Re: Sleep Patterns
I'm one of those that on an average of two nights a week or a little more that I go to sleep very easily and then wake up several hours later, unable to go back to sleep until around 5 am. I generally get up and listen to tapes or eat something or get on the PC. I can't seem to relate it to anything. It just happens and if I try to stay in bed, I just toss and turn and become extremely frustrated.
I usually don't have a problem with my eyes at this time, sometimes they are actually better.
I usually don't take Benadryl at bedtime as I take it through the day but since my surgery, I have cut back on the amount that I take through the day, so if I wake up at night, I'll take one then and that does help me to get back to sleep.
I've always been a light sleeper but also seem to require quite a bit of sleep. I wake easily and my husband could sleep through anything.I think that you are doing the right thing if you get up when you can't sleep. Do something boring. I've also been told or read that you should never look at your clock at night if you get up or wake up, like to go to the bathroom. Shirley
Re: Sleep Patterns
What you two have described is a symptom of Fibromyalgia too. I was taking the elavil (generic) 10 to 20mg at bedtime and it took care of the problem. I stopped for several months because it was on the dystonia list, but I had to restart it 2 weeks ago because my FMS got so much worse and I couldn't go back to sleep when I woke up...about every 2 hours. I'm taking 10mg and feeling much better.
Re: Fibromyalgia
And that would probably also go along with my chronic, weird, muscle and joint pain that moves around that I have had for years that none of the doctors really want to talk about. I have just never pursued it and a number of other little things that all belong in that same category.Shirley in AR.
Re: Sleep Patterns
Hi Joanne,
You're absolutely correct, finding the right cocktail of meds is a challenge. But the results are worth it.
I take 1/2 mg. of Lorazapam (Ativan) at night and I'm sound asleep all night long. I really feel a good nights sleep is so important. My eyes start blinking when I am tired.
Mindy in NY
Re: Sleep Patterns
As a general rule, I have no trouble sleeping. I go to bed about 10:00 or 11:00, sometimes later, read a little bit, then go to sleep. I usually wake up once during the night, so I get up and go to the bathroom and get a drink of water and say hello to the dogs, then go back to bed and usually return quickly to sleep. I do have terrible nightmares, however ... even when i fall asleep in a chair or nap during the daytime. But I've had them as long as I can remember.Sally in North Idaho
Re: Sleep Patterns
What medications are you on or are you on nothing that might help you be sleeping so well?
Re: Sleep Patterns
I'm on a whole cupboard full of medications for other "what-ails-me" stuff, but only Botox for BEB. Don't they say the wicked always sleep well? The nightmares aren't conducive to "good" sleep, but I'm so used to them after all these years. I am just a fearful person.
Re: Sleep Patterns
this is a new change for me but i have had the worst problems sleeping until i think it was patti who told me to up my calcium/magnesium supplement and it is also very, very much helping me sleep. the problems i know have something to do with going thru menopause, sleep problems are mentioned as a major thing with that. i was thinking of trying that liquid CalMax supplement that has been advertised on t.v. Has anyone tried it? So far however just taking my supplement on a regular basis has helped a very bad sleeping problem. i hate swallowing pills ; that is why i was considering the other.
Re: Calcium
I knew calcium is better taken at night as the bones use it while you are asleep. But I didn't know that it could help with sleep - but then warm milk is suggested at night, so perhaps it does! I take cal/mag in a capsule form.June in Toronto
Re: Calcium
i am using my capsules up but ever since i started forcing myself to take them on a regular basis, the much improved sleep just started happening. I think i am going to try this liquid form. one less pill to swallow. the sleep thing is a godsend!
Re: Sleep Patterns
kathy - I am post-menopause, and my dr. told me to take 1200 units of Calcium per day. My daughter-in-law, a nurse, told me it would help me sleep better, too, and it does. Mary
Re: Sleep Patterns
good! it helps to know it is working for someone else. i am either pre-menopausal or starting to go thru the real thing heavy duty.
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