- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Here I am still awake too. And I have to work at 10am....sigh. I have been taking melatonin (3 mg) to help me sleep for the last few weeks (not tonight though...since we had friends over) and I have to say it is the only thing I have found that works. And it doesn't make me feel all groggy in the morning like Tylenol PM does.....another thing that helps (when I have time) is a gentle hatha yoga class in the evening.
Try not to stress too much, I was laid off almost a year ago and just started working again last month...and I am so glad I was picky because I LOVE my new job so much...it was worth the time and effort and the wait. You'll find the right job soon!!!
Ah, I feel you. I have many sleep problems, many (judging by similar family experiences) seem to be genetic. Seeing a sleep doctor/specialist changed my life :) If it persists too long don't rule it out! Luckily sleep health is seen as a medical problem nowadays so health care covers it! Keep it in mind :)
Sigh...2:50 a.m. and still awake
Yes, if this persists I think I'll definitely seek some advice from my doctor. I am however afraid of using medication. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are most sleep aids addictive?
They can be addictive. It depends on a lot of things, your personality, how often you need to take them, etc etc.
Mr Moo has pretty bad insomnia sometimes, we try to get into a routine of having a hot drink at 10:30 and then turning in at 11. More often than not it works. Sitting at your computer waiting to get tired won't help.
i keep a notepad by my bed and write down all my busy thoughts, that helps me get my head straight and to sleep. hahaha im writting this at 130 am so i guess im an insomniac tooo!
AHH the torture of insomnia! I WANT to sleep, I KNOW I should sleep, I HAVE to get my sleep, yet I CAN'T sleep...
Even though my body is tired, I can't get my brain to shut off. I keep thinking about things I need to do the next day, rehashing the events of the day, etc etc...
Is this normal?
I'm sorry to hear that. Its awful, isn't it?
I have had insomnia almost 2 years now, and in March it got even worse- I can no longer sleep without prescription medication. I've been using Ambien every night since June but it no longer works- I really don't recommend taking it for more than a week or maybe a month, but at that point you're dependent on it My memory is awful now, especially my short term memory. I previously had a fantastic memory and its ruined. I hope its not permanent.
None of the natural sleep aids work for me, but give them a try, apparently they help some people.
I would actually recommend something for anxiety instead of sleeping pills. That seems to be the issue for a lot of us insomniac Bees.
Rather than becoming "addicted" to it, you become dependant on it (you may become "addicted" to how you feel after a good's night sleep, seriously, and that makes you not want to quit) So if you quit abruptly, you will have "rebound insomnia" and have quite a hard time falling asleep. I tried ambien but couldn't use it because it made me crazy sleep walk (I'm a natural sleep walker anyway). So I was on a benzo for about 6 months. To wean off it, I just lowered the dose over about a month and it worked great. There weren't any long term effects, and I did not have the memory side effects that arobb81 suffered from.
As arobbb81 suggested, there are other options to help you sleep--I think my sleep doctor told me that Ambien is the only sleeping pill actuall clinically tested for sleep--there are many other options, designed for other uses, which help insomniacs. For example, many prescribe low-dose antidepressants--the dose is lower than would be presribed for depression, but it has a sedating effect when taking before bedtime.
And like littlemissmoo suggested, there a lot of tips and tricks and behavioral modifications that will help you sleep. And a sleep therapist will help you make these changes as well. Haha like all things though you have to want to change or it won't work :)
I have had insomnia at a few different times in my life. I've written about this on my blog about healthy living. Before you try sleep meds, which can be very addicting (whether they say so or not), I highly recommend you try some natural remedies first. Here's some things to try:
1. Peter Gillam's Natural Calm -lemon-raspberry flavor. You put 1-3 tsp. in hot water and drink it like a tea. It's a magnesium supplement that is very calming on your body & mind. When we stress out, we use up more minerals. This stuff tastes really good and works fast.
2. Brainsync's Sound Sleep mp3- You can get it from the BrainSync website or download it from iTunes. It's music that's scientifically designed to produce brain waves you have during sleep. This is my favorite. Works like a charm and no pills or anything to take.
3. Source Naturals NutraSleep - a combination of minerals, herbs and vitamins that help induce sleep. You have to take them 30-60 min. before you want to sleep. These work really well, too.
4. Lower the temperature in your bedroom 2-3 degrees and make sure it's dark.
On nights that I'm really worried I won't sleep, I will do 2 or all of these because I know I won't be groggy in the morning.
I hope you can get some rest soon. When you start worrying that you won't sleep, that just makes it worse. You can PM me if you have any questions about any of these things.
Poor girl, I FEEL YOU!!
I am a light sleeper but didn't have any problems until about two months ago when EVERYTHING in my life just seemed to be crumbling down. I was having severe stress reactions coupled with some intense anxiety, and when it all came together I started having fierce insomnia. It's been going on about a month now, and thankfully, it's getting better. However.. I made some changes. My doctor did prescribe me Ambien with instructions to use it sparingly. I only take half the dose and you have to make sure you have 8 hours available to sleep. I also don't take it every night. I never take it on weekends when I'm not working and I am pleased to say I slept well both weekend nights without anything! My problem is: I get panicky on week nights when I can't fall asleep and guess what? Worry is one of the biggest causes of insomnia!! I am working on soothing my anxiety right now and am taking a really low dose AD to help with the anxiety and to calm me down a little bit. There are many routes you can go here - I do advise speaking with your doctor because a lack of sleep can really fuel anxiety and depression and stress. PM me if you have any questions, there are quite a few of us anxious no-sleep bees on here!
