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| Thread: Sleeping Disorder | |
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2XtremeToTake
Promising
Supreme Hero
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posted October 17, 2005 01:32 PM |
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Sleeping Disorder
right forum this time....
I am just wondering if any of you have ever had a similar problem. This has been like this for me as long as i can remember, but has intensified in the last month.
As long as I can remember, since around 1999 I have had major problem's going to sleep. I often lay in bed for an hour, even two at times, attempting to fall asleep. I have tried sleeping medications, listening to soft music, turning the temperature up, turning it down, just about everything. The only time I can fall asleep right away is after extremly tiring circumstances, such as staying up 24 hours or over, or vigorious exercise, such as after a major football game.
However, in the last month, I have had problems staying asleep, after I'd eventually fall asleep, I would suddenly awake an hour or two later, sitting up, often in a cold sweat. I recall having repetitive nightmares, but I cannot remember what about though. All I know is I have had a nightmare. I am too afraid to tell a doctor about the nightmare, because the political and healthcare system here in America is basically if you have, do, or see anything abnormal they label you with some sort of mental disease. And I couldn't face the ridicule from my peers if I am diagnosed with one.
I'm just wondering, have any of you other people here had a similar problem, what did you do about it?
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I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
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Guitarguy
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Rockoon.
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posted October 17, 2005 02:45 PM |
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Firstly, I sometimes have a hard time sleeping when it's hot and humid. That's quite common in Hawaii, regardless of whether it's summer or not. If I'm completely sweaty and burning up all over, then I'll really have a hard time knocking out. Fortunately, an electric fan (or two) usually does the trick in most cases.
Secondly, drinking soda or coffee before bed tends to keep the body awake. Several nights ago, for instance, I was super tired but I simply couldn't fall asleep. I kept turning over and getting comfy, but it wasn't very successful. I only slept for an hour and a half that night.
Thirdly, the after effects of consuming dairy products (aka Throned-Jester-Syndrome  ) makes lying down and sleeping very uncomfortable. This is for people with lactose intolerance. The hot, bubbly feeling inside the stomach as well as the side pains aren't exactly pleasant. By the time you finally get back to bed, your rear end will probably be sore as hell. And it sucks because you usually have to get up and go a few more times after that!
-Guitarguy
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Lord_Pc
Promising
Famous Hero
Groin-Grabingly Clever
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posted October 17, 2005 03:01 PM |
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i had trouble sleeping when i was younger. i would lay awake in bed for more than an hour each night just thinking and not being able to go to sleep. it was hard getting to sleep back then but now i go to sleep after 20 mins or so
as GG said, drinking coffee or soda (especially coke) keeps you awake. i remember times when i would have coke before bed with a Tv show and be awake for a few hours because of that decscion
by advice would be to just not drink coffee and soda before bed and to keep active as to be tired enough to want to sleep
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Da-da-dada-HEY-dada-da-da
Two goldfish were in their tank. One turns to the other and says, 'You man the guns, I'll drive.'
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Khaelo
Honorable
Supreme Hero
Underwater
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posted October 17, 2005 09:15 PM |
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insomnia
This is something I've dealt with since adolecence. Many teenagers and young adults have natural night-owl tendencies. Getting up at 5:45 am (as I did to catch the bus) is difficult, as is getting to sleep by 10 pm. It never really worked for me. I naturally cannot get to sleep before midnight unless I'm sick. So, you might be working against your grain. There's not all that much you can do about that, unfortunately.
As to getting labeled with a mental disorder: There are a number of criteria for any given disorder. Sleep disturbances are frequently on the list, but they're only ONE factor. They are not even the defining factor(s). If you have trouble sleeping and nothing else, the most you'll be diagnosed with is insomnia...which seems quite accurate, all things considered. And if the doctor informs all your friends of any diagnosis, or stamps it on your forehead, it's time to get another doctor.  Whether your friends learn of your personal issues is completely up to you.
Worrying about going to sleep makes things harder. Straining for sleep is like constantly taking the lid off the pot to see if the water's boiling yet -- your worry makes it take longer.  Lying in bed, you get some rest anyway (75% of sleep-rest is the figure I heard, but no assurances about its accuracy). So, even if you're not asleep, just lying there and letting your mind wander, you're doing some good.
Reading interesting books in bed makes it harder to sleep later. Same goes for anything that causes worry or mental activity, like homework. Have you tried reading boring books?
