[Wild Coyote]

I've been having months now of insomnia. I am very energized and want to be productive; yet, I don't want to awaken the household.

(I have spent many weeks making myself stay in bed, listening to hypnosis, relaxing music, meditations, med changes and more.
Last night, I got up and got busy, hoping doing so would tire me out. No, it did not.)

What did I do?

I have organized some family pictures which are now ready for albums.
I cleared out email account.
I started turkey soup in the crock pot.
I started some beet kvass, a fermented beverage. Beet Kvass Recipe | Wellness Mama
I played my guitar, quietly.
I meditated.

What do you do when you are experiencing chronic insomnia?

Oh, stop by for some soup later!


WC

Haha, I'd love to stop by for some soup!

Well, let's see. I have the flu so I really have been trying to sleep. But I'm sleeping in two hour stretches?

I even took Geodon with ice cream plus a Klonopin. That would normally knock me out AT LEAST ten hours. Nope. Two hours and I'm up. Yikes.

Throughout my stretches of sleeplessness last night, in no particular order:

Read RomanJames' super interesting post about mania including the link to his blog

Hung out with my boyfriend as he had insomnia, too. Fortunately, he's asleep now.

He cleaned the kitchen but I cleaned it again lol

Fed and talked to my Maine Coon cats. They will chatter all night lol

Thought about doing laundry but decided against it - too early.

I dusted and lit some candles. "Ambiance" and all that lol

Spending time on PC, including Community Liasion stuff

I keep trying to sleep, but no luck. I just keep going up and down.

[Wild Coyote]

Sorry you have the flu!
I will deliver the soup to you so you can rest up for vacation!

I tend to go overboard when I cook. I grew up cooking for a household of 10.
Now I cook extra for neighbors. Lots of elderly neighbors living alone and fighting cancers.

Extra garlic for you! Gotta get you back on your feet in time for the ranch!


WC

[Sula B]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Sorry you have the flu!
I will deliver the soup to you so you can rest up for vacation!

I tend to go overboard when I cook. I grew up cooking for a household of 10.
Now I cook extra for neighbors. Lots of elderly neighbors living alone and fighting cancers.

Extra garlic for you! Gotta get you back on your feet in time for the ranch!


WC

Well they say every cloud has a silver lining and I'm sure your neighbours are thrilled with your insomnia for allowing you to provide for them. That is also very kind of you. Especially since the sense of community and neighbourliness seems to have been eroded in our world. So I applaud your ability to turn your problem around to be a kindly act towards others.

I have had lengthy bouts of insomnia over the years and have done many of the things you have listed as well as cleaning and binge watching movies/tv shows.

I don't have an answer or you, I really just wanted to applaud you for being a kind and thoughtful neighbour and to share experiences.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Sula B

Well they say every cloud has a silver lining and I'm sure your neighbours are thrilled with your insomnia for allowing you to provide for them. That is also very kind of you. Especially since the sense of community and neighbourliness seems to have been eroded in our world. So I applaud your ability to turn your problem around to be a kindly act towards others.

I have had lengthy bouts of insomnia over the years and have done many of the things you have listed as well as cleaning and binge watching movies/tv shows.

I don't have an answer or you, I really just wanted to applaud you for being a kind and thoughtful neighbour and to share experiences.

Oh, thanks! I so enjoy sharing meals with our lonely seniors. We also have them come over for some meals. It makes my day to "serve" our seniors. They paved the way for us. They have paid in lots of tax monies, of all kinds, for their lifetimes and have given of their time and talents. I feel they deserve decent care from their communities.


WC

[Bipolarchic14]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I've been having months now of insomnia. I am very energized and want to be productive; yet, I don't want to awaken the household.

(I have spent many weeks making myself stay in bed, listening to hypnosis, relaxing music, meditations, med changes and more.
Last night, I got up and got busy, hoping doing so would tire me out. No, it did not.)

What did I do?

I have organized some family pictures which are now ready for albums.
I cleared out email account.
I started turkey soup in the crock pot.
I started some beet kvass, a fermented beverage. Beet Kvass Recipe | Wellness Mama
I played my guitar, quietly.
I meditated.

What do you do when you are experiencing chronic insomnia?

Oh, stop by for some soup later!


WC

I too would like some turkey soup please! See you can just cook for all the people that can't sleep on PC. ��

When I had access to a 24 hrs gym I'd go work out. ( therapist said this was not a good plan)
Now I work on my novel, make dumb comments on Facebook , make unuseful posts on here clean my room kitchen etc.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Bipolarchic14

I too would like some turkey soup please! See you can just cook for all the people that can't sleep on PC. ��

When I had access to a 24 hrs gym I'd go work out. ( therapist said this was not a good plan)
Now I work on my novel, make dumb comments on Facebook , make unuseful posts on here clean my room kitchen etc.

Turkey soup for the novelist!

Good luck with your novel!
Going to the gym is a great idea! productive!


WC

Insomnia is the worst! I'm sorry you are struggling with it. When I get insomnia, I'm so tired and exhausted that I don't do much of anything. I think I putter around the Internet and watch TV, but I have a horrible time concentrating and just feel like I am in a fog, or a dream state. I often just sit and stare and hope for sleep. I used to take lots of benedryl when I had insomnia, which USED to work and help me sleep, but hasn't been helpful at all during insomnia anymore. It's no fun.

