Got a "Sleep Study" done last night

[MidnightSensi2]

Thought maybe you guys might be interested in this.

I've suffered from insomnia since I was a kid (hence, midnightsensi, lol)

For sleep, I was always referred to a psychiatrist (awesome, if you never want a direct answer). Been diagnosed with just about everything from psychiatrists, but all my traits fell also under 'sleep deprivation' - I did more research on each symptom and became interested in the possibility that a sleep disorder is causing this all.

So, did it last night.. didn't exactly sleep long (you get hooked up to a lot of stuff, wires everywhere, flow meter by your nose lol).. but, enough for them to get the data.


...


Now I wait.

Anyone every done this? Outcomes? What happens if its sleep apnea? I even heard it could cause brain damage if I have it? (no wonder I'm getting dumber)

Really anxious to get results. Hoping they find something that helps.. maybe one of those machines or something *sigh*

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thought maybe you guys might be interested in this.

I've suffered from insomnia since I was a kid (hence, midnightsensi, lol)

For sleep, I was always referred to a psychiatrist (awesome, if you never want a direct answer). Been diagnosed with just about everything from psychiatrists, but all my traits fell also under 'sleep deprivation' - I did more research on each symptom and became interested in the possibility that a sleep disorder is causing this all.

So, did it last night.. didn't exactly sleep long (you get hooked up to a lot of stuff, wires everywhere, flow meter by your nose lol).. but, enough for them to get the data.


...


Now I wait.

Anyone every done this? Outcomes? What happens if its sleep apnea? I even heard it could cause brain damage if I have it? (no wonder I'm getting dumber)

Really anxious to get results. Hoping they find something that helps.. maybe one of those machines or something *sigh*

Ummm...I sell sleep for a living...PM me with any questions you may have. I can also hook you up on equipment....

 

[adk highlander]

Insomnia $ucks. I have not been sleeping well for a few months and I feel like I am going a bit crazy. I cannot imagine having lived like that for years. I hope you get results. I do a few websites for a sleep diagnostic company but do not have any personal experience and their offices are mostly out west. I think the closest to you would be Atlanta.

 

[its phillip]

I've never done one of those, but I've thought about it. Hopefully you get your results soon and they don't see anything harmful.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I've had periodic insomnia for the last 5-6 years. I have no problem going to sleep. I have a problem with staying asleep. I can go several nights in a row sleeping soundly - then go many more nights of sleeping 4-5 hours a night, with each night broken up with periods of wakefulness. After particularly bad nights, I'll get up with a headache, which stays with me the whole day. If I can get a solid 7 hours, I'm OK. But, that's pretty rare.

A good friend of mine has it really bad. But, he's received every conceiveable diagnosis, some of which would require surgery to resolve. Not very confidence inspiring. He's been to a sleep lab, but I can't remember what they told him.

 

[itschris]

I've had clinical insomnia for about 20 years. It comes and goes and some bouts are much worse than others. Sometimes I sleep okay, but I never really sleep well for any period of time. I"ve been through several sleep studies, had thermals, etc. The bottom line is my "back brain" or I guess the parts of your brain that think behind the scenes don't shut down properly. The thermals show it quite clearly.

Going to sleep studies had become a racket... pretty much an industry to sell C-Pap machines and other devices. I would demand you have an in-home study. They are far more reliable because you are in your own home. They'll say that they can still measure what they need even though a night at the clinic is not at all indicative of your normal sleep patterns. I'm skeptical.

Just make sure you're doing all the basic stuff:
1) Stay of the computer or iPad for at least a couple of hours before bedtime. The hue of the screen tells your brain it's daytime. There have been numerous studies proving this.

2) No TV when you go to bed

3) A fan or other white noise generator

4) Lay off the alcohol before bedtime. That glass of wine to help you relax before going to bed actually keeps you up.

5) Don't hang out in bed. Make your bed for sleeping and not lounging and relaxing before bedtime.

