Anyone else have terrible problems SLEEPING? (what is sleep, btw??)

[vieprivee]

OKAY, here it goes, my deep, dark secret!!!

I am told that I never slept well from the time I was born. As I get older my sleeping problems seem to be getting worse and worse. I have tried the usual, only using the bedroom for sleep(and the other thing, ) , have done a variety of relaxation exercises, have even tried some prescription meds, and done EVERYTHING that the doctor tells me to do including not eating certain foods, etc. etc.. I have rotten reactions to medication and nothing really seems to work for me without making me feel TERRIBLY tired or sick. The only thing I have not tried is a sleep clinic.

I guess I am a really hyper person, can't turn off my brain and stop thinking and THAT is part of my problem. I am lucky if I get 5 hours of sleep a night, usually only get 3 or 4. BUT I do stay in bed and TRY to relax, although it is really difficult to lie there for hours on end without sleeping. Incidentally, I NEVER let my exhaustion keep me from doing what I NEED TO DO..I constantly push myself to accomplish what I must with a demanding, full-time job, a family and pets.

MOST OF THE TIME I have no trouble falling asleep but I do not STAY asleep! I usually wake up about an hour after falling asleep and I feel sooooooooooo wide awake, like I slept the entire night and it is morning. THIS is extremely frustrating, although I try to relax and think quiet, good thoughts when this occurs.

SOOOOOOOO, DODers, anyone else have these kinds of problems? Anyone find anything that works for them? I am willing to try mostly anything within reason. I am so sick and tired of being exhausted all the time!!!


THANK YOU SO MUCH for listening and maybe suggesting something that might be useful!


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[cashhound]

I go through short periods where I have that problem. Mine usually only last a couple of months at the most. I can't imagine living like that all the time.

I get to the point where I just can't fight it anymore. I know I'm not going to sleep, so I just stay awake. After a few days, I'm able to get a few hours anyway. I don't mean I stay awake for days...lol. Just that I get my 2 or 3 hours and go on.

I think if I were you, I'd try a sleep clinic. It sounds like your problem is more severe than mine ever was.

Hope you can find a solution. Sleep deprivation really does make a person miserable.

[teraberry]

I don't have problems sleeping. but I do find myself thinking about things sometimes which can keep me up late. When this starts to happen instead of thinking about whatever it is I'm thinking of I think about my breathing. I know it's weird, but hey, it works for me. I listen to myself and think of every breath I take.

[telos2000]

I have Sleep Apnia and though I think I sleep well, I really don't and I am always tired. They tried putting me on a forced air (CPAP) machine, but I have terrible allergies and would feel like I was suffocating. I quit breathing for long periods and it freaks my wife out big time. I am usually not aware of it. She will nudge me and I will start breathing again.

[3tbear]

I don't sleep well either. I could go to bed at 10, but I'm still awake at 11, then I get up at 5:30, not enough sleep. Then I'm restless, boy, am I restless. Also as a person gets older, especially females, their hormones change which also causes lack of sleep. Something else to look forward to huh? I find that if I read before I go to bed, it puts me to sleep as it tires my eyes out. It usually works. I know exactly what you mean, you have so much stuff on your mind when you go to bed that you just can't sleep. Do you watch TV before bed? That's probably a No No. Too much input can keep you awake. Room temperature can also hamper your sleep. If it's too warm, hard to stay asleep.
Don't eat anything with sugar before bedtime, it will keep you awake.

[vieprivee]

I appreciate all your postings....I WILL TRY to breathing thing, teraberry.

And, cashhound, I may just have to do the sleep clinic thing..it is just sooooooo expensive and not covered by my insurance and I would have to take off time from work(like 3 days)..NOT easy! I just want to try everything else I possible can before I do the sleep clinic.

telos2000, my dad has sleep apnia and uses a bi-PAP machine....the CPAP did not work for him. I actually don't know the diference between the two, but I guess you tried this biPAP as well. GOOD LUCK with your problem....hope you find a solution too!

[mama2calli]

I find that watching something boring on tv knocks me right out at night...or reading...or starting a dream (about something relaxing or romantic!)

Sleep...haven't slept in nearly 6 years, since I first got pregnant with Calli on New Year's Day of 97...from pregnancy to nursing the cycle has repeated following with Katie and now Pierson!

By the time they all start sleeping the night I'll be an old lady...

Kath

[vieprivee]

You are surely right, mama2calli, about how being a mom REALLY screws up sleep! AND when the kids finally DO sleep through the night you get up and see if they are okay!!!!

No sugar or TV before bed, always have a window open... I sleep in a cool room, 3tbear. I do read before I go to sleep and it does put me to sleep but I can't STAY asleep and it drives me bonkers!!! So it will probably get worse as I get older? Guess that is possible and I won't sleep AT ALL! oh, boy!

Your comments are surely appreciated!

