SleepingTrouble - Insomnia
Options
Replies
-
I don't have insomnia, but when I do have a little trouble relaxing enough to fall asleep, I take one of my husband's prescription Clonazepams. They're just .5 mg tablets for him to take as needed for anxiety/sleep. You might ask your doctor about this. They help my husband, too, and he suffers from PTSD.
I actually used to be prescribed to them when I was in college- and it worked very well..
However-I'm really trying to stay 100% all natural with my diet, I rarely consume any alcohol now, and its a very rare occurrence I eat processed food... zero zero juice unless its veggies I've put into the juicer myself...
Also, I used to have substance abuse problems and one of the ways I've been able to conquer that struggle is to not put potential things I can abuse in my peripherals... I know myself and the temptation would be just too great.
@Ilikelamp - A bit embarrassing to say the least, once you consider the type of lifestyle I live... and the fact I'm a libertarian and not a liberal - but a 2012 Prius C lmao
I know, I know... 'it fits in your purse when you go places'
Other suggestions I have yet to try:
- valerian (Not sure what that is) - doesn't work for me
- lavender oil - never tried
- cough syrup - doesn't work for me
- warm milk with banana & cinnamon - don't consume milk or cinnamon
- hemp seed oil - worked at first then doesn't work for me
- sleepy time pills from Walmart - doesn't work for me
- yoga - def helps, but not a great deal
- smoking weed - helped at first then def made the insomnia worse, and I quit a while back because it makes you overall lethargic and apathetic - Don't recommend bud
- rubbing cucumber peels on my feet - cucumber baths help a littlee - never tried just rubbing it on my feet tho
- rubbing other weird things on my feet - make my imagination race why don'tcha?
- a tablespoon of nutmeg - sounds like a dangerous idea to me
- seeing a medicine man - I am the medicine man XD
- walking at night - I feel like this would be like exercise before bed?
I'll continue trying the journal idea.. did it last night, and I went to bed at basically 11, fell asleep somewhere around 1am, and woke up 3 times through out the night
once at 1:40ish
once at 3ish
once at 3:30ish0 -
lol It's so frustrating when you mention to someone that you can't sleep and they go straight for "Have you tried cutting out caffeine?"
NO! I actually INCREASED my caffeine to see what would happen! (/Sarcasm)
OF COURSE, I've tried that! -___-
Mini rant...
I feel ya.. my doctor did the same thing to me.. since then I have about one cup of coffee a week and only between 9am-11am.
Typically its one cup of tea every day at 10am.0 -
I had insomnia BAD. it went away after I made a few changes but came back when I started taking adderall. What I do now is get myself into a routine of having to wake up at the same time every day and stick to it.
Only downside is that once I'm in the routine, even if I go to bed at like 2 or 3 am I am still up at 7 am and unable to go back to sleep.
A friend of mine on here gave me some great advice for stress relief that I actually used for my insomnia. Check out soothing non lyric classical music or something that has a laid back feel to it and listen to that before bed. I also cut back on my caffeine and switched to having a cup of Chammomile Tea before bed, and making sure I turned off the T.V. and lights before heading to bed. I also made sure that my mind was clear of any worries I had from the day, or else I would wake up with night sweats or be unable to fall asleep.
If you're having issues beyond that, try looking at your sugar intake, some people are really sensitive to it and don't realize it. Some people recommend Valerian Root, or Valerian Root tea, but since I haven't had it yet I can't recommend it, but figured I'd suggest it.
I also heard that if you consume 1/4 cup of raw poppy seeds in very short amount of time, it is equivalent to a legal dose of morphine. That'll put you right to sleep too lol
Good luck bud!0 -
Yes yes yes, and it's more common than you think.
Start with valerian root or melatonin. Valerian works quicker but not as effective as melatonin. 5mg of melatonin is usually good to get you 6 hours of sleep at least. Some people do the Sleepytime tea in the evenings too.
If those don't work, talk to your doctor, it could be you have sleep apnea.0 -
Okay, so I am not alone.
In to see more suggestions.0 -
Yes yes yes, and it's more common than you think.
Start with valerian root or melatonin. Valerian works quicker but not as effective as melatonin. 5mg of melatonin is usually good to get you 6 hours of sleep at least. Some people do the Sleepytime tea in the evenings too.
