Insomnia

[Texas Maverick]

Title says it all. About a week ago I started waking up around 2:00 am and not being able to go back to sleep. 3 to 4 hours sleep a night is about it. I am tired and dragging during the day and can't seem to find an answer to it. I see some medications on the net but am concerned most of them are scams and hype. I need to find an answer soon. I usually wear a CPAP to sleep but this insomnia happens whether I am wearing it or not. Anyone else out there going through this or have any suggestions?

 

TM

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Stress in your life?

Too many things going on in your subconscious?

I went through a lot of that after the death of my wife. Tried to go back to sleep, but just lay there, getting P.O'd

Things are a little better now but it's taken three years.

I am retired so I just went with it; played some mindless games on the laptop in bed until I got sleepy again, so YMMD

Good luck.

[Subdeacon Joe]

I've found that melatonin can help.  Also valerian and skull cap together. 

[Rip Snorter]

I have / had occasional bouts of insomnia - no particular stress or worry.  In the last house I would get up and read or work on the computer.  In this house it would disturb my Wife, plus, I believe I sleep more than I realize, if fitfully.  Now I stay in bed and count backwards from pick a number in the low thousands.  It usually works and when one of the dogs wakes me up, I know I have been dozing.  If you have a Doc you trust, might be worth checking in.

[Texas Maverick]

1 hour ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Stress in your life?

Too many things going on in your subconscious?

I went through a lot of that after the death of my wife. Tried to go back to sleep, but just lay there, getting P.O'd

Things are a little better now but it's taken three years.

I am retired so I just went with it; played some mindless games on the laptop in bed until I got sleepy again, so YMMD

Good luck.

No stress that I am aware of. Retired as well try to stay busy. Been getting up so I don't wake the wife and either go sit in my recliner or get on the computer and read emails and such.

 

TM

Edited August 23 by Texas Maverick

[Texas Maverick]

29 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

I've found that melatonin can help.  Also valerian and skull cap together. 

I am taking Pure ZZZ which has the melatonin in it. I was also recommended to try magnesium which I need to go and get some.

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

18 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

I have / had occasional bouts of insomnia - no particular stress or worry.  In the last house I would get up and read or work on the computer.  In this house it would disturb my Wife, plus, I believe I sleep more than I realize, if fitfully.  Now I stay in bed and count backwards from pick a number in the low thousands.  It usually works and when one of the dogs wakes me up, I know I have been dozing.  If you have a Doc you trust, might be worth checking in.

Yeah been getting up and going and sitting in my recliner and getting a few cat naps during the rest of the night. Brain just won't shut down. I mentioned it to my doc a few days ago when I had my yearly physical and he said if it continues to give him a call but I just hate getting another prescription that usually just masks the issue and doesn't treat the symptom.

 

TM

[Texas Lizard]

I have two friends that could help you sleep...But they live to far away for you...A few hours with them and you will sleep very sound....

 

Texas Lizard

[Texas Maverick]

30 minutes ago, Texas Lizard said:

I have two friends that could help you sleep...But they live to far away for you...A few hours with them and you will sleep very sound....

 

Texas Lizard

You have TWO friends. LOL

 

TM

[Pat Riot]

Pure ZZZZ has the same ingredients as generic Benadryl - Diphenhydramine. 
Save money and buy generic. Add Melatonin and Magnesium and you should be good. 
Use a low dose of Melatonin. Take 2 to start. If you start having bizarre dreams that bother you then cut back on the Melatonin. 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Maybe try to sleep in a cooler room, body covered up nice and cozy.

I found some of my best sleep was up North in a tent, snuggled inside a down sleeping bag, with my head outside the bag, breathing cool/cold air. Even had to wear a toque!

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

I'm having similar issues. A couple nights a week, I'll wake up around 2:00 or 3:00 A.M., and can't get back to sleep. My mind, (what's left of it), will just seem to race. As others have mentioned, I'll get up and fiddle about on the confuser. Solitaire gets played a lot. Eventually I'll go back to bed, sometimes to fall right back to sleep, sometimes not. 

2 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

 If you start having bizarre dreams that bother you then cut back on the Melatonin. 

I already have bizarre dreams. 😜I shudder to think what they might be like if they get worse.🙄 HEY LOOK NEW EMOJIS!!!🤠

[Texas Maverick]

23 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

Pure ZZZZ has the same ingredients as generic Benadryl - Diphenhydramine. 
Save money and buy generic. Add Melatonin and Magnesium and you should be good. 
Use a low dose of Melatonin. Take 2 to start. If you start having bizarre dreams that bother you then cut back on the Melatonin. 

My best sleep has come when I take Nyquil. Not sure what is in it but it puts me right to sleep. Just hate taking something that isn't for the issue I am having. i keep reading that 1 mg of melatonin is all you should be taking and not the 6 mg plus in most of the drugs. I was told to add magnesium glycinate to my nightly meds to help with sleep. So what is it that you feel is causing the bizarre dreams? I sure don't need that. I have 2 full bottles of oxycodone from surgeries that I can't take because I felt like I was floating above the bed and didn't like the loopy feeling at all. Tylenol is the only pain relief I take,

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

27 minutes ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Maybe try to sleep in a cooler room, body covered up nice and cozy.

