Cerebellar Damage and Segmented Sleep

Very often, I am accused of hypocrisy, of touting the importance of rest, but not doing it myself. Rest and sleep are incredibly important to human function. Unfortunately, the portion of my brain that regulates sleep is damaged. Indeed, I am as physically exhausted as the next person at times. My eyes become sore, and I become incredibly clumsy. My brain screams for sleep, but I am physically unable to sleep. My brain won’t turn off.

“Try melatonin or tea!” I have. “Try having a psychiatrist prescribe sleep aids!” I’ve done that. I wasn’t sure why they didn’t work but they didn’t, and they made my symptoms worse. Until last year, I thought I must have some form of extreme, treatment-resistant insomnia. After a routine MRI, my neurologist saw a brain abnormality indicating spinocerebellar ataxia. I now understood why the insomnia treatments didn’t work. I had organic brain damage, not psychiatric insomnia. My reason for poor sleep is not remotely psychological. Point blank. I have brain damage. My brain is unable to physically function in the same way as would a healthy one.

I want to make something crystal clear. Brain damage does not equal mental problems or mental incapacity. It is literally having a damaged brain. For example, my brain is damaged due to a stroke and subsequent coma. Miraculously, the damage was done mainly to my cerebellum. This affects primarily physical activity, such as speech and motor coordination. The lack of oxygen supply to my cerebellum caused it to atrophy. It is now only 2/3 the normal size. I now know that it has shrunk even more. I have only a quarter of my cerebellum functioning. This means I function at 25% of my physical capability and am required to work 4x harder than everyone else just to be able to speak and function in the same manner as them. I have no cognitive problems. This is a common misconception, that brain damage means some form of mental degradation. This is simply not true. There are numerous portions of the brain that can be damaged without affecting one’s cognitive function.

The Segmented Sleep Trend

Back to my problems with sleep. I have had severe and intractable insomnia since the injury. My sleep is highly segmented and I am lucky to get a few hours at a time. In trying to resolve this, I have done a lot of research. When I first began looking into segmented sleep, I almost doubled over in laughter. Apparently, segmented sleep is trendy and sought after. I suppose sleeping for several short periods throughout the day is cool.  Much of my research on this subject yielded the benefits of segmented sleep. The underlying concept is that lesser amounts of sleep throughout the day can enhance productivity and foster a sense of greater rest. Proponents of segmented sleep proclaim that sleeping 8 consecutive hours is not natural and that since it was commonly used by our ancestors in pre-industrial times, perhaps we ought to use it as well. They contend that sleeping for an eight-hour spell is a recent phenomenon, only coming to pass in industrial human society as a means to live by a clock, rather than by nature and the sun. According to some professionals, segmented sleep, if used correctly, is beneficial and a more natural way to rest.

Many consider it contrary to circadian rhythms, however, and if segmented sleep is not by choice, it presents more problems than it solves. I agree. In my case, segmented sleep is not by choice. It is relative to the cerebellar injury I sustained years ago and presents many problems for me. I may not fall asleep until midnight but then I wake up at 3 am. I am exhausted by 7 am but must be awake all day. While sleeping for two, 4-hour stints may have been suitable at some point in history, it is not exactly wonderful with only one shorter stent and no ability to sleep later in the day. In this regard, the modern clock definitely affects sleep.

Negative Effects of Segmented Sleep

Strangely enough, this lack of sleep does not affect me negatively, cognitively. I honestly cannot explain that one. It does affect my ability to move and speak though. I am aware of my exhaustion when I have physical problems. The lack of sleep causes difficulty with movement and walking. My speech becomes slurred as if I am drunk. Since I have been sober for over 8 years, when this happens, I have to reassure those around me that I have not consumed any substances. At this point, most people in my life are aware of my situation and the cause of my slowed physicality.

At this point, the segmented sleep has been with me for years and no physician has been able to resolve it but I continue to research and seek help. I am planning to see a neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders soon. I am hoping that they can find a solution that my other doctors have not been able to. Sleep disturbances are not pleasant, no matter their origins. If anyone reading this also suffers from segmented sleep from cerebellar injury and has found resolution, please reach out.

For now, solidarity from yours truly at 3:04 am!

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Photo by Quin Stevenson on Unsplash.

This article was published originally on March 7, 2022.