If those don't work, talk to your doctor, it could be you have sleep apnea.
^yeah I did talk to my doctor I don't have sleep apnea..
appreciate the input tho, could certainly be good for anyone else reading this.0 -
I have had insomnia for about 12 years. I go to sleep but can't stay asleep - waking every hour or so and mind racing too. I have tried everything...simply everything mentioned in this post. I did have a sleep study as a last result and I do have sleep apnea. The doctor was very surprised as I don't fit the "body type" for apnea. So I have used the CPAP machine for 2 years and in my opinion it is just another thing that is a hassle and keeps me awake. Physically I know I must use it for my cardiovascular system, but it is such an annoyance.
So, for the past ten years, I have used a low-dose prescription sleep aid. I am NOT a pill person, but finally resorted to this out of pure "need to sleep". My son is a pharmacist and he indicated that a sleep aid is not designed for prolonged periods, but is better in the long run than not sleeping at all. He outlined the physical ramifications from insomina and the damage that it does to the body. At least with the sleep aid, I get about 4 consecutive hours of sleep per night. I can function on that...I could not function on No Sleep.
Just my two cents.....0 -
have you had a sleep study done?
could be something else going on.
My grandfather suffers from Sleep Apnea.. but I got tested and don't have it.
...even when I finally do go to bed I typically wake up about 3-5 times a night... maybe have to use the restroom once.. but typically I just lay there and think...
...I really don't get it at all.. I have a dream job, dream apartment, designer clothes, great friends, dream Brazilian girl I'm dating, dream body, decent car.... 2 years old now.. but I have no idea why I just can't sleep like the average Joe.. literally my mind just races so fast and is at its most alert... and its when my body is at its most exhausted.
Strangely enough I do almost always wake up though really refreshed.. thats why when I finally can sleep through a whole night I bet it will be amazing to wake up...
Money and dream women don't buy happiness or peace of mind.
I liked the pp idea of cognitive therapy.0 -
So, I suffer from insomnia really really bad, ever since being a child.. my active exercise has made it where I can fall asleep within 2 hours of getting into bed.. but its bad..2 hours still seems way too long..
Recently read in a mens fitness mag that sleeping is one of the most important times for muscles to grow back together and strengthen and if you are robbing yourself of sleep your not maximizing on your potential gains...
Yoga meditation before bed helps big time.. reading before bed helps big time...
I consume only one caffeinated drink a day...typically between 9-10am.
its odd....you rest in bed physically exhausted and then your mind just races...
Anyone with a similar problem find some solutions?
Yes, all my life. I wasn't allowed to have caffeine as a child, so I can't blame that - I became a coffee drinker in college because I couldn't get through my days on 3-5 hrs a night (if I was lucky).
Going to bed and laying there in the dark and quiet is like a sensory deprivation chamber I think, for me, and then my mind is "free" to go off to the carnival for hours on end. I hate it but if I try to "not" think, I think about thinking and about the process of thinking and on and on it goes. If it's really bad, having a person who can endure listening to my thoughts about life for a little while LOL or, if I have no one to talk to, writing stuff down in a journal helps a lot. Just getting some of my more interesting (to me) thoughts out of my head, is helpful.
Melatonin works pretty well most nights. I take it around 7:30 or 8 if I'm aiming for a 9 pm bedtime.0 -
Personally I do not have this issue, but my wife does take Trazodone for sleep and has a very tough time sleeping without it. Another friend really did suffer from insomnia for a very long time, and finally started taking Melatonin. At first it didn't help him one bit. He was told that it was natural, and that he could take several at once if needed. and finally started getting some rest when he took 7 or 8 at once of the Wal-Mart brand, Spring Valley maybe? Anywho, that helped his body get back on a schedule and now he's down to three a night and sleeps at least 5 hours, which is pretty good for him.
I hope this helps.0 -
I have also had insomnia my whole life, along with the racing thoughts, and I have a mood disorder (racing thoughts are correlated to manic episodes in bi polar disorder) My insomnia is like yours in that I have trouble both falling asleep and staying asleep.
I have done all of the suggestions that have been given in this thread.
