I need to sleep properly at night

suki1964

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

If you already have a mattress in good condition, and you want to try out memory foam, then a topper is ok. However manufacturers spend a lot of time and money on developing mattresses, and making sure that all the components work well together. Using a topper is like buying an add on accessory that wasn't designed for the original mattress, and you will be using it on top of the mattresses existing quilting (which won't allow the memory foam or the mattress to work properly).

Also the fact that there is a deep layer of quilting under the topper will prevent the air circulating under the memory foam and dissipating the heat.

I have spoken to many people who first of all tried a topper, and now have a mattress with the memory foam built in. All of them say that it is far better with it built in.

Yes I can see that will be the case, Im just thinking that the OP may be able to stretch to a topper which will do a few years while she saves

Personally I dont get on with the foam (have two mattresses here relegated to the spare beds) and have gone back to my sprung mattress with a feather mattress on top. Hips are no where near as bad in the mornings now - I can get out of bed in the winter without help and without pain and I sleep like a log - barely moving

And best of all - no hot sweats

bambammy

and sort the rest of my reply in a minute

cally6008 wrote: »

Bambammy -

Why do I need to record myself ? I know what I'm doing as my OH tells me.
For the sleep clinic, a diary will help also.

You haven't read this whole thread
Nope, I never read the whole thread. I read your initial post and replied to your big one. I skimmed the rest, and i'm sure somewhere in that skim reading, I read, you fall asleep within ten minutes somwhere ?

If you're experiencing a real sleep disorder issue, you will know, and can empathise that reading drains the precious little life resources left out of you, and can send you off to sleep, therefore you focus on what you can.

as I have already stated that I have bought a gum shield (although I havent used it yet) and that I am a Bruxist (yes I grind my teeth at night).
Do you have the correct knowledge of the subject of teeth, dentistry and especially my teeth to suggest that I "will" need possible particail plates pending an asymmetrical jaw ? I apologise for assuming you haven't really tried any remedies properly, maybe it was the gum shield reply, moreso, the lacking of trying. I did get the gag reflux with my gum shield and persevered, as I will do with the bottom plate I have recently just paid £250 for, as reccomended by a specialist who confirmed MY jaw is asymmetrical. Clicky jaw, again, life long symptoms, hence why I said you may ' possibly ' not 'WILL'

I comprehend, you maybe skim reading, but I did state
' and possible particial plates pending an asymmetrical jaw.'


Good tip about the library, thank you.

Do you have ANY idea about HMS and its full range of symptoms, problems, extended conditions and how it can affect people in different ways ?
Yes, life long issues with my disorder, clinical and evident, manageable with an alternative lifestyle, health and medication. A small but extreme example would be, at the ripe ole age of 20yrs old - I slept for x8 hours when I broke my waters and went into labour! This is after sleeping all night, up 9.00am, waters broke, 9.30am, bed 10am, slept til 6pm.


OK, so I'm not going to the gym and pumping weights but believe me when I shout "I AM EXERCISING" and doing it in a way that is good for my body. Exercise is anything that gets your heart beat up and the blood pumping round the body. Again, I did state everyone was different and it would be a case of trial and error. Before medication, anything aerobic,would knock me out for x5 hours plus. I've researched the weights, and reminising from years ago when I use to go to the gym every morning half 8am, then swimming. Who knew way back then, I was self medicating and never realised. All the great advice and tips from posters given in this post, all replies are pretty much consistant with most sleep apnea related guide books, forums etc.

Trust me, my work is hard and awkward for me but I still do it, all of the jobs that need doing, despite being in a lot of pain all the time and my joints subluxing.

Possible hyper mobility of the joints ? laxity of the ligaments? The whole process is going to take a long long time.

I was up at 7am Monday morning, worked over time and hard all day, home, dinner 7.30pm, bed 10pm. Never got a chance to do the gym or swimming, and last night payed for it. Up all night talking and walking, with apparant purpose - my partner said, I got up, brushed my hair in the mirror, banged the brush on the floor and got back into bed as if nothing happened, mumbling, then shouting all night long.

Today, I feel like a cripple! Bones cracking, aching, and my child had to aid me up stairs to bed it was that sore! Tomorrow, I will do my stuff, I know for me will eventually get me back on track! I have locks on my door to stop me going a wandering.

Diligent efforts, consistant routine followed through daily, I maintain a relatively better nights sleep than what I had last night.

As will your attempts. But these suggestions are to be consecutive for weeks, even months before any real results may be positive. And continued always! I don't fancy doing certain things the rest of my life, but I know I sleep better when I do them.

The medication will not be prescribed until you have an over night study, which will confirm alpha and delta waves, REM sleep, how quickly REM and NON REM sleep is reached and many other things.

It's only a neurologist that can prescribe it, the doctor can't.


Even then, if you really have a sleep disorder, an alternative lifestyle, health etc will only aid making that magic tablet work. You see that's the thing, it's not magic. It just makes you a zombie. It's only magic if you don't have the disorder.

Sorry to sound cynical.
Two years you say? Consider yourself very lucky. Type in sleep disorder forums into google, and you'll see many have suffered for many many years.

