RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (Full Version)

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WhipsAndGiggles -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 8:46:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: praetorian1974

Something to consider. Electromagnetic screens can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which control the sleep/wake cycle. Laying off the computer or TV a few hours before bed can greatly reduce your chances of suffering from insomnia.


Say what? Do you have any source to quote? I'd love to look into this more! (Guess I'll google it if you haven't any sources handy.)

And to the OP:

I was going to add that one of my close friends suggests removing any light. Even colored light. Even a pinpoint of light. She says it disrupts the body to have any light touch the skin. She recommends covering up/unplugging as many little lights around as possible and switching to a non-digital clock. She says doing that with melatonin is extremely helpful. I've never tried either thing. Taking melatonin is something I avoid due to depression.

Here's an FAQ on Melatonin by the some light therapy website. I have tried using sun therapy and found that it seemed to have positive results but I was not terribly consistent with it.
http://www.sltbr.org/melfaq.htm

You can visit this link for more info on the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms:
http://www.sltbr.org/ (Click "Pubic Info", on the left) for the info and many helpful links!! (some dead ones too. [:@])






popeye1250 -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 8:57:18 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: literarylady

Okay, well... what do you like to read? And yes, I know there is a thread about this somewhere.



Holly's right, try some Melatonin it really works.
As for reading to put you to sleep doesn't Al Bore have a tome or two?




SaharahEve -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 10:59:54 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: literarylady

I occasionally have insomnia. Nothing seems to cure it. I have drugs for anxiety, which I use sparingly. I've tried tea. I've tried a good, stiff drink. Nothing works. Any advice? Or, better yet, anyone awake to keep me company?

What do you use to get to sleep? What do you think about those hours as you lie awake? Right now, I'm thinking of an 8 am meeting...yawn....


Consider turning off all electro-magnetic devices and dimming the lights one hour before retiring; this fosters the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. I've found drinking a very warm cup of milk 10 minutes prior to bedtime helps too.




TreasureKY -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 2:24:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003

Usually when I can't get to sleep it is because my mind is working overtime, so what often helps me is to have some background noise...the radio or tv turned on, quietly but loud enough to distract whatever is on my mind at the time.

My mother told me that what my step-dad does is to murmur "sleep, sleep, sleep...." to himself under his breath.  Pretty much just boring himself to sleep I guess.

Long term...regular sleep habits and exercise.  But do the exercises earlier in the day or evening.  When I exercised too close to bed time I usually had a harder time getting to sleep.

By the way, you don't have a sleep apnea problem do you?  I used to have trouble getting to sleep quite often, but since going on the CPAP machine I haven't had any trouble what-so-ever, though my apnea was quite chronic.  It showed in my sleep study that in my worst hour I had an apnea 84 times...stopped breathing more than once a minute.  And stopped breathing over 400 times for the whole night.


^
This.

Firm and I both occasionally have trouble shutting down our minds enough to sleep.  Our solution?  Books on tape.

Seriously. 

Pop an audio book file on an ipod or some other such device (I use a Palm, Firm uses a netbook) and using ear buds, listen.  Turn the lights out and do everything else you'd do to go to bed... but instead just lay quietly and listen.

I have my Palm set to auto shut-off after just 20 minutes and I rarely every make it to that point.  I always pick a good book that I've read before... interesting, but I know what's going to happen so I don't feel like I have to stay awake to hear what happens next.

Firm just loads up one or two chapters of some technical or philosophical book. 

lol... From his breathing I'd say he never makes it past five minutes before he's sound asleep.




LaTigresse -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 2:49:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: literarylady

I occasionally have insomnia. Nothing seems to cure it. I have drugs for anxiety, which I use sparingly. I've tried tea. I've tried a good, stiff drink. Nothing works. Any advice? Or, better yet, anyone awake to keep me company?

What do you use to get to sleep? What do you think about those hours as you lie awake? Right now, I'm thinking of an 8 am meeting...yawn....


My rules for a good night of sleep.

Great linens and bed is numero uno. I could live without furniture in the rest of the house but a really good mattress is vital.

Sleep in a very cool room

No eating after 7pm if I can avoid it.

No caffeine after mid afternoon.

No exercise just before bed.

Shower or bath 1/2 -1 hour before bed.

An uncluttered bedroom with calming decor.

NO ELECTRONICS of ANY TYPE in the bedroom.

Most of the time, I sleep wonnnnnnnnderfully.




Jeffff -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 2:57:02 PM)

Your consience doesn't keep you up huh?

Go figure.




LaTigresse -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 3:00:40 PM)

Oh hell no........I have a very clear conscience!

( does that make me a sociopath.?)




pahunkboy -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/20/2010 3:52:36 PM)

I dont keep the clock in the bedroom. It is in the hall.