I have also practiced meditation. Listening to a tape following the instructions for deep breathing and imagery can help to train the brain to relax. I did not/do not always fall asleep at the end or during and I did not/do not always stay asleep. But it has worked to at least refresh body and thinking and is restful.
I have learned to accept my sleeping habits for what they are, and only become concerned when they interfere with my daily functioning. That rarely happens anymore. Usually, as I did last night, I allow my thoughts to go where they will, without trying to stop them. I might direct them gently-thinking of a pleasant thing or scenery, doing some deep breathing at the same time, but if they race-they race. Just part of how my brain works. Stressing over it makes it worse.
It is too bad you have experienced a substance abuse issue in the past, as a small glass of wine each night can help one fall asleep-though it will not keep one from waking up during the 2am-6am period.
Good luck0 -
have you had a sleep study done?
could be something else going on.
My grandfather suffers from Sleep Apnea.. but I got tested and don't have it.
...even when I finally do go to bed I typically wake up about 3-5 times a night... maybe have to use the restroom once.. but typically I just lay there and think...
...I really don't get it at all.. I have a dream job, dream apartment, designer clothes, great friends, dream Brazilian girl I'm dating, dream body, decent car.... 2 years old now.. but I have no idea why I just can't sleep like the average Joe.. literally my mind just races so fast and is at its most alert... and its when my body is at its most exhausted.
Strangely enough I do almost always wake up though really refreshed.. thats why when I finally can sleep through a whole night I bet it will be amazing to wake up...
Money and dream women don't buy happiness or peace of mind.
I liked the pp idea of cognitive therapy.
I've had therapy... In particular I went to a "Troubled Teens Facility" - a place where the bad kids get locked up literally under lock and key and saw a great deal of rape, and torture to be just candid...
http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/comments/17y4pr/american_companies_torturing_teens_for_profit_you/
My point is I am for realzz above and beyond that now. I used to wake up mid nights sweating with nightmares and all that.. .However I'm actually really really happy now - have a smile plastered to my face 24/7, I wake up with a smile excited for a new day - zero depression... idk what the deal is but I may try djprice's idea.. just to get a sleep schedule in lock step with myself...!
Also, I suffered from insomnia since I was a child so it was prior to 15 months of horror.0 -
My sleep medicine doctor says not to take things like valerian root, GABA, etc. Only prescribed sleep aids that work with the body's sleep architecture (she recommends Lunesta), and even then only rarely. Other drugs may knock you out but may not produce quality sleep. The only "natural" remedy she does support is melatonin, but only to help when suffering from jet lag, NOT as a regular sleep aid.
If you don't have sleep apnea, and you have good sleep hygiene, the #1 recommended treatment is cognitive therapy. (Cognitive therapy is NOT the same as the type of therapy you get at a "troubled teens facility.") I did not believe her when she referred me to a therapist, but she was right. 3-4 sessions and I was basically cured. I still sometimes have difficulty with my sleep, but now it's tolerable and is within the realm of normal-- maybe a few times a month or perhaps for several nights in a row when under stress, but definitely not every night. And once I go to sleep, I almost always sleep through the night except for waking up to go to the bathroom.
I feel bad for everyone suffering. I tended to have trouble sleeping even as an infant and throughout childhood, but it was mostly tolerable until I was 30. Then I got so I had trouble falling asleep and also could not stay asleep, either. I was getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I suffered from that for ten years. I was almost suicidal over it.0 -
My sleep medicine doctor says not to take things like valerian root, GABA, etc. Only prescribed sleep aids that work with the body's sleep architecture (she recommends Lunesta), and even then only rarely. Other drugs may knock you out but may not produce quality sleep. The only "natural" remedy she does support is melatonin, but only to help when suffering from jet lag, NOT as a regular sleep aid.
If you don't have sleep apnea, and you have good sleep hygiene, the #1 recommended treatment is cognitive therapy. (Cognitive therapy is NOT the same as the type of therapy you get at a "troubled teens facility.") I did not believe her when she referred me to a therapist, but she was right. 3-4 sessions and I was basically cured. I still sometimes have difficulty with my sleep, but now it's tolerable and is within the realm of normal-- maybe a few times a month or perhaps for several nights in a row when under stress, but definitely not every night. And once I go to sleep, I almost always sleep through the night except for waking up to go to the bathroom.
