insomnia

[applegum]

haha I like the math problem idea, maybe I'll try that out. I need to pull up my math SAT score anyway, so two in one! I'm going to start silencing my phone at night, but yesterday I was getting calls for birthday party plans for tonight, so I didn't want to not answer. I wouldn't have a problem with this schedule if it was so hot outside and I could bike later in the morning. I blame the heat wave!

[chickwhorips]

i definatly can't sleep when its warm out. i have to have at least a sheet covering me.

[Geonz]

I can't sleep when it's hot - that's about the only thing that keeps me up. I'll jump into a cold shower and that helps, but then a few hours later...

[latelatebloomer]

For insomnia or emotional upset/general stress, we use an herbal assist called valerian. We get it in healthfood stores - it's a very common and safe. The drug Valium is the synthetic approximation - but valerian is NOT habit forming and is very gentle - doesn't make you dopey, so you can take it during the day if needed, no problem. There are pills and teas available, but I like the tincture (a small vial of liquid w/eyedropper. Mix w/ a little water, and have a chaser like a few sips of juice (tastes like old socks - not supposed to be good, just good for you! )

I find that it quickly soothes and quiets the mind - perfect for the nights that I am just about asleep and then - POP! - my mind jumps to some issue...

Hope this helps. Sleep is crucial....

[chickwhorips]

oh ya i forgot about the valerian. i have that too.

whats really good is the sleepy time 'extra' tea. it has valerian root in it. it tastes good too, not like dirty socks.

[Denise223]

Hi!

Right now, I'm doing pretty well with insomnia, but I have had chronic issues with it for several years. I have some medical problems, fibromyalgia, being one of them, and non-restorative sleep is something that I've had to deal with for years.

Already suggested to you was, "take your phone off the hook". I've been doing this for about a year now, and it has helped soooooooooo much!!

When I'm falling asleep, there are no worries that I'm going to be woken up by a ringing phone -- whether it's someone that wants to talk or even a wrong number. Doing this takes away a lot of anxiety. I believe that this has probably helped me the most.

Because sleep is so crucial to my well-being, and how well I'm going to function the next day, we unplug our phone at 11:00pm.

I'm 45, and my parent's are in ill health, (mom at home & dad in nursing home). They can get in touch with my husband or I through either of our cell-phones.

When my husband works out a few hours before bed, he is pretty much assured a good night's rest. The exact opposite happens to me. If I work out at night, it's pretty much a guarantee that I'm not going to get to sleep. I do hope that someday that will change.

I take Melatonin (over the counter), but please don't take unless your doctor suggests) and a prescription medication.

As we all know, sleep is crucial -- so, I really wish you a lot of luck in trying different things to get a good nights rest.

Have a great day!!

Denise

[maillotpois]

Early this year, I was having trouble with waking up at 3 - 4 and not being able to go back to sleep. Occasionally a Tylenol PM will help a lot. I was taking Benadryl every night before going to bed also, which helps.

Since I started taking Coumadin, I find I sleep VERY heavily. I don't need Tylenol PM or Benadryl or anything. Fortunately, I am not sleepy during the day - alot of folks report being very tired on Coumadin. Anyway, this has been a nice change for me, sleeping solidly through the night - but I don't recommend anti-coagulants to anyone!!

If anyone calls us after 10 pm, they will be excommunicated. We go to bed by 9:30 or 10 and I am up at 5 am.

[Nanci]

When I'm trying to fall asleep in the first place, I read. I can't go to sleep without reading. Doesn't have to be for long.

If I wake up, and can't go back to sleep, I count backwards from 300. That almost always works. Or I try to name all my bottles of wine, in the order they are in in the wine attic. Or, if it's the night before a bike ride, I go over the route in my head, turn by turn.

When I was working nights and sleeping days, I would wake up after about four hours to pee, and then have a terrible time going back to sleep. Then I started taking Benedryl. That worked, as well as not opening my eyes on my way to/from the bathroom.

Drawing circles on BFs back works well, too, for some reason.