One more thing: I'm doing this insomnia program online through Kaiser - and the biggest thing I've found that helps is SLEEP RESTRICTION (I can't get into bed until 11:30 pm on weeknights), not sleeping in too much on your days off, and this one is HARD - but if you're in bed for more than 30 minutes TRYING to sleep, get your ass up and do something soothing like read, work on a puzzle, etc.
I have never had insomnia before, but the last few days have been rough. FH has a new job and he gets up at 2:30am to leave by 3:00, and I'm still awake. Then after he leaves, I have terrible anxiety about being home alone and its still dark out. I wish I could fall asleep before he leaves so I can sleep thru the night but I don't think that's going to happen. I want to sleep but I feel helpless.
I've wanted to try sleep restriction but I'm worried about it getting in the way of work. It's the only "natural" insomnia cure I think is better than prescription drugs, I think the hype over natural remedies is misleading. I had a very bad reaction to a natural sleep remedy I bought at the drugstore, it had melatonin and a ton of other herbal "natural" remedies for insomnia. I followed the directions, and I don't drink and (at the time) didn't take any other medications or anything that could react to it. I was dizzy and disoriented, my heart raced, and I didn't get any sleep. Keep in mind that natural remedies have their problems as well- let an actual medical doctor tell you what you should take. I waited far too long to go to the doctor about it, if I could give any advice to anyone reading this thread- if you've had insomnia for more than a week or two, don't wait to see if it will go away. Sometimes I think if I had gone to the doctor back when this started it wouldn't be so severe right now.
Has anyone here tried sleep restriction? I'd love to hear some success stories.
@arobb81-I'm very sorry you had a bad reaction to the natural remedy you tried. However, please don't bash all natural remedies as a whole from one bad experience.
I have been studying nutrition and natural remedies for 20 years and have helped dozens of people with insomnia. I had insomnia myself during three separate periods of my life. I have also had severe bad side effects from the "medicine" given to me by doctors.
I never take anything, natural or prescription, without doing a little research for myself.
*hugs* I had insomnia for a few weeks and now I've switched to the other team to where I sleep 12 hours a day! Neither are fun, and neither are productive. Good luck!
I have been pretty stressed out with midterms, and a friend turned me onto these essential oils by a company called Young Living.
Don't laugh, it sounds extra cheesy. And the oils are not cheap, but they last a very long time. I can't wait to get this one: http://www.youngliving.com/essential-oil-blends/Dream-Catcher because the lighter ones have really been excellent at relaxing me right before bed. I'm starting to associate smells with rest-time....maybe your body needs a trigger? Really, it kinds melts your brain =]
Hey try these few tips,
If your stressed try to exercise but not too late at night like 5 at the latest. Don't do anything in your bed ( watch tv eat talk on the phone read study) just sleep in it. If your lying awake in the bed get up and do something even if its really late and dont go back until your really sleepy. Try to make your apartment a little cool and take a hot shower right before bed. Hope this helps.
*hugs*
Insomnia sucks, doesn't it?
If it does persist - and you decide that medication might not be such a bad idea - I would ask the doctor about Trazodone. I took it for a few months last year and it is really great and the least addictive (as a matter of fact, they often prescribe it to addicts in rehab because they often have an immensely difficult time getting and staying asleep).
This always works for me if I can just focus...
Have you tried progressive muscle relaxation?
I do it when I get anxiety and can't sleep.
Arobb, I'm doing sleep restriction right now and it seems like it's working (Ambien free for 4 nights now, wahooo!). I work at 8 AM M-F and I don't have a long commute, so I have to stay up until 11:30 (which is HARD) but then get out of bed right at 7:00. If you're having crappy sleep now, you might as well try it!
@ arizonabride sorry, but I stand by what I said. I did not "bash" all alternative remedies, I just said the truth- natural remedies have their problems as well, and I would always recommend going to an actual doctor rather than trying to self treat medical conditions. I wish I had done that way earlier rather trying alternative remedy after alternative remedy for months, I think my insomnia wouldn't be as bad as it is now. I think the better treatment is whatever works for you.
@ SweetheartDealer I'm glad to hear that it works for someone! I may give it a try after my trial of Lunesta is up. The Lunesta is great so far, but there's no generic and it's so expensive! Happily, sleep restriction is free, so I may give it a try. Staying up late is definitely no problem, I'm up until 4am or later most nights, I probably wouldn't even sleep the first couple of days. Maybe I can try it on a Friday night, at least if I don't sleep over the weekend its not so bad.
