Many people experience an off night where they can't obtain restful sleep. My Chronic Insomnia has plagued me for many years and is now getting worse. I experience a chronic difficulty either falling or staying asleep long enough to meet the body's needs for sleep. This lack of quality sleep leaves me with impaired functioning each day and keeps me from carrying out normal tasks.
Most adults require approximately eight hours of sleep but the best indicator is how you feel. If you awaken feeling tired, it is likely that you are not getting enough sleep. Insomnia can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable and struggling to concentrate............ugh!
People who are emotionally upset or anxious often find that they frequently awaken at night or have trouble falling asleep. It's difficult to relax when your mind is 'racing' and you can't seem to stop worrying about various aspects of your life.
Insomnia exacerbates the symptoms of depression, making it more difficult to treat. Then add the serious issue of "SleepsWalking" and eating..........double trouble! And, did I mention the weight gain? Oh my, to look in the kitchen sink in the morning and see a bunch of forks and spoons and crumbs. Yes, I woke up once to see a box of Cherrios next to me in bed!
I have followed all the doctor's suggestions on how to get a good nights sleep. Keeping a sleep diary is supposed to help the doctor to identify the cause and will be able to treat you. Well, so far after 15 plus years........nothing has worked which includes: sleeping pills, melatonin, going to bed at the same time every day including weekends, make sure the bedroom is dark and very cool, avoid caffeine, decongestants, stop smoking (which I quit three years ago) and limit alcohol before bedtime, exercise more often but not at night time, don't lie in bed worrying about things. Set aside another time just for worrying......for example, spend 30 minutes after dinner writing down what's worrying you and what you can do about it.
Well, that warm glass of milk at bedtime that your grandma insists works, doesn't work for me ....so some doctor is going to have to come up with a better solution for me pretty soon. I have experienced many times not sleeping for 2-3 days in a row...not a wink...not even a short nap.....nothing! People don't understand how severe chronic insomnia is and how it takes over your quality of life. I used to go to work with no sleep. It was easier when I was younger but that is no longer the case now that I am a senior citizen!
Do a lot of you out there experience chronic insomnia????? If so, do you have a special remedy that works for you, please share. It would be most appreciated. I'm at my wits end and willing to try almost anything within reason!
Hugs, Rose
i can't sleep for more than 4 hours at a time. i rely on naps to get enough sleep to be able to operate. i feel like my body runs on a 16 hour day, where i need 12 hours of activity and then 3-4 hours of rest/ sleep. when i can't sleep my dr. told me to try a dose of children's benedryl and that does work for me.
ReplyDeletei hope you get some rest soon!
xxalainaxx
I really do not have a problem sleeping at all. I've worked for so many years that my body seems to run on an automatic clock now. It tells me when to go to bed and when to get up. After retirement I don't know, but I think I'll try and keep on the same schedule as it does work for me. I have to tell you though about a time I did have difficulty after my husband died. Then sleep did not come easily. I had to sleep because I had to work and this is what finally worked for me. I wound up concentrating on an imaginary white light in my mind. With eyes closed I would envision it and forget about everything else. Sometimes it was hard to concentrate on that light but as I practiced I could do it easily. Before I knew it I'd be sound asleep til morning when it was time to get up again. I also like to think that I give it all up to the good Lord and place whatever troubles I have in His hands and go to sleep peacefully. I cannot imagine no sleep for 3 days in a row. I hope some help comes your way soon and that it's not just in the form of medication which can be so addictive.
ReplyDeleteWow lady, 2-3days w/o sleep. I wonder then after that long could you sleep well?
ReplyDeleteI used to have 'bouts of sleeplessness' it would drive me crazy. I cannot imagine being in your shoes. I sure wish I had the silver bullet, but all I could think of was sleeping aids. A silly suggestion by a neophite i know, I said that is all I could think of.
I know you must have tried the glass of wine before bed, I know Dr's frown on that.
AS we have said, when you post it is usually concerning life. And always causes me to think. Again you have done that. Just so sorry it is such a problem to you. Thanks for the insight. I have never know anyone with chronic insomnia. So this is my first true intro to the subject. Food for thought.
The best to you, at least we got Florida weather back.
Sherry & Jack
I love your roses are red and have one suggestion for the sleep problem. I believe it is sex!!!. If you can get it . Love lee
ReplyDeleteI wake up now every 3 hrs. my doctor does not want to give me sleeping aids.... Ugh!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Thom
Sorry to read all about your insomnia---
ReplyDeleteI wonder what 'remedies" people will recommend...
Rest better,
Hugs,
Deb
I sure you hope you find a remedy for this. A person cannot function without sleep. I wonder if reading the Bible, saying a prayer will be consoling and conjoling into sleepy land? Sometimes that works for me. But usually being so tired from working at work and then at home, just lays me right out. I am very interested in the sleep subject.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting entry of yours. Being a bit "sleepless" lately found it through the site of Jack.
ReplyDeleteDue to work and raising a child, am mostly able to sleep four or five hours, and even those not without a break, as my wife does not hear him, while being asleep on her own.
Spending now neary two years so, I realised that it is now nearly impossible to sleep long and early. Mostly I do read or write.
Wishing a good night sleep and a nice Sunday too.
Hi Rose,
ReplyDeleteI came over from Jack's blog. I'm the Debbie that Jack spoke of in his entry.
I do understand how chronic insomnia affects every aspect of your life. Like you, I've been dealing with it for more than 15 years and have many times gone without a wink of sleep for more than 2-3 days at a time. When I do finally go to sleep it isn't a restful sleep. I just feel drained, I have no energy and exhaustion can't begin to describe it.
I wish I could give you some information that would help you with your insomnia but I can't because I haven't found those answers myself. I hope you're able to get some rest soon. Unless someone has gone through it themselves they have no idea what chronic insomnia can do to you.
Debbie
I guess I am very fortumnate as I do not have a problem falling asleep. I am up 3-4 times during the night but I fall back to sleep again.
ReplyDeleteI just can't imagine not being able to sleep.
I hope things change for you and soon.
Thanks for sharing, Rose. You've tried all the 'typical' recommendations for insomnia. Have you tried anything a bit different, like acupuncture? Do you know other people that suffer from insomnia that you can turn to for support, and bounce ideas and suggestions off?
ReplyDeleteDon't give up and keep trying new things - fingers crossed you'll find the solution that works for you.
Wow! I didn't realize you went 2 - 3 days with no sleep at all. Maybe you should go to another doctor if possible. Another doctor may know something your doctor doesn't.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Elena and Billie
Rose, my heart goes out to you. I seem to remember being sleep deprived half of my life for one reason or another. At one time I had an all night radio job. I had to be awake, alert and on the air until 6 in the morning. When I finished work the city was waking up with all of its noise and energy. I was tired and wanted to sleep so that I could enjoy the evening, Nothing doing. I would take a hadful of Melatonin, drink six beers, watch Sunrise Semester on TV and take a hot bath. No good.
ReplyDeleteHere was my solution. I'm a story teller. I was as an actor and now as a writer. I fantasized a story that was interesting and pleasing to me. Now, when I go to bed and am ready to sleep I iterally say "Where was I?" I am unaware that I was asleep unitl I wake up refreshed.
I don't know if that idea appeals to you. It works for me.
DB
I rarely sleep more than 5 hours at a time. I've just gotten used to the fact that I don't really need a clock and I can sleep anytime I desire to....
ReplyDeleteJimmy