I feel bad for everyone suffering. I tended to have trouble sleeping even as an infant and throughout childhood, but it was mostly tolerable until I was 30. Then I got so I had trouble falling asleep and also could not stay asleep, either. I was getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I suffered from that for ten years. I was almost suicidal over it.
maybe I'll give a therapist another shot... :grumble: *thinks back on the 8+ therapist I've seen that do nothing but make me relive past memories*:brokenheart:
I'll look into it... I'm much more willing to grow and get better than previously obviously.
Rant Disclaimer:
Concern is the cost though - my insurance cost... thanks Mr. Obama... has strait flipped.. previously the first 5,000 was totally covered by my insurance company, along with a lil $15 general co-pay and $30 specialist which was awesome! now I have to cover the first $5,000 before my insurance even kicks in.. which is nuts because who at my age and health would need to drop inexcess of 5G's on health care?!
end of rant.0 -
Besides all the other suggestions... if you mind is racing you might be able to stop it by listening to an audio book. preferably something long and boring. With someone else talking in the room, you dont really "think" so much as its confusing to think while someone is talking.
I have listened to the Odyssey by Homer about a thousand times. in the beginning, i would get too into the story part, so it would actually keep me awake longer! I wanted to hear what came next! But now i have heard it so much I mostly just make fun of the speakers and dont hear the story anymore. Some nights I make it through 16 chapters, others only 2. I need to pick another book now as I am starting to tune it out and let my mind "think" again since its so predictable.
So... find a story you wont be too interested in (or some religious nut or something that wont rile you up... a chemistry book read out loud? I am studying for the series 7 and listening to the audio stuff about bonds and options will knock me right out some nights
) and let it play in the room loud enough to understand the words but no louder. And focus on that instead of your thoughts.
And if you have someone else in the room or prefer sound directly in your ears... google "Sleep phones" - earphones that you wear while sleeping.
Worth a shot.0 -
My sleep medicine doctor says not to take things like valerian root, GABA, etc. Only prescribed sleep aids that work with the body's sleep architecture (she recommends Lunesta), and even then only rarely. Other drugs may knock you out but may not produce quality sleep. The only "natural" remedy she does support is melatonin, but only to help when suffering from jet lag, NOT as a regular sleep aid.
If you don't have sleep apnea, and you have good sleep hygiene, the #1 recommended treatment is cognitive therapy. (Cognitive therapy is NOT the same as the type of therapy you get at a "troubled teens facility.") I did not believe her when she referred me to a therapist, but she was right. 3-4 sessions and I was basically cured. I still sometimes have difficulty with my sleep, but now it's tolerable and is within the realm of normal-- maybe a few times a month or perhaps for several nights in a row when under stress, but definitely not every night. And once I go to sleep, I almost always sleep through the night except for waking up to go to the bathroom.
I feel bad for everyone suffering. I tended to have trouble sleeping even as an infant and throughout childhood, but it was mostly tolerable until I was 30. Then I got so I had trouble falling asleep and also could not stay asleep, either. I was getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I suffered from that for ten years. I was almost suicidal over it.
maybe I'll give a therapist another shot... :grumble: *thinks back on the 8+ therapist I've seen that do nothing but make me relive past memories*:brokenheart:
I'll look into it... I'm much more willing to grow and get better than previously obviously.
Rant Disclaimer:
Concern is the cost though - my insurance cost... thanks Mr. Obama... has strait flipped.. previously the first 5,000 was totally covered by my insurance company, along with a lil $15 general co-pay and $30 specialist which was awesome! now I have to cover the first $5,000 before my insurance even kicks in.. which is nuts because who at my age and health would need to drop inexcess of 5G's on health care?!
end of rant.
I'm sorry to hear about your insurance problems. Unfortunately, that is the case for many, and it's not just because of "Obamacare." I am lucky to have excellent insurance now, but at the time my therapist was not on my plan which had a high deductible so I still had to pay out of pocket. It was well worth it to me-- maybe like $600.
A cognitive therapist does not make you re-live past memories. They do ask general questions about your past, but nothing specific. The focus is on detaching from the past and solving problems in the present.
