Insomnia, it sucks

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Calgary_81

i found that Zzzquil has been working better than most things i have tried.

http://www.drugstore.com/zzzquil-nig...caps/qxp400735

Same thing as Benadryl save your money and buy the generic stuff with the same ingredient. But if you have severe insomnia Benadryl won't do anything.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by zamler

Same thing as Benadryl save your money and buy the generic stuff with the same ingredient. But if you have severe insomnia Benadryl won't do anything.

Great advice. Dimenhydrinate is really just a different salt of the same drug and will have the same effect, often cheaper. ZzzQuil is actually the same drug as all the other sleep aids (diphenhydramine) but half the dose.

[D as in David]

I just heard about DPTS (deep pressure touch stimulation) or weighted blankets. Based on the theory that a weighted blanket will provide a sense of security and thereby calming the mind. Also used for other disorders including autism, RLS, etc. Has anybody tried this or heard anything about this?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by zamler

Same thing as Benadryl save your money and buy the generic stuff with the same ingredient. But if you have severe insomnia Benadryl won't do anything.

For what its worth my doctor said that one of the main concerns is people using over the counters like this to self-medicate their sleeping issues.
From my point of view.
I don't respond well at all to cold medicines - I have a very bad reaction so I just avoid them.
I didn't take the sleeping pill last night. Didn't need it as I was so exhausted I thankfully passed out immeidately. Knowing the pill was there if I needed it I think helped my anxiety about losing more sleep though.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I just heard about DPTS (deep pressure touch stimulation) or weighted blankets. Based on the theory that a weighted blanket will provide a sense of security and thereby calming the mind. Also used for other disorders including autism, RLS, etc. Has anybody tried this or heard anything about this?

Makes sense. I love weight on me when I sleep but find I get too hot.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Makes sense. I love weight on me when I sleep but find I get too hot.

That's something I'd like to find out as I get awfully hot during the night, as well.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I just heard about DPTS (deep pressure touch stimulation) or weighted blankets. Based on the theory that a weighted blanket will provide a sense of security and thereby calming the mind. Also used for other disorders including autism, RLS, etc. Has anybody tried this or heard anything about this?

I think this is the theory behind the thunder jacket (for dogs), assuming it would apply to us upright walkers as well.

[peter12]

For me, sleeplessness is always directly associated with an underlying variable - anxiety, emotional turmoil. Is it different for those with the more chronic variety?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by peter12

For me, sleeplessness is always directly associated with an underlying variable - anxiety, emotional turmoil. Is it different for those with the more chronic variety?

Starts that way for sure, but then the thing that you start worrying about becomes sleep itself.
The #1 stresser in my life that prevents me from sleeping, is worrying about not sleeping.
It is a lovely little vicious circle.

[Daradon]

A cautionary tale.

I was actually reading this thread the evening my sister died. I often suffer from bad insomnia, have all my life. I've been finding I've been having success by exercising more. I have tried drugs, both counter and prescription, the drink(s) before sleeping, all sorts of stuff. It sounds lame, but exercise (and controlling stress the best one can) has really helped me the most.

Here's the cautionary part. I don't remember if I posted in this thread the night my sister died, I know I posted in the 'what makes you happy' thread about some BC cherries I bought that day, one hour before the police came to our door. Ironic. :/ I have posted in this thread before.

Anyway, my sister died from a cough syrup overdose. It wasn't a suicide attempt, it looks like it was just a desire to knock herself out after a really stressful day. She lost her job that day. She had no alcohol in her system and no other drugs.

Be very careful with stuff like that.

[Street Pharmacist]

Anterograde amnesia is uncommon, but certainly not rare for zopiclone. And so many people assume OTC products must be safe at any dose because you can get them over the counter. Not so! Please be careful and ask a pharmacist.

[AcGold]

I never slept better than the first time I went to a chiropractor. It doesn't work for some people, but for me if I'm stressed, tense and can't sleep a 15 minute adjustment results in being able to pop out of bed with superfluous energy the next morning.

