What is Narcolepsy
The main characteristic of narcolepsy is overwhelming excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), even after adequate nighttime sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy o...
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How can I stop insomnia & fall asleep at night?
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I just joined this support group, and this is my very first (desperate) post. I've gone to bed at 10pm each of the last 3 evenings, but have been unable to fall asleep each night until either after 2:30am or after 4:30am.
I am getting more and more desperate for a normal night's sleep. I was sure I'd sleep tonight, but once again, an hour went by and I was still wide awake. Aside from treatment with medications and the normal sleep hygiene methods that people are encouraged to follow, do you have any strategies or tricks that you find at least some times to be effective for helping yourself to ease into asleep at bedtime? Here is my situation: Based on the results of my MSLT study that was done 4 days ago, I meet the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy. I know the results because I asked the sleep tech to explain what he was seeing in terms of sleep latency and the onset of the sleep stages, and I asked many questions. I expect to get the official diagnosis from my doctor in 3 days. The whole thing is a complete shock. At this point, my most pressing problem is simply getting some sleep. Thank you so much for your advice! Posted on 07/04/09, 10:07 pm |
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Sometimes taking nice hot bath helps relax me enough, after that about five minutes of "relaxing yoga" with various stretches that are meant to de-tense muscles and ready for sleep. I also am still on Rozerem to knock me out but it doesn't help with the quality of sleep though when I DO actually take it it helps me stay asleep and not insomiaish.
Sometimes nothing helps me, I just stay up until I can sleep. Perhaps you can try reading before bed? Also, try aromatherapy (good smelling candles or pillow mists or something) and some tea-lights. That tends to calm me down and make me comfy. 
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I know how you feel...it is one of those nights for me as I type. I usually do not have trouble falling asleep, it is the horrible nightmares/hallucinations w/sleep paralysis that gets me. I go to sleep about 10pm and until midnight (sometimes later) I have these awful, extremely vivid nightmares and I can't get out of it. When I do, I am still very frightened and cannot tell reality from dream state. This makes it so hard to even want to go to bed. It will lead me to insomnia sometimes though...just the thought of having them gets me so anxious!
I have tried relaxing, reading, tv, and much more....it seems to be better when I try not to think about it. I try to stay positive and tell myself it will be ok. This calms me some and allows me to be less anxious sometimes. I also have anti-anxiety meds for when it gets to be too much, these help a ton! It will put me into a calm relaxing type state and helps me to drift to sleep easier. Maybe your doc could try this for you? I currently have ativan and can take it as needed. It actually helps just knowing I have it in case I need it too! Hope this helps you some! Julieanne
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