I found some of my best sleep was up North in a tent, snuggled inside a down sleeping bag, with my head outside the bag, breathing cool/cold air. Even had to wear a toque!

We already turn the air conditioner down to 68 at night so it is cool. Not sure how much colder would help. I did sleep well on my hunting trips in CO but that was because I was hiking all day and was ready for bed as soon as we finished eating.

 

TM

[J-BAR #18287]

Eliminate caffeine and nicotine intake.  If you can't do that, don't ingest either after 12:00 noon.  Exercise late in the afternoon,  (I use an exercise bike while watching a DVD on TV).  Work up a sweat for at least 30 minutes.  Shower and shave before dinner,  drink a glass of milk before going to bed.  Always use your CPAP.  Don't take anything, Rx or over the counter, to help you sleep.

 

There are some subjects that always make me fall asleep when reading.  Particularly mathematics textbooks.  Just like when I was in school!  If you wake up in the middle of the night, read a dull book.  
 

Sweet dreams.

[Texas Lizard]

36 minutes ago, Texas Maverick said:

You have TWO friends. LOL

 

TM

These are the only two who do any traveling....Prefer short distance....

 

Texas Lizard

[Texas Maverick]

25 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

I'm having similar issues. A couple nights a week, I'll wake up around 2:00 or 3:00 A.M., and can't get back to sleep. My mind, (what's left of it), will just seem to race. As others have mentioned, I'll get up and fiddle about on the confuser. Solitaire gets played a lot. Eventually I'll go back to bed, sometimes to fall right back to sleep, sometimes not. 

I already have bizarre dreams. 😜I shudder to think what they might be like if they get worse.🙄 HEY LOOK NEW EMOJIS!!!🤠

Yeah, it is a big pain. I get up and walk around and either get on the computer or go sit in my recliner and at least get some cat naps in. I still feel like crap the next day though. Tired and brain fog. Hard to focus. 

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

7 minutes ago, J-BAR #18287 said:

Eliminate caffeine and nicotine intake.  If you can't do that, don't ingest either after 12:00 noon.  Exercise late in the afternoon,  (I use an exercise bike while watching a DVD on TV).  Work up a sweat for at least 30 minutes.  Shower and shave before dinner,  drink a glass of milk before going to bed.  Always use your CPAP.  Don't take anything, Rx or over the counter, to help you sleep.

 

There are some subjects that always make me fall asleep when reading.  Particularly mathematics textbooks.  Just like when I was in school!  If you wake up in the middle of the night, read a dull book.  
 

Sweet dreams.

thanks, don't smoke and have cut out tea and cokes for the most part. I have been drinking either club soda from my soda stream or grapefruit juice. Not sure if I can read a book, I have a hard time focusing from being so tired. So cut out the Pure ZZZ and just take my regular meds. Ok, can try that. I usually always wear my CPAP but I didn't for a couple of days to see if that helped and it didn't.

 

TM

[Pat Riot]

40 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

I already have bizarre dreams. 😜I shudder to think what they might be like if they get worse.🙄 HEY LOOK NEW EMOJIS!!!🤠

As do I. With Melatonin dreams became way too nightmarish. 

 

17 minutes ago, Texas Maverick said:

So what is it that you feel is causing the bizarre dreams?

Melatonin can have that effect, but only after taking it for a while. 

[No Horse Hair, SASS #77464]

Set a bottle of NYQUIL  beside the bed.  When you wake and can't go back to sleep, take a short snort! Works for me.....

[Rye Miles #13621]

4 hours ago, Texas Maverick said:

Title says it all. About a week ago I started waking up around 2:00 am and not being able to go back to sleep. 3 to 4 hours sleep a night is about it. I am tired and dragging during the day and can't seem to find an answer to it. I see some medications on the net but am concerned most of them are scams and hype. I need to find an answer soon. I usually wear a CPAP to sleep but this insomnia happens whether I am wearing it or not. Anyone else out there going through this or have any suggestions?

 

TM

I keep the tv on all night! It puts me to sleep especially old westerns 😂

[Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381]

My mom had chronic insomnia. I have have chronic insomnia for 35 years. My daughter has chronic insomnia. I have read reams about insomnia, tried various things, and for ME, Lunesta (Rx) is the only thing that helps.

 

The NIH has a pretty good article:

 

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/treatment

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

3 hours ago, Texas Maverick said:

Yeah, it is a big pain. I get up and walk around and either get on the computer or go sit in my recliner and at least get some cat naps in. I still feel like crap the next day though. Tired and brain fog. Hard to focus. 

 

TM

You gotta cut the "up close" screen time out..... no laptop and no cell phone. TV on low volume is okay.....reading is even better.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Welcome to my world.