Finally, I'd suggest that if you wake up after falling asleep which is a common problem, don't rollover and close your eyes to try and fall back asleep. It won't work. Get in a comfortable postion and find something you can barely see in your line of sight and stare at it. Blink, but don't close your eyes. You may actually find yourself wanting to close your eyes. Don't. Struggle a bit to keep your eyes open on the object while you try to relax each part of your body independently. It's crazy, but if you concentrate on the object and on trying to relax, you'll actually find yourself sinking into your bed because you're really not relaxed at all. That tension makes it hard to sleep. Fighting to keep your eyes open zaps the little bit of brain energy that's keepin you awake. Next thing you know, you wake up in the morning. It's not 100%, but the exercise helps a lot.

 

[Midwesthonky]

Been going on 20 years or more with sleep problems. So I can sympathize. I have done two sleep studies. Basically, for me it's sleep apnea. I was having interrupted breathing about once a minute on average. I'm not severe, but enough that I am on a CPAP machine for about the last 8 years or so. It makes a difference for me as in when I can't use the machine, there is a significant drop off in the quality of my sleep. The end result is a bit more energy through the day and feel more like actually doing things.

Using a machine does take getting used to. But it sure beats waking up at the wheel of your car in the grassy median doing 60 mph.

There are lifestyle things I can do that will help as well. Like exercise and losing weight improves the quality of my sleep. Unfortunately, my job has me on the road a lot and living in hotels is really, really bad for people with sleep disorders. Don't get me started on restaurant portions. I'm the type that grew up cleaning your plate. Makes it tough to stop mid-plate. Zero understanding from my employer so I basically need to get a new job. It also doesn't help spending 1.5 hours or more of my day driving when I'm actually in the office. That is time that could be used for exercise that would help.

It's better to get a diagnosis and then proceed with changes. If it is sleep apnea, it's not a bad thing. You can make adjustments that are not a massive disruption to your life.

It's also important to give up caffeine. It really sucks if you are addicted, but caffeine can get you into a death spiral. Basically, you use caffeine to keep you awake and going through the day, but it stays in your system for hours. So your sleep is poor, so you end up with caffeine the next day... Eventually, you can end up needing more and more caffeine which makes your sleep even worse. So no caffeine (except chocolate, let's not get crazy here) after 3 pm and it would be best to eliminate it. I gave up caffeine. In rare circumstances, I will still have caffeine, but only well before 3 pm to give it time to get out of my system.

If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer based on my experience.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

Ummm...I sell sleep for a living...PM me with any questions you may have. I can also hook you up on equipment....

Thanks man! I'll see what they find.. also PM you in the meantime because I'm dying to know.. the nurse wouldn't tell me, but, you get that sense that they saw something lol.. and she did give me some 'clues'

Insomnia $ucks. I have not been sleeping well for a few months and I feel like I am going a bit crazy. I cannot imagine having lived like that for years. I hope you get results. I do a few websites for a sleep diagnostic company but do not have any personal experience and their offices are mostly out west. I think the closest to you would be Atlanta.

I already got it done (last night). There is a place accredited right by me luckily, I only talked to two other people there and they both travelled (flight) to get here. I think your right, the next closest is Atlanta that has the accreditation. My main concern (still to some degree) was they'd collect bad data, so, I did my research on places. Luckily, 10 minutes from me is one that people go to even if there is one closer to them.

I've never done one of those, but I've thought about it. Hopefully you get your results soon and they don't see anything harmful.

Thanks man. Well, I hope they find something that helps. The problem has been, not finding anything...

I hope it isn't harmful either, my main concern is its been so long, and now that I read about sleep apnea causing brain damage... sorta sad I didn't look into a sleep study earlier. I didn't know it was an option. But, maybe they find nothing. *shrug*

Nurse said maybe a week for results, but, I'm going to push for faster.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

I've had periodic insomnia for the last 5-6 years. I have no problem going to sleep. I have a problem with staying asleep. I can go several nights in a row sleeping soundly - then go many more nights of sleeping 4-5 hours a night, with each night broken up with periods of wakefulness. After particularly bad nights, I'll get up with a headache, which stays with me the whole day. If I can get a solid 7 hours, I'm OK. But, that's pretty rare.

A good friend of mine has it really bad. But, he's received every conceiveable diagnosis, some of which would require surgery to resolve. Not very confidence inspiring. He's been to a sleep lab, but I can't remember what they told him.

