If I don't start sleeping I'm going to freak out!

HeidiRene

Everyones different but i find Antihistamines generally knock me straight out.

Not me. Boo!

HeidiRene

you may be lacking magnesium. about 80% of women are. it costs about $10 for a 30 day supply. Fred Meyer has the best one I have found. It is Nature's Made. Please if you try the magnesium buy that one. The cheaper brands and even some of the more expensive ones only have mag. oxide in it which our bodies does not absorb. You need a brand that had more than 1 type of magnesium in it. I used to be an insomniac and I have some central nervous issues and the magnesium truly has helped me. I know how frustrating it can be and I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping!

I take a multi vitamin...I am assuming this won't cover my magnesium needs? I eat healthy so it's hard for me to imagine I am deficient but I will try this.

HeidiRene

Espie's sleep programme has been shown in clinical trials to be effective, i recommend it over medication any day. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.goodmedicine.org.uk/goodknowledge/sleep-adhd-fatigue

I will certainly look into it! Most of us prefer not to take meds...but, when you suffer with something and the alternatives don;t work medicine is better than never sleeping. Sleep deprivation is terrible! I will look into this though. Thanks!

cherdan

I wish I had solutions for you. I am in the exact same spot, except I don't think I naturally suffer from insomnia. I quit drinking completely last June, and since then I am unable to sleep until 6 or 7 am, EVERY day, and I can't even sleep at all without a combined 1-2 Unisom and 4-6 melatonin. Although alcohol does help to bring about sleepiness (and definitely intensifies the effects of sleep aids), I would advise you PLEASE not to start drinking for this reason, because if you suffer from depression and anxiety (as I also do), you also have more proclivity to become dependent on it. I am an alcoholic and alcohol was keeping me from achieving my goals on MFP, which was the one thing that got me to quit. Now, even after 8 months of sobriety, I still feel as if I am being "punished" for my frequent drinking. I cannot get back on a normal sleep pattern, no matter what I do. I feel like I am paying the price for getting better.
I too am unemployed except for my meager p/t job (which is mostly a couple hours a week at night) and this in turn fuels my insomnia, cause I feel like if I can't find "normal' (e.g. 9-5, not overnight, which I DO NOT want) work, what's the point of trying to get out of this horrible pattern?
Are you sure the Klonopin is the end-all, be-all solution?? My goal is to sleep *normally* again, like I once somehow did before alcohol. Klonopin will definitely knock you the **** out, but it is highly addictive and has gnarly side effects, like most benzos. I used to experiment with it, but coupled with the alcohol it just conked me out.

Gemnildy

I very deeply sympathise. I've had sleep issues in the past and they were painful to deal with and yours sound way worse. I sincerely hope you find something, anything, that works.

The only thing (other than medication) that worked for me was to literally knock myself out by doing physical activity. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4-5 hours of solid physical activity, which wasn't possible on anything but a weekend. You might give that a shot.

I know this is the other end of the specrum but it works for me too!

I am a night owl who gets my 2nd (maybe 3rd 4th) wind about 10pm and after that I am doomed. I can read, watch TV, play games on the computer.. ANYTHING until the wee hours of the morning. I also seem to only need about 4 1/2 - 5 hours sleep a night which most people have a real issue with. I was surprised to find that I really if I take that late hour time for a good cardio workout (Turbo Jam is my norm), as I go through my physical cool down I also find myself ready to shut down for the night If I can finish my workout by 12:30am then I can make it to bed by 1am and the alarm goes off at 5:45!.

HeidiRene

I wish I had solutions for you. I am in the exact same spot, except I don't think I naturally suffer from insomnia. I quit drinking completely last June, and since then I am unable to sleep until 6 or 7 am, EVERY day, and I can't even sleep at all without a combined 1-2 Unisom and 4-6 melatonin. Although alcohol does help to bring about sleepiness (and definitely intensifies the effects of sleep aids), I would advise you PLEASE not to start drinking for this reason, because if you suffer from depression and anxiety (as I also do), you also have more proclivity to become dependent on it. I am an alcoholic and alcohol was keeping me from achieving my goals on MFP, which was the one thing that got me to quit. Now, even after 8 months of sobriety, I still feel as if I am being "punished" for my frequent drinking. I cannot get back on a normal sleep pattern, no matter what I do. I feel like I am paying the price for getting better.
I too am unemployed except for my meager p/t job (which is mostly a couple hours a week at night) and this in turn fuels my insomnia, cause I feel like if I can't find "normal' (e.g. 9-5, not overnight, which I DO NOT want) work, what's the point of trying to get out of this horrible pattern?
Are you sure the Klonopin is the end-all, be-all solution?? My goal is to sleep *normally* again, like I once somehow did before alcohol. Klonopin will definitely knock you the **** out, but it is highly addictive and has gnarly side effects, like most benzos. I used to experiment with it, but coupled with the alcohol it just conked me out.