[tasker109]

a little advice....just because "the average person" needs to sleep 8 hours doesnt mean thats you. if you get along on 5 hours sleep, dont worry about it. stay up til you are sleepy then go to sleep. theres many times i only sleep 5 or 6 hours. i feel fine when i wake up. worrying about it usually only makes it worse.


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[AndersonGal]

I'm getting grumped at because I pass out early and get up SUPER early. Of course the husband is a toss & turner, snorer and has restless leg syndrom so you add that to the *I'm-at-that-age* stuff................

Well, if your online around 3am, you might find me here too.

[verwon]

Andy and I both suffer sleep problems. I would advise you to contact a doctor about it. When you think and worry so much that you can't sleep and you just can't control your thoughts they call them racing thoughts and they do have meds that can help you relax and concentrate on one thing so sleep comes easier. Andy has been using them when needed and they have done wonders.

[cinifini]

I ALWAYS do the reading thing myself...for 1/2 to and hour before I fall asleep. Even so...I only get 5-6 hours a night...and I am usually just fine.

BUT, also, alot of days, I get about a 10 min. to 1/2 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon...it seems to help me a bunch. (hard to admit, cause my parents used to do that, OMG I have BECOME my parents, LOL).

[Mouse7088]

I am just now starting to get more sleep. I use to always go on 3-4 hours and then there were times I was awake for 48 hours+..I just couldn't help it. I think a lot of it was the fact I didn't go to sleep when I actually got tired. Like....it's 10 p.m. and I was drained, but there was always something I had to do before going to bed..getting load of laundry dried, start packing lunches..etc..I am still working on it, but I try harder to go to bed now when tired, PERIOD.
Now DH..he's always been a sleeper w/o problems, but after his accident at work he woke up every night on the hour. It was the strangest thing. He wasn't in pain any longer so it made me think it was the trauma of it all that freaked him out. Finally after a few weeks of this, I talked him into taking 1/2 of one of his pain killers because it had always made him drowsy, if he woke up w/ his alarm..fine, if not..fine. Well...he was able to sleep most of the night, I think he got up an hour before his alarm went off, but he had a peaceful sleep and hasn't really had any problems since.
I would think your "problem" is a matter of habit...or the fact that you just KNOW what to expect every night and you go to bed preparing yourself to wake up in a few hours because that's the way it has always been. Like I said, I would THINK this is what it is, but since you've said you have been like this for what seems like since day one...you have me baffled! Not much help huh? LOL! How do you function through out the day, do you feel like you've had a good night's sleep? Ya know, everyone needs different amounts of sleep time...maybe you just happen to be one who doesn't need a full 7-8 hours. Could be something that changes as you get older...then again..maybe not.

[vieprivee]

Your comments and personal experiences are all very much appreciated! THANK YOU! Just to answer some of your kind questions....I just about NEVER feel rested, I really do think I need more than my typical 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night. I am tired all the time, btw. BUT I have never given up hope because each and every night I go to bed with a positive attitude that I WILL SLEEP...well I do, for an hour or two and that is it for the most part. And I have been in touch with doctors and all that is left is the sleep clinic thing since meds really tend to do more harm than good for me. OH WELL...maybe I am doomed to tiredness for the rest of my life or maybe IF and WHEN I finally get myself to a sleep clinic it will actually do me some good!
AGAIN, thanks for your comments and I do hope that your DH, Mouse7088, continues to do so very well!

ONE GOOD THING, I don't think I have ever set an alarm clock in my entire life!!!

[cashhound]

Originally posted by vieprivee
I appreciate all your postings....I WILL TRY to breathing thing, teraberry.

This is a form of self hypnosis. While you are doing the breathing thing, concentrate on completely relaxing your entire body, starting with your feet. Feel them sinking inot the bed. Then slowly visualize the process moving up your body. By the time you get to your waist, you should be asleep. Now, that doesn't mean you won't wake up in an hour...lol...but it will help you fall asleep.

And, cashhound, I may just have to do the sleep clinic thing..it is just sooooooo expensive and not covered by my insurance and I would have to take off time from work(like 3 days)..NOT easy! I just want to try everything else I possible can before I do the sleep clinic.

I *think* the sleep clinics are open on weekends too. Maybe they can work around your work schedule. Also, if the problem is severe enough, most insurances will pay for it. Call them and talk to someone. If you get someone who tells you No, not under any circumstances...call back and talk to someone else. Another resource might be your doctor's billing person. They have seen so many insurance claims that s/he can probably tell you right off how to get your insurance to pay for it. I would think that if your doctor decided that your sleep deprivation was seriously affecting your health, and meds aren't working, then a sleep clinic would be necessary to determine an alternative treatment. Does that make sense? Or call the sleep clinic directly and ask their billing person how to get your insurance to cover it. S/he should know exactly how to code the claim to get it paid.

I am one of those who does best on 5-6 hours of sleep. Like I said, I have made it for short periods on 2-3, but I was really hard to live with..lol. If I get 7-8 hours, I wake up stiff, grumpy, foggy...ugh.


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