I have a mix. With medication, I can go to sleep, but, like you, don't stay asleep. This is a common sign of depression, and so I think I got misdiagnosed. Certainly stupidity on my part, but, I was diagnosed by multiple doctors. They put me on lots of drugs, some with crazy side effects (if your not crazy when you go, you are when you leave lol), and none of them helped... this led me to finally do some of my own research, and, apparently my story isn't the first.

They may find nothing, but, I'm pretty sure something was off (nurses reaction, even though she couldn't say anything).

I've had clinical insomnia for about 20 years. It comes and goes and some bouts are much worse than others. Sometimes I sleep okay, but I never really sleep well for any period of time. I"ve been through several sleep studies, had thermals, etc. The bottom line is my "back brain" or I guess the parts of your brain that think behind the scenes don't shut down properly. The thermals show it quite clearly.

Going to sleep studies had become a racket... pretty much an industry to sell C-Pap machines and other devices. I would demand you have an in-home study. They are far more reliable because you are in your own home. They'll say that they can still measure what they need even though a night at the clinic is not at all indicative of your normal sleep patterns. I'm skeptical.

Just make sure you're doing all the basic stuff:
1) Stay of the computer or iPad for at least a couple of hours before bedtime. The hue of the screen tells your brain it's daytime. There have been numerous studies proving this.

2) No TV when you go to bed

3) A fan or other white noise generator

4) Lay off the alcohol before bedtime. That glass of wine to help you relax before going to bed actually keeps you up.

5) Don't hang out in bed. Make your bed for sleeping and not lounging and relaxing before bedtime.

Finally, I'd suggest that if you wake up after falling asleep which is a common problem, don't rollover and close your eyes to try and fall back asleep. It won't work. Get in a comfortable postion and find something you can barely see in your line of sight and stare at it. Blink, but don't close your eyes. You may actually find yourself wanting to close your eyes. Don't. Struggle a bit to keep your eyes open on the object while you try to relax each part of your body independently. It's crazy, but if you concentrate on the object and on trying to relax, you'll actually find yourself sinking into your bed because you're really not relaxed at all. That tension makes it hard to sleep. Fighting to keep your eyes open zaps the little bit of brain energy that's keepin you awake. Next thing you know, you wake up in the morning. It's not 100%, but the exercise helps a lot.

I'm a skeptic of everything now. So, I look at this as one datapoint (one night), and also drugs I'm on could cause all sorts of issues with sleep (including the ones for sleep). That said, it's the first study done that actually was collecting quantitative data rather than qualitative data. So, its a start. I won't jump on anything they say as the answer, not after what I've been through with doctors. But, it's a start in a more practical direction.

I'm a big time believer in sleep hygiene. No tv in the bedroom, no backlit displays after a certain time at night, I don't drink alcohol anymore, I never smoked (except herb, but, not for a while now/drug tests for work sometimes lol), I follow a regular schedule.

Your last tip is very interesting, almost reminds me of meditation, I'll give it a go! Thanks!!!

Been going on 20 years or more with sleep problems. So I can sympathize. I have done two sleep studies. Basically, for me it's sleep apnea. I was having interrupted breathing about once a minute on average. I'm not severe, but enough that I am on a CPAP machine for about the last 8 years or so. It makes a difference for me as in when I can't use the machine, there is a significant drop off in the quality of my sleep. The end result is a bit more energy through the day and feel more like actually doing things.

Using a machine does take getting used to. But it sure beats waking up at the wheel of your car in the grassy median doing 60 mph.

There are lifestyle things I can do that will help as well. Like exercise and losing weight improves the quality of my sleep. Unfortunately, my job has me on the road a lot and living in hotels is really, really bad for people with sleep disorders. Don't get me started on restaurant portions. I'm the type that grew up cleaning your plate. Makes it tough to stop mid-plate. Zero understanding from my employer so I basically need to get a new job. It also doesn't help spending 1.5 hours or more of my day driving when I'm actually in the office. That is time that could be used for exercise that would help.

It's better to get a diagnosis and then proceed with changes. If it is sleep apnea, it's not a bad thing. You can make adjustments that are not a massive disruption to your life.

