insomnia sucks

[CZ-75]

Ever since recovering from my shoulder surgery back in March, I have been suffering with frequent insomnia. From mid February, when I had my accident, thru surgery and a few more months of recovery, I was lucky to get any sleep at all.

Now, I sleep great for about 4-5 hours then i wake up and stare at the ceiling.

It's 4:45 and I have been up since 2:00... I try to go back to sleep, but I just can't fall asleep.

Anyone else suffer from insomnia? I have tried OTC sleep aids, but they just make it worse because I'm drousy but still can't sleep.

Even prescription sleep aids are frustrating. Tried ambien... didn't like it either...

 

[rutkak]

Ever since recovering from my shoulder surgery back in March, I have been suffering with frequent insomnia. From mid February, when I had my accident, thru surgery and a few more months of recovery, I was lucky to get any sleep at all.

Now, I sleep great for about 4-5 hours then i wake up and stare at the ceiling.

It's 4:45 and I have been up since 2:00... I try to go back to sleep, but I just can't fall asleep.

Anyone else suffer from insomnia? I have tried OTC sleep aids, but they just make it worse because I'm drousy but still can't sleep.

Even prescription sleep aids are frustrating. Tried ambien... didn't like it either...

Welcome to the club.

 

[CZ-75]

Thanks (I think)

Did it come on suddenly for you, or gradually?

 

[caspianwendell]

I went through a similar situation several years ago, no matter what I tried, my eyes were open at 2 am. I tried going to bed early, and late but nothing helped. I finally came to the conclusion that it was a state of mind for me, the more I worried about it, the more it affected me. Once I learned to relax my thoughts and concentrate on a normal wake up time (7) it went away. But I will say this is not easy cause the sub-conscience mind is hard to control, but it can be done.

 

[73MustangCoupe]

You're not the only one. The wife started making me go to bed earlier, and while I still wind up wide awake at 2 am, at least I'm not so tired at work.

 

[marks73]

Ever since recovering from my shoulder surgery back in March, I have been suffering with frequent insomnia. From mid February, when I had my accident, thru surgery and a few more months of recovery, I was lucky to get any sleep at all.

Now, I sleep great for about 4-5 hours then i wake up and stare at the ceiling.

It's 4:45 and I have been up since 2:00... I try to go back to sleep, but I just can't fall asleep.

Anyone else suffer from insomnia? I have tried OTC sleep aids, but they just make it worse because I'm drousy but still can't sleep.

Even prescription sleep aids are frustrating. Tried ambien... didn't like it either...

Same here! Dr prescribed me Trazodone but it's only good for about 5 hours of sleep.

 

[Boss1Ray]

I occasionally fight with insomnia. I think it is related to my physical fitness - or lack therof LOL.

I have to admit, if I am awake in the early morning, it is comforting to know I can watch the ABC news with Diana Perez.

Almost makes it worth it...

Ray

 

[Machman]

I use to have it bad , once I did not sleep for appx 39 - 40 days straight , I thought hey this is great I can get 2x as much work done if I do not sleep, ha , on the 5th day I was a zombie, I went to a few doctors who only wanted to perscribe pills which I refused , melatonin or troiptophan vitamin suppliments did not help. I was at the point that I was frightened to sleep because I was so weak I thought I would die. I finally collapsed and fell a sleep for appx 2 days then could sleep again. I still would take a long time falling asleep untill I used a noise generator , I now fall asleep within minutes of lying down for many years now. It drowns out all distracting sounds and I focus on the white noise sound and drift off. I do not use a store bought unit , I picked up a small portable TV (analog) tuned it between stations so all you hear is static which sounds a little like rain

Try it if all else fails and you may find it helps alot.

 

[turtle5353]

I just get drunk.... works everytime

But seriously... my son sleeps with a white noise machine. he likes it alot. Hard to get him to sleep without.

 

[CZ-75]

I just get drunk.... works everytime

But seriously... my son sleeps with a white noise machine. he likes it alot. Hard to get him to sleep without.

Maybe that's why I can't sleep... interferes with my drinking time.

 

[NitrousVa]

I too wake up at 02:00, I've resolved myself to going to bed at 20:00, good luck finding at solution.

 

[jeremycfr]

I go through bouts and it is directly related to stress (for me). I am going through it right now but for a different reason. I messed my back up a few weeks ago (X-Ray, MRIs, etc) and have had steroid shots directly into the particualr muscles causing trouble. Today is the first day I can say it has not hurt at all in weeks. At 3 am I am fully awake. I think my problem is from the lack of exercise. I usually work out for 45 minutes in the morning and 25 minutes in the afternoon. Since my back is hurt I have been unable to do so and so I think my body has extra energy to burn and thus keeping me awake.

If all goes well I will begin adding my exercises back on Thursday.

 

[CZ-75]

I'm pretty sure mine is due to stress. I need to start exercising more.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I have had insomnia most of my life. While I don't have all the answers, I have a few strategies I'll share

1) A pitch black bedroom is essential! Tape over lights on any electronic equipment and use drapes.

2) White noise is helpful in allowing your mind to relax

3) Reduce caffeine in your diet and none within 4 hours of bedtime

4) Drink water throughout the day, but have at least 2 12 oz glasses in the two hours before bed. This allows your body to be more efficient at removing waste especially in the lower extremeties

5) Say a bedtime prayer (It isn't important what you believe, but it is important in lowering your stress levels) or if you are a devout nonbeliever that thinks praying is hypocritical then practice a meditation routine where you let go of the negative feelings in your life or in your day

6) Don't fight the 2 am wake up-instead, embrace it-It is at this time that I empty the dishwasher, fold a load of laundry, start one for the morning, do my online banking or watch an episode of a show I missed earlier in the day or week. For me it is helpful to limit the up time to 45 minutes-then back to bed.

7) a bed room is for sleeping-not working on the computer or watching TV.

8) Realize that you are likely sleeping at a very shallow level even when you think you are awake. Don't become obsessed with an 8 hour sleep schedule. I do quite well on a total of 6 hours most of the time and can manage on 4 1/2 hours a night for 4-5 days at a time.

9) Do not eat small children before bedtime, they tend to kick around in your belly and make sleeping more difficult

 

[CZ-75]

Great advice, Jeff!

Besides stress, I think mine slso has to do with being afraid of not being able to sleep... it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

I spent an extra 20 minutes on the exercise bike this evening...

Now I'm going to sip on some spirits while I watch Top Gear...and try to forget about work

 

[droptop73]

When I can't sleep it's usually my mind racing about work. I wouldn't call it insomnia.

 

[73StangCoupe]

I usually sleep very well, at least that is what I think. My bride on the other hand usually can't sleep very well because of my snoring. I've been trying to research anti snoring devices for the past few days. Does anyone have an experience with a device that has actually worked?? I usually do have a nightcap before I go to sleep. Thanks!

 

[midlife]

9) Do not eat small children before bedtime, they tend to kick around in your belly and make sleeping more difficult

rofl rofl rofl

 

[CZ-75]

Its nice and cold tonight... I tend to sleep better when I'm not hot, and can curl up under the blankets without having to keep adjusting the covers to regulate the temprtature... like hanging my feet out when I'm hot, only to have to readjust a little bit later