[DivorcedWoman]

I'm very frustrated. I take a sleep aid and am usually a good sleeper. I slept horribly for three nights in a row. I woke up exhausted each morning. I go to bed between 9 and 9:30 as I have a young son who goes to bed between 8 and 8:30 and wakes up early. He and I usually get up between 6 and 7 am. I slept a little better last night but feel like I need more sleep to catch up. I've tried to nap but can't. I'm not staying up all night so I'm not super concerned that it is mania but of course don't want anything to turn into mania. I will see my counselor tomorrow and tell her, but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and has some advice. I take Temazepam as a sleep aid and I'm at the highest dose.

I was getting worried about you - haven't seen you around

These are all of my best "Can't Sleep" suggestions taken from drs and things i've tried.

Try taking your meds and going to sleep a little later so you can sleep a little harder for the time you do sleep.

You can also try benadryl (unless you know it makes you hyper). It makes you more drowsy.

Sleepytime tea and cutting back on caffeine - i would drink coffee till 5 but I had to learn to stop at more like 2.

my pdoc suggested a journal to write down whatever i thought would keep me awake at night - like writing my anxiety away. It actually helped me.

Breathing exercises. i just take deep breaths when i get in bed, count to 5 breathing in, then count to 5 breathing out. If I can focus on it and slow my breathing enough I do fall asleep.

There is also sleep music you can download from itunes. i downloaded it but I haven't listened to it yet.

Not sleeping kills me so I understand your frustration - I hope one of these things helps.

[BlackPup]

great suggestions from jaded moon beam
seroquel in low doses can help, warm milk before bed, I'll second the journal writing, and music, also audio books and meditation/relaxation can help.

[DivorcedWoman]

Thanks so much. I did talk to my therapist today and we are pretty sure caffeine might be the culprit. I drink a lot of coffee and she said that could effect me as my stress level, etc. changes so I'm going to cut down on the caffeine or switch to decaf as I love the taste of coffee.

I love the other suggestions and will keep them in mind.

Jadedmoonbeam I actually tried to send you an email on my Blackberry but it wouldn't go through for some reason. I will try to send something soon. I was swamped with my son this week. I hope you are doing better.

Thanks again!

Glad you figured it out and hope you got some sleep.

I used to be able to drink coffee all day every day and sleep fine at night. I'm only drinking 1-2 cups down from 4-5. LOVE COFFEE!

[sugahorse1]

I have to stop drinking coffee by 2PM. Actually, I just drink tea at the moment, but also have my last cup at 2PM. After that I drink water or juice.
Sleep music has really helped me.
I sometimes realise I am hypomanic when I can't get to sleep. I need min 8 hours sleep, else I battle. Weekends are worse for me, even though I can obviously sleep in more. I tend to nap on weekends.
Maybe try a different sleep aid? Zopiclone helps me.
Keep checking in with your T, and make note of any other symptoms you may experience