Cindisue, thank God you found the relief we all here are looking for! I am still bugging my mental health provider. I think he thinks trying to stabilize my bi polar mood swings should help with my sleep. He may be right, although.......well, we'll see. That issue still isn't really resolved, either. Even after 2 years working with him. Only time will tell. He's going in the direction, I think.
I think the Abilify I started 2weeks ago is starting to work. I might just be cycling again. Once again, time will tell. Sleep is coming back slowly to my normal.
Another of my problems is with depression and brings on months of over sleeping. The sleep part is a wonderful thing after the insomnia! The depression can be more difficult and painful than insomnia. Maybe why I have been able to not get worked up about the insomnia when happens as I used to. Being able to lessen my angst helps sleep.....a little. I hope Abilify works with the depression even better.
Anyone cycling may want to talk with their Dr or even a mental health provider. Get over the perceived stigma. If you have a family member who is bi polar and you have these problems please ask your provider and yourself if it's possible. It could save your life. My daughter was in the ER for about a week with suicidal urges!!!
Hi, I am new, but recently have had sleepless nights. Sometimes its 12:00- 6:00. or 9:00- 3:00. I honestly have not tried meds (yet). but not willing to take more meds than I already do. So, I need some advice on what to do.
Ginnysnow, 6 hours sleep may not be enough for you. If you have daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, etc you're probably not getting enough sleep. Try the "sleep hygiene" stuff before trying OTC and prescription meds. Ask your Dr. They want us to all practice it.
Be careful on the sleep meds. Take them if your Dr recommends them, but do your due diligence.....prescription drugs can be a slippery slope and your Dr may not really know the real you. They aren't always good at catching serious side effects!!!!!
Gently, there seem to be two schools of thought on how much sleep we need. There seems to those who think SOME of the mental symptoms of us older folks have could be sleep related. Let your daytime self be your guide.
I know a little about a lot of things because I need something to do at 1:00 am.
Ginnysnow, 6 hours sleep may not be enough for you. If you have daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, etc you're probably not getting enough sleep. Try the "sleep hygiene" stuff before trying OTC and prescription meds. Ask your Dr. They want us to all practice it.
Be careful on the sleep meds. Take them if your Dr recommends them, but do your due diligence.....prescription drugs can be a slippery slope and your Dr may not really know the real you. They aren't always good at catching serious side effects!!!!!
Gently, there seem to be two schools of thought on how much sleep we need. There seems to those who think SOME of the mental symptoms of us older folks have could be sleep related. Let your daytime self be your guide.
I know a little about a lot of things because I need something to do at 1:00 am.
hi, Ginnysnow. I've been reading that when we get older (You may not be older. I'm older), we need less sleep.
Probably better not to take meds. When I can't sleep, I just get up.
First question: no one has asked me that for many years. Us black sheep were born bad. 😈 I behave myself now,.......most of the time.
Or did you mean am I OK? Most of the time. I was told by a psychologist once that avoidance is a clear sign of something that causes anxiety. I avoid things until I am up against a deadline. I usually have formed a rough plan before I push the problem off and set my own timeframe for dealing with it.
I try not to think about tough problems until it's time. I give myself the permission to free my mind.
Self medication helps, but brings its own problems. I can quit self medicating. but when nothing else is working to help with stessors, staying quit is hard.....and then I try to quit the quitting, again.
I use the above approach for sleep. When I can't sleep I try not worry too much about it. I try to figure out something new to try. That often leads me to research my problems online and is what led me here. They say the blue light in computer screens and cell phones keep people awake. Well, when you can't sleep already..........
If you use a device before bed and can't sleep maybe taking their advice might work for you. If you are addicted to your phone or computer, see my earlier comments on my addiction woes.
I usually stay in bed for a while before getting up. Since my mind won't stop I get it up and use it for while to try to tire it out a bit. I guess my mind is like a puppy: if it gets up early you can't sleep until you get up and play with it. I try to go to bed early enough to allow for this. Not always possible.
