Insomnia!!

[DJD]

Well I have always fought this problem but lately it's getting worse. This latest stretch (months) is killing me!! 3-4 days of sleeping from 10:30pm-3am. By the time I get home from work (8-5) I'm wornout! This goes on until my body just shuts down and I crash for a decent nights sleep followed by a day of laying around like a zombie to tired to do squat. I still go to the gym three days a week to wear myself out physically, and it works temporarily but I find it hard to sleep all night.
I don't smoke, drink (a beer now and then) or do drugs but I'm thinking if taking up one oif those if it helps me rest!!!!
My biggest problem is I lay awake thinking to much and I wish I could just flip a switch and turn it off. Anyone have any home remedies or habits that helps them sleep better??

[Chubminnow]

My biggest problem is I lay awake thinking to much and I wish I could just flip a switch and turn it off. Anyone have any home remedies or habits that helps them sleep better??

Reading does it for me, always works like a charm. I'm sometimes like you described, have a hard time shutting my brain down at night. I always read some in the bible on most nights, it always works for me.

[kygorski]

I worked shift work almost all my working years, never did have a sleep pattern. Since I retrired its gotten worse.BUT since I don't have a shedule, so what? Then I developed a non functioning bladder.I'm lucky enough to be able to nap, and fall asleep quickly. What might help you is a glass of warm milk just before bed time, and a benadryl tablet.The non drozzy ones dont work.A good book helps, wish you luck. My wives couldn't stand my sleep habits[ I out lived both of them].

[Devils Horse]

Well I have always fought this problem but lately it's getting worse. This latest stretch (months) is killing me!! 3-4 days of sleeping from 10:30pm-3am. By the time I get home from work (8-5) I'm wornout! This goes on until my body just shuts down and I crash for a decent nights sleep followed by a day of laying around like a zombie to tired to do squat. I still go to the gym three days a week to wear myself out physically, and it works temporarily but I find it hard to sleep all night.
I don't smoke, drink (a beer now and then) or do drugs but I'm thinking if taking up one oif those if it helps me rest!!!!
My biggest problem is I lay awake thinking to much and I wish I could just flip a switch and turn it off. Anyone have any home remedies or habits that helps them sleep better??

Reading does it for me too. I read until I find myself falling asleep, then kill the light and roll over.

Make sure your room is dark and quiet, and your mattress/pillows are comfortable. Never try to sleep with a TV or Radio playing where you can hear it at all. Just the slightest thing can keep you awake, you may not even notice. If you find yourself tossing and turning look into the comfort issue.

Don't drink coffee or caffeinated soft drinks after 2pm in the afternoon, caffeine can really mess up the sack time for me.

Hope it gets better for you.

[jcb]

Well I have always fought this problem but lately it's getting worse. This latest stretch (months) is killing me!! 3-4 days of sleeping from 10:30pm-3am. By the time I get home from work (8-5) I'm wornout! This goes on until my body just shuts down and I crash for a decent nights sleep followed by a day of laying around like a zombie to tired to do squat. I still go to the gym three days a week to wear myself out physically, and it works temporarily but I find it hard to sleep all night.
I don't smoke, drink (a beer now and then) or do drugs but I'm thinking if taking up one oif those if it helps me rest!!!!
My biggest problem is I lay awake thinking to much and I wish I could just flip a switch and turn it off. Anyone have any home remedies or habits that helps them sleep better??

DJD, I'll second the reading, but with a twist: audio books. You can do it in total darkness, and there's something about listening that actually helps relax the brain. You can also get timers and such so it doesn't drone on all night.

[Fishin is life]

two words, lifetime movies....Everytime the hunny snips a corner off my man card and makes me watch a chick flick I can't help but fall asleep....I actually have trouble falling asleep if the rooms completely quiet....I've slept with the tv on for as long as I can remember

[zx150]

Don I have the exact same problem. I have tried over the counter stuff and it does no good. My DR. gave me Sonata it works fast and does not leave you with a hangover. You need to have a sleep study done.

[waterdog101]

after you vote for Obama Nov. 6th, you should feel much better. and sleep like a baby.

[DJD]

Those are some good ideas and the main thing that I think will help is reading. I have done that from time to time and it works pretty good. I do keep a bible on my night stand and read a little here and there, also keep a fan running for background noise which helps. Maybe I'll get back to drinking more water as well.

Waterdog you helped a ton because every time I read your posts zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Lol just playing dude. seriously my sincere thanks!

[HURRICANEBOB]

DJ,

1. Do you snore.....possible sleep apnea, DR check?
2. Diet....when do you eat at night, eat at the wrong time and just as those nutrients hit the metabolism you are trying to shut down to sleep.
3. When ya wake up at 3 am, move to another room, maybe a nice comfy sofa and try again.
4. Lay flat on you back, delifberately try to keep you eyes open but look up as far as you can. Slow breathe in, hold, slow out. Keep the eyes open and straining to look up. Eye weariness will put you out quicker than anything (Save Maker's Mark). Example, driving at 3 pm on a very bright day.
5. Check sources of caffeine....Cokes, coffee, some chocolates.

Seriously, best course of action is see a DR. Home remedies may mask a problem that could otherwise be resolved for the longterm.

[DJD]

DJ,

1. Do you snore.....possible sleep apnea, DR check?
2. Diet....when do you eat at night, eat at the wrong time and just as those nutrients hit the metabolism you are trying to shut down to sleep.
3. When ya wake up at 3 am, move to another room, maybe a nice comfy sofa and try again.
4. Lay flat on you back, delifberately try to keep you eyes open but look up as far as you can. Slow breathe in, hold, slow out. Keep the eyes open and straining to look up. Eye weariness will put you out quicker than anything (Save Maker's Mark). Example, driving at 3 pm on a very bright day.
5. Check sources of caffeine....Cokes, coffee, some chocolates.

Seriously, best course of action is see a DR. Home remedies may mask a problem that could otherwise be resolved for the longterm.

I don't snore much if at all (thats what I been told) but I wheeze when allergies are kicking my butt. I know I need a sleep study according to my healthcare friends.

[RoadToad]

I don't snore much if at all (thats what I been told) but I wheeze when allergies are kicking my butt. I know I need a sleep study according to my healthcare friends.

Yup, the sleep study is probably the best thing you could do. I had no clue I had sleep apnea until I had a seizure and then had a sleep study (turned out the two weren't related). And I never realized just how bad my sleep pattern was until I got on CPAP and started sleeping well! BUT, sleep apnea doesn't keep you from going to sleep; it just makes you not get restful sleep once you're asleep. As you're going down into deep sleep and your airway occludes, you waken, not fully, but enough that you take a deep breath, then go back to sleep, then your airway occludes again, etc. You never get to REM sleep. I'm not saying, of course, that you don't have sleep apnea, it just sounds like there's something else at work that keeps you from going to sleep to begin with. Still something that a doctor may well be able to help with.

As far as meds, my neurologist gave me baclofen, and it works like a charm. It's a muscle relaxer, and he gave it to me to help prevent my migraines, and to help me sleep. He prescribed it when I told him about how the strap from my CPAP mask going across the back of my neck was causing me some neck pain, leading to headaches. Fortunately for me, he is on CPAP himself, and understood, and told me he takes baclofen himself for that very reason. It comes in 25mg pills, and I can take 1-4 a night. I generally take 2 and it does the trick. It's also known to be a mood stabilizer.