Just Can’t Sleep! Fatal Familial Insomnia?
Last night I was fast asleep by 11 p.m., but I woke up again at 1 a.m. Even though I was very exhausted when I went to bed, I was suddenly wide awake and it was impossible to get back sleep again.
That’s why I have been just lying there watching the clock change from three to four to five without sleeping a wink – it was very frustrating. Finally, I got up at 6.15 and went off to work feeling terrible.
That’s a typical night for me. I’ve had insomnia for so long I’m amazed that anyone else actually sleeps through the night. And when this goes on for too many nights I feel really shattered.
First I even thought I had fatal familial insomnia because my dad suffered from insomnia, too. Fortunately, it turned out to be wrong. I’ve tried nearly everything to cure my disease – herbal teas, yoga, meditation, but it hasn’t made any difference. I don’t want to start taking sleeping pills because I’m terrible of becoming addicted to them. And although I know it’s awful way to live, I’ve learned to accept that insomnia is part of my life.
My situation is similar. I owned my own company for several years and “got used to” only sleeping about 2-4 hours a night. Even two years after I sold the company I still only sleep 2-4 hours a night. I’m just always “thinking.” I’ve tried tv, even counting sheep, nothing works. I wish I could sleep in, but it is also a part of my life! I can’t even take naps to compensate.