Chronic Insomnia

[Teesa®©]

How to deal??? I've been doing this for well over 20 - heck, almost 30 - and I've HAD IT!!!!! I average out anywhere from 1-3 hours a night. Some weeks I sleep 1-2 hours a night, some weeks I get 3-4 hours a night. Every couple months or so, I get 3-4 hours a week

I'm a HUGE anti-drug person and therefore try to avoid when possible. I haven't requested anything from my doctor because so many sleep aids are addictive and I refuse that. I'm also leery on them because I have 2 children at home, a DH who's on shift and I HAVE to be on-the-ball, coherent, able to function, able to deal with/care for 2 children, not to mention be able to wake up in the night if someone needs me.

When I was 23, I was awake for 3 days straight. I complained to my girlfriend, who suggested Nyquil. She said she used it and it worked great for her. I bought some. It kept me awake for A WEEK!!! And that's on TOP of the 3 days I already was awake for! So for 10 DAYS I was wide awake. I was a single mom at the time. I cried all the time because I was so freaking exhausted!!!

Anyone have any suggestions? I know my internal clock is totally #$^#$^ up. I could be dead tired at 7pm - to the point I can't keep my eyes open - go to bed and wake up at 9pm completely refreshed and wide awake for the rest of the night On the opposite end, I could be dead tired at 7am - to the point I can't keep my eyes open - go to bed and wake up at 3pm because I'm starving or have to pee, not want to get out of bed and feel like crap. I'm exhausted, tired and cranky.

I'm getting too old for this crap anymore, help!!

[Hillbilly Housewife]

Maybe you should do a cartwheel....myths about flipping a baby when they have their days and nights confused...

[mom21kid2dogs]

Possibly a sleep clinic could help?

[mysweetpeasWil&Wes]

I am an anti-drug person too, unless it's needed for pain or infection. Try valerian root. It's a natural supplement that aids in a restful night. I would also go in for a physical, just to rule out any other conditions. Maybe a full blood workup would be helpful too. I just had one done to check my thyroid, cholesterol, hormones...the works.

[luvmykids]

What about melatonin? It's natural, not necessarily a sleep aid but I know lots of people (including me) who use it that way. My DH is gone a lot too, I like it b/c it doesn't knock me out or anything and I'm totally clear headed when I have to wake up, be it the middle of the night or just a regular day.

I'm sorry, I've been getting very little sleep for about a week and I'm about to go INSANE, I can't imagine how you feel after so many years of it

[Teesa®©]

I'd forgotten I'd asked about this

I do have Valerian root, I'd bought it for DH and his headaches. He took it once or twice and whined that it didn't work. I didn't realize it was for sleeping, too

I am due for a full checkup, over-due, I think . I do know I'm anemic, which I should be taking iron pills for, but I'd rather supplement with other things. I do eat a lot of liver and was eating lots of green veggies, but they give me very painful gas pains now. I used to buy bunches of trees.... ummmm.... brocolli , cook them all up at once and just sit and munch on them . Now, if I even eat one little piece, the gas pains get so bad it's like a little fox in my belly clawing and chewing to get out

Thanks!! I'll try those and see how it goes - I think I'm a little too old to be doing cartwheels...

[Kirstenmumof3]

I used to suffer from Chronic Insomnia. I too did not believe in medications, but after talking to my doctor I agreed to try them. My doctor also recommended getting into a sleep routine. I have some information and suggestions, I'll post them later when I get the chance.

[Teesa®©]

Thanks, hon

I've tried to get into a sleep routine, but when I've been laying there trying to sleep for over an hour, I figure I might as well just get up and do dishes or something constructive.

When I get so darn tired at 7pm, I try to stick it out till 9 or 10, but by then I end up being wide awake again and can't sleep.