Off to bathe my achy back, bones.

black_paw

warm bath ,milky drink , decaff coffee or tea , sea shore music to listen too, dimmed lights , cosy heated blanket on bed zzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz or bang on the head LOL

bambammy

I'm touched that you came on late on, in the evening to thank everyone.
I was watching whilst editing my post.:D I do apologise if you read the part that may have cause upset. I got a wee bit emotional about it. Or was it a bit of cataplexy ? mmmmmm.

Good luck with the alpha delta tests and with any support you may receive in the future.

Get yourself that hot blanket.

Ta ta x

Fire_Fox

I note that you say you are coming off the computer early, at midnight but you are up for 6am. That's not sufficient for a full night's sleep, never mind a full night's sleep plus a wind down for your brain first. The light on televisions and computers is similar to daylight and it confuses your brain. This is a real problem in insomnia but may also be contributing to your lack of restful sleep.

Also you could consider magnesium, if your doctor says it is suitable for you. Magnesium is the trace element responsible for helping your muscles relax (calcium makes them contract) and it also helps your brain release the hormones serotonin and melatonin. Magnesium is very depleted in intensively farmed soils and therefore in our food. It's normally found in wholegrains, nuts and seeds, beans and lentils.

But do check with your GP or pharmacist before taking a supplement, especially if you have other health issues or medications.

jennyhatesjazz_2

Hi!

I chanced upon your message, but it instantly reminded me of my own sleep problems.
I find that, although traditionally a perfect sleeper - no issues, and a body clock that worked flawlessly - I now find that I can sleep for ANY number of hours, but wake up feeling that although my BODY has been 'asleep', my BRAIN hasn't switched off at all throughout the time I have been resting.
I am in counselling at the moment, and feel that I'm (finally) making slow progress, but don't know what to do about my sleep state in the meantime.
I am about to embark on meditation classes, which I'm hoping will teach me how to fully relax in a disciplined way and perhaps address the issues underpinning the reason I'm not getting what I've come to refer to as 'brainrest' when asleep.
I realise extranial things such as the right mattress, the right foods (which you refer to), and correct preparation for sleep: cup of cocoa, hot bath etc are contributory to a good sleep, but I can't help but think the root of the problem is so much more deep-seated, and is to do with the unconscious mind working overtime in efforts to resolve and address issues in our waking lives which it feels are important, and cannot be ignored. In a nutshell: if we feel happy and fulfilled in our waking lives/conscious minds, then sleep ceases to be an issue, don't you think? Consequently, when we're not happy, we're not sleeping well.
I'm not an expert, but I think poor sleep - unless the reason is purely physical - is a sign that something is troubling us.
On my own part I do notice that sometimes, I'll get the best rest - healing, deep sleep - in 5 minutes or half an hour or so I spend consciously relaxing/deep breathing etc, just before I get up, having had a bad night. When I go in to this elusive state of blissful rest wherein I just KNOW my brain has switched off, I find I can feel more refreshed than I would from hours and hours of normal sleep.
Any thoughts?...

cally6008 wrote: »

How can I make my body switch off at night and sleep properly ?

Im not kidding, its got beyond a joke, seriously. Last night I was constantly turning over and round, moaning and groaning and talking, legs and arms twitching, grinding my teeth and snoring. OH couldnt get to sleep for about 3 hours and its not fair on him. I wake up feeling tired and groggy. This has been going on for nearly 2 years.

The doc gave me a nasal spray to try and said I had sleep apnea. The spray worked for a couple of days but doesnt work anymore.

Tips for what not to eat or drink after certain hours, when to go to bed, how to sleep, anything at all please, what to make my body switch off and relax at night.

cally6008

Well, thats the last of the decaff tea bags and I can say, they didnt appear to make much of a difference to my sleep. We're using normal PG tips now and they dont taste as nice as the Tetley decaff ones so I might just stay on the decaff (although they cost more).

I'm doing the "100 days challenge" starting from 1st January and am giving up chocolate so we shall see if that makes a difference or not.

bambammy

Hiya Firefox

I considered buying B12 tablets, or even a B complex tablet, but my nurse who administers the B12 injection monthly, was very much against it.

I take my calcium tablet first thing in the morning along with magnesium. Do you think trying the magnesium at night would make much difference ?

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Also you could consider magnesium, if your doctor says it is suitable for you. Magnesium is the trace element responsible for helping your muscles relax (calcium makes them contract) and it also helps your brain release the hormones serotonin and melatonin. Magnesium is very depleted in intensively farmed soils and therefore in our food. It's normally found in wholegrains, nuts and seeds, beans and lentils.

But do check with your GP or pharmacist before taking a supplement, especially if you have other health issues or medications.

bambammy

Jenny, please let us know how you get on with your meditation classes.

My partner and I constantly attempt trial and error with my sleep patterns and activities in the night.

Excessive walking, talking, actively in and out of the bed and up to all sorts in the night if i'm cheesed off with someone or i'm stressed out worrying about my teenage daughter.

Mumble, toss and turn if I break my routine or have something heavy to eat at night.

If I have no stress, stick to routine and eat light at night - I tend to just mumble on and off throughout the night.

jennyhatesjazz wrote: »

Hi!


I am about to embark on meditation classes, which I'm hoping will teach me how to fully relax in a disciplined way and perhaps address the issues underpinning the reason I'm not getting what I've come to refer to as 'brainrest' when asleep.
quote]

MrsE_2

I don't have trouble sleeping.

I do have reflexology at the local college sometimes.

Its amazing, I sleep like a corpse after it.