Insomnia is horrid

[mommasita]

I have slept 1hr for three nights in a row . Tonight I took my Lyrica Early, which usually makes me dopey, so excuse any posts, but that did nothing.

I went to bed at 10:30, and took 2 ativans, which always knock me out. I then lay there until midnight. I just gave up

Am I the only one???

Instead of just Dising, or going back. I went to shop at OLDNAVY online,. Thought my kids were done, and well, they will receive some clothing. They will surely jump for joy at that. But I also finished DH We are not doing anything big, we never really do. Our cruise next week is our gift to us, after a dreadful year of illnesses. But, just picked him up some small things.

Had I slept, I would not have spent more $$$$.LOL

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have slept 1hr for three nights in a row . Tonight I took my Lyrica Early, which usually makes me dopey, so excuse any posts, but that did nothing.

I went to bed at 10:30, and took 2 ativans, which always knock me out. I then lay there until midnight. I just gave up

Am I the only one???

Instead of just Dising, or going back. I went to shop at OLDNAVY online,. Thought my kids were done, and well, they will receive some clothing. They will surely jump for joy at that. But I also finished DH We are not doing anything big, we never really do. Our cruise next week is our gift to us, after a dreadful year of illnesses. But, just picked him up some small things.

Had I slept, I would not have spent more $$$$.LOL

I haven't slept much for the past week. But last night I got about 5 hours, which for me is pretty good. Beats the 2-3 hours a night for the past week.

Haven't tried Ativan or Lyrica. I was taking trazodone for a couple of years until a couple of weeks ago my doctor gave me Ambien. I haven't really seen any difference. The scary part is when I struggle not to doze off while driving!

I'm not sure about Ambien. DD8 says she came and woke me up one night around midnight and I gave her my booklight to read with until she could go back to sleep, but I have absolutely NO memory of this. I've heard other reports of people doing strange things while on Ambien and not remembering anything.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions for meds that actually work? I would be forever grateful!

 

[Christine]

I have had a form of insomnia for over a month now. The only thing I can attribute it to is stress at my job. We are implementing a new financial system and to say it's been awful is an understatement.

I started out going to sleep normally but waking at around 2:00 each morning and never going back to sleep.

That progressed into sleeping/waking periods that have gone on all night that give me a total of 3 hours of sleep each night. I seem to be able to GET to sleep fine, but I am waking a lot and then as soon as I wake up, my mind is instantly alert and I begin thinking about EVERYTHING. And I'm not necessarily worrying or thinking of work. Just *thinking*.

It seems to be smoothing out now, very slowly, but I'm still not where I need to be. I've had bouts in the past and I find that once you get into an insomnia pattern it's almost impossible to get it to stop until it's ready. These bouts generally can last a few months for me.

I've tried all the normal stuff for it and nothing works so I just live it with it until it goes away. It really isn't fun though.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I'd try and not lose any sleep over insomnia...



sorry...I couldn't resist...I do have family members who suffer from this, so I somewhat understand what ya'll are going through. Hope this gets better for you.

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have had a form of insomnia for over a month now. The only thing I can attribute it to is stress at my job. We are implementing a new financial system and to say it's been awful is an understatement.

I started out going to sleep normally but waking at around 2:00 each morning and never going back to sleep.

That progressed into sleeping/waking periods that have gone on all night that give me a total of 3 hours of sleep each night. I seem to be able to GET to sleep fine, but I am waking a lot and then as soon as I wake up, my mind is instantly alert and I begin thinking about EVERYTHING. And I'm not necessarily worrying or thinking of work. Just *thinking*.

It seems to be smoothing out now, very slowly, but I'm still not where I need to be. I've had bouts in the past and I find that once you get into an insomnia pattern it's almost impossible to get it to stop until it's ready. These bouts generally can last a few months for me.

I've tried all the normal stuff for it and nothing works so I just live it with it until it goes away. It really isn't fun though.

This is how I am. Normally I go to sleep pretty quickly -- it's just staying asleep that's the problem. I wake up anywhere between 1 and 3 and sometimes I just can't get back to sleep. I'm normally up for good at 5.

