Insomnia (NOT the movie)

[TicklingDuo]

Well, as I sit here not sleeping yet again, I started wondering about something.

Part of my having chronic fatigue syndrome is that I often have difficulty sleeping. I used to refuse to get up and would just lay there tossing and turning forever. Now, I get up and either read, watch a movie, work on something (quietly, so I don't wake Drew) or come online...or some combination of those. If/When I feel able to fall asleep, I go back to bed. Otherwise, I just stay up. It wasn't until I realized how much I could get done in those sleepless hours that I stopped worrying about getting up in the middle of the night.

If I go too long without sleeping, I'll take a benedryl or smoke a bit of weed to help me sleep. But, unless it's at least the third night in a row, I don't like to take stuff.

What do others do when they can't sleep?

Ann

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Well Ann,

I am doing the same thing now.

When I can't sleep... lately... I've been coming here!!!

 

[BellaRisa]

Hi Ann,

I rarely have trouble sleeping, but when I do:

Mix vanilla and cinnamon with warm milk according to your tastes, preferably whole milk if you have it. It's also good added to nuked vanilla ice cream. Drink during or after a very warm bath with low lights (I use candle light or just the blue nightlight we have in there). Have white noise in the bathroom, like a low fan or an ocean cassette (my favorite). Then go back to bed nude with a sleep mask, one of the silky $4.99 ones from the pharmacy works just fine. The whole ritual can take less than half an hour and knocks me out every time .

Going online or watching tv wake up my brain too much to help, I go for warm and soothing instead.

Hope it helps

Bella

 

[Haltickling]

I've been suffering from insomnia for several years, too. The only problem for me is to fall asleep while my brain wants to do some thinking.

In case I lie around for more than an hour, I get up again and have a cup of tea, brewed at least 5 or 6 minutes. By that time, the caffeine in the tea has dissolved completely and gets replaced by soothing tannines. Sometimes I add a small dash of whiskey or brandy (I said SMALL!).

My doctor advised me NOT to watch TV, read, or sit at the computer in such situations. Keeps the brain at work too much. Soft music or a CD with soothing sounds of nature (forest or ocean noises, my favorite is one from the Australian rain forest) helps greatly, as well as dimmed light. Usually it works for me.

I'm trying to get off sleeping pills which I'm already addicted to. My doctor replaced them by soft, non-addictive anti-depressants and capsules from Mother Nature's apothecary: extracts of St.John's wort.

 

[ticklemebreezy]

I am really glad

that there are ppl out there like me!🙂 I can't fall back asleep. Like last night, I went to bed at 9:30 pm and I woke up at 12:30 am. I laid in bed for an hour tossing and turning, why? because I start thinking about things. And you know, I really do think too much. lol! I haven't found anything to help soothe me, I have tried tea, warm milk, music and reading a book. So I just come on the computer since the kids and my husband are sleeping. Everything the doctor has put me on works for only a bit and then I am back up again. Right now, I am just dealing with it. The doctor put me on an antidepressant drug (low dose) because I have too much stress in my life and I have what the doctor calls GERD, which is giving me a cronic pain in the gut. Wonderful thing to have, yeah right. Like I said though, I am really happy that there are actual ppl out there that can't sleep like me.

 

[Myriads]

I have chronic insomnia, which comes in waves that last a few days, and then fades for a month or so. Sometimes I get little bursts of it.

When I can't sleep and my eyes are used up for the day, I meditate. An hour or two of that makes up for some of the lost sleep.

Myriads

 

[QBWeaver]

I get bouts of insomnia also. Getting into a hot bath with soft music and candles sure helps. Reading is often good as well. I have to do something though or I'll lie there for hours fretting over not being able to sleep.

These days I just get my laptop and do some work to pass the time. I've also put that time to good use by doing some work in the house like laying new tile in the bathroom, more painting, and sorting pictures to go into photo albums. I finally have lots of my empty photo albums filled!

For me the best thing to do is just to get up and do anything. It takes my mind off the frustration of not being able to sleep and makes progress on my TO DO list.

 

[TicklingDuo]

I'm pretty much with you, Jan. I've tried all sorts of things over the years. None of them help. Meditating helps to rest the body and mind even without sleep. I generally do that for a while if I can't sleep. Sometimes, I'm able to fall asleep. But, most times, not. So, rather than just laying there, I try to do something productive to pass the time until my body is ready to sleep...IF it ever gets ready.

Ann

 

[JoBelle]

I've always been a night owl, but when I had to become a day person, it turned into insomnia. My staying up late isn't by choice anymore, it's by demand since I can't sleep!