 

Part of mine is partially due to PTSD.  If I'm really lucky I can get 5 hours of sleep a night, but it's usually more like 4.  I doze off in the afternoon but it's never good for more than 20-30 minutes.  VA is setting me up for a new sleep apnia (sp?) test.

 

I'll be watching this space for info, hints, and general advice.

 

Thanks. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

15 minutes ago, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

You gotta cut the "up close" screen time out..... no laptop and no cell phone. TV on low volume is okay.....reading is even better.

I put my phone on mute and settle in with the TV on, I lower the volume just enough to give some noise which helps me fall asleep.

[Sedalia Dave]

4 hours ago, J-BAR #18287 said:

Eliminate caffeine and nicotine intake.  If you can't do that, don't ingest either after 12:00 noon.  Exercise late in the afternoon,  (I use an exercise bike while watching a DVD on TV).  Work up a sweat for at least 30 minutes.  Shower and shave before dinner,  drink a glass of milk before going to bed.  Always use your CPAP.  Don't take anything, Rx or over the counter, to help you sleep.

 

There are some subjects that always make me fall asleep when reading.  Particularly mathematics textbooks.  Just like when I was in school!  If you wake up in the middle of the night, read a dull book.  
 

Sweet dreams.

 

THIS ^^^

 

 

[Sedalia Dave]

AVOID taking OTC or prescription sleep aids.

 

Blue light will mess with your sleep.  If any electronics in your bedroom have blue LEDs cover them up.

I detest electronics that have blue LED lights on them. Been known to cover them up with black RTV.

 

Smart phones, LED Tvs, and Computer/tablet monitors all emit blue light. Avoid using them within a couple hours of bedtime or install blue light filters over the screens.

 

Another source are the new LED light bulbs. Buy bulbs that emit warm light vice cool light. Use them in rooms you are spending time a couple hours before bed time.

 

Blue Light: What It Is and How It Affects Sleep

 

Choosing the Right Color Temperature for Your Home

 

 

[J.D. Daily]

If you have HiBP stay away from meds like Niquel or any cold medicine that doesn't indicate on the label it is OK for people with High Blood Pressure.  A few years back when there was a particularly hard to shake off URI I took Dayquil & Nyquil for several weeks until I had symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure.  Went to ER where they gave me a pill that took my BP down to OK range.  The ER doc told me to never buy or take if offered OTC cold/decongestant meds that don't say they are OK for those taking BP meds.

For a couple of years after CAVG surgery I had trouble getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.  Melatonin did work with insomnia.  

P.S. while in the Cardiac care unit and during the 15 days I was in the hospital for the six PE's in my right lung I could only sleep 3 hours if I only took 5 mg hydrocodone every 6 hrs for pain.  If I took the 10 mg proscribed I could sleep 7-8 hours.  I believe the issue was spending  23hrs a day in bed or recliner.  2 miles a day walking around the floor wasn't enough to get me tired enough to sleep more than 4 hrs at a time.

[Texas Maverick]

4 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

As do I. With Melatonin dreams became way too nightmarish. 

 

Melatonin can have that effect, but only after taking it for a while. 

thanks

TM

thanks for all the info. A lot to check out.

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

11 minutes ago, J.D. Daily said:

If you have HiBP stay away from meds like Niquel or any cold medicine that doesn't indicate on the label it is OK for people with High Blood Pressure.  A few years back when there was a particularly hard to shake off URI I took Dayquil & Nyquil for several weeks until I had symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure.  Went to ER where they gave me a pill that took my BP down to OK range.  The ER doc told me to never buy or take if offered OTC cold/decongestant meds that don't say they are OK for those taking BP meds.

For a couple of years after CAVG surgery I had trouble getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.  Melatonin did work with insomnia.  

P.S. while in the Cardiac care unit and during the 15 days I was in the hospital for the six PE's in my right lung I could only sleep 3 hours if I only took 5 mg hydrocodone every 6 hrs for pain.  If I took the 10 mg proscribed I could sleep 7-8 hours.  I believe the issue was spending  23hrs a day in bed or recliner.  2 miles a day walking around the floor wasn't enough to get me tired enough to sleep more than 4 hrs at a time.

I take a blood thinner and 3 BP meds so I try to stay away from these.

 

TM

[Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619]

As far as the OTC nostrums are concerned I researched them a few years back and settled on Costco's house 'Sleep Aid'. It uses an early antihistamine, not diphenhydramine (Benadryl). It works well for me when needed, and unlike Benadryl, it does not have a rebound effect with extended use.

 

Having an exercise regime can be a great help, too.

[Texas Maverick]

5 days with little sleep and the brain fog has really set in. Can't seem to focus much. My wife wants to take me to the ER room for help. Not sure I am ready for that.

 

TM

[Eyesa Horg]

2 hours ago, Texas Maverick said:

5 days with little sleep and the brain fog has really set in. Can't seem to focus much. My wife wants to take me to the ER room for help. Not sure I am ready for that.

 

TM

Might want to start thinking about it though.

[Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619]

Definitely talk to a doc at this point.

[Pat Riot]

Yes, see a doctor. Please.