 

[momof1princess]

op, you're NOT the only one. for the past 10 days, i had only slept 2 hours a night. i was a walking zombie. the only thing i could figure was that the allergy medicine i was taking was interrupting my sleep. i would go to bed, sleep about 2 hours, then wake up and not be able to go back to sleep. however, night before last, i actually got a full night's sleep and last night, i woke up when DH got in from work at 2:30am, then went right back to sleep! i feel SO much better i hope you get the sleep you need soon!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Just yesterday my sister suggested I open my eyes when I can't sleep-stay in bed but open my eyes. My eyelids kept getting heavy and I was able to fall back to sleep after a few tries.

 

[C.Ann]

No - you're not the only one.. I take medicine before I go to bed that usually does the trick, but with the time change my internal clock is all messed up again - and for some reason I'm waking up several times during the night..

I eventually get back to sleep, but the next day I don't feel like I've slept at all..

Hoping that my body will adjust to the time change soon.. Also thinking that maybe what's waking me up is my heater kicking on and off as needed.. When I get back to DD's, that won't be an issue - so it will be interesting to see if I start sleeping all the way through the night again..

 

[Christine]

I have found that one *help* for my busy mind has been to do something that halts my mind from doing anything. I started counting backwards from 100 and also find some sort of "mantra" to repeat over and over like "I like money" or something like that. I find that when I do this it stops my mind from going all over the place with thoughts. I don't think it works for different types of insomnia but is has been helping with that monkey-brain insomnia I'm having.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

TMI, sorry

 

[mommasita]

Here I am again.

I must sleep because I have to go out tomorrow or I guess today, lol. I have A L'Oreal Sale and a lunch date with a good friend.

I think my mind is overloaded. So much to do, and so little time to do it.

Well, thanks everyone. I don't wish this on anyone..

 

[C.Ann]

Here I am again.

I must sleep because I have to go out tomorrow or I guess today, lol. I have A L'Oreal Sale and a lunch date with a good friend.

I think my mind is overloaded. So much to do, and so little time to do it.

Well, thanks everyone. I don't wish this on anyone..

Sorry to hear that.. Have you tried the mantra trick that a PP mentioned?

I've used that myself from time to time.. Mine is "Sleep - so tired - sleep", while at the same time focusing on breathing in and out slowly and evenly.. Often it works quite well.. I too am one of those people who have a mind that "races" when I'm trying to sleep..

Last night I woke up at 3:15 am.. I mean totally wide awake.. No "mantra" was going to help that, so I ended up having to take meds again - which was perfectly safe since I went to bed much earlier than normal last night..

Hope you can find something that works for you..

Insomnia is not fun - nor is it healthy..

 

[hambirg]

I have battled insomnia on and off most of my life. Mine is the kind that I just can't shut my brain off. . .not the waking up once I'm asleep kind. So for me, like a PP has said. . .things that are able to shut that voice down. . .mindless tasks like watching tv or reading something boring help. I have never tried any of the medicines available, but I have used valerian tea. It works very well.

 

[mommasita]

I think I have tried everything. Thanks for asking

I actually slept last night after posting that . I think I got 6 hrs, so that is great!!!! Made the morning sale and lunch. Praying I am on the right track now.

This new medication I started (lyrica) is supposed to make you sleepy, but it is doing the opposite for me

 

[phred52]

Yes, sometimes meds have an opposite effect than intended. The trick is finding one that works for you.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I also suffer from this. My doctor isn't big on handing out sleep-related drugs and would rather I work through it as it is work and stress related.

Maybe I need a new doctor? My trick is that I can fall asleep faster than anyone I know. The problem is that about 3:30 am or so, I pop wide awake and can't get back to sleep.

Here are some things I've done that helps:

1. Excercise before bed to simply exhaust myself.
2. Get cold. Take off the blankets and roll up or remove jammies. I seem to fall asleep being cold. I hate being cold.
3. Just get up. I've watched some great movies and have paid bills and cleaned the kitchen spotless and have chatted with friends in England all morning long. The thought is that by the time time rolls around again, I should be too tired to wake up. Doesn't always work.

 

[Bilberry]

I hate it when I can't get to sleep! I feel so bad the next day, it can be hard to function. I've had too luck using time release melatonin for sleep, and that works most nights. Also found a piece of cheese before bed helps me. Read also that magnesium helps some with sleep - not sure why, but have read that.


I've been surprised at the number of articles I've read on how important sleep is to overall health.
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/does-staying-up-late-make-you-fat.html