I'd add to these suggestions that you might try a regular round of physical activity (like a casual walk) in the evening. You might just try a good stretching routine about a half hour before you lay down for the night. It will relax you and help you slide into sleep mode. Don't do it right before bed as it has an invigorating effect. Acombination of the things mentioned here already seem to work for the occasional night when I can't sleep.

I must admit...having gone through the medical wringer with surgeries this year, I've created a sleep_free_monster I haven't been able to whip. My sleep schedule has gone totally out of what little whack it was in. 😛 My doctor prescribed AMBIEN. It's not something you will want to take long term, but it IS good for helping you to get on a good sleep schedule that seems to hold its own after about a week. It's worth taking if your insomnia is making day to day life harder than need be. I'm getting a refill tomorrow. 😉

Joby

 

[Blackrook]

make the sleeping room as comfortable as possible

I'd check the temp (cooler is better other things equal) and humidity (50 to 70 percent) and see where things are. A good hepa air filter when you aren't in the room to be sure dust, allergens or particulates are the cause.

Apart from that, I agree with JoBelle. A good walk or physical activity is the way to go. I have heard that taking a hot bath or shower right before bed helps too. I haven't tried it. But, they say it helps the body to release melatonin to lower your body temp in response to the heat.

Lastly, short term only (couple of days) you might try some valerian tea or chamomille tea if these don't upset your system. Good luck!

Rook

 

[desdemona]

Sounds like you're in good company...

Even as a child, I've never been able to fall asleep easily. Now, when I have a case load in the double digits, I sometimes keep all night vigils for some of my patients, or at least to call the attending emergeny clinician to inquire on the status. The mind is a wonderful thing, but it isn't simple to turn it on/off. One thing a friend recently suggested: concentrate on something mundane, non-stimulating. If you drive a lot, try name all the exits you pass. Or remembering your high school classes and teachers, etc. The list must be long enough but not infinite. And it shouldn't be taxing. It works for me when I'm really in need of a good night's rest or I'm facing a grueling day of surgery early the next morning. Hope you get some new ideas of your own. I enjoyed reading what works for others.

 

[TicklingDuo]

Well, this has gone in a different direction than I had intended. I'm not sure if that's because others are more able to get back to sleep or what. What I was really looking for were the things we do when we just can't get back to sleep (no matter what we try) and don't want to just lay there. The positive side of insomnia, as I originally mentioned, is the amount of stuff I can accomplish in the wee hours when there are no interruptions or places to go. That's more what I was looking for.

The suggestions here are cool. Hopefully, they'll help some of those who read this thread. I've tried everything mentioned here...and several things not mentioned here. I used to drive myself nuts. Now, I've simply come to accept that there are times when I simply won't sleep. If it's 2 or 3 nights, I don't worry about it. When it goes beyond that, I start to think about taking something to catch up on sleep. Of course when the CFS swings the other way, I catch up anyway...sometimes going a day or two when I do little else but sleep if it's been a longer stretch.

Ann

 

[ticklemebreezy]

sorry about that...

I didn't realize how much of a gripe I was until I read that. Never will I post again after 4 hours of sleep. lol! When I can't sleep, I usually come to the TMF or clean alittle, watch TV or a movie, read. I really can't do anything noisey because of the kids and my husband are sleeping. 😀

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

I have been told that sitting in front of the television or computer screens for extended periods of time per day causes insomnia.

Does anybody have any input on this.

Because I would fit the stereotype if it's true!!!

 

[TicklingDuo]

Re: sorry about that...

I didn't realize how much of a gripe I was until I read that. Never will I post again after 4 hours of sleep. lol!

What you shared was fine, breezy. Heck, if I never posted on less than 4 hours of sleep, I'd still hardly ever be here! lol

Originally posted by ForgottenTcklr {I have been told that sitting in front of the television or computer screens for extended periods of time per day causes insomnia.

I think it's more the lack of activity causing the body to sense less of a need for sleep. I work at home, which means sitting in front of the computer all day. Both to avoid the lack of activity and to keep from getting too stiff, I get up at least once an hour and stretch out for a few minutes, go up and down the stairs a few times, etc.

For anyone who works in an office or similar environment where their job means sitting all day, I highly recommend trying to sneak in some stretches, etc. Of course, you can exercise while seated too by tightening and loosening various muscles as you keep working. It can be a little distracting at first. But, once you get into the habit of doing it, it's just there and you don't have to think about it.

Ann

 

[P50]

I couldn't sleep last night, so I read the TMF awhile.

I was quite interested in this thread, and wrote a reply.

Then I kept on writing and it just got too long.

So I posted it in its own thread, "Thoughts on sleep".

It should be here...

http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=21325

 

[P50]

<I><B>Myriads wrote:</B>I have chronic insomnia, which comes in waves that last a few days, and then fades for a month or so. Sometimes I get little bursts of it. </I>

Did you and your doctor ever try benzodiazapines ? (e.g., Temazepam ?)