I've tried every single class of prescription medicine out there. They make me feel like i got hit by a train. I'd rather be tired than tired AND drugged up. I hope you find something that works for you! If you experience insomnia on a regular basis, there could be an underlying reason, like apnea. But if you're just anxious, it's worth looking at alternative methods besides just wanting to pop a pill, if it's just occassional. If you're like me, you never know when you're going to have a bad nights' sleep so it's hard to be preventative
Honestly, sometimes all I need is a glass of wine or to get up and try to do some homework before i pass out on my book =]
Is it horrible to say that I wish I had insomnia? I'm not kidding. I have the opposite problem - I could sleep and sleep and sleep and I have a very hard time waking up. Sometimes I sleep through my alarm, and I'm late for work. I worked out a deal with my boss to work extra hours and bank them towards an extra week off for my wedding, and I have a hard time doing it because I have to get to work an hour earlier.
I'm not making light of insomnia and I don't really wish I had it. I just wish I could stay awake! I know it's a serious problem and I wish I had a solution for you. I wish I could give you some of my ability to sleep all day and take some of yours to stay awake!!! :)
laylabelle, I know!! Can we trade?!?? The worst part is, I'm not a functioning insomniac, I'm tired and crabby when I'm awake late at night! If I could do all my chores and/or write it'd be a better situtation! Ah well, the grass is always greener!
Thanks for all the advice! I've tried a couple of things as suggested by all your lovely ladies...I tried going to the gym later than I usually go thinking it would tire me out closer to a proper bedtime but it didn't help.
I tried a nice glass of wine but that actually made things worst.
Tomorrow I plan on picking up some essential oils as ejs suggested. I know our bodies tend to associate actions with sounds and smells so I'm hoping it'll help. I wonder if my brain will believe X smell = bedtime.
BTW, no sleep apnea for me or any other underlying conditions.
@catlady, make sure you use 100% therapeutic grade oils. Otherwise they can be diluted and have "other things" in them.When you rub them on your skin, the oils get into your body and they have good effects there, too. I've been using one for digestion problems and rubbbing it on my stomach. Suddenly, I've been the most "regular" the last few days than i have been in months.
I'm really starting to associate smells with sleepy time; it took a few days though. It sounds really cheesy, but it does work. The therapeutic grade ones are REALLY intense smelling. Almost overwhelming. I was stressed last night--went to the gym at 745, got home at 9, showered, studied...was worried about my test and excited i'd get to see husband Thursday, so I had trouble 'winding down" and i sprinkled some on my pillow, inhaled deeply, and I was OUT. Give it a few days of consistently using it.
I've been sleeeeeeeping! My insomnia is going away!!! WAHOOOOO!
Sorry, I had to share and this seemed like the appropriate thread for it!!
Hope you all are getting some rest too!!
@Sweetheart - Please share what's been working for you! Glad you are getting some rest. Sleep is a good thing:-)
It is a WONDERFUL thing!! I have been sleeping like a baby for over two weeks now, no medications!
I think the biggest thing that worked for me was sleep hygiene - I never realized how much time I spent reading, talking on the phone, writing, etc IN MY BED! It was really hard not sitting or laying in my bed when I wasn't going to sleep, but it really helped with the "Ah, it's bed time, FINALLY, I can lay in my bed!" It was so comfy and relaxing I'd fall right asleep. Also, forcing myself to stay up even if I was dog tired. The more tired you are, the easier it is to sleep. Also - keeping up with exercise.. and I started a B Complex supplement.. Who knows, but maybe it helped?? Hope you are all getting more shut-eye.
xox
@Sweetheart - That's awesome! That is one of the top recs from sleep experts - not doing anything but sleep (and, well, 1 other thing:)) in bed. I know I used to have a t.v. in the bedroom and as soon as I got rid of that, things were much better. The B vitamins are good for any bride to be as we tend to get stressed and we want nice looking hair & skin!
sorry I haven't read anyone else's responses...but a NATURAL option is called "valerian root" - google it and you'll find information on it.
I have HORRIBLE insomnia and i'm always trying to find natural cures.
another option is Melatonin.
good luck!
Nyquil D is my go-to. lol...jk. Okay, half kidding. :)
Seriously, I read somewhere that's it's important to regulate your sleep with the natural daylight so as soon as you wake up, get out of bed and GO OUTSIDE for ten minutes. Then try to go to bed not too long after dark 9-10 pm.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| Lyndzo | 52 |
| Brielle | 41 |
| mypinkshoes | 34 |
| his chippymunk | 32 |
| Cady | 32 |
| fivemonthsnotice | 32 |
| TheLionQueen | 31 |
| AshleyR83 | 30 |
| This Time Round | 30 |
| ndreighton | 27 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| qwerty2k1 | 3 |
| serendipity9.8 | 3 |
| Miss T-Rex | 3 |
| ChicChick | 2 |
| MsJ2theZ | 2 |
| NehaPrasad92 | 2 |
 happyface |
2 |
| vegempanada | 2 |
| This Time Round | 2 |
| tcanne | 1 |
Seriously, it's almost 2 a.m. and I am wide awake. I know my insomnia is due to all the stress in my life. I'm a new grad who's been lucky enough to be granted interviews but in the end someone with more experience is chosen ahead of me.
Please help me get some sleep.