It's also important to give up caffeine. It really sucks if you are addicted, but caffeine can get you into a death spiral. Basically, you use caffeine to keep you awake and going through the day, but it stays in your system for hours. So your sleep is poor, so you end up with caffeine the next day... Eventually, you can end up needing more and more caffeine which makes your sleep even worse. So no caffeine (except chocolate, let's not get crazy here) after 3 pm and it would be best to eliminate it. I gave up caffeine. In rare circumstances, I will still have caffeine, but only well before 3 pm to give it time to get out of my system.

If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer based on my experience.

Was the first study where they wired you up with lots of electrodes, and the second to determine pressure needed for better sleep with the machine? Seems like there are two types...

Yeah, I can deal with a machine if it helps me sleep. I mean, ****, I've delt with so much from not.

I keep caffeine under 100mg per day, all before noon. This was an original theory, as I was a heavy Starbucks user lol. Now, I basically drink no caffeine. First I limited it, then I think it was pretty much a taper... and, I just stopped.

Thanks for your offer to ask questions, I very well might take you up on that!!! Now, sorta in limbo waiting on results. It's amazing the amount of responses this got though, comforting to know I'm not alone.

I just wish I'd have made better decisions on doctors, but, it's so hard.

 

[lsiberian]

Maybe you are a night owl. A beer puts me into deep sleep, but I never take any medicine for anything.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

Just make sure you're doing all the basic stuff:
1) Stay of the computer or iPad for at least a couple of hours before bedtime. The hue of the screen tells your brain it's daytime. There have been numerous studies proving this.

2) No TV when you go to bed

3) A fan or other white noise generator

4) Lay off the alcohol before bedtime. That glass of wine to help you relax before going to bed actually keeps you up.

5) Don't hang out in bed. Make your bed for sleeping and not lounging and relaxing before bedtime.

While I haven't solved my sleep issues yet, I'm a big believer in 'sleep hygiene' as well.

I follow all your advice, and have some additions to a few:
1) Per your #1 about displays, computers monitor and displays are daylight balanced (or, at least near).. there is software that will lower the kelvin temperature at sundown. This helps a lot, especially in the winter when the sun goes down early:
f.lux: software to make your life better

Still, turn that stuff off a few hours before bed. But, this program is wonderful.

2) I don't keep a TV in my bedroom for this exact reason. Dedicated theater excuse for wife if anyone wants one.

3) Totally agree on this too. I use an app called Simply Noise for the iPhone. I plug it into a pair of Audioengine A2s at home, but, on the road just through the iPhone speaker it works well.

4) Alcohol I'm also in agreement with. I actually just cut it completely. I don't think everyone needs this, but, it just seemed right for me. I rarely drank before 10pm, so, when my 'schedule' became 10pm.. drinking just sort of went away. I haven't missed it.

5) Bed is for sleep. Also agree here. They say its for sleep and sex only, but, I say its not very adventurous to have sex in bed So many places!!! lol

 

[MidnightSensi2]

Almost forgot, besides the iPhone app for Simply Noise, they have an online one (in a pinch I've used this!):
SimplyNoise -- The Best Free White Noise Generator on the Internet.

Give it a test.



... These things help me get to sleep, but..staying asleep.. or getting restful sleep..*sigh* But, without getting to sleep at all, I'd be a complete mess rather than a mess..so, its a great place to start (it works for falling asleep, for me, and, has no side effects hehe).

 

[itschris]

For me, the only thing they've said would help is a small dose of lithium to help turn off my brain. I said no to that. It's often difficult to determine what causes sleep issues and whether or not it's just an environmental issue, like stress at work or home, medical... like sleep apnea, or clinical.. where you brain just doesn't turn off. I've tried every sleep aid, they just don't work when I'm in a full swing episode. I took Ambien when it first came out and I ended up with hamburgers from the prior night bbq jammed in my toaster. Needless to say, I stopped taking it.

I did have mild sleep apnea, but they didn't believe it was the cause of my sleep issues. About 5 years ago, I did have UPPP surgery where they take out your tonsils, uvula, and do some other stuff in your throat and palete. It's a life saver for some but I will say that it's a very very very difficult and painful recovery. I've had some major breaks and surgeries... injuries, etc. over my time so I have a pretty good handle on pain and have a good expectation and manage it very well. I was completely unprepared for what I went through with that surgery however.

If you go that route... and a trip to a good ENT might help you decide... let me know because I have some very helpful recommendations on the recovery that will make it far more bearable.