On a positive note, congrats on getting so much done! That is wonderful and should make you proud. (((Hugs)))

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

Insomnia is the worst! I'm sorry you are struggling with it. When I get insomnia, I'm so tired and exhausted that I don't do much of anything. I think I putter around the Internet and watch TV, but I have a horrible time concentrating and just feel like I am in a fog, or a dream state. I often just sit and stare and hope for sleep. I used to take lots of benedryl when I had insomnia, which USED to work and help me sleep, but hasn't been helpful at all during insomnia anymore. It's no fun.

On a positive note, congrats on getting so much done! That is wonderful and should make you proud. (((Hugs)))

Thanks, Elsa!

The problem is: I'm not getting tired.
I've had a couple of months of this. We are trying to find the right meds. I've been in an odd mixed episode. I think its turning into a more pure hypomania now. Pdoc prescribed a Depakote increase and Lunesta today. (Ambien had me very confused/mesesd up/agitated. No can do.)

I hope you have had a good day!


WC

My day has been okay. Thank you

Im sorry you want sleep but cannot catch it Let me know how the Lunesta works out. They gave me ambien in the hospital and I would have sworn it was nothing more than a sugar pill because it didn't make me tired in the least.

(((Hugs)))

[OctobersBlackRose]

Toss and turn in bed
Listen to music
Eat/make something to eat
Take a.shower
Color
Play with the cat
Watch TV
Play around online

What do I do?

I mostly play on the internet. I like to learn new things and research new project ideas. Even if I don't actually find a project to do, that's okay. I have fun looking for new ideas.

Sometimes I also research items I want to buy for a specific activity. Like, I enjoy reading about bikes (surprise, surprise!) and bike gear. I like to find the best gear for my budget.

I also like to install banned apps on my iPhone without jailbreaking. I also like to modify certain iOS things without jailbreaking. I'm a total dork, though. I do this kinda s*** for a living (sorta).

Netflix is pretty good too. I like to binge watch TV series on that. Pretty fun stuff.

[Blaire]

I can sleep, but I wake up a lot during the night. I usually just walk around, make sure no intruders are in the house, check the windows, make sure the temperature's okay, check on my daughter, make sure she has just exactly the right amount of blanket coverage. Then I go back to bed, wake up two hours later, and do the same thing. Makes no sense during the day, but at night I can't stop doing it.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by Blaire

I can sleep, but I wake up a lot during the night. I usually just walk around, make sure no intruders are in the house, check the windows, make sure the temperature's okay, check on my daughter, make sure she has just exactly the right amount of blanket coverage. Then I go back to bed, wake up two hours later, and do the same thing. Makes no sense during the day, but at night I can't stop doing it.

Is this something that you are compelled to do?
Have you discussed this with a therapist or pdoc?
It sounds like it bothers you, it would me too.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

[KnocKturnaL]

Interesting to read all of the things you guys do at night. I actually work 3rd shift, as it says in my screenname, I'm nocturnal! When I'm off I stay up browsing the web or playing videogames on my PS3. I also like to catch up on shows like The Blacklist or Mr. Robot, just to name a couple. But I think a good solution to insomnia is to do an activity like exercise, take a walk. do laundry, read, then you may naturally feel tired afterwards.
And by the way, I'll have some soup as well!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by KnocKturnaL

Interesting to read all of the things you guys do at night. I actually work 3rd shift, as it says in my screenname, I'm nocturnal! When I'm off I stay up browsing the web or playing videogames on my PS3. I also like to catch up on shows like The Blacklist or Mr. Robot, just to name a couple. But I think a good solution to insomnia is to do an activity like exercise, take a walk. do laundry, read, then you may naturally feel tired afterwards.
And by the way, I'll have some soup as well!

Hot homemade turkey soup is on its way!
Look for an incoming drone; special delivery!

WC

[Wild Coyote]

At least a part of my wakefulness at night is PTSD.
I am definitely a light sleeper.
It's worse when hubby is traveling and not at home, although he sleeps through everything. Lol.
I grew up in a volatile situation and served as the family "watch dog, " so to speak. Lots of sudden violence in the night.

I slept better when I had my G. Shepherds taking over that role.
I haven't had a G. Shepherd for 5 years, as my last one passed on.
We will get another once we move again. We are helping my elderly mother right now, since my stepdad's passing. No dogs allowed in her community. She is moving with us and will have her own apt. on the premises.


WC

Cant sleep and I want to. Took a Klonopin so maybe that will help.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by rainyday107

Cant sleep and I want to. Took a Klonopin so maybe that will help.

I hope that will help you.

I have been chewing them for weeks. Once I get over 3.0 mg per day, I feel hung over by them, but not sleepy. My pdoc says they are not targeting sleep, like Ambien or Lunesta (hypnotics).
I tried Ambien and was confused and messed up. I am trying Lunesta now.

(((((( HUGS ))))))
Sweet Dreams,
WC

[Raindropvampire]

I work nights. I figure if I'm going to be up I might as well get paid for being up

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Raindropvampire

I work nights. I figure if I'm going to be up I might as well get paid for being up

Wisdom!

Do you sleep during the day?


WC

[Raindropvampire]

Well like today I could only sleep a couple hours but usually I can sleep better during the day. My night terrors aren't so bad and my C-PTSD isn't so bad.

"what do you do with yourself at 2a.m in the morning?" is 1 of my most used phrases

on good days, i watch dvds, watch shopping comercials (well what else is on regular tv at that time?) and sometimes read

on worse days, helusinate, get agitated- start feeling like i'm the only imsomniac in the world, etc

i have these thoughts all the time.. am i the only one up?. and then i think of hospital staff and emergency services who are up as well, and people who are at airports or on plains

actually on second thoughts.. people on plains on that hour are probably sleeping!