Insomniac? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

eyeswimslow · 05-08-2004, 11:36 PM

As of late, I haven't slept at all and I'm completely utterly miserable. I stay awake for at least an hour to three hours trying to fall asleep. This has been going on for at least 5 weeks now and I can't figure out what is wrong with me.

I have spring allergies (pollen, oak, some other plants/trees) and I'm currently on albuterol (run-of-the-mill inhaler). I was on a pill to fend off my allergies, but I stopped taking it because I thought that was the source of my sleeping problem.

The music thing doesn't work for me. I made a CD exclusively for soft, easy going songs and it failed.

WarWagon · 05-08-2004, 11:56 PM

How are the stress levels? Any other changes when the sleeping disturbances began?

apeman · 05-09-2004, 04:25 AM

i have that, it's been getting better recently though.

I either read until my eyes feel heavy and then turn the light off and (hopefully) sleep, or I just try to make sure I'm as tired as possible.

I do plenty of exercise and all that kind of stuff

maleficent · 05-09-2004, 05:37 AM

I've been an insomniac most of my life... The worst is spending all the time on the road that I do, sleeping in different hotel rooms.

About the only thing that even comes close to working some of the time, is a Lavender spray that I spray on my pillow. Theres something about the lavender scent that helps me sleep.

It's not a girlie scent either, it's not strong or overpowering. Check your local health food store for essential oils.

eyeswimslow · 05-09-2004, 10:56 AM

I'm an easy going guy, I rarely do feel stress. Senior year is done, I'm good to go.

Locobot · 05-15-2004, 05:22 AM

As a long time insomnia sufferer I can tell you there is no easy cure like soft music or scented oils that will make the problem disappear. If you have health insurance you can ask your doctor about any number of new sleep aid medicines on the market. Supposedly they've done away with that groggy feeling the next day that non-prescription sleeping pills will give you. If you're body isn't tired your brain won't be either. Physical exertion combined with a relaxation routine may do the trick. I've been suggested Valarian root but was scared off by the potential side effects. Warm milk probably won't work either.

apeman · 05-15-2004, 07:54 AM

slightly off topic but EH! ZAPPATISTA!

i suffer a bit with insomnia, nothing major at all, but at least keep a book handy ... the worst bit is thinking how much time you're wasting I reckon ...

pinklily · 05-15-2004, 08:52 AM

I know how you feel, I used to stay up hours and hours with my head spinning with things out then I'd have night terrors, which didn't help. Now I like to read truly boring chinese literature, it sounds silly but it takes my mind off of everything, and if worse comes to worse I take a couple unisom. Music always kept me up, as well, so now I have a little fan by my bed that I turn on (even in the dead of winter) because the sound of it and the feel of the air help to put me to sleep.

ShivihS · 05-15-2004, 04:52 PM

The only way I can seem to go to sleep is to engage in a shit load of physical activity during the day. By like 11 I'm usually knocked out now

WarWagon · 05-15-2004, 07:48 PM

This is one method that has been recommended by a psychologist I meet with regularly.

First, don't do ANYTHING in your bed but sleep. No books, no watching TV, no music, etc. Then, what you need to try is to make a routine. It'll be hard at first, but it could work when you're done with it. Pick a time at night that you want to go to bed. At that time, tired or not, shut everything off and try to go to sleep. If you can't sleep after half an hour, do something quiet and relaxing outside of your bed, then half an hour to an hour later, try going back to bed. Continue this until you do fall asleep. Supposedly you can basically convince yourself to go to bed through association. He's had a lot of success in trying this with athletes.

pappymojo · 05-20-2004, 05:57 AM

I went through something like that recently where I couldn't sleep, couldn't turn off my mind. A bit of depression.

I started exercising like mad, busting my ass at the gym or out jogging. Basically I pushed my body to the point where it was so tired that it had to sleep. Then I started sleeping and you know what? Due to the fact that I was getting some rest and the fact that I was looking good (and probably more importantly feeling good), the depression went away.

Requium · 05-20-2004, 12:13 PM

I prefer to take a xanax myself

Xsas · 05-20-2004, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by apeman
i have that, it's been getting better recently though.