VaguelyCurious -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 12:59:18 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

Sleep in a very cool room

Oh dear-this means we are totally bed incompatible [:(][:(][:(]

If I'm cold in bed then I *will not* sleep.

Sadly LaT and I can never be!




Mistletoe -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 1:14:56 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: literarylady

I occasionally have insomnia. Nothing seems to cure it. I have drugs for anxiety, which I use sparingly. I've tried tea. I've tried a good, stiff drink. Nothing works. Any advice? Or, better yet, anyone awake to keep me company?

What do you use to get to sleep? What do you think about those hours as you lie awake? Right now, I'm thinking of an 8 am meeting...yawn....


I am a chronic night owl. Let me know when you are around I will keep you company...:)
BTW I like your avatar and the story behind it.




soul2share -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 4:07:54 AM)

My insomnia has been with me all my life......at least as an adult, I was able to work midnights, as my job is 24/7/365.  I am a supervisor's dream.....I HATE DAYS!  My body clock has been the reverse of everyone I've ever known...it's actually one of the reasons I won't have a roomie, unless they work/live the same schedule I do.

I swear by Melatonin, even tho I have to take higher than normal doses, and Benedryl works too....but I limit myself  w/it because I  have gotten addicted to Ny-quil before.  No matter what I take, I sleep good for 4 hours, then I'm up and down.....I have had instances where I can't sleep at all.....frustrating for sure, but I know they will pass.  I did try Rozerem....the 30 day bottle lasted me exactly 12 days.  I'm afraid of dependency to try anything stronger.  I too take meds for depression, and as far as I can tell, the melatonin has never had any affect on me either way.

I have always had blackout drapes, or covered my bedroom windows.  I can't sleep if there is ANY light in the room.  I also have both a fan on, and either a thunderstorm or ocean CD in the player.  I need the white noise, in several "layers".  I don't hit the snooze button to wake up, I set it for the time I need to wake up, and get out of bed.  This way, I avoid feeling groggy because of the light napping between snooze buttons.  I read until I fall asleep, or get drowsy enough to drift off...I've actually fallen asleep reading, light on, book in hand......which is fine, unless I drop the book on my face......talk about a rude awakening!  Then I hafta start all over again.

I used to fall asleep to TV, but the only downfall with that is when you surface from REM sleep, I've had instances where the sounds from the TV get incorporated into a dream....which isn't a problem, unless the sounds that are played while the menu for "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is what you're hearing.....one of THE worst nightmares I've ever had!!!!




Aynne88 -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 5:34:32 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Lunesta worked for me when I first took it, but you do have to remember to take it on an empty stomach, because it won't work if you have eaten something fatty or greasy before, like popcorn. It's not available generic, though, so it became kind of unaffordable.

My doctor recently switched me over to Ambien, which has been a life-saver. I had a little trouble at first getting the dosage adjusted, but it's great now. And, since it's available generic, with my insurance, it only costs me $5 a month. It seems to have a little more of a "punch" than Lunesta. With Lunesta, I just fell asleep, with Ambien, I feel it kick in, lol.



Oh my god yes. Seriously Ambien has been a life saver for me, I have suffered from insomnia my entire life, it's chronic and hereditary. My mother and grandmother both have it. If I could get to sleep by 2 most nights it was a miracle, and awake again at 5 or 6 for years. Sleep deprivation really screws a person up. I tried every homeopathic thing ever made, nothing worked. Then I did the trazadone, xanax, valium route, sort of helped but sporadically.

My GP gave me ambien about a year ago. I seriously cried from relief the first week of sleeping 7 hours straight every night for a week in the beginning. I love that stuff. No way am I giving it up. I try and go at least a week without it now and then to not build up a tolerance since it takes 10g to knock me out.




pahunkboy -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 6:34:14 AM)

To all the hot sexy men that can not sleep.


I will be over in 10 minutes to "tuck you in".


I promise the idea of sleeping will diminish.




pahunkboy -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 6:46:13 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aynne88


quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Lunesta worked for me when I first took it, but you do have to remember to take it on an empty stomach, because it won't work if you have eaten something fatty or greasy before, like popcorn. It's not available generic, though, so it became kind of unaffordable.

My doctor recently switched me over to Ambien, which has been a life-saver. I had a little trouble at first getting the dosage adjusted, but it's great now. And, since it's available generic, with my insurance, it only costs me $5 a month. It seems to have a little more of a "punch" than Lunesta. With Lunesta, I just fell asleep, with Ambien, I feel it kick in, lol.



