I have insomnia

[LivingWaterPlease]

This is an article well-worth your time to read for those taking some of the OC meds mentioned in this thread. I read it not too long ago and found an allergy med I sometimes take is on the list so have found a different allergy med (not affected) to take since then.

 

I really kind of hate to post this because seems there's a downside to so many things these days. But, I'd appreciate having the info if I was the one taking affected OC meds.

 

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20160509/anticholinergic-drugs-dementia-link#1

[alphamale]

Also try soaking in a hot epsom salt bath before bed. It’s very relaxing and detoxifying.

 

men don't take baths amaysngrace

[Ruby Slippers]

Blackout (light-blocking) curtains can help. I'm about to hang some in my bedroom, something I've been meaning to do forever, and now will in my own house.

 

Our ancestors slept in pitch blackness (caves, probably). Studies have shown that even the tiny light from an alarm clock can disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

 

Anytime I've slept in a pitch black room (interior room with no windows, for example), I've slept amazingly well.

[amaysngrace]

men don't take baths amaysngrace

 

hot tub then

 

Jude Law took a bath in Talented Mr. Ripley

[Geraltt]

I don't have any answers or suggestions that are any different than anyone else here, but I will be watching this thread closely. I've had sleep issues for decades. Seen doctors about it, been to clinics, do everything right:

• No screen time in the few hours before bed
  
• No eating before bed
  
• Dark, cool room
  
• Quiet environment
  
• Stay on a regular sleep schedule
  
• Bedroom used just for sleep or sex, no TV watching or working or Youtubing
  
• Getting out of bed and doing something quiet like reading if one doesn't fall asleep in 20 minutes (I tried this for an extended period and was awake for well over 72 hours - exhausted, but could not fall asleep)
  
• Occasionally try melatonin and it makes me so tired I get dizzy and light-headed but still can't fall asleep
  

Even with all that, and more, I often lay awake for 3 to 4 hours before I drop off. So I'll be very curious to see if others had the same issue and their solutions.

[Watercolors]

Okay thanks, I will try the suggestions and see the doctor again. I find that because of my job, the only time I have to exercise is the evenings, but that keeps me awake. Yesterday, on my day off, I exercised after I got out of bed, and then later that night, I slept better. On my days off it's better it seems, cause I can exercise earlier, but not all days off, some it doesn't seem to work.

 

Definitely stop exercising in the evening and do it as early in the morning as possible. Exercise at night increases body temp, produces adrenaline and basically gives you an energy boost, so no wonder it contributes to your insomnia problem.

[ironpony]

Okay thanks, but if I exercise in the morning, then I am wiped for work after, and I work 10-12 hour shifts currently in a day. My job is a very physical job, so I don't want to wipe myself out every morning before work though. Is there anything better I can do?

[LivingWaterPlease]

Blackout (light-blocking) curtains can help. I'm about to hang some in my bedroom, something I've been meaning to do forever, and now will in my own house....

Anytime I've slept in a pitch black room (interior room with no windows, for example), I've slept amazingly well.

 

I'm getting ready to have black out curtains hung in my bedroom, too, Ruby. Need to get the room painted first, though. Otherwise looking forward to it.

 

OP, if you research methylated vitamins B6, B12, and folate, you will find that adding them to your regimen can help with insomnia.

 

Many people have cellular disorders that cause the B vitamins not to be utilized even when provided through one's diet or through oral supplementation.

 

Here's a youtube video that describes why some folks benefit greatly from methylated vitamins. I found it to be fascinating information:

 

 

I use the product this man recommends. I believe there are other companies that make methylated B vitamins, too. But, I've really benefitted from this particular one.

[ironpony]

Oh okay thanks, can you buy them plain, as supplements in a pharmacy or health store?

 

I feel that the cause of the insomnia has been stress, so maybe I just need a medication that will combat stress instead, thereby addressing the problem at it's core?

[Watercolors]

@ irony pony if your job is physical then you don't need to work out after your 10-12 hour days. That's too much stress on your body.

