I recommend that anyone with chronic sleep problems discuss this with their PCP, then see a Sleep Doc if needed. I did this about 10 years ago and was able to improve my sleep dramatically. I am 72 and sleep like a log without awaking most nights.
I had a sleep study done, which pointed to no big sleep issues such as sleep apnea. Further tests showed that I had a low ferritin (normal iron and hemoglobin), which was causing restless legs in the evening and the inability to fall asleep within a normal time frame. My sleep hygiene was poor as well, so I read several books and many articles on establishing good sleep habits. I followed the common guidance, took iron to raise my ferritin, and over time my sleep improved. I'm still very interested in sleep research and read up on it.
From the For What It's Worth Department, my low ferritin appeared to be caused by too-frequent blood donations. For some people, even though iron levels and hemoglobin are normal, ferritin can decrease with regular blood donations. The FDA allows donations every 8 weeks. I stopped donating for awhile, then gave less frequently, and now after 50 years donating blood, have stopped entirely.
The bottom line: Good sleep has had positive effects on my mood, my energy, my nutrition---you get the picture. I take sleep seriously and the results have been wonderful. I'm a lucky fellow!
I had a sleep study done, which pointed to no big sleep issues such as sleep apnea. Further tests showed that I had a low ferritin (normal iron and hemoglobin), which was causing restless legs in the evening and the inability to fall asleep within a normal time frame. My sleep hygiene was poor as well, so I read several books and many articles on establishing good sleep habits. I followed the common guidance, took iron to raise my ferritin, and over time my sleep improved. I'm still very interested in sleep research and read up on it.
From the For What It's Worth Department, my low ferritin appeared to be caused by too-frequent blood donations. For some people, even though iron levels and hemoglobin are normal, ferritin can decrease with regular blood donations. The FDA allows donations every 8 weeks. I stopped donating for awhile, then gave less frequently, and now after 50 years donating blood, have stopped entirely.
The bottom line: Good sleep has had positive effects on my mood, my energy, my nutrition---you get the picture. I take sleep seriously and the results have been wonderful. I'm a lucky fellow!
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.Hi, I wanted to share my troubles with sleep. O have mild apnea and maybe rem sleep disorder I am afraid of taking melatonin bc of vivid dreams that I have experience while on it. I have today my appointment at Sleep Medicine at Mayo Clinic. I read you ve had the same problem. How did you manage to use melatonin without having these troublesome secondary effects? (Vivid dreams/hallucinations)?
@lorena1egas I’m so sorry I never responded to you. I took a break because I’ve been sick. I never used melatonin. I just get my bedroom cool (cold), and quit using all electronics by 7-ish. I do watch tv but like to keep the lights off. Oh, and no tv in bedroom.
I would love to hear what you learned at the Mayo Sleep Medicine Clinic!
A tincture of THC/CBD taken under the tongue at bedtime quiets my mind and provides restful sleep with minimal hangover the following day. Stay away from the Benzos, they are terrible.
@nazleer THC is the ingredient in cannabis that produces the "high" effect. CBD stands for cannadibiol a purported nonpsychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Many people use a CBD product for helping them relax, or sleep, and this solution may or may not have THC in it.
Just an additional thought re THC and CBD.I don't want any of the 'high' effect, so fought using any THC. I'm using tincture, THC/CBD, 1:1, which doesn't give me any 'high' at all. The CBD calms my anxiety, helps me and my muscles relax and sleep. The THC reduces my body pain from several issues, either completely or enough to take off the edge and let me sleep. If I need additional pain help, I use either THC lotion on my lower back or hips or feet or hands/wrist, OR use Voltarin cream. I do something sooooo wrong according to the experts - I do watch TV in the bedroom. But, now that I do these things to help with anxiety and pain, and can get to sleep, I turn off the TV after an hour or so, get comfy and snooze away. I just enjoy watching the TV while I'm in bed. I do use a C-Pap which really gets me to sleep quickly. Amazing how it helps to breath well!!!!! Blessings to all and goodnight.
