insomnia

Rev

Wish I could find a cure for my insomnia. Like jenniewb I've been this way for 10 years or so. Some nights I'm sat in bed like a lemon till 6/7am before I fall asleep.

I've tried herbal remedies, I've tried therapy, I've tried audio books, relaxation tapes, soft music, nytol, pretty much all the over the counter stuff and none of it has worked.

I can be literally so tired I can't move but my mind just doesn't want to shut off.

Every so often I'll have a day where I literally can't function because I've had so little sleep, can't concentrate, find it hard to walk/talk etc. Then I'll generally pass out at about 11-12 and sleep about 13 hours, then the cycle starts again.

My doctor said, and I quote 'sleeping tablets are only given to the elderly and dying people'.

Vaila

goodness, ivenever heard a doctor give such advice ! did your insomnia get worse with time, for me i started of being awake till maybe 6 then waking at 8 for college but now if im lucky i sleep between 5-6 pm

freyanneke_2

Today I have to be in court. You can imagine how much I slept...

piratefairy

Rev wrote: »

My doctor said, and I quote 'sleeping tablets are only given to the elderly and dying people'.

I can't believe that a doctor would be that insensitive. And I'm on a regular prescription of high powered sleepiong tabs, I'm neither old nor dying :S

I quite often have nights like jenniewb describes, lying awake all night and just not being able to switch off. I go to the gym and swim four times a week minimum, more if i'm home weekends, and so don't think it's lack of exercise as it's not as if I do none.
The doctors haven't been able to suggest anything. I think it's linked to headaches I've been having for the past 13 yrs or so, which they have also been next to no help with, along with BP disorder which I was diagnosed with several yrs ago now.

jenniewb

arran_m wrote: »

thanks jennie, i found your post very informative, im 18 and have never touched alcohol , dont really think i will ever have a "nightcap", im still very underweight and trying to recover from the same e.d but i dont think that has affected my sleep patterns though, ive been vegan for half my life but i have tried warm drinks made with soya milk etc with fruitless results, i think i should try doing something like yoga etc to relax a bit and regarding having a cool room, i cannot wait till winter as my sleep is always much better then !

Ah! An ED! (I had/have an ED) it does affect your sleeping pattern I'm afraid. Its to do with the mixture of hormones and inbalances.... and also if your brain senses you are at all hungry, and doesn't like how hungry, it sends a message out to keep your body awake and alert- it wants to find food.
If you can at all, try to take something rich in carbohydrates or dairy just before you sleep- it doesn't need to be a big meal and can be enough just to tip you over the right side of tierd. I don't know if soya works though- the reason I suggest dairy is that it has certain hormones in the milk (natural unharmful ones) and is also treated differently from the body then soya.

freyanneke_2

I am not sure where you live, but I used to go for a midnight walk along the sea. It used to wake me up properly. When I came back in my warm house, it was so much easier to wind down.