I'm doubtful that treating sleep is going to treat the root cause, I consider it more of a secondary problem. I get periods when I feel massive inflammation from a haywire immune system, during which it's very hard to sleep.
I had pretty awful insomnia at the start of the illness and have little to no trouble sleeping, now. My symptoms definitely improved once I could sleep again -- and I can remember that feeling of just KNOWING that if I could get some sleep -- some real, restorative sleep -- everything would right itself.
Well, everything hasn't righted itself, but it did improve every symptom significantly once I started sleeping again.
For example, one approach might be to use antibiotics; but many of us may have severe reactions to taking antibiotics. So the second approach, may be easier to swallow (no pun intended), thru celluar metobolism. Treatments used would be more related to hormones and/or vitamines, and thus easier for our systems to assimilate.
I did an antibiotic -- my symptoms improved dramatically. There are also a number of OTC meds that I take that have improved my condition dramatically.
That's why its important to be aggressive, and a risk taker now. Because sitting idly waiting for the perfect study with the perfect treatment (10+ years from now), may lead to a harsh reality that you can not tolorate the "perfect" treatment.
Initially, I didn't act, for fear that I would obscure my illness -- back when I was still trying to get diagnosed.
Screw it.
There are so few doctors who understand this illness. Instead, do everything you can the moment you realize it's in your power. If I had dropped everything the moment I became acutely ill and started in on meds, I could be so much farther along.
Then again, that gave me more research time on these boards. I remember carefully cutting my antibiotic pills into
fifths having absorbed the "start low and go slow" motto.
-J