Thanks for posting! I don't drink so I am not going to try that solution. But, I appreciate your warnings. I went through many many meds with my psychiatrist and Klonopin worked the best for me. Clearly, I would much prefer to get to a point where I can sleep normally; however, since that is not happening month after month my body needs sleep. That doctor is in another state so even if I had money I would probably be screwed b/c I would have to build a relationship with a new doc (I recently moved) and many doctors treat everyone like an addict these days. It's very hard. I am always open to try ANYTHING (except drinking or illegal drugs I guess) but that is just what has worked for me in the past. Also, I never had any side affects from Klonopin. I guess everyone is different.

I feel your pain too. I admire all the positive changes you have made in your life! Sounds like you are really headed in the right direction.

Ash_76

when the body orgasms a hormone is released which causes a relaxing sensation...... just a thought
something to try at bedtime lol

i_love_vinegar

Here are a couple suggestions that work for me:

Castor oil -- put a thick layer on your eyelids and around your eyes (don't worry if it gets in your eye. It will make things blurry for a few minutes, but that is it...i actually use it as eyedrops even).

*kitten* -- helps to relax your body

Put lavendar scent on your neck/wrists...calming.

I hope this helps~~~

lorro

Espie's sleep programme has been shown in clinical trials to be effective, i recommend it over medication any day. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.goodmedicine.org.uk/goodknowledge/sleep-adhd-fatigue

I will certainly look into it! Most of us prefer not to take meds...but, when you suffer with something and the alternatives don;t work medicine is better than never sleeping. Sleep deprivation is terrible! I will look into this though. Thanks!

You're welcome :flowerforyou: For severe insomniacs the sleep restriction is the most difficult but most important part of the treatment but it's so worth it as it's very effective. I'll see if I can find you some trial results later. The reason it works is because sleep is a habit and if your're body is in the habit of getting say 4 hrs sleep a night, you need to start at that point and establish efficient sleep and then slowly stretch the window. It can be hard accepting little sleep at first as most people are desperate for more but think of it this way: if what you are doing now isn't working, what have you got to lose?

PS I agree sleep deprivation is terrible, so terrible it's sometimes used as a form of torture.

HeidiRene

*kitten* -- helps to relax your body

If this worked for me I would be Sleeping Freaking Beauty! haha Seriously. Thanks, tho. ;-)

i_love_vinegar

*kitten* -- helps to relax your body

If this worked for me I would be Sleeping Freaking Beauty! haha Seriously. Thanks, tho. ;-)

Try the castor oil though -- if you haven't already. I know it sounds crazy, but within 15 minutes of applying it, I'm knocked out. Great emollient properties as well.

christina0089

Have you tried contacting the makers of Ambien or Klonopin? Some drug companies have programs for people who can't afford their medications.

It might help.

This is true!

ilookthetype

I have huge issues with insomnia and was on ambien for over a year because of it. I changed my diet and it helped a lot. I'll still have a few months where my sleep is **** but it's better than it had been. I can't have any caffeine (no coffee ever, no chocolate, no soda), no sugar after a certain hour, and a hard run if I can't fall asleep. I'm on trazodone for it now, but I have to double to dose for it to work and that makes me totally hungover the next morning if I get less than 8-9 hours so I generally stick to whiskey or wine before bed.

Seriously, a change in your diet might help, and cut out all caffeine and sugar after a certain hour, might help.

neo200120018

oh and i forgot progressive muscle relaxation is another thing that can help

oh wow Klonopin is Clonazepam? ok was wondering what it was! god your health system really does suck! its a $3 script for a 3 month supply from any doctor in nz, try sending it to the nz manufacturers!

ps Lunesta well only help you get to sleep and not keep you asleep and you need to be in bed within 15-30mins of taking or it can have an opposite effect and keep you awake

liftandcycle

I tried a noise machine for awhile that either rained or sounded like the ocean. Didn't work for me. How did you train yourself?
[/quote]

i have alot of stress in my life so sleeping was just not happening, so I downloaded some rain sounds... (if you need help w that let me know) go to youtube and type in "rain sounds" find a video that most apeals to you...
so what I did is that right before I was about to fall asleep I would play it, so now everytime I hear the sound of rain, my body is like.. "omg.. its time to sleep" and I get soo sleepy... lol

lorro

Espie's sleep programme has been shown in clinical trials to be effective, i recommend it over medication any day. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.goodmedicine.org.uk/goodknowledge/sleep-adhd-fatigue

I will certainly look into it! Most of us prefer not to take meds...but, when you suffer with something and the alternatives don;t work medicine is better than never sleeping. Sleep deprivation is terrible! I will look into this though. Thanks!