I've read that a lot of people need to catch up on sleep after deprivation but with good enough quality sleep you can feel better in one day usually. For some people it's acupuncture, others yoga, some alcohol. For me it's the chiropractor, solves insomnia faster than morphine.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by peter12

For me, sleeplessness is always directly associated with an underlying variable - anxiety, emotional turmoil. Is it different for those with the more chronic variety?

I did 10 years of straight graveyard shifts and that has forever screwed up my body clock. It's been a never ending battle since that time to get my body clock switched to sleeping nights again.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Daradon

A cautionary tale.

I was actually reading this thread the evening my sister died. I often suffer from bad insomnia, have all my life. I've been finding I've been having success by exercising more. I have tried drugs, both counter and prescription, the drink(s) before sleeping, all sorts of stuff. It sounds lame, but exercise (and controlling stress the best one can) has really helped me the most.

Here's the cautionary part. I don't remember if I posted in this thread the night my sister died, I know I posted in the 'what makes you happy' thread about some BC cherries I bought that day, one hour before the police came to our door. Ironic. :/ I have posted in this thread before.

Anyway, my sister died from a cough syrup overdose. It wasn't a suicide attempt, it looks like it was just a desire to knock herself out after a really stressful day. She lost her job that day. She had no alcohol in her system and no other drugs.

Be very careful with stuff like that.

I'm very sorry to hear that Daradon. As someone who struggles with this myself, do you mind if I ask how much she took? In order to OD on cough Syrup, I would assume you would need to take a ton (well over the recommended dose)

[Galakanokis]

Weighted blankets.

http://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/

Something I have thought about as I like the weight but hate the heat.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Dion

I did 10 years of straight graveyard shifts and that has forever screwed up my body clock. It's been a never ending battle since that time to get my body clock switched to sleeping nights again.

Have you tried liquid melatonin? A few weeks of it taken at night might fix the clock. A graveyard shift will mess up melatonin levels because the brain reacts to light patterns.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Jbo

I'm very sorry to hear that Daradon. As someone who struggles with this myself, do you mind if I ask how much she took? In order to OD on cough Syrup, I would assume you would need to take a ton (well over the recommended dose)

Thank you. No harm in asking, I dont mind. Well, that's where find it a bit funny. The tox screen said she had about 4 times the dose. I wouldn't think that would do it. To be honest, I've abused counter treatments more than that. (Makes one pause and think). I wouldnt have thought that would be anywhere near enough. But that was the conclusion to doctor performing the autopsy came to. We paid for the advanced/thourough tox screen too.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The #1 stresser in my life that prevents me from sleeping, is worrying about not sleeping.
It is a lovely little vicious circle.

Oh for sure. Whenever it's absolutely critical that I get a good sleep before something big, is when I have my worst sleeps (if I'm not using a pill). It's like my brain gets all psyched out from the pressure of making sure I sleep well, and can't do it.

For me at least, I think it goes further than just inner turmoil or something. I don't think it's just a coincidence every male in my extended family on my mom's side (and a couple of the women too, including my mom) have lifelong sleep disorders. It's gotta be genetic in my case. Some people just aren't built with the ability to sleep well. A midday nap is a foreign concept to me, even when I'm sick or hung over. She ain't happening.

Sleep disorders seem to be one of the hardest things to explain to someone who doesn't experience it. Some of the advice I've gotten is just hilarious ("just lay down and shut your eyes", with this incredulous look on their face like "what's wrong with you??"), borderline insulting really. That's like me telling someone with clinical depression "don't be sad, think happy thoughts". It's a tough one to explain.

[Daradon]

^^^ I like that last part. So true.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Have you tried liquid melatonin? A few weeks of it taken at night might fix the clock. A graveyard shift will mess up melatonin levels because the brain reacts to light patterns.

Not yet but will give it a try