What Causes Insomnia?

Posted on Sun, 28 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 28 Aug 2016 Answered on

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my problem is not being able to sleep no matter how tired I am. I can go without sleep for more then 36 hrs with only a few minutes here and there. and I can't sleep before 4 am. this is every day. my clock turns off be-tween 4 and 6 am. and some times I have to be up at 6 am because of work. I feel so sick. and if I finally do sleep, I sleep for more then 10 hrs, then after that I can go without for more 48 hrs. I am a 59 years old woman live alone I am a happy person, love to read. I don't have any kind of medical care, or any kind of support system, what little I earn is all I have.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

This is very serious insomnia which can have very negative health effects. You need to visit a primary care doctor immediately for a physical exam and blood work including a CBC, CMP, TSH, and adrenal function tests. You also need a sleepy study. If this workup is negative, you can try sleeping medications such as trazodone, Ambien, or Seroquel.

Dr Sheppe
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T