 

[Midwesthonky]

Was the first study where they wired you up with lots of electrodes, and the second to determine pressure needed for better sleep with the machine? Seems like there are two types...

Yeah, I can deal with a machine if it helps me sleep. I mean, ****, I've delt with so much from not.

I keep caffeine under 100mg per day, all before noon. This was an original theory, as I was a heavy Starbucks user lol. Now, I basically drink no caffeine. First I limited it, then I think it was pretty much a taper... and, I just stopped.

Thanks for your offer to ask questions, I very well might take you up on that!!! Now, sorta in limbo waiting on results. It's amazing the amount of responses this got though, comforting to know I'm not alone.

I just wish I'd have made better decisions on doctors, but, it's so hard.

Both studies for me were the wire-you-up kind. The first was to figure out what was going on. That came back clear as a bell for sleep apnea. The second I did about 4-5 years later to see if I need to be adjusted. It was also wired up but with a CPAP. It's the only type of test I'm familiar with or have experienced. Not the most restful sleep being wired up, but it's one night. I went home and took a nap after both!

I am jealous of my wife. She can drop down and within a few minutes be out cold. I'm slower to fall asleep and I wake easily. Like some have described, I also will wake up in the middle of the night with my mind going. Hard to get that to turn off. I'll have to try to focus/meditation style trick.

Nurses are pretty smart and if she looked like she saw something, then something was there. But it's not her place to make the diagnosis even if she saw it clearly. So hopefully you will have some answers soon!

For white noise, I'm fortunate that my CPAP makes enough noise to let me sleep at home. On the road, I'm the guy who get the hotel room HVAC unit going with the fan full blast to drown out noise. In Liberty, MO, there is no fan that can drown out the garbage truck emptying the dumpster at 3:30 a.m.! 3:30 - Seriously? Fortunately, I travel to specific places so I choose my hotels based on ambient noise. I just realized it was the same hotel in Liberty, MO that had the drug addict screaming into his phone from the room next to mine. Might need to rethink that hotel...

 

[j_garcia]

My woman has had apnea her whole life apparently, and she was well aware of it. I prefer it quiet to sleep but she needs white noise to stay asleep. The white noise wakes me up sometimes, so we have to compromise. I have no problem going to sleep and though she says I toss and turn a lot, I typically remain asleep. Over the holidays I got about 8 hrs of sleep for over a week and I was quite pleased. Now that we are back to "the grind" I am back to my normal 7 and I can tell even that affects me considerably, but with work and things, it tends to be harder to go to sleep.

You can try different white noises too; she likes to run a fan, but I don't like it. I tried a variety of CD sounds for her and some seem to work well. This was the most effective for her:

Amazon.com: Rain for Sleeping and Relaxation: Music

 

[Rickster71]

Back when I had sleep problems, it always seemed related to work issues.
A doc recommended Melatonin & Valerian.
I took this one occasionally with very good results: Schiff® Melatonin Ultra, 300 Tablets
I also have earplugs for when my wife snores.

 

[j_garcia]

We live buy a pretty busy street and traffic starts early. I wear ear plugs every night this time of year while the trees have no leaves. We've pretty much had it with that noise, so we are likely to move this year when the lease is up.

 

[itschris]

Yeah there are two real types of insomnia... environmental is the leading cause that affects most people. Stress is a leading factor. Cure the symptom, cure the sleep issue. Clincal and the subset of medical insomnia is a whole other matter. Surgery (for sleep apnea or C-Pap machines) can do wonders, but the non-medical can range dramatically in severity and change in frequency over time.

In my mid and late 20's, I used to go 2-3 days without sleeping a wink, then I'd sleep normal for a few days then repeat. This cycle could go on for a few weeks, then I'd be somewhat normal for awhile. I could a couple months, sometimes a 6 without incident, but it always came back and with varying degrees of severity. I once ended up in the hospital because I had gone without sleeping for so long I was hallucinating and completely out of my mind. I was on break and by myself and had no idea at that point of how long I had gone without sleep. I didn't know who I was, where I was, or anything. I was in the hospital for 3 or 4 days. I basically lost a week or so of time. That was the worst it ever was and thankfully it never got like that again. The problem is, the longer you go without sleep, the worse your judgement becomes. What's also very weird is that not sleeping from true insomnia is not like not sleeping when you don't have it. They're completely different. I can go 3 days without sleeping and function pretty well after that long if I'm in a bout. Three days of not sleeping when you're not experiencing insomnia and you've just stayed up is completely different. After two days, I'm exhausted and dramatically imparied like anyone else would be. Its a very odd thing. As I've gotten older, it's become much less of an issue. I dont' have bouts of not sleeping at all very often anymore, but I still have the problem of going to bed, waking up 20 minutes later thinking I've slept all night. I think that's far more difficult to manage and is where the mental exercises and keeping your bedtime in tip top shape come into play.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