Substances: As others have mentioned, caffeine is a no-no. However, cocoa is an exception. Hot milk promotes sleep, provided you are tolerant of lactose. There are also herbal teas for sleep -- chamomile and lavender are pretty popular. I can't stand the taste of either myself, but I like Sweet Dreams by Bigelow. It has chamomile but also has hibiscus (which tastes like lemon) and a touch of mint. If you add enough lemon and sugar, the stuff tastes like lemonade. It's also easily available in grocery stores; you don't have to go to strange organic markets or herbal places. I don't think there's anything actually proven about floral teas, but if you make a cup every night, it becomes a ritual signal to your mind, "It's bedtime now."
The next step on the herbal route would be valerian. Recommended form is capsules, which I found at Target in the pharmacy section (450 mg). It's unproven as yet, but existing studies suggest it does reduce time it takes to get to sleep. Valerian has worked very well for me...better than Nyquil. The tea is notoriously gross-smelling, so the capsules are easier. Of course, I'm wary of any "serious" sleep aid because of addiction. As I said, it's beneficial to build a routine for bedtime, and you don't want to include something expensive or that massively messes with you. Herbal tea and cocoa are much more affordable, and you don't build a tolerance.
Turkey is also known for containing sleep-promoting chemicals. I forget the exact name.
Nightmares: That I can't help on. Most of my nightmares have been attributable to physical illness, notably the flu, or obvious life issues.
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 Cleverly
disguised as a responsible adult
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Russ
Promising
Supreme Hero
blah, blah, blah
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posted October 17, 2005 10:06 PM |
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I used to have problems sleeping sometimes. Even as bad as not being able to sleep all night long, then at about 5-6am saying f*** it and getting up.
Right now I don't drink coffee or coke. I don't drink much tea either. I get 5-7 hours of sleep every day, I sleep at almost regular times. And I avoid any serious mental activity before sleeping.
Perharps as a result of that it takes me 1-2 mins to fall asleep.
Quote:
Reading interesting books in bed makes it harder to sleep later. Same goes for anything that causes worry or mental activity, like homework. Have you tried reading boring books?
Yep, doing some brainless activity for a little while just before going to bed seems to help a lot. Play minesweeper? Watch cartoons? Watch some stupid late night show like Jerry Springer's show? Well, you get the idea.
Also - when you are worried or excited about something you may have problems sleeping. So, make sure you fix everything that worries you before going to sleep. Or at least try to avoid thinking about the subject (see the above paragraph for the examples of brainless activities).
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Romana
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Thx :D
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posted October 20, 2005 12:15 PM |
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I have a sleeping disorder..
It's called: Baby
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The darkest skies show the brightest stars
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Svarog
Honorable
Supreme Hero
statue-loving necrophiliac
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posted October 21, 2005 01:44 AM |
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I used to put myself under lot of pressure when despite all the mental efforts and pressing activities waiting for me the following day, my mind still wouldnt hibernate. Then i realized that it's no biggy at all, since sooner or later when I feel like sleeping I can simply decide to sleep no problem, and not the other way around. Much more effective this way, although yes, i do get to bed often enough at 5 or 6 in the morning, but thats what window shutters are for.
Sleeping tips: Reading boring books (thumbs up for khaelo), usually try very hard-core scientific/philosophy stuff and you're out of this world in no time.
Having an orgasm just before bedtime proves most relaxing. The hell with the herbs. 
Think of fantasy story, erotic scenes, anything that keeps you off RL situations and problems.
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The meek shall inherit the earth, but NOT its mineral rights.
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted December 10, 2005 05:10 AM |
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I have that problem also, takes me forever to fall asleep & sometimes I dont see how people can just fall asleep in 2 secs flat lol.
Orless I am just beat out exhausted I just cant, Sometimes I think about stuff then realise it was actually part of my dream too in a thinking matter.
I think stress & hurtfull episodes in your life can keep you up.
Sometimes I think about alot of stuff, maybe depression helps keep you from falling asleep faster as well.
I am also a light sleeper as well, I hear a noise out of the blue or too loud, I simply cant sleep.
I take medicine sometimes to help but man it better knock me the heck out .
I rememebered I went to WV in the states & with 3 hr dif I was up all night then & during the middle of the day I crashed but Mark (Gangrail) kept coming in with his laundry (just in time ) & talking & I was like dozed & "uh hi" Plus I have the habbit of not sleeping if possible while others are around so I tried to look awake but heh even he knew I was dead LOL.
Well I guess that the less you have on your mind the better chance you have to sleep but it's the way your body works too. Our bodies relates dif to other areas when it comes to your body, if that makes any sense i know i said body like 357859305 times lol.
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Dreaming of a Better World
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