I have gone to many therapists that did dig into my past a lot, and while it helped in some ways, it did not help my sleep problems at all, hence my hesitation at my doctor's suggestion. But I was desperate and willing to try anything, and I had not tried cognitive therapy so I thought why not.
If you want to look into therapy, look for someone who is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Here is my therapist's article on sleep hygiene: http://www.restfullypresent.com/articles/pdfs/GoodSleepHabits.pdf.
You can also order CDs from his website. Personally, I find the muscle relaxation CD to be helpful.
His website is corny, but he does know his stuff.0 -
I'll check out his website.. I took some classed in psychology in college and never realized they don't delve into the past at all. +1
very informative so thanks!
[/quote]
I'm sorry to hear about your insurance problems. Unfortunately, that is the case for many, and it's not just because of "Obamacare." I am lucky to have excellent insurance now, but at the time my therapist was not on my plan which had a high deductible so I still had to pay out of pocket. It was well worth it to me-- maybe like $600.
A cognitive therapist does not make you re-live past memories. They do ask general questions about your past, but nothing specific. The focus is on detaching from the past and solving problems in the present.
I have gone to many therapists that did dig into my past a lot, and while it helped in some ways, it did not help my sleep problems at all, hence my hesitation at my doctor's suggestion. But I was desperate and willing to try anything, and I had not tried cognitive therapy so I thought why not.
If you want to look into therapy, look for someone who is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Here is my therapist's article on sleep hygiene: http://www.restfullypresent.com/articles/pdfs/GoodSleepHabits.pdf.
You can also order CDs from his website. Personally, I find the muscle relaxation CD to be helpful.
His website is corny, but he does know his stuff.
[/quote]0 -
Besides all the other suggestions... if you mind is racing you might be able to stop it by listening to an audio book. preferably something long and boring. With someone else talking in the room, you dont really "think" so much as its confusing to think while someone is talking.
I have listened to the Odyssey by Homer about a thousand times. in the beginning, i would get too into the story part, so it would actually keep me awake longer! I wanted to hear what came next! But now i have heard it so much I mostly just make fun of the speakers and dont hear the story anymore. Some nights I make it through 16 chapters, others only 2. I need to pick another book now as I am starting to tune it out and let my mind "think" again since its so predictable.
So... find a story you wont be too interested in (or some religious nut or something that wont rile you up... a chemistry book read out loud? I am studying for the series 7 and listening to the audio stuff about bonds and options will knock me right out some nights ) and let it play in the room loud enough to understand the words but no louder. And focus on that instead of your thoughts.
And if you have someone else in the room or prefer sound directly in your ears... google "Sleep phones" - earphones that you wear while sleeping.
Worth a shot.
^that is worth a shot.. right now I listento the sound of a fan... but I would be willing to at least try this.
thanks!0 -
I'm also a sufferer of insomnia, partly due to post-traumatic stress and chronic pain. I'm currently on trazadone and ambien, plus I sometimes take benedryl for eczema, which helps induce sleep. I'd like to get off the trazadone because I think it makes me gain.
I've tried all the natural solutions, including Guided Imagery. All help a little but never enough.
My husband complains that I disrupt his sleep because he's such a light sleeper.
You may want to see a doctor to check for sleep disorders like sleep apnea.0 -
I'm also a sufferer of insomnia, partly due to post-traumatic stress and chronic pain. I'm currently on trazadone and ambien, plus I sometimes take benedryl for eczema, which helps induce sleep. I'd like to get off the trazadone because I think it makes me gain.
I've tried all the natural solutions, including Guided Imagery. All help a little but never enough.
My husband complains that I disrupt his sleep because he's such a light sleeper.
You may want to see a doctor to check for sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
^yeah I did see a doctor and I don't have sleep apnea I got tested.
ambien and trazadone - this is my opinion - but I would stay very very far away from that stuff despite just the weight gains... from my personal experience in dealing with acquaintances it has led to bizarre behavior on their end along with depression in my opinion.. they took it for PTSD as well, and not chronic pain...
#notafanofnonnaturalsolutions0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 392.1K Introduce Yourself
- 43.6K Getting Started
- 259.9K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.7K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 403 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.8K Motivation and Support
- 7.9K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.4K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 998 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.4K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions