I seem to only be able to sleep when I am completely exhausted......so I have to force myself to STOP whatever I am doing at around 11pm......take a natural sleep aid ....go take a hot shower & pray that when I get out, I will be tired enough when I crawl into bed & cover myself with a nice warm snuggly blanket....to be able to go to sleep. I don't have mania.....not bipolar....but for some reason after going through the trauma 7 years ago, I just can't get the sleep thing to happen even though I don't have the nightmares any more.

I have been known to get busy cleaning the kitchen or getting into a painting project or a beading project & then all of a sudden, the sun's coming up & I have no idea where the night went. Sometimes I force myself to go to sleep in the morning & just wake up whenever.....but that's not a good idea on an extended basis.

Found out how bad lack of sleep effects my blood pressure however....had appointment with my pain specialist last week after several days of no sleep & blood pressure was 195/125......I know something wasn't accurate with their reading but he was definitely wanting me to go to the ER.....I didn't go....but he gave me a prescription for sleep aid Tamazapam.....but my pharmacist friend suggested a natural sleep aid that he has heard results from. I have taken it 2 times & it does work without leaving me with the hung over feeling.

UGH.....I hate sleep because I can't get anything accomplished while wasting time sleeping, but in reality....I don't have the energy I need to do anything when I don't sleep......so my excuse really isn't a valid one. Found when I really sleep & get up early in the morning, I get more things done by noon than I do in several days without sleep.....so I keep proving to myself how important sleep is....but I keep not sleeping some nights still....you would think I would learn....but think that's NOT going to happen. Living alone with 5 dogs, & no one else that wants to keep a schedule.......leaves no incentive much other than self to get into a functioning schedule for my own health sake.