TOPIC: Cure for insomnia, anyone?

Any tips for getting some sleep would be appreciated. Most nights, I'm only getting a couple of hours, then having to do a full day at work. This has been going on for weeks now and I'm finding it hard to function properly in the day.

My whole body and head has a weird tingling sensation and I'm starting to wonder if it's through lack of sleep?

Hmmm. Difficult. Technically, according to the Institute Of Sleep Research, you're meant to stay up right until bedtime the next night - which probably isn't a lot of help. Meanwhile, when you can't sleep, they advise that you get up and do something as lying there trying to sleep only makes the problem worse.

You could try those natural, non-addictive sleeping pills (they are herbal) but they still don't give a very restful sleep.

You're sure you are not sleeping (because a lot of insomniacs are actually dreaming they are awake - my mum does this: sleeps a full night through in front of me when I stay, then swears she hasn't slept a wink). But if you are.... you have to do that "jet lag" thing of staying up until the bedtime of your choice, whether 24 or 48 hours ahead, without allowing yourself to nap or go to bed early.

11p.m. to 7a.m. is said to be the best sleeping hours. Which helps even less, I guess.........

Ooo, as well: you should get out of the habit (if you have it) of planning for the morrow/week; lying there going through or trying to solve problems; "dreaming" of any future event and how it will go/what could go wrong; running through what happened during the day. All that kind of stuff should be somehow "blanked". I dunno how, though. I suppose you have to concentrate on "nice, restful" things. Whatever they are.

Warm (not hot) bath not long before bedtime; and, apparently, a hot milky drink - which is reported to actually work. No tea, coffee, booze for several hours before you want to sleep.

Ummmm, that's all I can think of for now.

I'm definitely awake. I've even cleaned my windows late at night.

I've stayed up/not tried to sleep and gone to bed the next day, at what would be a reasonable hour, only to fall asleep and wake up, 'wide awake' in an hour or so. I will fall asleep maybe 4 hours later, to wake up again after an hour. Even when I can hardly keep my eyes open...I can't sleep.

I don't really want to take anything, but might have to resort to those natural remedy pills.

Hmm. Maybe something is playing on your mind and snapping you awake to deal with it through the night. You don't like your flat - so remind yourself you can move out soon and will start looking for another place. If you feel unsafe, take steps to correct that (maybe fit a bolt, something that sets your mind at rest). Try to find out the problem and deal with it, which should stop the worrisome thought that is waking you. Ditto anything important or exciting coming up.

In Feng Shui (sp?) and psychology, it's said that the door shouldn't be behind you as this can lead to a feeling of deep insecurity (you can't see anyone coming, not that there will be!). Ditto any latticed or open bedroom cupboard/wardrobe doors - make sure they are firmly shut so your mind isn't fretting about them during the night. Any light from outside shouldn't be shining onto your face when you get into bed. Cotton wool/earplugs for noises that might be disrupting you.

Basically, finding the root shows the solution. My sister looked after my cat for two years and began letting Midi out last thing at night, then being woken by Midi pawing at the bedroom window in the middle of the night (my clever cat always pushes he boundaries with someone new).... until I told her that Midi knew the rules - if she went out last thing when I was there, she was OUT for the night. My sister finally ignored the cat's pawing for a couple of nights, and Midi gave up. The sister stopped waking up just before her mind "expected" the pawing to start.

Have a look and see if you're worried, unnerved, excited, angry, expectant, whatever; then set it right practically. That helps a lot.

Thank you for the advice.

I'm no more disturbed by anything than usual, so don't really know why I can't sleep...no anger, worry etc...

I'm on my second wake up right now. I think a trip to the chemist for those natural pills is in order, later today.

Could it be the heat? I woke up at 4am and had lost all my pyjamas somehow.

pheony wrote:

Sex.

Ultimate Seeker ™ wrote:

Pyjama pixies innit


Although... why are you even wearing them to begin with?

Phe, feel for you mate. I understand that you don't want to take anything nasty. I have this tea from the local tea shop. I think it's peppermint, chamomile and valerian root. Smells a bit dodge when you open the tin (like gone off sweat) but it helps. Probably the same stuff you'd get in natural tablets though.

Another tactic i use is to find someones voice on youtube I find soothing. Don't watch the video, just listen to it. This might sound weird but the latest voice that works for me is a geriatric Noam Chomsky. I don't listen to him for the content as I get the gist of what he's saying; his voice just puts me to sleep (try it)

Nuts wrote: Coz my mummy told me to

Phe you should try reading philosophy in bed it always sends me to sleep after 25 mins.

Nuts wrote:
Or failing that, masturbation.

I got some Phenergan today. The pharmacist in Boots said it's really good for helping you sleep, so I will take one later and hope that it works.

It works.

(you can take 2 x 25mg if one doesn't do the trick)

diamondgeezer wrote:
I'll just take one. The tablets are 25mg. The 10mg and liquid form, are for children.

Yep, start off with one first of course....two could knock you out!

One will probably do the trick.

I occasionally took two when I used to use them, but bearing in mind I had a tolerance to benzodiazepines at the time (which are MUCH stronger sedatives), then its not really surprising I needed two.

diamondgeezer wrote:
Half of one would probably be enough for me.

Promethazine (Phenergan) is nothing like benzo's by the way....not the same class of drug or anything....safe, non-addictive etc.

Benzodiazepines are to be avoided at all costs, don't go there.

diamondgeezer wrote:
I would never go there.

Ultimate Seeker ™ wrote:

I hope they're sexy one's then