'The curse of insomnia.' blog discussion

MSE_Martin

Sleep Update...

OK so at about 8pm last night after finishing doing the weekly e-mail I went to the gym and ran/cross-trained for 20 minutes. Much slower than normal as it was a struggle but got through it.

Went home, turned telly on (and last check of email on computer but less than normal). Tried to relax - went to bed at 11pm... spent two hours awake, but not panicked about it (not easy) and drifted off at around 1 until 5, woke up - relieved at having had some sleep, which took the panic off and managed to get a couple more hours.

Even though it wasn't a briliant sleep pattern, having had SOME sleep I feel sooooo much better

Martin

larmy16

I have been having sleep problems and stupidly started to use anti histamine which does work, but now finding I cannot sleep without it! What a horrible feeling it is to lie awake worrying and watching the clock and dreading the morning.:(

missmac

Good to hear that you caught up on some of your much needed sleep-quota Martin- I'm sure it will continue to improve.

When I've been under a lot of work pressure, I swap watching tv for a hot bath just before I head to bed which helps me to unwind and I also pretend in my head to drive somewhere I go regularly (from starting engine, choosing gear, lane etc) - my boyfriend always jokes about which destination I'm heading to...and I never remember actually reaching it so I must drift off, without causing an accident!

MSE_Martin

PS did forget to say - i tried the counting from 300 down last night... i got to zero perhaps Im too dedicated to number accuracy

[Deleted User]

i had a job working night shift til 3am, computer oriented.

there is nothing worse in terms of stimulating the brain than computers, video games (but perhaps less so TV cos its more passive) right before you go to bed.

it would always take an extra 1-1.5 hours to unwind before nodding off.

perhaps increasing the time between last email check and bedtime might do it.

in which case, why the hell are you reading this now?

Clariman

You're a very busy and driven man .... and obviously pretty fit. But don't push yourself too hard Martin. Maybe time to ease off for a little while, rather than be forced to do so at a later date.

Clariman

Smiley_Mum

Nytol, Kalms and Valerian tablets are all herbal tablets available from Boots which help to promote natural sleep. Ensure your bedroom isn't too warm and is as dark as possible also. Take a good quality multivitamin and mineral tablet to boost your immune system too. Hope you're back on par soon.

Came across this website with some tips on getting a good night's sleep, also info on insomnia etc also...

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20189095,00.html

loveandlight

I have been suffering from insomnia for the past eight years. I just don't get the feeling of tiredness at all anymore, so for that reason alone, I have to take melatonin tablets every night to get me off to sleep (they are fab). However, even taking melatonin doesn't keep me asleep through the night anymore as I now only need about 3-4 hours sleep a night max and it has also become the norm for me to go through the entire night without any sleep at all.

I have tried everything. Even sleeping tablets don't work most of the time. I have put on so much weight because I can't sleep at night. I used to sleep like a log and could sleep standing up if need be.

Now I go through a seven day week and only have a total of 21 hours sleep. I sympathise with anyone with this kind of a problem. Most of the time you go around looking and feeling like a zombie (well I do anyway!).

MARTINS_DOLL

There is so much advice given in the above posts to help you, I sincerely hope some of them are useful to you.

Martin what I will say is, please take good care of yourself, we need you.
I do hope you are more settled now.

Jan xxx

drlarios

Part of my job as a psychologist in the NHS is helping people improve their sleep/ overcome insomnia. If you haven't had enough advice already I'd be happy to give you a free telephone consultation, i think you deserve it. PM me if you want to do that.