YOUR bedtime? Sleeping pills? and insomnia

[Julie Billingsley]

So... I have chronic insomnia. :sigh: And every time I go to the doctor to talk about it they want to prescribe sleeping pills and talk to me about 'normal sleep behavior'. (They also want me to have a sleep study, but my insurance won't pay for that.) Honestly, I have no idea anymore what a normal person does to fall asleep. Or even what a normal amount of sleep is! :blink:

If you want to talk the specifics, I have about 8 years of insomnia. It started as middle-of-the-night insomnia, where I'd fall asleep for about 2 hours, then be awake for about 4 hours, and finally get about 2-3 more hours of sleep. Which did not make for a restful night because it was more like 2 naps. So, I started to force myself to stay awake late, like 1 or 2am. Then I fall asleep and stay asleep until morning.. so that is a much more restful. But I'm still only getting about 5 hours a night. And I need more.

For the longest time I was not willing to take sleeping pills. I'd tried them when Logan was little but I couldn't respond properly if he woke in the middle of the night. I just wouldn't hear him or I'd be half-asleep and staggering around. And add to that... I also sleepwalk. (I'm quite the mess! LOL) The pills made that worse. And I couldn't shake the zombie feeling in the mornings. So I had to stop taking them.

Now things have changed and I actually haven't sleptwalked in about 4 months. Plus now Logan is 6 and never needs me in the middle of the night. So I'm thinking of asking for a prescription now. But I am a little concerned. I'd LOVE to hear anyone's experience about taking them and if they actually helped and if you were about to wake up without feeling like a zombie. (let me also mention that I can not take herbals for this because it totally freaks out my liver.)

My other questions all revolve around what is "normal" sleep. I mean, what do you DO to fall asleep? What TIME do you go to sleep?? How many hours do you get? Do you simply lay down and : poof : you are asleep? Do you read until you fall asleep, or watch TV? And if you've had insomnia and fought it and now sleep normally... what in the world did you do???? What did you do to make your sleep environment better and did you take pills? At what point (if ever) were you able to stop? I need to get more sleep. I want to feel normal and rested instead of always tired but never being able to fix it. I'd love the advice and the hope that it can be overcome. :)

[littlekiwi]

I had sleep apnea for several years through high school but since my health has improved I no longer have that. I generally go to sleep about 9-10pm at night and wake up just before 7am. Before going back to school (community college/university) I would stay up til 11pm-1am and wake up 9ish, 10ish etc.

[clearskies]

Never used pills... I am a total nightowl. Usually in bed sometime between 1-3 am and up around 9. Unless I have to be somewhere earlier.

As for falling asleep. I like to read about 15 minutes in bed before I go to sleep. Usually by the end of that, I can hardly keep my eyes open...

Hope you can get something to help you. Not sleeping is awful!!! :thumbdown:

[Dottie]

For years I would wake up several times a night. I was always tired. I thought that it ws just the way it was for me. Then last September I got really sick. I couldn't keep anything down for 2 days. After that I just couldn't drink coffee, I mean I was used to drinking several cups a day, and now...nope just didn't like the taste. I now find that I sleep much better, deeper and longer.

I go to bed around 10:30pm and get up 5:30am. No more waking up during the night. I have also found that if I exercise a couple of times a week I also sleep better.

I have never tried sleeping pills and frankly, I'm a little scared that if I did I would become dependant on them

I guess I really don't have an answer for but I do hope you find something that works for you.

Hugs.

[newfiemountiewife]

I go to bed around midnight - 1 am, get up anywhere between 6 and 7 am. I have been known to stay up later, but I still have to get up the same time. I do not take long to get to sleep, but if I wake in the night, I can never get back to sleep. I don't read, I don't have a tv in my room even, and I don't try the hot bath before bed either. I've tried all of these things and nothing works.

I just figure I don't need very much sleep. But I am constantly tired.

The sleeping pills they have nowadays are not as strong as the ones they used to have, I was prescribed some, but never did take them, because at that time, Rae was still getting up in the night time. Tony sleeps like a rock, and I couldn't depend on him to get up with her.

It's so hard, needing to sleep. My problem is, I can't shut my mind off. I think too much, I worry about everything, I panic. I get in bed, and it's like it's finally quiet, so my brain goes crazy, thinking about everything possible. Tony has had sleep apnea issues, and that keeps me awake also. I really think I'd sleep better if I slept alone. The more I think about sleep, the less I sleep, because then it's just something else for me to panic and worry about.

I'm sorry you're not getting any help. It truly does suck. I hope you figure something out.

[rachaelsscraps]

Your doctor might prescribe Ambien CR for you- I don't want to sound like a commercial, but it has 2 layers- 1 layer to make you fall asleep quick, and the 2nd disolves slowly to keep you asleep all night...

