[1Dar]

OK so I have been laying her in my bed for what seems like forever....it has been nearly 2hrs! I keep tossing and turning and can't fall asleep....

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

This is what happens to me for several days and sometimes weeks after taking any kind of sleep-aid. Now you are probally wondering why I took a sleep aid if I knew this was going to happen, well it was take a sleep aid or get no sleep and get sicker. I was keeping myself awake caughing which wasn't helping my ear infection or my sinus infection, so the dr gave me a sleep aid, but said not to take it if I didn't need it for the caughing. So now the last 3 or 4 nights I haven't needed it, but I lay in bed and toss and turn and can't sleep.
I am not sure what to do....this seems to happen everythime I take a sleep aid. I am worried that I am not going to get enough sleep now, and thus relaps into this cold, sinus/ear infection. I finish the antibiotic tomorrow and know that I am not over it, and am not sure what to do because i know that the lack of sleep isn't helping at all.

I just need some advise....if anyone knows what to do I would be so thankful..........

Later,
Restless, tired, frustrated, and anoyed:
Dar

I don't know if I have any advice that will help you but I know how it feels to not be able to sleep. It is a miserable thing. Hang in there...Pat

[(JD)]

Hi 1dar welcome back!

Sounds like a paradoxical allergic reaction to me (I have them...) You need to try different meds... until one works for you...and then if and when it quits, try another.

Try to have a routine before bed. ROUTINE as in it gets boring and rote when you do it. Don't exercise or eat a big meal for several hours prior. Try reading a book (not in bed) taking a bath, sitting outside watching the clouds/moon/stars whatever, setting the clock, turning on the radio on automatic turnoff, sipping herbal tea.... a few things...

the above will tell your body/mind that it's getting ready to go to bed and sleep!

Next, make sure it isn't your "mind" and thinking that is keeping you awake. Write down all the stuff you didn't get done that you wanted to, or that you need to do the next day. Writing them down allows your mind to release them and not work at remembering.

Try a sleep tape, meditation, music tape (I use a delta brain wave tape) to focus onto... and allow your brain to surrender to nothingness/consciousness.

Sleep is very important (you know this!) but when we don't get the sleep we need, all things go downhill quickly.

good wishes.