I either read until my eyes feel heavy and then turn the light off and (hopefully) sleep, or I just try to make sure I'm as tired as possible.

I do plenty of exercise and all that kind of stuff

Same for me.

05-08-2004, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
eyeswimslow Upright	Insomniac? As of late, I haven't slept at all and I'm completely utterly miserable. I stay awake for at least an hour to three hours trying to fall asleep. This has been going on for at least 5 weeks now and I can't figure out what is wrong with me. I have spring allergies (pollen, oak, some other plants/trees) and I'm currently on albuterol (run-of-the-mill inhaler). I was on a pill to fend off my allergies, but I stopped taking it because I thought that was the source of my sleeping problem. The music thing doesn't work for me. I made a CD exclusively for soft, easy going songs and it failed.

05-09-2004, 04:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
apeman Wah Location: NZ	i have that, it's been getting better recently though. I either read until my eyes feel heavy and then turn the light off and (hopefully) sleep, or I just try to make sure I'm as tired as possible. I do plenty of exercise and all that kind of stuff __________________ pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

05-09-2004, 05:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I've been an insomniac most of my life... The worst is spending all the time on the road that I do, sleeping in different hotel rooms. About the only thing that even comes close to working some of the time, is a Lavender spray that I spray on my pillow. Theres something about the lavender scent that helps me sleep. It's not a girlie scent either, it's not strong or overpowering. Check your local health food store for essential oils. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

05-15-2004, 07:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
apeman Wah Location: NZ	slightly off topic but EH! ZAPPATISTA! i suffer a bit with insomnia, nothing major at all, but at least keep a book handy ... the worst bit is thinking how much time you're wasting I reckon ... __________________ pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

05-20-2004, 12:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Requium Upright Location: Memphis, Tn	I prefer to take a xanax myself __________________ I'm off to the Methadone Clinic

05-08-2004, 11:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	How are the stress levels? Any other changes when the sleeping disturbances began?

05-09-2004, 10:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
eyeswimslow Upright	I'm an easy going guy, I rarely do feel stress. Senior year is done, I'm good to go.

05-15-2004, 05:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	As a long time insomnia sufferer I can tell you there is no easy cure like soft music or scented oils that will make the problem disappear. If you have health insurance you can ask your doctor about any number of new sleep aid medicines on the market. Supposedly they've done away with that groggy feeling the next day that non-prescription sleeping pills will give you. If you're body isn't tired your brain won't be either. Physical exertion combined with a relaxation routine may do the trick. I've been suggested Valarian root but was scared off by the potential side effects. Warm milk probably won't work either.

05-15-2004, 08:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
pinklily Crazy	I know how you feel, I used to stay up hours and hours with my head spinning with things out then I'd have night terrors, which didn't help. Now I like to read truly boring chinese literature, it sounds silly but it takes my mind off of everything, and if worse comes to worse I take a couple unisom. Music always kept me up, as well, so now I have a little fan by my bed that I turn on (even in the dead of winter) because the sound of it and the feel of the air help to put me to sleep.

05-15-2004, 04:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
ShivihS Banned	The only way I can seem to go to sleep is to engage in a shit load of physical activity during the day. By like 11 I'm usually knocked out now

05-15-2004, 07:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	This is one method that has been recommended by a psychologist I meet with regularly. First, don't do ANYTHING in your bed but sleep. No books, no watching TV, no music, etc. Then, what you need to try is to make a routine. It'll be hard at first, but it could work when you're done with it. Pick a time at night that you want to go to bed. At that time, tired or not, shut everything off and try to go to sleep. If you can't sleep after half an hour, do something quiet and relaxing outside of your bed, then half an hour to an hour later, try going back to bed. Continue this until you do fall asleep. Supposedly you can basically convince yourself to go to bed through association. He's had a lot of success in trying this with athletes.

05-20-2004, 05:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
pappymojo Tilted Location: boston	I went through something like that recently where I couldn't sleep, couldn't turn off my mind. A bit of depression. I started exercising like mad, busting my ass at the gym or out jogging. Basically I pushed my body to the point where it was so tired that it had to sleep. Then I started sleeping and you know what? Due to the fact that I was getting some rest and the fact that I was looking good (and probably more importantly feeling good), the depression went away.