I used to have trouble falling asleep at night, but since being pregnant I've been so tired, I pretty much fall asleep right when my head hits the pillow. I get about 7 hours of sleep a night, but it's not normally straight thru because I have to get up in the middle of the night to pee. lol. Or someone or a pet wakes me up! Uck! I know how you feel there!

I hope you can get it figured out- maybe try something mild first like Tylenol pm and see if that helps (before trying a prescription sleep-aid)?

[Darcy Baldwin]

Julie - I'm a sleep-a-holic, too. I usually never have trouble getting to sleep...just have trouble staying asleep.

Something you might do is investigate melatonin as a sleep aid before you jump into anything heavy. Go with very small doses at first. I can't take big doses because I dream too hard and feel shagged out the next day, but in small doses, it can help make the sleep you do have better. And sometimes, when you don't get enough sleep, your body can't stay deeply asleep and you always feel unrested, even if you get 8 hrs one night, because of the nights prior with not enough.

[lovely1m]

I sleep normal now, but I worked the midnight shift for over 5 years while going to school full time. So I actually slept in 2-3 hour naps throughout the day in between classes and work. Knowing you only have a couple of hours to sleep makes it hard to fall asleep. So I would shower before bed (my longest stretch one), being clean helped me relax. I would wind down in bed with a bit of TV, a bit of computer time or reading. I used a Lavender/Vanilla sleep mist on my pillow and pressure points that I found at Bath & Body Works. Then to shut off my mind, since that was usually the biggest issues, I would count. 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, etc. I would go up to 100 and then back down to 1 again. I was usually asleep before I got back down to 1. Sometimes I had to really concentrate on counting by seeing the number I was counting in my head because my mind still tried to wonder. It really seemed to help me. I don't even take medicine that makes me drowsy for being sick cause I am afraid my ds will need me in the middle of the night and I will be all groogy. Good luck finding something to help you!

[MissKim]

I really struggle with this during the summer when I'm not working (I'm a teacher). I take 2 benadryl every night to get to sleep. My troubles have always been that I can't quiet my mind enough to slow down and fall asleep. The benadryl helps with that. It's cheap (I think I get 100 for $4 at Walmart), and is really just a low dose of allergy medication. I also use lavender pillow spray just before I lay my head down.

I've also decided that it's just best for me to follow the needs of my body. As soon as I start feeling tired, I take the Benadryl. Watch TV for 20 minutes, spray the pillow and lay down. I'm usually out really quickly. Then once I wake up in the morning, even if it's 5 am, I go ahead and get up. I just don't see the point in laying in bed.

So far, this has worked for the school year. I'm a little nervous with summer looming, but hoping my routine will work. Good luck!

[DawnMarch]

I had exactly the same sleep pattern as you for a while -- fall asleep for 2-3 hours then wake up and not be able to get back to sleep until a few hours later. I was exhausted! The problem for me was heartburn/gastric reflux. Once I started taking Prilosec every day, I started sleeping all night (most nights, anyway). I usually get about 7 hours of sleep (10 pm to 5 am), though I'd be happier with 8.

I have very occasional insomnia where I can't get to sleep at all, and I have a prescription for Ambien for that. I take 1/2 a tablet and sleep like a baby. No effects the next day as long as I sleep for at least a few hours.

[Emmy]

Julie I would avoid caffeine after say 2pm, then I'd choose a short routine - reading works for me. It always surprises me how I can feel wide awake out in the family room but if I go get jammies on and hop in bed with a book I'm nodding off within a few minutes. I try to get in bed at 10:30 pm with my book, then I'm usually asleep by 11. I get up around 7 (sometimes earlier if Henry wakes up early - he's a serious morning kid).

[schock77]

I fall asleep fine, but sometimes wake up in the night and then can't shut my brain off and get back to sleep. I try for 7 hours and sometimes I get that.

Have you tried melatonin? I started taking melatonin plus and find it really does help me sleep without the lethargic after effects. It's cheap so definitely worth trying too. HTH!

[Stacey42]

My problem is I can't fall asleep & then I wake up constantly during the night. I go to bed around 10:30 and the boys are up around 6am

I take Lunesta. It's great! I go to sleep easily. I stay asleep and I feel fine when I wake up. The first month I was on it I woke up groggy but as soon as I stood up it went away, it was just making myself stand up that was a problem. After that the grogginess went away & I have slept fine with it.

[iJenny]

I haven't read all the posts, but I just wanted to add something that might be food for thought (for you and some others that have the same issues).