You're welcome :flowerforyou: For severe insomniacs the sleep restriction is the most difficult but most important part of the treatment but it's so worth it as it's very effective. I'll see if I can find you some trial results later. The reason it works is because sleep is a habit and if your're body is in the habit of getting say 4 hrs sleep a night, you need to start at that point and establish efficient sleep and then slowly stretch the window. It can be hard accepting little sleep at first as most people are desperate for more but think of it this way: if what you are doing now isn't working, what have you got to lose?

PS I agree sleep deprivation is terrible, so terrible it's sometimes used as a form of torture.

I said earlier I would post trial results for CBT for sleep. Here is a brief article summarising the evidence base: http://www.beckinstituteblog.org/2011/02/cognitive-behavior-therapy-and-other-evidenced-based-treatments-are-new-standards-for-certain-sleep-disorders/

If you are intersted, here's a summary of a trial of Elspie's CBT programme which includes sleep restriction:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796799001576

By the way in the UK the drug you were on would usually only be prescribed for short term use as there are issues with dependence (addiction) and tolerance (reduced effectiveness) in the longer term. Thought I would mention as it must be hard to feel you can't get a drug you need due to being out of work. Here in the UK the guidelines for Drs are that they offer other forms of treatment first, such as CBT (not that they always follow the guidelines). The impression I get is that in The US (assuming that's where you are) there is far greater reliance on medication , not because it's more effective but because it's more profitable.

spskinny

So sorry, its very very challenging. I went 7 months only sleeping 3 hrs a night max. RX sleep meds did nothing for me. Hope you find a solution soon (( hugs))

chrissismone

Ok I'm in the same boat and have been this way for years do many issues. Have you checked internally to see if your stressed out or whatnot. I slept good this week only on Tuesday night bc I worked out real hard and was real tired from Monday bc I have real bad work anxiety..I tried the sleeping pills but then I get scared of taking them bc it's hit or miss. Same with benadryl. I hope a resolution to your issue happens quickly bc sleep deviation isn't good at all for the body and even worst the mind.

abhiforlife

Hopefully, you got some sleep last night.

I also have a few audio programs that I listen to to help with relaxing for sleep. Send me a message if you're interested.

TheGlen

Have you considered/tried light therapy? I have a lot of problems sleeping as well, but I found light therapy has helped.

My wife and I use this ( http://goo.gl/Lgwz9 ) for waking up and going to sleep (it has a dusk setting that slowly dims the light based on the timer you set). During the day we use this ( http://goo.gl/FPWXi ).

...I hope that helps.

KimLatte

Mine is valarian tea about an hour before bed. On bad nights I add very gentle yoga (I love jane fonda yoga but you can't get it anymore - maybe second hand?) and a hot shower. Goes without saying no coffee/tea/soda at all.

ztaprincess81

oh and i forgot progressive muscle relaxation is another thing that can help

oh wow Klonopin is Clonazepam? ok was wondering what it was! god your health system really does suck! its a $3 script for a 3 month supply from any doctor in nz, try sending it to the nz manufacturers!

ps Lunesta well only help you get to sleep and not keep you asleep and you need to be in bed within 15-30mins of taking or it can have an opposite effect and keep you awake

Clonazepam is the generic version of Klonopin and runs around $13 for a 30 days supply. You can look up the info on Epocrates online. Price check different pharmacies for the generic prices. Smaller family owned pharmacies can usually be very competitive.

bxdragon

music and tea or just watch tv till i sleep

moran1917

yes clonazapam is very inexpensive here in canada. my last script was 80 .5mg tablets and it was 20 bucks. my problem is that i can't get to sleep, once i am asleep i can sleep forever. when i really can't sleep i take gravol- an anti-nauseant. i think it is called dramamine in the usa- idk if i spelled that right.

horseplaypen

I don't have serious insomnia, but I mentioned this thread to my boyfriend (just because I think it's so terrible that people who need medications can't get them without insurance) and he loves Tim Ferriss' book, The 4-Hour Body. Apparently the author used to suffer from pretty bad insomnia, and talks about all the things he tried and what was successful or not - he also talks a lot about the research behind it.

Anyway, if money is tight you can always stop by a bookstore and look through that chapter of the book and see if there's anything in it you haven't tried yet.

Good luck!