Dare I say, an improvement ...

[jillista]

So, I've been an insomniac since about birth or so - goes hand in hand with my depression - and I've treated it with medication in the past and done okay. Finally, though, in the past couple of years, I tried to be more aware of what exactly was keeping me from sleeping and how I felt when I did and did not sleep and I just couldn't get past the feeling that there was more going on than depression related insomnia. Of course doctors didn't listen - as soon as they heard the word depression they would write a script, but they wouldn't entertain any other theories. Finally, though, I went to a specialist for TMJ and by the time I did, the pain that I was in was contributing to my sleeplessness as well. I talked to him about it (his total specialty has to do with both pain and dental-related sleep problems) and he did a battery of tests, including a CAT scan. Turns out my airway is about half the size of an average person's - so, I wasn't clenching my teeth overnight strictly due to stress - I was clenching my teeth to prevent my tongue from covering my entire airway and let myself breathe. I now have a special dental splint that prevents the clenching AND keeps my tongue in the proper position and I have actually gotten some rest! I do still have problems with insomnia related to my depression, but now when I'm able to fall asleep, I get restful sleep. It's amazing how much less of a bitch I am! Still drives me crazy that it took years of me saying "but there's more to it than the depression" to get somebody to run some fucking tests, but at least now things are getting better.

[tryp]

Hey, that's awesome.

Sometimes a proper diagnosis makes all the difference - glad someone finally had the sense to look a little more closely.

Good sleep is key - I know not sleeping makes me even nuttier.