Sleep hygiene is like trying to train a cat. Old habits are hard to change. They say start with the easy stuff first and then try the harder ones for you. I've heard it's better to brush your teeth and otherwise do as much of your presleep ritual a half hour before bed. That way when you feel like sleeping you can get right to it. Maybe a good place to start.
I always thought sleep hygiene meant having clean sheets.
Blackersheep, I don't think you're a bad person. I deal with the same stuff you do but 10x worse. Imagine not fitting in because you're a total dork. or that you like to study in your free time.
OK, it was an attempt at a bit of humor but not appreciated by all. I'm sorry. I thought I saw a smile on the devil emoji I selected, but then I guess the devil usually is smiling, probably. Oops, I looked back at the little devil face and you're right, it doesn't look as nice as I thought.
You are truly right................I should start meditating........... again. I used to meditate. Started with "Transcendental Meditation," in the early '70s. That type of meditation used a mantra. Did that for a few years. Then I tried the Zen Buddhist meditation where you focus on your breathing. There was this abbot at nearby monastery who led group meditations. I wasn't a catholic myself, but of course, all were welcome. Next came a form of meditation, I forget the name of it, where you would focus on the tips of your fingers. That was good for me. When I have tried over these last years the puppy in my brain wants to play and I just have a hard time concentrating. Probably a sign that I should give up trying and just do. I haven't tried for a while, so thank you for reminding me how relaxing it can be. I used to find that the restful peace I could find there eased the fatigue of not sleeping.
You do know I hope that it is the dorks who spend all their time studying who are the most successful! Keep it up and don't waste your time worrying about how others see you. Keep up what you're doing as you go through life, but do find time to play a bit. Find something that interests you and put your study skills to work for YOU. I like older stereo equipment, and studying about the different stuff has helped me to put together a really nice system. I listen to it when I can't sleep, and it helps me relax. And just maybe you should only behave YOURSELF some of the time. being even the least bit naughty can be liberating and ultimately relaxing.
Enough about that. I'm sorry that I have trouble with being concise. This what it is like in my brain and what happens when I wake and can't get back to sleep. If I was an old car, I would be a Rambler.
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Cindisue, thank God you found the relief we all here are looking for! I am still bugging my mental health provider. I think he thinks trying to stabilize my bi polar mood swings should help with my sleep. He may be right, although.......well, we'll see. That issue still isn't really resolved, either. Even after 2 years working with him. Only time will tell. He's going in the direction, I think.
I think the Abilify I started 2weeks ago is starting to work. I might just be cycling again. Once again, time will tell. Sleep is coming back slowly to my normal.
Another of my problems is with depression and brings on months of over sleeping. The sleep part is a wonderful thing after the insomnia! The depression can be more difficult and painful than insomnia. Maybe why I have been able to not get worked up about the insomnia when happens as I used to. Being able to lessen my angst helps sleep.....a little. I hope Abilify works with the depression even better.
Anyone cycling may want to talk with their Dr or even a mental health provider. Get over the perceived stigma. If you have a family member who is bi polar and you have these problems please ask your provider and yourself if it's possible. It could save your life. My daughter was in the ER for about a week with suicidal urges!!!
Ginnysnow, 6 hours sleep may not be enough for you. If you have daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, etc you're probably not getting enough sleep. Try the "sleep hygiene" stuff before trying OTC and prescription meds. Ask your Dr. They want us to all practice it.
Be careful on the sleep meds. Take them if your Dr recommends them, but do your due diligence.....prescription drugs can be a slippery slope and your Dr may not really know the real you. They aren't always good at catching serious side effects!!!!!
Gently, there seem to be two schools of thought on how much sleep we need. There seems to those who think SOME of the mental symptoms of us older folks have could be sleep related. Let your daytime self be your guide.
I know a little about a lot of things because I need something to do at 1:00 am.
Blackersheep, first off, Are you good?