 

If emotional stress is keeping you awake, you'll have to change your bed time routine. No amount of OTC drugs addresses the emotional stressors that keep your mind racing at night. All those will do, is give you side effects like drowsiness during the daytime, or rebound insomnia, etc.,.

 

Look up ways to change-up your bedtime routine. Also, a sleep specialist is a cognitive behavioral therapist who is an expert on sleeping patterns and how our daily lives impact our sleeping patterns. So, that is an appointment to consider. They are the best guides as to what supplements or medications you may need or not need, and whether or not a sleep study could help you sort out your insomnia's causes as emotional or physiological.

[LivingWaterPlease]

Oh okay thanks, can you buy them plain, as supplements in a pharmacy or health store?

 

I feel that the cause of the insomnia has been stress, so maybe I just need a medication that will combat stress instead, thereby addressing the problem at it's core?

 

Are you asking about the methylated vitamins?

 

If so, you can buy them in a few retail establishments depending on where you live. They are available in some large cities. But I order mine online using amazon.

 

They come in the form of a cream you apply topically. And, yes, they do help your body and mind to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.

 

If you listen to the video it'll tell you where to get them. Or if you message me I'll tell you a website you can order them from.

[ironpony]

Okay thanks, no I'm not taking vitamins at the moment accept for C and D.

 

I will watch the video.

 

@ irony pony if your job is physical then you don't need to work out after your 10-12 hour days. That's too much stress on your body.

 

If emotional stress is keeping you awake, you'll have to change your bed time routine. No amount of OTC drugs addresses the emotional stressors that keep your mind racing at night. All those will do, is give you side effects like drowsiness during the daytime, or rebound insomnia, etc.,.

 

Look up ways to change-up your bedtime routine. Also, a sleep specialist is a cognitive behavioral therapist who is an expert on sleeping patterns and how our daily lives impact our sleeping patterns. So, that is an appointment to consider. They are the best guides as to what supplements or medications you may need or not need, and whether or not a sleep study could help you sort out your insomnia's causes as emotional or physiological.

 

Oh okay, I was told I need cardio exercise to sleep better though like running or jogging, where as my job is just heavy lifting all day, and it's not cardio. Is that true that cardio is the key though?

 

What is it about my sleep patterns that I need change though, do you think? I go to sleep the same time every day roughly, unless I have to do a shift change, so what is it about it that I need to change? The doctor actually referred me to a psychotherapist, but I would have to go once a week for multiple sessions, and he is only available during my work hours. I will see if I the doc can find me someone else who is available in the late evenings more so.

[ironpony]

Well I have the insomnia for a long time now and I really feel like I am going psychologically nuts, really really nuts. I don't know what to do and I feel like I can't take it anymore.

 

Does anyone know any medication that will actually work cause so far everything is just making me tired but not actually helping hardly, acccept for four hours max on about every second night. Every other night I am awake. Is there anything that's actually a lot stronger?

[alphamale]

I told you to go to your doctor and get an Rx for Ambien or something stronger

[ironpony]

But the doctor said I should taken everyday, and I don't have enough prescriptions do so. Is there something I can take every day?

[ironpony]

I've been having insomnia issues lately, and it's been causing me a lot of memory problems, and these memory problems have been causing me to screw up at some things badly lately.

 

The doctor referred me to a therapist, but they are quite expensive, and it's taking a while for my benefits to kick in at a new job.

 

Do you think that I should really try to sell it to him dramatically and actually really freak out about it to him, rather than describe the issue in a cool and calm way? Would this perhaps compel him more to get me more immediate help for my sleep and memory?

[d0nnivain]

I am unfamiliar with the Canadian health system. Like most medicine priorities I assume go first. In medicine, that is people who are most likely to die.

 

I don't think you should lie or exaggerate. Just let the info come out naturally. Truly anxious people telegraph their situations even when trying to be calm. Sleep deprived folks also don't have that much control. If you oversell this you could potentially end up involuntarily committed -- locked in a psychiatric hospital for up to 3 days. Don't risk it

[divegrl]

Hi. I am so sorry about your situation. My best advice is be patient.

