Personal Nightmare

[adridude]

Hey,

Well, I wish i could have a nightmare; Thanks to sleep problems, the luxuries of dreaming or nightmaring are a luxury.
I've spoken to my GP about this on several occasions, and they don't seem to take a blind bit of notice. I've told them that I've got chronic sleep problems (i.e. I sleep max 2 or 3 hours a day), and the best they can come up with is 'eat properly'? Holy crudd, I eat very well, and live a healthy life!
I've tried the usual over the counter aids i.e. nytol, asda sleep aid and various others, and they have no affect on me.
How do I fight this? I know that Immovan (aka Zimmovan) works, and have told the doctors this, but they won't help me!

Also, I suffer from depression and anxiety attacks, which they also don't seem to want to treat at all (which was treated when I lived in the Netherlands)

I have no idea what to do, this is grossely affecting my work life and my colleagues are getting very concerned about me. Being in a senior position and suffering with the problems I have definately have a negative impact on my career.

I'm getting sick and tired of all of this, Im an inch away from buying my own medications over the internet and self medicating; I shouldn't have to do this?

Can someone tell me how to give my doctor a proverbial kick up the butt?

Thanks

Adridude

[Bookworm]

Change GP.

Seriously.

I am with a practice where it's pot luck who you get.

Nearly 5 yrs ago, I saw one because of my weight that kept on creeping inexorably, which in turn was making me more depressed. I knew I wasn't an overater, I knew I didn't turn to food for comfort, I did eat healthily (or so I thought, more of that later), so I knew it was something else. The GP I saw sent me away with a diet sheet for 900 calories and a flea in my ear. I got more and more depressed as a result.

2 months later, having read of an appetite suppressant that was available on prescription, I went back to the surgery. I saw a different GP, and I can honestly say she saved my life. She LISTENED, then she told me to try this (at the time virtually unheard of) low carbohydrate diet, and come back in 2 weeks. I never looked back.

This long winded post is to say that if you're not getting results and you KNOW you need help, find someone who will listen.

On a separate note, what is your diet like? Have you tried altering the patterns? If you want help trying to spot possible culprits, post a typical day's eating here, with the approx times. Having said that, I would have thought it quite obvious that the insomnia is linked to the anxiety and depression, and I'm sure you'll have a fair idea as to what is causing those.

[hagenuk]

Seconded, change GP and get a second opinion.

[adridude]

well because I have ADHD I have to adhere to a strict diet. No colorants, no E numbers, no processed food. So literaly itus all butcher and greengrocer for me *except* for the occasional cornetto lol). nothing I eat is manmade or manhandled in any way.

I live to a strict 1/3 proten, 1/3 pure vita veg/roughage and the rest carbs. I go to gym 4x a week, I walk to work and run every weekend.

I cant see how this would mess my life up. I live very stricly about food and intake, thats a joy of having ADHD.

one opf the offspins of ADHD is depression, and the other anxiety. They refuse to accept that adults can live with it?!?! Various oprganisations, until recently funded by the red cross, do support it, and this includes GP's who now have to charge silly charges for personal medical?"?"

[Bookworm]

I don't like to mention this, as they can have undesirable effects in so many, but I assume you have looked into Ritalin/Straterra? Or is that one of the things your GP won't discuss?

[adridude]

yes indeed, I'm still fighting for my ADHD. I've been on methylpheniday (ritalin and many others) all my life, until i came to the UK.

now i have to buy it off the internet, which i assume is illegal as methylphenidat is a controlled substance thanks to the druggees processing it!

not no joy there, they wont treat me here, despuite my psychs letters and that from my past! I think its because my docs were from other countries.

[JonCris]

Well even if they doubt your docs they should at the very least examine you to assess your condition.

They obviously aren't paying ny attention to your complaints so I suggest that you find a solicitor who practices in med neg & let him try & help you. You may even be entitled to legal aid

[PinkGlitterGirl]

A strongly worded letter to the local PCT (primary care trsut) might help. Ask the PCT for a gp who will help you. Your own gp's surgery is obliged to give you the address to the PCT to write to.

Good luck.

Pink
xxx

[JulesRamone]

Hi... I hope you don't mind me giving my tuppenceworth on the subject of sleep deprivation. I have suffered insomnia and have other problems which mean that sleep is not reliable and, as the expression goes, 'refreshing'. I know you have probably tried valerian, which does work. There are other homoeopathic remedies, which are worth exploring. You say you live a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is one of those cure-all things. Even gentle few lengths soothes aches and massages/de-stresses the muscles, which is a soothing remedy. I would also suggest yoga and all that business. I'm not into the new age stuff myself, but it's really worth thinking about. Another good thing to do is switch the TV off and do some practical hobby which again involves physical coordination. Lastly, a pet? I'm kind of working on the assumption that you are unable to 'switch off' because of stress, and this has become part of your routine. A dog or cat or even a fishtank are certain to reduce stress levels.

I hope you don't mind this list from an armchair expert... the reason I'm posting this reply is first and foremost because anyone with sleep problems has my deep sympathy. It's a cruel condition, and misunderstood as ME. I certainly wish you good luck with it.

JulesR