I can't sleep

[numbers]

Since the day of my AIDS and KS diagnosis from a doctor who didn't know anything about either I haven't been able to sleep through the night.  Instead of sending me for competent counselling the doc sent me home so I spent 3 weeks planning to die until I finally reached someone who told me otherwise.  Maybe that's still on my subconscious.  I have been seeing psychiatrist, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, naturopath, massage therapist, yoga, and exercise 4 times a week but nothing seems to work for sleep.  I am in a very high-pressure job and can't function on 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night and am very worried this is going to cause me to lose my livelihood.  I started Cipralex a week ago and hope that it will help but am looking for things that will get me a few more hours of sleep in the meantime.  I have tried Imovane, ativan, temazepam, and seroquel but their effects have lessened over time, does anyone have any ideas that could help me?  Thanks!

[Andy Velez]

One of the things that happens during a sleepless period is that anxiety and upset grows over not sleeping making the situation worse. If you can recline and do good breathing your body is actually getting some of the rest that it needs. Now that isn't the same as a good sound sleep, but doing that breathing can be very calming.

Getting ready to settle down for the night can also help. Start settling down some before whatever time you ordinarily go to bed. Quiet music helps some. Avoid any heaving eating. Sometimes a good cuppa decaf tea is restful.

During sleepless and worried times I have found putting on a tape of someone reading to be soothing and gradually puts me out. For me it can be Shakespeare or even Who's Afraid of Va. Woolf. I know, go figure. I also can enjoy falling asleep to some favorite movie, one that's very familiar so it's more the sound of the voices than the story which I already know. Almost like the pleasant ritual of "tell me a story."  

You might also try journaling during your free time and just writing all of your thoughts about sleep, letting your mind just wander to wherever it does. Somethnig is rumbling around inside of you and the more you can find ways to express it the more likely your body will get back to its natural sleep pattern.

You're also welcome to continue to discuss it here. I am sure there are many among us here who have had their bouts of poor sleeping.

Good luck with getting a good night's sleep. It's going to happen so be friendly to yourself in the meantime.

Cheers.