 

When I was going through an a lot of pain that would be helped by a medical intervention, I had to wait on my insurance company for approval. I was told 6 weeks, but it ended up being 8 weeks.

 

I consistently called the doctors office who then contacted my insurance. I also directly contacted the insurance waiting for an update. I don’t think this did any good as my approval process took longer the normal!

 

I am so sorry for your pain. Look to communities and family for support during this time.

[Beendaredonedat]

I've been having insomnia issues lately, and it's been causing me a lot of memory problems, and these memory problems have been causing me to screw up at some things badly lately.

 

The doctor referred me to a therapist, but they are quite expensive, and it's taking a while for my benefits to kick in at a new job.

 

Do you think that I should really try to sell it to him dramatically and actually really freak out about it to him, rather than describe the issue in a cool and calm way? Would this perhaps compel him more to get me more immediate help for my sleep and memory?

Even a mild anti-anxiety med will help you to turn off your brain so you can let go and drift off. Is therapy the only thing he suggested for goodness sakes?

 

Go back to your doctor and ask him to refer you to a Sleep Study wherein you will be monitored on site for the night. They will be able to tell if you are actually sleeping (while you think you haven't been) and can help you with that or any other issue they pick up.

 

Tell him/her what you have told us and that you can't wait to get into therapy when it might not even be a psychological problem but rather a physical one. You might have sleep apnea even.

 

P.S. I notice in another thread you are having a lot of stress at your job. Maybe you would do better to look for other work where you're not put under such scrutiny and pressure. Stress can cause you not to be able to turn off your thoughts and that is what is probably keeping you awake. (being unable to turn off your thoughts). Are you on any type of anti-anxiety med which would help you with being able to turn your brain off so you can sleep.

Edited October 20, 2019 by Beendaredonedat

[ironpony]

Yeah I think the job is part of it cause it definitely increased a lot after I started working the job.

 

I asked the doctor if I should be on any medication for the stress as well, but he said he was not into pushing pills at this time, cause they have side effects and what not. He said the therapy should be enough for now.

[d0nnivain]

Sounds like a smart doctor. The so called Happy Pills are not a magical solution. They don't make you feel better; they make you feel nothing.

[ironpony]

okay but what can i do abou the memory and insomnia problems until the therapy gets going?

[major_merrick]

For a quick fix - benedryl and melatonin. And alcohol if absolutely necessary. Not a great combination or one that medical folks approve of, but it will knock you out cold for a few hours of rest. For the stress, you can try supplements such as 5-HTP and L-theanine, although they have side effects for some people. For me, when I was trying to de-stress, L-theanine just increased my sex drive. I did not need that.

[Mr. Lucky]

Should I oversell myself to the doctor to get ?

 

The risk of over-selling is getting over-prescribed. Doesn't make a lot of sense to turn to someone for help and then tie their hands in doing so...

 

Mr. Lucky

[ironpony]

Okay well I tried alcohol before and that works, but my gf got concerned so I stopped drinking every night to go to sleep.

 

Melatonin started working at first, but then it just stopped working and it just makes me more tired now but doesn't actually put my to sleep.

 

Benadryl I tried the last few days and it works better, however, it gives me diarrhea, so I had to go off it, cause the diarrhea, just got to be too much. Unless something else is causing that. I just stopped taking it last night, so we'll see if that changes at all.

 

But I feel that the reason why the medicine are not working cause all they do is make the body want to sleep but not the brain. Is there anything I can take that will make the brain specifically want to sleep?

 

Another thing is, my memory has gotten so much worse the last two days, that I feel like something is seroiusly deteriorating in my brain. Shouldn't I go for like an MRI or a catscan before a therapist, or is a therapist really good for solving any brain problems, even if I feel serious deterioration going on that needs attention?

 

I mean if I run the risk of being committed, if I oversell myself, maybe that's a good thing, and being committed means that they will try to get to the bottom of whatever is going on, sooner rather than later?

Edited October 21, 2019 by ironpony