Second off, 1:00 am really, when I am awake i just stay in bed.
third off, sleep hygiene, ok
Gently, you should not get up. That actually makes not sleeping worse.
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1 Reactioni usually don't sleep during the day
First question: no one has asked me that for many years. Us black sheep were born bad. 😈 I behave myself now,.......most of the time.
Or did you mean am I OK? Most of the time. I was told by a psychologist once that avoidance is a clear sign of something that causes anxiety. I avoid things until I am up against a deadline. I usually have formed a rough plan before I push the problem off and set my own timeframe for dealing with it.
I try not to think about tough problems until it's time. I give myself the permission to free my mind.
Self medication helps, but brings its own problems. I can quit self medicating. but when nothing else is working to help with stessors, staying quit is hard.....and then I try to quit the quitting, again.
I use the above approach for sleep. When I can't sleep I try not worry too much about it. I try to figure out something new to try. That often leads me to research my problems online and is what led me here. They say the blue light in computer screens and cell phones keep people awake. Well, when you can't sleep already..........
If you use a device before bed and can't sleep maybe taking their advice might work for you. If you are addicted to your phone or computer, see my earlier comments on my addiction woes.
I usually stay in bed for a while before getting up. Since my mind won't stop I get it up and use it for while to try to tire it out a bit. I guess my mind is like a puppy: if it gets up early you can't sleep until you get up and play with it. I try to go to bed early enough to allow for this. Not always possible.
Sleep hygiene is like trying to train a cat. Old habits are hard to change. They say start with the easy stuff first and then try the harder ones for you. I've heard it's better to brush your teeth and otherwise do as much of your presleep ritual a half hour before bed. That way when you feel like sleeping you can get right to it. Maybe a good place to start.
I always thought sleep hygiene meant having clean sheets.
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1 ReactionJust a quick thought. Reading a funny book while laying in bed before sleeping. It helped relax me and take my mind off problems.
I LOVE READING!!!!!!!!!!! funny books aren't my thing. I like sci-fi, mystery and romance.
Maybe try meditating, it helps me relax.... sometimes
And what do you mean by you behave yourself sometimes??? LOL :0
wishes,
Ginny Snow 🙂
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1 Reactionquick note,
BORN BAD..... Really????
Blackersheep, I don't think you're a bad person. I deal with the same stuff you do but 10x worse. Imagine not fitting in because you're a total dork. or that you like to study in your free time.
OK, it was an attempt at a bit of humor but not appreciated by all. I'm sorry. I thought I saw a smile on the devil emoji I selected, but then I guess the devil usually is smiling, probably. Oops, I looked back at the little devil face and you're right, it doesn't look as nice as I thought.
You are truly right................I should start meditating........... again. I used to meditate. Started with "Transcendental Meditation," in the early '70s. That type of meditation used a mantra. Did that for a few years. Then I tried the Zen Buddhist meditation where you focus on your breathing. There was this abbot at nearby monastery who led group meditations. I wasn't a catholic myself, but of course, all were welcome. Next came a form of meditation, I forget the name of it, where you would focus on the tips of your fingers. That was good for me. When I have tried over these last years the puppy in my brain wants to play and I just have a hard time concentrating. Probably a sign that I should give up trying and just do. I haven't tried for a while, so thank you for reminding me how relaxing it can be. I used to find that the restful peace I could find there eased the fatigue of not sleeping.
You do know I hope that it is the dorks who spend all their time studying who are the most successful! Keep it up and don't waste your time worrying about how others see you. Keep up what you're doing as you go through life, but do find time to play a bit. Find something that interests you and put your study skills to work for YOU. I like older stereo equipment, and studying about the different stuff has helped me to put together a really nice system. I listen to it when I can't sleep, and it helps me relax. And just maybe you should only behave YOURSELF some of the time. being even the least bit naughty can be liberating and ultimately relaxing.
Enough about that. I'm sorry that I have trouble with being concise. This what it is like in my brain and what happens when I wake and can't get back to sleep. If I was an old car, I would be a Rambler.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions