← Return to New Research on Sleep Medications in Women

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@lizzier

Boy can I relate to that! That was my problem and for several years during this challenge I had very little to no restorative sleep. I was exhausted. I did talk with my docs and tried some sleep meds, and had an allergic reaction. That's when I started the melatonin that I'm now questioning. I self medicated with that, and never discussed it with my doc. I wasn't hiding it from him, but I just thought it was so harmless that it didn't require discussion. I think we need to be careful of those so called harmless OTC drugs. Finally I just decided on my own to stop it, and I'm so glad that I did. One of the things that you said that jumped out at me was the daytime napping. I was doing the same thing. I couldn't help it. I was exhausted all of the time. When I sat I just fell asleep. I'm guessing that because of how you described yourself that you have a million thoughts going through your head all night long as you try to fall asleep. Two hours of sleep a night was my normal. The primary thing that I have regained from not taking the melatonin is the mental clarity. The brain fog was horrible. I couldn't do anything. I said earlier that I was a crafter, and I am, but I'm a hobby crafter, and do it because I love it and it helps me to express myself creatively. I was actually a social worker in my career, and could hold countless details accurately in my mind. During this period of brain fog I couldn't hold a clear thought. I also believe that I was in denial about my illness. I was so healthy and never believed that I would ever get sick. So when I began to recover I noticed one day that the curtains in my bedroom were too thin to give me much privacy, and I was keeping the shades pulled a lot. I decided that I needed bottom curtains to give me more privacy during the day when the room was light so I could walk around the house w/o pulling the shades closed all of the time. Hang with me because there is a reason that I'm telling this story. During this 4 1/2 years I did absolutely no crafting, and being retired I wasn't in a job. So one day I decided that I would make those lower curtains because I knew exactly what I wanted them to be like, and I knew that I could make nicer custom curtains than I'd buy anyplace. One day I had my husband drive me to the store to buy material for these curtains. By then over a period of several weeks I had measured everything and I knew what I needed. I got the material, brought it home, and it set on my dining room table for weeks and weeks. I was terrified to cut that fabric. I measured and remeasured. I couldn't cut the fabric. Finally in those weeks I admitted to myself what I refused to accept. I was terrified, and so unsure of myself after several years if having very limit activity. When I saw my doc one day after that I recall asking him..."What is this? Is it a syndrome, Is it an illness? Is it a disease?" He said "it's a disease", and my world came crushing down over me. I couldn't deny it any longer but I was able to take an active role in my recovery. Shortly after that I got out the material, measured for the last time, and cut the damn fabric. I now have 4 beautiful bedroom curtains and each morning I open the shades and light comes streaming in. It was the brain fog. I used to hear people use those words, and I had no concept of they meant, none, but now I know what they are talking about. I no longer nap during the day. I'm up at 5:00, and I'm in bed about 10:30. I fall right to sleep, and I'm reclaiming my life. I feel like I'm the luckiest person alive. I'm doing some amazing projects, and I'm regaining a sense of balance again at age 84. I wish this for all of you. Not that you are 84 (ha ha), but that you can regain a sense of balance in your lives.The problem though is that we're all different, and what works for one of us won't work for another. Just don't give up. Keep on searching until you find the "get out of jail free card".

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Replies to "Boy can I relate to that! That was my problem and for several years during this..."

You said your doctor said it's a disease. What disease? Please clarify. Was it the melatonin? Were you cured because you stopped taking melatonin?

I became 84 on the 3rd, so besides sleep problems we are both 84. I have always had sleep problems. I remember getting up during the middle of the night when I was a young teenager and would find my father in the kitchen getting a bite of food to eat. It was nice to visit with him . I did not realize that I had a serious problem until I was in my early 30's. I was given sleeping pills . They made me drowsy so I told the doctor (after trying several different types) that I wanted to stop taking the sleeping pill. I do not take naps on a regular basis, I also have narcolepsy and that does mess with my body and mind. I wear the mask at night and sleep about 4-5 hours now a night. Though for years 4 hours was as much as I would sleep. *that extra hour a night has really helped me be able to finish some of my projects, Though I just fell asleep a minute ,ago and had 3 rows of nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn's I do not know how I was able ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss-- there I did it again. I do not know how I was able to add sleep . The only thing I have felt I did was being aware that this was a serious problem. I did quit driving my car when I realized I was falling asleep at home, I also kept very busy with my prllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll projects. I still sew, draw, paint, the computer, compiling my personal history. I just keep plugging along and I talk to myself about what I am doing thmllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, Good luck to all of you. I talk to God and He helps me focus -- tough to do this all and still maintane grace. We will make it .We are strong women. kate,Katie, kay --Katharine.