Proof that I’m an insomniac

[Aroura]

I'm sure you've already heard all the advice to help insomnia a million times, so I won't throw it at you once again.

(Also, dedication would mean I always follow my own rules. It's still a struggle to do that every day, and I fail sometimes, but damn I do pay when I give in).

As to the coffee situation, even if you've suffered your whole life with it, I cannot imagine 8-10 cups a day is helping. That level seems dangerous, but I'm not a doctor.

The only advice is to get a sleep study. Maybe they could help with something that isn't meds?

In any case, realy, best luck with this! Not getting enough sleep is the worst, I know it can make even simple tasks feel impossible.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I wake up before 4 am every day. Started when I was in Missouri and Boss Lady was in Albuquerque. She had a window for chatting that opened at 5 am my time, so I got up at 4 and did the necessary so I could have some long distance relations time. That was nine years ago. Now I can go to bed at 1 am and still wake up at 4.

[purplepurpose]

[Losty]

Permanent brain damage, sounds about right

[The Valkyrie]

4.35?

That’s 10 minutes before I get up to go to work.

👩🏼‍⚕️

[Losty]

4.35?

That’s 10 minutes before I get up to go to work.

👩🏼‍⚕️

It’s about an hour before I get up

[vulcanlogician]

I'm in the same boat. It is not uncommon for me to do a day with 1 or 2 hours of sleep, or like... none. It's been going on so long its almost routine for me. About twice a month I get a "good sleep" where I feel like I actually went to sleep. Even less often I really crash hard and wake up feeling refreshed.

Coffee is -necessary- and I feel like those times I went without it, it really fucked up my day for a marginal benefit. I can drink well more than 20 shots of espresso in a day (no kidding). But one thing that did help was setting a "cut off limit" to when I drank coffee. For instance, drink all the coffee you want, but stop at 11 AM. Find a time that works for you.

At night, I used to drink beers after a long day at work, but I actually found slowing down drinking before bedtime to help. Smoke a bunch of pot too. But not right before bed... like an hour before. Other than that I've used various drugs... benadryl is the only OTC one. Flexeril (which is a muscle relaxer) worked pretty well. If I were you I'd ask the doc again if he can replace one of the meds you're on with one that makes you sleepy, since he doesn't want to add something new. It's like, you shouldn't have to stop slugging coffee or being a general mess just to get some sleep, man!

[purplepurpose]

I'm in the same boat. It is not uncommon for me to do a day with 1 or 2 hours of sleep, or like... none. It's been going on so long its almost routine for me. About twice a month I get a "good sleep" where I feel like I actually went to sleep. Even less often I really crash hard and wake up feeling refreshed.

Coffee is -necessary- and I feel like those times I went without it, it really fucked up my day for a marginal benefit. I can drink well more than 20 shots of espresso in a day (no kidding). But one thing that did help was setting a "cut off limit" to when I drank coffee. For instance, drink all the coffee you want, but stop at 11 AM. Find a time that works for you.

Are you skinny? You must be in good shape to be able to endure such unhealthy routine.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I'm in the same boat. It is not uncommon for me to do a day with 1 or 2 hours of sleep, or like... none. It's been going on so long its almost routine for me. About twice a month I get a "good sleep" where I feel like I actually went to sleep. Even less often I really crash hard and wake up feeling refreshed.

Coffee is -necessary- and I feel like those times I went without it, it really fucked up my day for a marginal benefit. I can drink well more than 20 shots of espresso in a day (no kidding). But one thing that did help was setting a "cut off limit" to when I drank coffee. For instance, drink all the coffee you want, but stop at 11 AM. Find a time that works for you.

At night, I used to drink beers after a long day at work, but I actually found slowing down drinking before bedtime to help. Smoke a bunch of pot too. But not right before bed... like an hour before. Other than that I've used various drugs... benadryl is the only OTC one. Flexeril (which is a muscle relaxer) worked pretty well. If I were you I'd ask the doc again if he can replace one of the meds you're on with one that makes you sleepy, since he doesn't want to add something new. It's like, you should have to stop slugging coffee or being a general mess just to get some sleep, man!

'If you love someone, let them go.  If they come back with coffee, it was meant to be.' - Plato or someone not-Plato

Boru

[Angrboda]

Not to rub it in, but after a lifetime of sleep problems, for the past month I've been sleeping well, waking up at a reasonable hour, and taking very few naps.

I don't know what I did to deserve this.

Regarding caffeine, you might miss it initially, but after a transition period without it, I suspect you wouldn't miss it.