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Doctors gave up

(Im 34 yr old male, work out 4 days a week average build, sit down 6 hours a day, i average 2 hours of sleep a night, taking 50mg adderall daily for ADHD, on 10pm-6am sleep schedule):

Hello running out of options, so here's a long-shot.

About 4 years ago I noticed I was getting poorer sleep quality every night. Doctor ordered a sleep study and put me on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills did nothing and sleep study concluded my breathing patterns were normal. They sent me on my way with no other suggestions. I shrugged and decided to power through it.

Fast forward 6 months ago to now. Sleep progressively getting worse. Seemingly overnight, I noticed a spike in brain fog during the day. So I decided to make a serious attempt to fix this and have gotten NO WHERE, im talking zero progress in 6 months. I can fall asleep, I cannot stay asleep. Slow building shoulder tendon pressure wakes me up over and over but every other position is uncomfortable. It kinda feels like too many organs are shifting too far, when side sleeping. Here's everything I tried, in order from oldest to newest:

-stopped adderall for a few weeks
-cut caffeine and sugar out of diet for months.
-cycled through 3 mattresses, soft, medium firm and firm
-fixed sitting posture to include lumbar curve, feet on ground, arms parallel to keyboard, monitor parallel with eyes).
-removed blue light from all devices, cut down on screens before bed.
-recorded myself laying down, went through 5 pillows to straighten spine when side sleeping
-tried various prescription sleeping pills
-vitamin D, melatonin, magnesium supplements for many months
-timezone change
-chiropractor adjustments for 2 months, x rays within normal range
-physical therapy for 2 months, they discharged due to lack of any progress
-countless youtube videos of stretches, sleep positions, exercises, etc.
-tried strengthening core, shoulders, neck and triceps
-MRI of back and shoulders came back clean
-tried to switch to back sleeping for 2 months, could not do it, would stay up 24+ hours
-powerful muscle relaxers before bed
-cortisone shots on pressure points on back/shoulder
-primary doctor, sleep doctor and muscle doctor all gave up

Please help

  1. I am sorry you are going through such chronic insomnia. I really feel for you. You seek to have taken the problem seriously and really researched and worked through your options. I wish I had a magic cure for you. The only thing that I can’t see in your list is psychological therapy. If any level of psychological distress is adding to your insomnia it could be helpful. If you can find a therapist that specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia you could consider having a look.


    We have an article here that might be of interest - https://insomnia.sleep-disorders.net/cbt


    I’m sorry I can’t offer more help. I really do feel for you. My insomnia became so extreme and bad that I had a complete nervous breakdown and spent nine weeks in hospital. I am fortunate in that I’ve responded well to pharmaceutical support. I hope you’re able to find some answers.


    Cheers.
    Simone (Team Member)

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