We probably all have some trouble sleeping. And, lack of sleep makes us more sensitive to pain. And, lack of sleep can lead to a whole world of more problems from irritability to something approaching downright insanity.

I feel like I've always had serious sleep problems, but lately it has been just crazy with my leg injury and sleeping on the sofa for almost two months (not good for my back at all). The cast has been off for a few weeks now and, somehow, I thought everything would magically go back to my normal at that moment. Well, I was wrong. I had a bit of a meltdown, wound up trying to self-medicate, had a particularly bad episode last week when someone talked to me on the phone and said I was incoherent and called an ambulance to get me. I wound up spending a few days in a psych unit. The doctor, who met me for all of three minutes was convinced that it was a suicide attempt and that I am suffering clinical depression. And everyone seemed to believe that fibro and chronic pain are simply a result of depression. And they certainly didn't want to deal with any of my medical issues. I couldn't even walk without severe pain because you're not allowed to have laces, which meant no supportive shoes for my bad leg. Let me tell you, it was not a fun week. Being in a psych unit is just a touch less horrible than being in jail.

This week, I finally got to see my family doc. I told him everything. Yes, everything. I told him how I bought muscle relaxers online and was self-medicating and just how much I was taking. He is the greatest. I trust him and I feel so lucky to have him. He is so rational and understanding. He knows that I am not suicidal or depressed. Like me, he blames most of the trouble on the sleep problems. He does not believe the pain is in my head, thank you! He changed the meds again and I think I'm on the right track. The first night, I actually slept about 10 hours. I know that was probably more from exhaustion because I haven't been sleeping decently for weeks. But, last night went well also. Let's just hope I can get back on track and put all this nonsense behind me.

So many people just don't get chronic pain and certainly not my sad attempt at self-medication. I'm tired of the well-meaning folks with there stupid advice. Oh, just get out there and do something. Keep yourself busy and you'll sleep. And on and on ad nauseum.

So, I guess I just wanted to share and maybe hear that I'm not alone in this struggle.