Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I generally use Ambien only 2-3 times per month when I really feel like I need a good night's sleep. I did take it for 10 days straight because 2 doctors suggested that as a way of resetting my brain to sleep when I go to bed. It didn't work and I haven't taken it since. That was a few weeks ago. I don't think I'm dependent on it because I use it very infrequently. I have not tried cognitive behavioral therapy, but I will look into it. I am hoping that some of the holistic supplements start working. I haven't taken them consistently so maybe they will start to work if I use them regularly along with the yoga and Sleep Tracks.
My sleep problems started about 20 years ago. I would have no trouble falling asleep. In fact, I would read in bed and fall asleep during the first paragraph or I'd fall asleep on the sofa if I was watching a movie, but I would wake up at 2 AM every night and be awake for 3 hours. Back then, my kids were all in school so I would have to get up around 6 AM. About 5 years ago, the cycle changed. Now I have trouble falling asleep – too much “mental chatter” – and I wake up constantly throughout the night. Sometimes I go back to sleep quickly but some nights I feel like I am awake pretty much the whole night. Even if I fall back to sleep quickly, I don't feel like I'm getting any quality sleep. I wake up so tired everyday. The thoughts that keep me awake are not necessarily anxiety creating thoughts (although sometimes they are), they are mostly just chatter or songs stuck in my head even if I haven't heard the song in months. My brain just won't shut down. The only real sleep medication I've tried is Ambien which helps a lot. If I take Ambien, I usually sleep for 4 or 5 straight hours. I'll wake up a few more times, but go right back to sleep. I just don't want to have to rely on drugs or alcohol to sleep – I drink wine almost every night with dinner, which is another reason I don't want to take drugs. I know the theory that the wine is messing up my sleep cycle, but unfortunately it seems to be the only thing giving me a sleep cycle at all. If I don't drink wine or take Ambien I lay awake for hours, once I do fall asleep, I wake up constantly. Even when I take Ambien (5mg), I wake up feeling tired. I went to a doctor about a year ago who specializes in holistic treatments. He concluded after his examination that I hadn't gotten quality sleep in years and that I was exhausted and my body was running on empty which is why I was having other health problems. He gave me a slew of holistic sleep remedies, but they don't seem to help much. I also went to some yoga for sleep classes recently, but I haven't really incorporated them into my night time routine yet. Hopefully they will help. I am open to any and all suggestions.