For me, the only thing they've said would help is a small dose of lithium to help turn off my brain. I said no to that.

They likely thought you had a personality disorder, or bipolar, which can cause sleep issues. I think you made the right choice. If you need Lithium, it's pretty clear. It can control emotional swings, but, are the emotional swings caused by mental illness? Or from the insomnia (which, can cause symptoms like depression, borderline personality disorder, etc.) combined with being frustrated that the doctors can't figure anything out for you? I think the latter is more common.

It's often difficult to determine what causes sleep issues and whether or not it's just an environmental issue, like stress at work or home, medical... like sleep apnea, or clinical.. where you brain just doesn't turn off. I've tried every sleep aid, they just don't work when I'm in a full swing episode.

I took Ambien when it first came out and I ended up with hamburgers from the prior night bbq jammed in my toaster. Needless to say, I stopped taking it.

I got lucky with Ambien. It didn't work well for me, but, at least I didn't have any sleepwalking or hamburger in the toaster episodes, which seem to be pretty common.

I did have mild sleep apnea, but they didn't believe it was the cause of my sleep issues. About 5 years ago, I did have UPPP surgery where they take out your tonsils, uvula, and do some other stuff in your throat and palete. It's a life saver for some but I will say that it's a very very very difficult and painful recovery. I've had some major breaks and surgeries... injuries, etc. over my time so I have a pretty good handle on pain and have a good expectation and manage it very well. I was completely unprepared for what I went through with that surgery however.

If you go that route... and a trip to a good ENT might help you decide... let me know because I have some very helpful recommendations on the recovery that will make it far more bearable.

Wow, for mild sleep apnea they recommended surgury? Thanks for the offer if it comes to that, but, I'll do my best to avoid the knife.

Both studies for me were the wire-you-up kind. The first was to figure out what was going on. That came back clear as a bell for sleep apnea. The second I did about 4-5 years later to see if I need to be adjusted. It was also wired up but with a CPAP. It's the only type of test I'm familiar with or have experienced. Not the most restful sleep being wired up, but it's one night. I went home and took a nap after both!

So, first time was just wire up. Then they said you needed a CPAP, but knew the pressure needed from the first test? Then the second one was 5 years later and they had the CPAP attached to determine if an adjustment was needed?

I'm so 'procedured' out (been like 9 months of non stop doctors), its pathetic.

I am jealous of my wife. She can drop down and within a few minutes be out cold. I'm slower to fall asleep and I wake easily. Like some have described, I also will wake up in the middle of the night with my mind going. Hard to get that to turn off. I'll have to try to focus/meditation style trick.

Can also look into mindfulness meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. I've found actual meditation to be very difficult, but, try to practice at it. Hard when your struggling with sleep though.

Nurses are pretty smart and if she looked like she saw something, then something was there. But it's not her place to make the diagnosis even if she saw it clearly. So hopefully you will have some answers soon!

Nod. It was nice she at least gave me some hints. Wasn't her first rodeo. She knew how to say what without getting in trouble with all the cameras and microphones around lol.

For white noise, I'm fortunate that my CPAP makes enough noise to let me sleep at home. On the road, I'm the guy who get the hotel room HVAC unit going with the fan full blast to drown out noise.

Do they make travel ones? Yeah, what happens if you need a CPAP but travel a lot?

My woman has had apnea her whole life apparently, and she was well aware of it. I prefer it quiet to sleep but she needs white noise to stay asleep. The white noise wakes me up sometimes, so we have to compromise. I have no problem going to sleep and though she says I toss and turn a lot, I typically remain asleep. Over the holidays I got about 8 hrs of sleep for over a week and I was quite pleased. Now that we are back to "the grind" I am back to my normal 7 and I can tell even that affects me considerably, but with work and things, it tends to be harder to go to sleep.

