I have always had issues with sleeping, probably for the last 4 or 5 years. The last 2 or 3 months though especially, I haven't been able to fall asleep until 4 or 5 am every night of the week even though I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I have tried lunesta, melatonin, ambien, and even dramamine b/c i heard motion sickness pills could help. None of those did the job...and Ambien is some dangerous stuff. It worked for about 3 nights and then I started staying awake and doing strange things and never remember, things completely unlike my character. (DON'T take it!) Even when it did work, I'd always feel tired. All the recommendations for insomnia don't work for me. I AM tired, but I cannot turn my brain off. There's always xanax, rozerem...w/e else, but they won't make me stop thinking I'm sure. I don't especially want to rely on pills, but at this point, I don't care any more. On top of not sleeping, I'm afraid to even try now. Advice? A lot of advice is like: take a hot bath, don't do activities in bed, stay away from electronics....but I'm in a dorm room. I do my studying in my bed. I have to eat in my bed. My computer and TV are always right by me. These are things I can't really fix. And I've tried studying in the school library for hours on end and then not watching TV, but reading a book before bed, and it doesn't help anything. A lot of the solutions require a better living space...that's not an option for me... Hi Jennifer
Here are some ideas to heal the issue.
1.Juices: Lettuce, celery, apple, onion.
2. Squash Seeds: Boiling squash seeds for a half an hour and then drinking the water has the effect of calming the nerves and helping in cases of insomnia and is good also for any urinary inflammation.
3.Vegetables for Insomnia: Cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, kale, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, spinach, turnip greens, squash.
Quick Action Plan for Sleep Disorders
1. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, salt, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy partially hydrogenated fats.
2. Emphasize a diet high in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, as well as easily digested protein foods and whole-grain, complex carbohydrates.
3. Avoid eating late in the evening, which can unsettle your stomach and make sleep difficult.
4. Supplement with B-complex vitamins, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, calcium, chromium, copper (taken away from zinc), magnesium, and the amino acids phosphatidyl-serine and L-tryptophan.
5. Melatonin supplements taken for short periods of time can help relieve insomnia, as well as advanced and delayed phase syndromes and REM behavior disorder. Start with a small dose (0.5 to 2.0 mg) taken one hour before bedtime.
6. Useful herbs include chamomile, hops, linden flower, lime blossom, passionflower, skullcap, and valerian root.
7. Try meditating before you retire for the night to ease your mind of worries and promote relaxation.
8. Sleep at least six feet away from all electric appliances and devices, unplugging them before you go to sleep. Also avoid using electric blankets and electric heating pads, as well as waterbeds.
9. Avoid lying in bed for other activities, such as reading or watching television. Make your bedroom a place devoted solely to sleeping.
10. If you can't fall asleep, get out of bed and go to another room to engage in a relaxing activity. When you start to feel drowsy, return to your bedroom and go to sleep.
Best of health to you hi jennifer,
its really disturbing when you cannot sleep even for one night but what you would be feeling like is really hard for anyone to imagine. though going for medications to treat your insomnia is right, but nothing will work out for you unless you change certain things in your lifestyle.
these things will definitely help you my dear, just give a try :-
1. Create a comfortable sleep environment- Keep temperature moderate, block the noises, keep the room dark and use comfortable bed linens, blankets and pillows all in all, use a good mattress.
2. Proper sleep schedule- Go to bed and get up at same time everyday, including weekends.
3. Create a bedtime ritual- Follow same steps every night before bed like a warm bath or deep breathing exercises.
4. Deep breathing exercises- Relax your mind by breathing deep before going to bed, its very effective.
go for some more : I use herbal teas. Usually something with passionflower in it. Its non habit forming and it seems to work better and its probably more healthy than using pills.
Also take a look at what you are eating and see if it could be causing you problems. Exercising is also a good way to help unwind and sleep better. Insomnia is often caused by fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs, caffeine, depression or sometimes for no apparent reason. Make sure your bedroom is quiet and dark. Soak a tablespoon of mint leaves in a cup of water for an hour, drink every night. Check out http://useinfo-insomnia.blogspot.com/ for more info Find a psychologist who can provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for sleep. PLEASE stop 'NOW" taking all those Pills for insomnia.
They "ARE" Interacting in your Bodily System. IF any have been suggested or prescribed by a Doctor..I must ask..Have you really told him/her everything.? The Underlying factor is that you are suffering the symptoms of Anxiety and I would believe you know that. Your prior operations etc. play a role in your 'thinking'..Your environment/studies also play a role in your "thinking" This "thinking' relates to the Anxiety problem.
A 'COMMON" symptom of Anxiety is Insomnia..and while it persists for some time..IT WILL PASS. The "strange things"..the "never remember" part of your Question is also related to the Anxiety..as is the CONSTANT Tiredness. The feeling of 'fullness' is also Anxiety related. Pills for Insomnia, such as melatonin, treat those who have a limited supply of Melatonin in the base of the Brain. Melatonin is also supplied to the Body with many types of Fruit/Vegs. YOU probably AREN'T lacking Melatonin..YOUR problem relates to the Serotonin in your Brain..that is related to Anxiety. You mention XANAX, a common medication prescribed for Anxiety sufferers.
GO WITH THE FLOW..accept the Insomnia, no matter how unpleasant it is..IT WILL PASS. In the Interim, ask your Doctor to prescribe Diazapan (Valium) 5mg. and take ONE about 1 hour before retiring at night..and DONT stay up TOO late.(get to bed BEFORE Midnight) DO not take the Valium more than is necessary and ONLY to assist in sleeping..IF it works..give it around 3 days..keep taking the Valium for up to 5 days and 5 days ONLY..then CEASE.
Talk to you Doctor about this IF you can. In the Interim stop taking Insomnia medication or trying this or that.. that someone might have told you will assist or fix the "problem" it wont. Whilst it is VERY hard, you need to get your concentration OFF the Insomnia (or THAT feeling that "something" is wrong with you)..IF you CANT do this, and as I said..its VERY hard to do..accept that your 'feelings', the insomnia etc. wont kill you..wont harm you EVEN though they DO cause some very unpleasant feelings. IF you can..consult a Psychologist thru maybe a referral from your Doctor.
This ANSWER to your Question is very difficult to give medical advice on here in this Q&A pages..as your "problem" is very complicated..
BUT..I repeat again..These feelings WILL pass in time. |