Oh my god yes. Seriously Ambien has been a life saver for me, I have suffered from insomnia my entire life, it's chronic and hereditary. My mother and grandmother both have it. If I could get to sleep by 2 most nights it was a miracle, and awake again at 5 or 6 for years. Sleep deprivation really screws a person up. I tried every homeopathic thing ever made, nothing worked. Then I did the trazadone, xanax, valium route, sort of helped but sporadically.

My GP gave me ambien about a year ago. I seriously cried from relief the first week of sleeping 7 hours straight every night for a week in the beginning. I love that stuff. No way am I giving it up. I try and go at least a week without it now and then to not build up a tolerance since it takes 10g to knock me out.



OH wow.  Yeah- I know all of those pills- As I have been on them.

Be careful with the Ambien.   That is a sedative hypnotic.   One should not mix it with sedative type of meds.   The half life on it is real short.

Technically- this is a SHORT term rx.   

I insist on having that med in my cabinet.  But like you- I understand- that the effect can loose its punch.  When I first got on it- I got up to cook and never remembered it.   It scared me.  I mean I found odd things in the fridge- so I know I did it.

but now- I likely could chug those and not notice it too much.

they do NOT seem to work on an empty stomache.

Ambien can be very serious to a new user.  -    




LaTigresse -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 11:26:59 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: VaguelyCurious


quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

Sleep in a very cool room

Oh dear-this means we are totally bed incompatible [:(][:(][:(]

If I'm cold in bed then I *will not* sleep.

Sadly LaT and I can never be!



Not so quick there cuteness!!!!

Quilts and comforters......all warm and snuggly.




domiguy -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 11:33:51 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: TreasureKY

Firm just loads up one or two chapters of some technical or philosophical book. 

lol... From his breathing I'd say he never makes it past five minutes before he's sound asleep.




Rarely have I heard the Toby Keith biography as being listed under technical or philosophical studies.

Whatever floats your boat.

I sometimes have a hard time getting to sleep when recalling the subs that got away.

I, too, like a very cool room, no electronics aside from a vibrating butt plug inserted firmly into subs ass and always attempt to get the room as dark as possible.

LaT and I would be in heaven. I hope she likes her new vibtrating butt plug.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 2:00:30 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: literarylady

I occasionally have insomnia. Nothing seems to cure it. I have drugs for anxiety, which I use sparingly. I've tried tea. I've tried a good, stiff drink. Nothing works. Any advice? Or, better yet, anyone awake to keep me company?

What do you use to get to sleep? What do you think about those hours as you lie awake? Right now, I'm thinking of an 8 am meeting...yawn....


I hear your pain! I have the type of insomnia where falling asleep is the main issue. If I can get over that hurdle, I can usually sleep ok. Many times though, I find the sun coming up and myself still wide awake. It sucks.

Some people here have given you good suggestions. I would definately try the Melatonin. It didn't work for me, but since it is herbal, it's worth a try. If you are on other meds beside the anxiety meds though, check with your doctor.

Here's the important thing though. How likely is it that the anxiety your doctor has medicated you for is the reason you can't sleep? You didn't mention which particular anxiety drug it was, but perhaps taking it as prescribed might help you sleep better. Also have you spoken to your doctor about the inability to sleep, and if so, what does he/she say?

Anxiety can be a bitch to get control of. It takes a lot of self examination and awareness. I have suffered from anxiety attacks for nearly 20 years and have collectively taken medication for it less that 18 months (again that is over all). I learned how to manage my attacks without medication for the most part. There are times, though, when there is just too much shit hitting the fan too fast and managing them without medication can be almost impossible.

The point is your doctor prescribed the meds because he thought the benefits out weighed the risks. Seems to me that using it "sparingly" means you only get relief "sparingly" and why should you suffer like that?

As for the tea, I like Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time tea. It contains Valerian Root, which is reported to work much like Melatonin. I have even made iced tea with it and drank that all evening after dinner (I like the taste, lol). Stay away from all caffeine, so make sure your tea is herbal.

Good luck!




pahunkboy -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 2:04:00 PM)

Be glad you do not live with Domiguy.

There are car alarms in his hood- and they blare like crazy- sirens too.   And his bed is VERY squeaky.  I could not sleep at all just the thought of it.   too bad my car got towed.;-0




SorceressJ -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 2:13:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Be glad you do not live with Domiguy.


We are. Just sayin'.
And yes, insomnia SUCKS!

[image]local://upfiles/1044097/7632D08D936D40C38FCC1D19AE2CE91C.jpg[/image]




Steponme73 -> RE: Insomnia Is the WORST (8/21/2010 2:14:07 PM)

I have cronic insomnia. Melatonin works sometimes for me. I will not take drugs, so that is not an option for me. I am lucky as I am retired so I don't have to be anywhere at a certain time. But I think if I did I would use Melatonin all the time...there are no side effects that I am aware of.




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