Insomnia Support Group

Are you eating healthy? I've noticed that I sleep better when I don't eat like crap all day long.

im eating better , ive joined my local weight watchers last tuesday,
its my head that cant relax i think , my body seems relaxed lol

You're lucky. You get an hour more then I do on a good night. I usually only get about 4-4.5 hours each night. Unless I don't sleep at all, then I don't get any...and crash after more then 36+ hours of being awake. Sometimes longer. Then, my brain is so dead...that it just conks on it's own.

I'm sorry that you're struggling though, with your sleep, I know it sucks. I wish my brain would stop sometimes. If I have fallen asleep, and miraculously DO get more the 4 hours...I feel like just worked an 8 hour shift at work!!! And I have incredibly vivid dreams, which make me lethargic during the day...until I get a second wind.

Yes, I hear that diet is a key ingredient to helping regulate your system. Including brain function. Same with chamomile(which is supposed to help you sleep), lavender calms your nerves, steamed milk is supposed to be a good one too. I do hope that you find something that does help you though. You could always try a Naturopath. They only "prescribe" natural remedies to help you with things. Always an idea. :) *hugs* ^Sorry, I ramble sometimes^

My first thought is that lack of sleep is cause for concern. Lack of sleep over a long amount of time makes it harder to deal with just about anything and can make you start to hallucinate in extreme cases. It can cause horrible moods and quick snapping at little things. I know for me, I lose appetite after a certain period of time. Sleep deprivation can cause all sorts of psychological issues... I'd bring this up with your doctor if you start to notice yourself getting unusually irritable.

It's true, what Mite says. You DO start to hallucinate, you're incredibly moody, you start forgetting things incredibly quickly, you start losing touch with reality, wondering if what you just thought, saw or heard was ACTUALLY there or whether it was just another hallucination.

It's not good...but, if you can't help it...then what else can you do. I'm currently on this thing that actually makes me lethargic, when I take it before bed. Here's the ironic part...it says not to take 5 hours before bed!!!! I take it just before I go to sleep. Along with some zzz therapy hand lotion...but it makes me soooo lethargic. Like my brain is saying...uh...die now. So, I don't want to recommend it. HOWEVER!! If I take this thing during the day...it gives me so much energy...so, it's a strange thing. I don't wake up rested though...so, either way...I'm still not getting rest.

I hallucinate even after I HAVE gotten sleep, now. Trust me, you don't want to get that bad.

Hey Michaela,

So sorry to hear of your struggles. One suggestion I have is to consider if you have anxiety, depression or both. These can cause sleep problems and fuel their continuance. I currently take Celexa and find it very helpful. It does take a week or more to kick in but that's standard for current ads/aas. As for the sleep....I would add that there is nothing wrong with taking zopiclone (Lunesta). Although fam/gen dr will not usually prescribe these for very long so if you feel your needs are such you might want to consider seeing a sleep dr (pulmonologist) or a psychiatrist. If you're looking for a more natural approach, I recommend Hyland's Calm Forte http://www.hylands.com/products/ca... (they make a GREAT teething tablet too). You can usually find it at Walgrees, RiteAid etc. Above all else....trust yourself and be kind to yourself. There are different seasons in our life and this too shall pass. I know it can seem really overwhelming and having to care for kids just adds to the stress. Just hang in there. I don't know if you're married or have someone to help you but don't be afraid to express your needs and accept help from others.

~Brook

thanku everybody for taking time to reply to my post
im not depressed and dont suffer anxiety YET lol ,
the last 2 nights ive taken an amytriptaline to help me sleep better and last night i think i actually got 6 hours sleep ! although its disturbed its still better than lying there for 3-4 hours befor even shuttin ur eyes and sleeping .
i hope u all sort out ur sleeping issues as i can relate and its really not nice ! ive noticed when ive looked bk on photos that i have huge bags under my eyes i think this upsets me more than the lack of sleep , hopefully ill get some good sleep one day :-)

Cayla, I have this same issue. And I have tried many medications.
Your doctor is just WRONG , Not Informed or just plain not listening.
I like the idea that he only wanted you to take it for ten days because if your circadium rhythm is the problem, 10 days and it should adjust itself. If it is other issues and doesn't correct it self, go back and ask for something more for it.

I used to sleep 5 hours a night. And I felt great!!! Now I am 49 years old and suffer from several illnesses. Sleep is an issue for all of them. And you build up a sleep debt. I currently still have problems going to sleep but generally sleep until 11:30 a.m., most of the time I wake up feeling like I have been hit by a Mack Truck (fibromyalgia). None of this is conducive to any type of normal life, so I would like to see you get help before you are like me and several of my friends that were given the same advice that it wasn't anything to be concerned about.

My doctor acted the same way. She acted like it wasn't anything to worry about, and instead of adding on a sleep aid, she put me on dexidrene during the day. I was laying awake all night, every night, very hyper most nights. I was tired at school, and didn't sleep, but was still very tired. When I was put on dexidrene, all it really seemed to change was the irritable mood that comes from a lack of sleep.

Like multiple people are saying, you need to get this sleep issue looked into more. I've found that my schizophrenia sort of causes it, but then feeds off the lack of sleep.

Do not let it get to the point that any of the comments have described. If medications don't help, look into alternative methods of relaxation.

I know I suffer from depression but don't want to go on anti-depressants. I have anxiety, back pain and Any little noise wakes me up usually. I've made coffee twice in 2 weeks with out the coffee. No insurance so I haven't been to the doctor. Sometimes walking, hot bath and sleepy time tea works for me.