If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you’ll know that I’ve had severe insomnia all my life. Like, all my life. Since I was a baby. Before the doctor put me on amitriptyline when I turned 40, I averaged around ten hours a week.
Over the years I’ve been offered Zopiclone, diazepam…you name it, I’ve been offered it. These are powerful drugs and yet don’t help my insomnia at all. I think mainly because they seek to treat the underlying anxiety which is often present in insomniacs. I don’t have that. I am just really really excitable and can’t switch off. #creative
Amitriptyline, an older anti-anxiety/antidepressant (at much higher doses than I took), acts by calming all the nerve endings (which is why it is often used for pain control). This worked amazingly for me. I had always said how desperately I wanted an off switch and amitriptyline provided me with that.
However, I really hate being on medication. The side effects, whilst bearable, are not nice. Weight gain, dry mouth…and worst of all a massive decrease in creativity. It’s all that electricity in my brain which is so bothersome that makes me so creative. And I miss that side of me when I am on amitriptyline.
Anyhow, my GP got in contact with me yesterday to say that she wanted to refer me to a sleep clinic. I have never been offered that before! I’m quite excited. The fact that I might be able to learn to go to sleep after almost five decades of really struggling is astounding to me.
I just hope that I don’t have to stay overnight. I hate ‘sleeping’ anywhere that is not my own bed.
I’m not sure how long the waiting lists are for the sleep clinic but I intend to blog about each session as I know many people struggle with poor sleep and there might be some takeaways that could help.