Somebody please help me SLEEP!!!

Something has happened within the past three months or so to kick my tinnitus up from intermittent and annoying to CONSTANT and totally MADDENING!!!  It.never.goes.away...ever...  I can just about cope with it during the day, but at night is a whole different story.  I can't sleep.  The whining in my ears seems much louder because of the relative quiet at nighttime.  I've tried lavender.  I've tried white noise.  I've tried soothing baths before bed.  I go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning.  I'm on the waiting list to be seen by an ENT, but did break down and go back to the GP on Monday.  They prescribed me cinnarizine, which is supposed to help my balance (having issues with falling over as well...) and the side effect is supposed to be drowsiness.  Two tablets about 1 hour before bed.  Ok, I'm drowsy....but STILL CAN'T SLEEP!  And I feel totally wiped out all day.  I'd literally sell my soul for a good night's sleep at this point.  Heck, doesn't even have to be that good....5 or 6 hours of solid sleep would be heavenly! 

Any suggestions before I go totally insane from sleep deprivation?  :\\\'(

I don't know anything about tinnitus, I'm afraid, so I don't know how much of a part that plays in your insomnia. BUT ... I've suffered from insomnia most of my life. It's horrible. It sounds as if you're doing everything right. What about diet? Are you eating well? No caffeine, no booze, etc.? Also, sometimes I find those OTC herbal sleep tablets from Boots work for me - but I'm sure most of it is psychological. Still, if it means I can sleep, then I'm all for it!

The doctor told my ex that he'd have to learn to live with tinitus, that nothing would stop the noise. However, after a little internet research, I picked up some ginko biloba and his tinitus stopped after a few days.

The doctor told my ex that he'd have to learn to live with tinitus, that nothing would stop the noise. However, after a little internet research, I picked up some ginko biloba and his tinitus stopped after a few days.

That doesn't work for everyone - and there are different causes of tinnitus as well.

I suffer pretty badly from it at times, too.  I know you mentioned you tried "white noise", but I've found just playing some sort of music at night helps.  It has to be something terribly soothing and familiar - I've been alternating between Jobim and Air for the past few months, and it's really helped. 

I really hope you find something that helps - the feeling of helplessness doesn't make it any easier.

My FIL suffers terribly from tinitus, and he (and this is gonna sound really gross) puts olive oil in his ear.  He says it helps, but I would contact your DR before you put anything in your ear.

I'd literally sell my soul for a good night's sleep at this point.  Heck, doesn't even have to be that good....5 or 6 hours of solid sleep would be heavenly! 

Any suggestions before I go totally insane from sleep deprivation?  :\\\'(

While I wouldn't suggest drugs as a long-term solution, I've used Ambien (zolpidem) to help get to sleep a couple of times, and it's excellent.  I fall asleep within 30 minutes, sleep through the night, and don't feel any effects after I wake up.

I don't know if it's available in the UK or not, and as I said before it won't help with the underlying cause in your case, but you might consider it as a short-term solution while you look for something to help with the tinnitus.

temazepam always works for me in the short term!

My FIL suffers terribly from tinitus, and he (and this is gonna sound really gross) puts olive oil in his ear.  He says it helps, but I would contact your DR before you put anything in your ear.

Olive oil will soften any wax in the ear so if the tinnitus is caused by that it might help.

While I wouldn't suggest drugs as a long-term solution, I've used Ambien (zolpidem) to help get to sleep a couple of times, and it's excellent.  I fall asleep within 30 minutes, sleep through the night, and don't feel any effects after I wake up.

I don't know if it's available in the UK or not, and as I said before it won't help with the underlying cause in your case, but you might consider it as a short-term solution while you look for something to help with the tinnitus.

It is available. I've had it perscribed here. But it's not very well known, so you'll have to ask for it specifically. It's marketed here as Stilnoct.

Make sure thy give you the 5mg not 10mg. And if you get 10mg, break one in half.

Ambien is amazing!

I hope you can figure something out soon. From one insomnia sufferer to another, I know what it's like.

Hmmm balance issues and ringing in the ear, sounds like you may have some inner ear issues going on.  Glad you're getting to an ENT- how far away is that appointment? 

Can you get someone from the states to send you some tylenol PM?  That is usually a great one for knocking people out, without causing too many issues the next day. 

Hope you can get to the ENT sooner than later! 

I didn't have much luck with any drugs.

I didn't have much luck with any drugs.

Me neither. Tylenol PM makes me feel like a zombie for a good 24 hours. I prefer drug-free approaches.

Amazing how we're all a little different...

Well besides drugs there is always- white noise and relaxation techniques (warm baths, not exercising 2 hours before bed, a glass of warm milk or tea, shutting the tv off an hour before bed, etc)-  Try tai chi and yoga too or just concentration on your breathing- anything that you can really just meditate, that will put you into relaxation mode too...

Like the above poster I would also suggest putting exercise in your day if you haven't already.

It might not work for you, but if others come here looking for insomnia related treatment, I would suggest trying valerian root and/or chamomile before sleep. Also: hot baths, not having electronics on in your room, not playing online/watching TV at least an hour or two before bed, using your bed only for sleeping and sex (no reading, watching tv, going online, etc.).