Hi, "my friend" is having trouble sleeping at night; he's been awake three nights straight with barely any sleep, even trying melatonin pills that he has which make you drowsy and help you to fall asleep, but this did not help. the only sleep he's gotten was because of the exhaustion you get after highs from smoking marijuana, and has been the only thing able to get him to sleep, even diliberately smoking in the morning to get some rest. at night, he just doesnt feel tired at all, is fully awake, and cannot fall asleep. sometimes when he lies down on his bed before being asleep, he has trouble breathing, but probably not sleep apnea as its before being asleep, but could just be from mental thought of it that his body follows as if it is real, as he describes it "like my brain doesnt know how to breath or fall asleep". it could be described as he has to "regulate" his breathing, and the high from the marijuana distracts from this and gets him to sleep. he constantly stretches in bed, but that could be from the result of lying in bed for hours without falling asleep. he does not feel tired at all at night, and just cannot sleep. what kind of sleep disorder does he have, any in particular? and as marijuana has been the only thing to get him to sleep, could a medical marijuana prescribtion be issued, and also could it be prescribed if he was under 18? he lives in california where medical marijuana is legal. thanks for all help, please post (the sooner he can see a doctor and get some sleep the better)
Your friend really need a serous advice from the doctor. He/she should eat healthy foods and have a regular exercise.
I have had insomnia since I was a kid. Doctors want to know you are doing the best for your body so they teach you before putting you on anything. Not sleeping for 3 days or whatever is often caused by a serious problem. Regulating your breathing makes it worse and it sounds like he is having an anxiety attack. He should go to the ER if he wants his doctor to take him seriously because it is very dangerous to your body. It is one of the ways bipolar disorder starts. Get to a doctor and start working with him/her asap. I don't mean to say marijuana isn't good for it in fact I hear it is great, but I don't know if you can get recommended for insomnia. I am not well informed about that. I am going to get it for nausea and enjoy the benefits for my other problems. Good Luck, Sammy