You can try different white noises too; she likes to run a fan, but I don't like it. I tried a variety of CD sounds for her and some seem to work well. This was the most effective for her:

Amazon.com: Rain for Sleeping and Relaxation: Music

Oh yeah, I've tested all kinds of background stuff. Try brown noise instead of white noise. It's the integral, I find white noise bothersome too. You might find that brown noise doesn't wake you up, yet keeps her asleep. Give both brown and pink noise a try:
Colors of noise - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[MidnightSensi2]

Yeah there are two real types of insomnia... environmental is the leading cause that affects most people. Stress is a leading factor. Cure the symptom, cure the sleep issue. Clincal and the subset of medical insomnia is a whole other matter. Surgery (for sleep apnea or C-Pap machines) can do wonders, but the non-medical can range dramatically in severity and change in frequency over time.

And that's the big problem I've had, figuring out what my actual problem is. The severity does range, and then when it gets bad enough, to go to the doctor... here is last years 'doctor experience' that started in the spring:

1. My general recommended I see a psychiatrist for sleep medication.
2. I diagnosed with depression (MDD) and anxiety (GAD), insomnia was a result.
3. The treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy (CBT). I finally agree, anything to sleep.
4. Psychiatrist goes med crazy, psychologist is a pseudo-intellectual that gravitated toward her research, in trauma (lol, let's do CBT but focus on trauma, that should help you sleep!)
5. I went through a hodgepodge of drugs
6. I kept saying CBT wasn't for me, but, they said it took time, so, I stuck with it for those 6 months (And put effort into doing it and learning).
7. When I decided that's enough (6 months, plus $$), the psychiatrist and psychotherapist then decided I actually had more mental issues (if you don't benefit from a psychotherapists treatment, its not them, its you. lol)
8. Their next recommendation was an intensive outpatient hospital in new york (I live in Miami).
9. I told them to **** off (they were condescending, was absolutely ridiculous).
10. Then found out about sleep studies through another doctor.
11. And here I am.

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia all have symptoms that link. I'd say before they messed with my brain, a physical study should have been done (sleep study like I did now).

Because the problem I have is this:
1. Psychiatrist put me on meds that have side effects (including depression and insomnia lol)
2. Will the study be thrown off by those meds (benzos can even cause sleep apnea)
3. I still have no idea what the root cause is, so I'm hoping its physical.

In my mid and late 20's, I used to go 2-3 days without sleeping a wink, then I'd sleep normal for a few days then repeat. This cycle could go on for a few weeks, then I'd be somewhat normal for awhile. I could a couple months, sometimes a 6 without incident, but it always came back and with varying degrees of severity. I once ended up in the hospital because I had gone without sleeping for so long I was hallucinating and completely out of my mind. I was on break and by myself and had no idea at that point of how long I had gone without sleep. I didn't know who I was, where I was, or anything. I was in the hospital for 3 or 4 days. I basically lost a week or so of time. That was the worst it ever was and thankfully it never got like that again. The problem is, the longer you go without sleep, the worse your judgement becomes. What's also very weird is that not sleeping from true insomnia is not like not sleeping when you don't have it. They're completely different. I can go 3 days without sleeping and function pretty well after that long if I'm in a bout. Three days of not sleeping when you're not experiencing insomnia and you've just stayed up is completely different. After two days, I'm exhausted and dramatically imparied like anyone else would be. Its a very odd thing. As I've gotten older, it's become much less of an issue. I dont' have bouts of not sleeping at all very often anymore, but I still have the problem of going to bed, waking up 20 minutes later thinking I've slept all night. I think that's far more difficult to manage and is where the mental exercises and keeping your bedtime in tip top shape come into play.

Yup, I'm 28. I don't get hallucinations, but, can go 2-3 days without sleep and its absolutely dehabilitating.

Judgement gets bad, like you said. So, its a spiral.

..

So, you never really got treated, you just grew out of it?


..

I think I started with one problem causing insomnia, and now have multiple (from the drugs, exposure to therapy I think actually made things worse, and now likely a physical problem).

So, it's just one big battle of confusion.