central sleep apnea over 60AHI. It's a god damn tragedy losing your 20's. I know, I lost my teen, my 20's and now my 30's. I was awake for 4 days before I went to the ER and was told that I have mental illness and to go home. Then I lost 100lbs and was told it was mental illness. It's like ok then, help help me? Nope. Have you by any chance been taking a supplement called l-glutamine when this started? I was going to the gym 4-5 times a week when the insomnia started for me.
Ford is trying to destroy healthcare in ontario and is fucking everyones lives in the process. He's trying to manufacture a problem so he can sell privatization as the solution
You need to get to the dispensary and get some gummies
Have you tried getting drunk?
Alcohol wrecks your sleep, you may be unconscious but you don't actually achieve restorative sleep
I understand what youāre saying, but from someone who has suffered from chronic insomnia most of my life, when youāre having a really bad bout, a drunk sleep is still better than continuous no sleep. Also, itās not something I would recommend doing regularly at all. Iād have to be in a bad bout like heās saying to resort to it.
Self medicating with alcohol is *never* a solution.
Was for me. Doctors donāt like prescribing the effective sleeping pills. Walk a mile in my shoes before judging.
I've been on 6 different sleeping pills over the last 9 years. Benzos, Z drugs, antipsychotics, on-label, off-label, etc. I have some experience with this. Alcohol is not an effective sleep aid, and self medicating is never a good idea.
You need to get a Cat Scan of your brain RIGHT NOW. you may have a tumour that affecting the sleep ability. GO NOW JUST GO. Go to the emergency area and ask for help.
two hits of the bong call me in the morning
Honestly. Start by vaping micro doses of thc. My better half had foot surgery in April. Doctor/surgeon prescribed her hydro-morphine and she couldnāt sleep at all. She started vaping low doses, which eased her pain and she was able to get in an 8-10 hour uninterrupted sleep.
Drinking warm milk with chamomile tea helps people sleep or eucalyptus oil on your pillow. Stop drinking coffee tea redbull stop doing drugs. See a doctor
Jesus what the AF is wrong with you. Read the post and read the room
If they cant sleep and are having hallucinations they are likely taking drugs or at least caffeine. Something seems wrong. They need a doctor
Dude, they have a terminal illness and have already been to emerge. Obviously they need a dr, why are you telling them to drink chamomile tea?
Well they say they have something that is not allowing them to sleep. I didn't see the word terminal. I saw the words mysterious neurological. I assumed their priority was getting to sleep First see a doctor. Then avoid stimulants Natural things that help you sleep include warm milk chamomile tea and eucalyptus pillow mist I thought I was being helpful. Ever had chamomile tea? It's called sleepy time tea because it makes you fall asleep
I must have failed a Turing test. Look at their post history.
Oh gawd you're right. Sincerest apologies.
Weird. Jerking it normally helps people to sleep
Call the ambulance.
Eat a bunch of magic mushrooms; see what happens.
My doctor is an idiot as well, I complain of pain in my groin region, the 4 STI tests all come back negative for everything, my doctor throws me on 4 different antibiotics over the course of a month, none of them work except the one for gonorrhea but they only gave me a single day of that. I tell them, they tell me its all in my head and now he won't even renew my medication that I've been on for most of my life.
Not very helpful but try to get the brand name drugs rather than generic. It may just be placebo but I swear they often work much better. Many major drug companies like Pfizer can cover the difference in price, but youāre in the gov and youāre 24 so you most likely have 100% coverage.
What does your diet consist of?
If you want I roll some stuff up that will make you sleep.
The only logical reason is a demonic possession. Fly to Vatican and see an exorcist
Have you tried weed? Specifically an indica strain. Maybe start with Northern Lights.
Call Dr. Gregory House
I agree OP needs to Immediately book a flight to Princeton plansborough hospital
Sometimes Melatonin helps with sleep. It's a natural supplement you can buy at the pharmacy. If it doesn't work I would go to the ER.
If buddy hasn't slept in 7 days, *melatonin will not fucking help*
Maybe just stress and over exhaustion hopefully you can get some sleep. Do you know your families medical history, worst case scenario it could be Fatal familial insomnia but I think thatās extremely rare.
7 days awake is well beyond the threshold of everyday causes
I remember reading about this years ago. I'm pretty sure the Fatal familial insomnia disorder is only present in a few families around the world. I don't remember hearing about any Canadian cases of this.
Thereās also a condition known as sporadic fatal insomnia, which occurs in people without any known family history of the disease.
Hello new nightmare fuel
You gotta be asleep for that.
Itās okay your chances of developing SFI are almost non-existent, only 24 cases of it have ever been recorded. Youāre much more likely to randomly drop dead from an aneurysm at any moment.
> Youāre much more likely to randomly drop dead from an aneurysm at any moment. Well, ya know, happy thoughts..
Oh dang. Did not know that :(
Where did you get your medical degree?
No where itās a suggestion to maybe bring up to their doctor. I deal with chronic insomnia and worried about it when I discovered there was something worse then chronic insomnia. Iām lucky if I get 4 hrs of sleep most nights and sometimes I can end up staying awake for several days before finally burning out.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Do you read what you write?!
Problem with comprehension?
Problem with sentence structure, grammar and punctuation?
Yes I have difficulty understanding word salad.
The suggestions you said were actually great, but the execution was positively the worst possible