....I take medication for sleep but unfortunately it is habit forming. I take smallest dose I can... but I also have an Ipad on my bed and listen to Utube relaxation type "videos" which I would say help half the time if I wake up and cant turn mind off..... only problem they had ads interrupting so I pay per month to not have ads. Then to make sure only hear the one video, otherwise they continue with ones I dont waant. This really started many years ago with a therapist recording a little cassette tape for me to listen to.... thing is was just nodding off when the tape ended and a loud CLICK. That progressed to CDs and now, of course, we have computers. Anyway, just thought I would mention the Utube idea, not promoting that site but they are free and hundreds on there to chose from.... one might help? J.S.
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@tim1028 Can you share with us the particulars? How was your sleep pattern before versus after going to a sleep doctor? I am curios!
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3 ReactionsNot interested in sleep problems
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1 ReactionI had a sleep study done, which pointed to no big sleep issues such as sleep apnea. Further tests showed that I had a low ferritin (normal iron and hemoglobin), which was causing restless legs in the evening and the inability to fall asleep within a normal time frame. My sleep hygiene was poor as well, so I read several books and many articles on establishing good sleep habits. I followed the common guidance, took iron to raise my ferritin, and over time my sleep improved. I'm still very interested in sleep research and read up on it.
From the For What It's Worth Department, my low ferritin appeared to be caused by too-frequent blood donations. For some people, even though iron levels and hemoglobin are normal, ferritin can decrease with regular blood donations. The FDA allows donations every 8 weeks. I stopped donating for awhile, then gave less frequently, and now after 50 years donating blood, have stopped entirely.
The bottom line: Good sleep has had positive effects on my mood, my energy, my nutrition---you get the picture. I take sleep seriously and the results have been wonderful. I'm a lucky fellow!
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5 Reactionstim1028 Thank you! I completely agree, that quality sleep can equate to better quality of life, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
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2 ReactionsHi @kathycarpeneti, you can unsubscribe to this discussion by clicking unsubscribe at the bottom of the email notification.
Please note that you are also following the Sleep Health group. Learn how to set your notification preferences and only receive the notifications and emails you are interested in, by clicking this link: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
If you need more assistance on how to use the site, send me a message using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/
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3 Reactions@lorena1egas I’m so sorry I never responded to you. I took a break because I’ve been sick. I never used melatonin. I just get my bedroom cool (cold), and quit using all electronics by 7-ish. I do watch tv but like to keep the lights off. Oh, and no tv in bedroom.
I would love to hear what you learned at the Mayo Sleep Medicine Clinic!
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2 ReactionsCan you explain what ThC/CBD is?
@nazleer THC is the ingredient in cannabis that produces the "high" effect. CBD stands for cannadibiol a purported nonpsychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Many people use a CBD product for helping them relax, or sleep, and this solution may or may not have THC in it.
Does this answer your question?
Ginger
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3 ReactionsJust an additional thought re THC and CBD.I don't want any of the 'high' effect, so fought using any THC. I'm using tincture, THC/CBD, 1:1, which doesn't give me any 'high' at all. The CBD calms my anxiety, helps me and my muscles relax and sleep. The THC reduces my body pain from several issues, either completely or enough to take off the edge and let me sleep. If I need additional pain help, I use either THC lotion on my lower back or hips or feet or hands/wrist, OR use Voltarin cream. I do something sooooo wrong according to the experts - I do watch TV in the bedroom. But, now that I do these things to help with anxiety and pain, and can get to sleep, I turn off the TV after an hour or so, get comfy and snooze away. I just enjoy watching the TV while I'm in bed. I do use a C-Pap which really gets me to sleep quickly. Amazing how it helps to breath well!!!!! Blessings to all and goodnight.
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2 Reactions....I take medication for sleep but unfortunately it is habit forming. I take smallest dose I can... but I also have an Ipad on my bed and listen to Utube relaxation type "videos" which I would say help half the time if I wake up and cant turn mind off..... only problem they had ads interrupting so I pay per month to not have ads. Then to make sure only hear the one video, otherwise they continue with ones I dont waant. This really started many years ago with a therapist recording a little cassette tape for me to listen to.... thing is was just nodding off when the tape ended and a loud CLICK. That progressed to CDs and now, of course, we have computers. Anyway, just thought I would mention the Utube idea, not promoting that site but they are free and hundreds on there to chose from.... one might help? J.S.
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Hug
1 Reaction