Sparkle - I have struggled with insomnia most of my life – even back during childhood, before I knew there was anything wrong. I thought all children stayed in bed awake for a while, and played, and were exhausted when they got home from school. I would go to bed at 9:30pm hoping to get to sleep by 1:30am. Some nights it was 3 or 4am… I was sleeping so little in my early twenties, I was getting sick all the time. I have the flu three times in six weeks. That was when I went to the doctor. I was on Ambien for a year, during which I did a lot of research and tried a lot of things and used the sleeping pills to give myself new habit and retrain my body.

The couch thing, I recognize. You, my dear, have insomnia. It can be triggered by many things, and it’s different in everyone that has it. I think if you take this in a different direction, you might take some of the anxiety off yourself.

I would start doing some research on insomnia, and learn about how to teach yourself to sleep better. It goes beyond the old ‘drink a glass of warm milk’ thing.

Here’s a couple basics:
1) Your bed and bedroom should be for sleep and sex. No talking on the phone or reading or watching tv.
2) Go to bed around the same time each night. Get up around the same time each morning.
3) ***Give yourself a ‘sleep ritual’. One of my secrets was to read a book – a fluff book, that could in no way stimulate my worries. I would get ready for bed, face washed, teeth brushed, turn off almost all of the lights, drink a cup of chamomile tea, read a little on the couch, then go directly to bed. It worked for me – I was single then. Now, I can't sleep if people are making noice and DH in in the bathroom. etc.
4) Make sure you aren’t too hot or too cold. This is a biggie for me (I get hot). Often, by the time I realize I are uncomfortable, I’ve have already kicked over into ‘I’m not going to sleep now’ mode and I’m screwed.

I’ve had another ‘flare up’ in the past year (triggered by Dh and stepkids and stress, and loud people, and lifestyle changes, etc.). I started on Ambien a few months ago to get me back down out of hysterical stage so that I can ‘get back on the wagon’. I liken it to being an alcoholic: I’ll be an insomniac forever. Sometimes, I’m just on the wagon. I never know what’s going to set it off, or what I can get away with, without making it flare up. *hugs* You might check with your doc… Good luck!

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