[ThisWayOut]

I feel exhausted lately, but can't sleep. I'm up all night, and when I do fall asleep, it's very light sleep. I try napping during the day sometimes because I just can't keep my eyes open, but it's the same issue:I wake to any noise or movement (we have cats and dogs that constantly shift or move. Even when they are not in the room, I hear them in the living room and wake up startled). I would take something to sleep, but then I'm out the whole next day. I'm not sure what else to do. I think part of they problem is holiday stresses... i just need the holidays to be over and i need to figure out how to get quality sleep again :/

(Also, this lack of sleep has my eating whacked out and my self harm urges growing again. Eek!)

[Canyon]

I know what you are saying here.

Hypervigilance is common when there is a lot of stress in your life.

My doctor tells me to try to do things to exhaust myself during the day beyond the exhaustion that can be caused by doing nothing. That sort of exhaustion can actually make it harder for me to go to sleep.

Although I'm not the best at practicing this, I find that when I physically exert myself I get the best sleep. Otherwise I end up having to use melatonin in order to get a bit of sleep and not feel horrid the next day.

[SilverNeurotic]

I am like this at work, so when O get off shift and go home I basically crash.

Have you tried listening to music through headphones? Concentrating on the music might help block out everything around.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ThisWayOut]

Thanks both. I took some benadryl to help on Saturday night and i was a wreck all day yesterday. I still feel really tired, almost add if my body realized it lost sleep for a few weeks and now needs to make up for it by sleeping all the time... canyon, i don't have the energy to be out and physical. I tried that and ended up having to sit every few minutes of my walk. Normally, exercise helps me get sleep, but i think I'm too messed up on my sleep and food to do much. I need to get this under control soon :/ Even music just gives me a headache (and that normally helps also). I tried my usual calming stuff, my stress release playlist, and my meditation/sleep playlist - none can help my brain stop (which is weird to say, because it feels like i just have wads of cotton and not a brain at the moment)...

[Canyon]

So sorry to hear that. I do hope you get rested and well nourished soon.

[HenryPatterson]

Because she was only being polite, as you were, I would not go into detail. You will probably get other great ones I can't think of.

[ThisWayOut]

henrypatterson, ? What do you mean? I'm confused...

[LadyShadow]

Maybe that response was meant for another thread? I don't know....

Anyway, I have a lot of trouble sleeping too. Usually I use something to distract my mind like television or music in the background at very low volume with a timer. May I ask what you use to go to sleep? Trazedone helps me. And Clomazipan (not sure of the spelling), in extreme cases when I cant sleep. Maybe you should talk to your pdoc and come up with a plan to take something else.

Wishing you all the best to get a good night's sleep soon!

[RTerroni]

This happened to me a few weeks ago and I have been on sleep aid ever since.

[ThisWayOut]

Trazodone knocks me out through the end of the following day (most sleep aids do), so I don't use those unless I'm in a really desperate spot (maybe a few times a year). I generally do a meditation track on my iPod, the delta sleep system tracks, or music on the lowest volume. I have lavender oil by my bed, which helps me relax when I use it, or tea if I feel like drinking something. I also recently started using an app called "art of glow" that I draw a star field on and watch for a while (you can set the drawing to blink which makes it look like it's twinkling). I have used melatonin with mixed results - sometimes it helps, sometimes not. I've found when I'm really depressed or stressed, nothing works, including the meds...

[Purple80]

That's really debilitating, lack of sleep. I use a relaxation app and go swimming, which helps but like you say if you're so exhausted from lack of sleep you can't do the things you need. I think our bodies get into a bad habit and it takes a while to break it.
Presumably you've cut out caffeine and other stimulants? A friend of mine swears by eating salad in the evenings as there's supposed to be a chemical in lettuce leaves that helps you go to sleep.
I hope you sort this soon. In the meantime have you tried getting out of bed when you can't sleep and doing something else? So your body just associates bed with sleep and not lying there wide awake. try reading or even writing down how you feel, that always helps me.

[happiedasiy]

Originally Posted by MdngtRain

Trazodone knocks me out through the end of the following day (most sleep aids do), so I don't use those unless I'm in a really desperate spot (maybe a few times a year). I generally do a meditation track on my iPod, the delta sleep system tracks, or music on the lowest volume. I have lavender oil by my bed, which helps me relax when I use it, or tea if I feel like drinking something. I also recently started using an app called "art of glow" that I draw a star field on and watch for a while (you can set the drawing to blink which makes it look like it's twinkling). I have used melatonin with mixed results - sometimes it helps, sometimes not. I've found when I'm really depressed or stressed, nothing works, including the meds...

Dear MdngtRain,
Yes this is true, when we get stuck in a rut, really depressed, with stress on top meds will not work. Have you tried a candle while night meditation?
I guess your star glow is similar.

You already know nothing is permanent, this bad cycle will pass.
Sometimes when we are over stressed and anxious, the night time becomes like an oasis for the mind and we stay awake.
Do what works for you. Dont forget spring forward clocks change.
This will take some adapting to.
Happiedasiy

[ThisWayOut]

I actually got a really goon night's sleep last night. Today I was full of energy and managed to clean all 10 of my snake cages in one day (haven't done that in almost 2 years, I normally stagger them).
Unfortunately, I can't cut out the caffiene completely as I get killer headaches from lack of coffee in the am (though coffee is generally a relaxer for me rather than a stimulant). I'm just glad it was a good night last night. I'm hoping tonight goes the same.
I do have candles, but worry about falling asleep with them on, so I use the app instead (similar concept though not th esame thing).

[ThisWayOut]

Apparently I'm only allowed one night of quality sleep at a time... 3.5 hours and I can't get back to sleep. It was nice while it lasted.
On a positive note, I think my dream may be a good starting point for a sci-fi horror movie... just need to brush up on my writing skills to get the main story across and pass it along to someone else for the screenplay.

[Purple80]

That's great about the one good night, not so good about last night. But yes, channel that into something, get it written then remember this for when you're making your Oscar speech