Is it possible that you're not suffering from insomnia, but rather anxiety? I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and have been on medication for it for 10 years now (since I was 17). One of the biggest symptoms of GAD is not being able to "shut my mind off". When I was untreated, my worst symptom was just that. I felt like my mind was going 100mph. During the daytime I could handle it a little better because I could keep my body and mind busy. But at night, when everything was trying to wind down for the night, my mind was just a mess and I was unable to sleep. It was awful.

I'm just saying that anxiety disorders wreak havoc on sleep patterns and it might be something for some of you to consider if you're showing other signs of GAD.

Here is a link to more information about GAD if you think its something that you might suffer from... http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tc/generalized-anxiety-disorder-topic-overview

[4noisyboys]

I agree with Darcy...try Melatonin first...very small doses. I can't take it, but for those that can, it works great. It makes me dream really crazy dreams...too vivid for me!

I have a prescription for Ambien (I do NOT recommend AmbienCR) that I take if I just can't fall asleep. I only take about 1/3 of the pill though, and I don't use the generic. It just doesn't work for me.

I stopped taking my 24 hour allergy medicine. Now, I take a 12 hour Allegra D in the morning, and a regular Allegra at night if I need it. That is probably the change I made that helped the most.

I don't drink any caffeine after noontime.

I try to read before falling asleep.

I get up early (believe it or not...that helps a lot!)

I usually get to bed around 11, and I'm up at 5. Not enough sleep, but I'm ready for bed at night!

If I have a lot of things to do the next day and I start stressing, I make a list by my bed of what I need to do the next day. Just by putting it down, it frees my mind up to not have to stress about it anymore.

[jessica31876]

I had this same problem. I occasionally took tylenol pm for it but it would give me some really strange dreams so I try not to take it unless I absolutely have to. Right now I go to bed on most nights around 11:00 and wake up around 7:00

[juliemarie]

I never have any trouble sleeping, I'm asleep when I hit the pillow. I actually have trouble staying awake to watch tv in the bedroom. I go to bed around 10:30 - 11, and I'm up between 5 and 6. I'm apparently a sound sleeper too because a few weeks ago, there was an explosion a house away from us where there is a vent for a gas pipeline. Firetrucks were blocking the road at our driveway, about 40 feet from my bedroom window, and I never heard a thing. This was about 7 AM, DH was letting me sleep in.

The only suggestions I have for you Julie would be maybe try no caffeine at all, and make sure you are getting some exercise several times a week. And have you tried benadryl rather than a sleeping med?

[Julie Billingsley]

thanks for all the help and advice :)

to answer a few questions - I do drink soda. I had switched to caffeine-free and drank that for around 6 months and it did not help my sleep at all. So I currently drink soda with caffeine. It might be worth trying again.

I do not feel that I have an anxiety disorder, however I did read about it to see. I can see why that could effect sleep. I have none of the other symptoms though.

I can't consistantly take products with lots of acetaminophen because I am susceptable to liver problems. My doc says occassionally is fine, but there is no way that I can routinely take Benadryl, Nyquil, or Tylenol PM. (bummer, cause I'd love it to be that easy!)

I am not an exercising person. I suppose that would probably help. :p I've been thinking about joining a club, so if I do, I'll hope it helps with the sleep too!

I'll have to ask about the melatonin. I can't remember what the doc said about it. I can't remember if it wacks out the liver or not.

I am sorry to see that others of you have sleep issues too. :( It really is awful, isn't it? :( I'm glad to hear that some of you have tackled the sleep issues and found something that works too. I hope I can also!

[Sharon Kay]

ok warning...this post could be long...in other words...we have that problem here too!

Me...there are times I have problems with my allergies that keep me from sleeping well (I take either Allegra or AllegraD depending on the allergies)...and my back seems to get out of adjustment (I go to chiropractor but that is $40 per visit)...so I can't get to sleep because of that...when I am desperate to sleep I take Advil PM...problem is in the morning I feel like I have a hangover. Tylenol PM made me spot....and a super bad headache in the morning.

I understand cutting out caffeine helps a LOT. Don't go cold turkey on stopping caffeine or you will end up with a KILLER headache! I have found out that having a notepad and a pen (one that lights at the tip is really cool) next to me on the nightstand will allow me to wake up just enough to write down a note and go back to sleep...otherwise I will worry about forgetting something and can't get back to sleep.

Usually though...I will either cuddle up with a book in the dark with a booklight (doctor said the darker the room the better)...or even use my Nintendo DS and play Word Jong which requires my brain to work...and makes my brain think of nothing other than the words and helps it calm down...I can't quite get through 2 games before I have to shut it down.

Ok I have 2 boys with sleep disorders. They have ADHD and have told me that they can't get their brain to go to sleep...it just keeps thinking of things. The doctor prescribed (over the counter) Melatonin. Now the Melatonin doesn't totally do it for them...they take Trazodone along with the Melatonin.