 

[Maria_Rose]

woah..hold on before going on heavy meds

Woah...the thing is, benzodiazapines are not only very strong and hard on the body, but they are also addictive. I find St Johns wort is good for depression, but it keeps me completely wired and hyper, and I can't sleep at all, even on a low dose. Now of course that's just my body, other people find the opposite true. I have fibromyalgia, very much linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, and I still think that weed is the most natural, non-addictive, and safe medication you can get. If it works for you, why resort to "heavy" pharmaceuticals that you may suffer side effects from (including more fatigue, just what you need)? Just my opinion, I don't at all mean to offend anyone who uses these drugs. I just know that from my own personal experience (and again, with my specific body), I have led a much happier life from flushing the psychiatric/sleeping meds and tuning in to nature so to speak. Ideally you will find a solution without any drugs at all, I would like to find that some day myself. But if you do need to take something, would you rather a plant from the earth, or a chemical from a lab? Of course, it isn't nearly that simple. You have to weigh it out and make your choices based on intelligent research. That is a very personal decision, and I hope sincerely you find the right answers for your own body system. Just remember one thing...don't let doctors, or anyone else tell you what to do with your body. Do the research, care about what goes in your body.. you are worth it. And above all, when you do decide what is right for your body...don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise. I hope you see this post as being only my own opinion, and not me trying to govern your choices. Sometimes I worry about other people being pushed around by medical professionals like I was, and it makes me rant lol. Sorry about that.

 

[TicklingDuo]

Re: woah..hold on before going on heavy meds

Just remember one thing...don't let doctors, or anyone else tell you what to do with your body. Do the research, care about what goes in your body.. you are worth it. And above all, when you do decide what is right for your body...don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise.

I totally agree. Some doctors push for too much stuff (some likely to get kick-backs). Others don't care enough to do the work to find what works. Still others care but don't have the knowledge or experience to be of real help. I've been fortunate enough to have good doctors the last few years...other than at walk-ins.

My surgeon actually recommended that I use weed to aid my sleeping...as did my GP to aid in fighting the CFS symptoms when I was back in upstate NY. Of course, since CFS isn't on the allowed list, they couldn't prescribe it or openly admit to recommending it. But, they were open and intelligent enough to look at what works. Both happen to be from India. I don't know if things are looser there. But, both are very good about the issue. Both are also very holistic in their approaches and open to natural/herbal remedies and not just chemicals.

Ann

 

[TickledToDeath]

I have had insomnia for YEARS...and I mean YEARS! Solid insomnia for at least 25 years.

I usually watch TV, come on line, read or do some creating or writting and creative thinking.

The fact is that I cannot stop thinking! Which has been one of the major causes of my having insomnia in the first place!😕

It ends up being a circle of events.

While a good long tickle session, being either a lee or ler or both, winds me up alot, as I come down from the "High" of the tickling, I can fall asleep quite easily.

An occaisional, toke or three doesn't hurt either but I do NOT use that as a primary crutch.

TTD

 

[Myriads]

I was asked: Did you and your doctor ever try benzodiazapines ? (e.g., Temazepam ?)

Other then Caffine and sugar, I choose to not add mind altering chemicals to my body.

If I wait, it goes away in a few days. It's just the way I am, why screw with it?

Myriads

 

[P50]

Thanks Myriads,

I wanted to get a second opinion, and I guess yours is no good in this case. (For which I promise you, you can be thankful; hey, it <I><B>is</B></I> November.)

Sorry to scare the other members. I was asking, and not suggesting.

In my longer post on "Thoughts On Sleep" there is a section about benzodiazapines. I hate them, and besides, they didn't work for me anyway.

So everybody get it straight: I do not encourage the use of benzodiazapines; nor do I even know if I spelled the word properly, nor do I care. As long as they aren't a part of your life, you're better off.

Hey, I'm getting sleepy ! Give thanks !

 

[Maria_Rose]

My doctor also encourages me to use weed rather than chemical drugs. She is a great physician and I was lucky to find her. She has a waiting list a mile long, but it's worth it to have someone who cares. She tried to help me as much as she could, even phoned the RCMP office for me to get info on legality. Alas, I'm not on the list either..nor do I necessarily want to be. There have been people in Canada get busted because of Health Canada leaking info on who is applying for exemption. It isn't worth taking the chance, I have too much of my life still ahead of me, and a clean record I don't want to spoil. I just keep to myself, don't smoke anywhere but my own home, and no one bothers me.

 

[TicklingDuo]

That's basicly what I do. As TTD stated, I don't want to use it as a primary or regular aid either. But, if it goes long enough and I really need to get a good nights sleep, I'll do that.

Ann