I was diagnosed with insomnia since I was around 7, then at 38 I fell asleep for 18+ hours a day for around 6 weeks. The past two years have been a struggle with narcolepsy type 1 diagnosis earlier this year. Despite classic narcolepsy symptoms I still have bouts of insomnia that last a few weeks. Then I go back to the narcolepsy sleepy all the time during the day and tossing and turning and scared at night from vivid dreams and hallucinations. I prefer insomnia and that feeling much better than narcolepsy 1.

Yes! Not on any regular basis. It's awful! Growing up, I remember being up till 3:00 in the morning sometimes!

Yes, I experience insomnia at least 2 to 3 times a week, Depending on my monthly cycle I can say as a woman it does effect me even worse at that time. For the hormones and the female body reproduction process going on has a huge factor when trying to sleep yet I try everything that has been recommended or appropriate to take due to the medications. For me I had to start a bed time routine when I feel the urge to just watch the back of my eyelids, using essential oils from the shower to lotion to the sheets to the diffusion machine and so on. Tricking the mind is a work of art. I hope you find rest and find a solution to insomnia.

I need to stay awake during daytime, so that I am extremely tired at bedtime. Also, about 30 minutes before my head hits the pillow I take 10mg melatonin - I'm holding steady at 3 now.

I have nightmares almost every night. My sleep Doc prescribes Prazosin - 2mg I think. I still have unpleasant dreams, but I (usually) don't wake up angry with my wife.
If not for melatonin, I would never sleep.