The 13yo takes 3 mg Melatonin and 50 mg Trazodone...turns off computer at 8pm...and is ready for sleep about 45 minutes later and stays asleep.

The 15yo which has the absolute WORST sleeping got new orders from the doctor that seems to be helping...here is what the doctor said to do:

Turn off tv, computer, and video games at 8pm. At 8pm take 6 mg Melatonin and start getting ready for bed...turning lights down or out whenever possible. At 9pm take 3 mg Melatonin and 100 mg Trazodone and go to bed. Lights out. If not able to fall asleep immediately (which never happens)...he is allowed to read in bed with a booklight. The doctor said turning off the tv, computer, and video games and turning down the lights starts the melatonin process...helping the body get ready for sleep. This seems to be helping, however, we just spent 2 weeks almost on vacation so we're not back to a routine yet. ...but it seems to be working...he finally seems to be sleeping through the night.

Good luck! Hope you find something that works well for you. The doctors the boys see highly recommend the Melatonin (since it's a natural thing the body produces) as a first step.

[mlewis]

Not that I'm happy the rest of you have trouble sleeping, but I am glad to see I'm not the only one!

I have restless legs as well as a snoring husband, and I'm a light sleeper! I usually go to bed at 11:00 and then it takes me well over an hour to fall asleep, and I get up at 6:00. I would say 2-3 times a week it's more like 1:30 or so before I'm asleep. I stay tired all the time!

[Darcy Baldwin]

I can't consistantly take products with lots of acetaminophen because I am susceptable to liver problems. My doc says occassionally is fine, but there is no way that I can routinely take Benadryl, Nyquil, or Tylenol PM. (bummer, cause I'd love it to be that easy!)

Melatonin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin)is a naturally occuring hormone in your body, Julie - one that is linked to sleeping. One of it's jobs is to help with the sleep rhythms. That's why taking it in small doses can help make the sleep you get better. I did a quick search and didn't find any contraindications for liver damage. It also can help with mood disorders! Read that article and you'll see what it can do for you. But definitely, talk to a dr. if you're worried about the liver issues.

Also - I don't know if your GP is having you take it, but milk thistle is great for improved liver function/cleaning. Russ takes it to combat his cholesterol medications and it helps TONS on his liver function tests. His GP hadn't even studied it much before, but when he saw Russ' results, he recommends it to all his liver patients now.

[Paula]

I have sleep apnea and actually need a CPAP machine in order to sleep. I had insomnia like you until I had the sleep study done. It's sad that your insurance won't pay for it because sleep apnea can lead to heart disease. Anyhow, I would suggest an OTC sleep aid like Melatonin. My kids use it and it works great. I can't use it because of my sleep apnea, but my kids all love it and my mom uses it as well.

[livelys]

I'm usually lucky with regard to falling asleep, but when something (however minor) is bothering me, I have to do something towards resolving it or I will never get any rest, and with my son's 5.30 - 6am wake up call, I need to sleep or I'm hell to be around the next day.

I've also cut back on my caffine intake, and have just started trying to lose weight and doing regular exercise to help - so has my husband.

He used to have terrible problems sleeping as he's a worrier too. As well as the new exercise regime, DH has stared listening to hypnotherapy audio recordings via his ipod, which appear to be helping enormously. He listens to 2 types: a sleep one and a well-being management one.

There are lots of such recordings available to download, and they aren't too scarily priced - may be you could even check your local library to try one?

[my2monkeys]

My oldest DD (age 13) has a seizure disorder and takes several medications. A few years ago we noticed that she wasn't falling asleep... she would still be wide awake at midnight. It wasn't like she was up playing... she would just be laying in bed for hours. I talked to her Neurologist and he said her medications could be causing this and suggested we try an over the counter sleeping medication called "Melatonin". This works great! It is the synthetic of the chemicals the brain produces that makes us sleepy. I have taken this on occasion (like when we are traveling when I have trouble sleeping in strange places) and it works really well. I don't have any trouble getting up in the morning and neither does my DD. She has been on it for years since she still takes those medications and we haven't noticed any side effects.

[crystalbella77]

I just never sleep! :D

I go to bed around 3 am. I can't sleep if I lay down before I am about to pass out. So I wait until I really feel exhausted. If I am lucky I get to sleep in until 9 after that. With little ones that's rarely the case. Stella gets up sometimes now because she's teething. So I will be up with her for an hour or so and then she goes back to bed. After that I can go back to sleep for a couple of hours usually before Ezra or Gabe comes to get me. I am a super light sleeper so I wake up often and just go back to sleep. :) I get on average 5-6 hours of sleep a night I guess...