I have a chronic autoimmune disease that includes a severe sleep disorder. I took tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, natural formulas including magnesium, melatonin and other patented herbal formulas and NOTHING helped me sleep. There was a time when I took 50mg of Librium and 20 mg of Ambien and still lay awake at 3:00 am. Only after 18 months of acupuncture (which required not only $$$$ but Korean and Chinese patent formulas… also $$$$) was I finally able (eventually) to reduce the Ambien to 5mg and 1.5 mg of Clonazapam and Natural Calm Sleep magnesium formula. I was also , after 2 1/2 years of being bed/chair bound, able to actually go into a grocery store and leaning on the cart, be “out in the world”. I cried.
With 11 additional years of twice weekly acupuncture I am now able to get (sometimes) 7 or occasionally 8 hours of sleep. This requires a very carefully controlled “sleep hygiene” routine and since the illness limits my ability to exercise, it isn’t always effective. I do not have sleep apnea (although I have consulted with medical professionals… some of whom were more interested in billing my insurance than actually being helpful). I’m 67 years old and am have lost my career (as of 25 years ago), my social life, my volunteer community and have not been as good a parent as I would have liked. I’ve had a great deal of counseling (more $$$) to process the grief of these losses. I cope by practicing gratitude and avoiding too much exposure to political news. I read, “pray” ( to whatever it is I call “God”) and hope that I will be given the privilege of living long enough to see my new grandchildren (both born this past year) grow. There are times I wish I had a “real” illness like cancer so I could feel less guilty about my inadequate performance in life. On the good days, I’m just grateful to have been privileged to get this far.
When I read your advertisements… I truly wish it could be that easy. My husband is a licensed PhD psychologist and a wellness coach certified by Harvard Medical School. (He also has an MBA). Due to his (really bad) family medical history, he truly “walks the talk”. He runs every day (he’s 75) and strength trains 4x weekly. He cooks healthy meals and does all the grocery shopping & pretty much functions as a full time caregiver. I am proud of him and SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIM.
My point is this; if one is privileged to have not only a good base for health and no health disorders that cannot be controlled in any meaningful way and has the liquid cash available, your very expensive recommendations may be helpful. For me it’s discouraging and a bit insulting to be told that “natural sleep” (???) is either easy or inexpensive to achieve.
Please consider the people who are unable to access or benefit from your recommendations. A true “Sleep Doctor” (I’ve seen and paid several too) would at least consider that even a “Doctor” has limits and would add a disclaimer to that effect on your advertising.