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Yes, I agree that we do what we can and adjust. The last few nights I have been consistently waking up at 12:00 or so, I get back to sleep and then wake at between 3:00 and 3:30. I go to the bathroom both times. At 3:00 or so is when I have a hard time getting back to sleep. Last night, I was awake from 3:30 on until about 5:30. I finally got up at 5:45 a.m. Do you have certain times you wake up? I
Hi Gerry,
Welcome to this site. You certainly have dealt with insomnia for a long time. You are so right about people not understanding what real insomnia is. They think that you just close your eyes and off you go to sleep. I didn't realize that the lack of B12 can cause sleep problems. Are you taking any medication for that? When I first enrolled in Martin's sleep training, I was so worried about not sleeping properly. That has changed and as a result my sleep is getting better. I still have nights of maybe 3 to 4 hours but then another night I may get 5 or 6. There was a time when I was lucky if I got 2 hours, so there is improvement. I swim three times a week and now that summer is here, I get out in the garden. The physical exercise helps to get me tired and ready for sleep. I used to detest going to bed but now it's okay.
How has your sleep been for the last few days? Any sign of improvement? I have found that I am not as frustrated at night when I don't get a good sleep. I realize that I will have better nights ahead. I have also found prayer very helpful through all of this and so feel strength and support for getting through each day.
We seem to have similar sleep patterns. Last night I got about 3 hours sleep, if that. I think I got to sleep about 1:00 a.m. Yesterday was very stressful and so had a lot on my mind when I woke at 3:45 a.m. I tried getting back to sleep with a mantra but I kept thinking about yesterday. Just wish I could shut out thoughts but is very difficult to do. I got out of bed at 5:15. I am swimming today and active this afternoon, so hope I can get really tired. I sure wish there was a simple solution to all of this. I do appreciate your input. On Sunday evening, I got 7 and 1/2 hours, which was wonderful. It shows that I am capable of getting a good sleep. I guess we need to keep that in mind.
I agree that it is important to appreciate the good nights that we have. Last night I had cramps all night long which kept me awake. It must have been something that I ate. I did lie down this afternoon about 2:30 and woke up at 4:00, as I was so tired. That is the first time in a long time that I was able to sleep in the afternoon. It really did feel good. Do you sleep during the day at all? If so, can you get to sleep at night?
I had one of those bad nights last night, maybe 2 to 3 hours. It seemed that I was awake most of the night. I do remember dreaming. I felt okay today and had enough energy to do things but it really is hard to understand why these nights happen. I tried the mantra, my 20 minute relaxation tape twice, but nothing seemed to help. I did develop a headache halfway through the night and that kept me awake. Do you get many headaches from not sleeping properly?
It has been a very busy two weeks. My daughter and grandchildren flew home today. It was wonderful having them here and I know helped me to sleep better. There were a couple of nights during their stay that I got about three hours sleep but I did not get upset about it. My attitude towards sleeping is changing and I actually look forward to going to bed. When I have a hard time getting back to sleep, I try a mantra, such as repeating the word Peace over and over again.
Since my grandchildren have been here, I have been very active and I have been getting about 6 hours sleep each night, which is good for me. I haven't been as preoccupied about my sleeping and I think that is making a difference as well. Also sleeping in a different bed.
I have heard of sleep apnea and also have a friend who has the CPAP device. I haven't talked with him for awhile, so not sure how it is working for him. I also have to urinate during the night and sometimes I can fall back to sleep, other times I can't. My daughter and grandchildren are arriving today for a visit for three weeks, so I am hoping that they will tire me out. One is a baby and the other 5 years old, so they will be my physical fitness. At this point in time, I am hesitant on going to a sleep clinic. My natural path doctor put me on herbal medication for adrenal fatigue from all the stress I have had and I need to give them time to work for me. I am not as stressed and taking each day at a time. It sounds like you have had your insomnia for sometime. However, if you get 5 to 6 hours sleep now and again, you are doing alright.
I swim three times a week around 10:00 a.m. in the morning. Sometimes it is difficult to think about going, but once I have had a swim, I feel more energy and more alert. I also have taken walks and find that it doesn't seem to affect how I sleep. I am like you and have tried everything I can think of to help me sleep, one being enrolling in Martin's sleep training. I don't get as anxious now as I used to when I would only get a couple of hours sleep. I realize I will have better sleep nights. Something seems to wake me up and I really don't know what causes that. I received an email from Martin and he mentions that some folks with insomnia may have abnormal breathing, which wakes them up. Last night, was a good night. I am guessing that I got about 4 to 5 hours. I just know that I wasn't lying in bed all night wide awake. It is very frustrating when you go to bed and you don't know how your night is going to be. Sleeping used to be so easy for me before and I just want it back. Georgina 2
Thanks for your response about sleep restriction. I have also found that it doesn't make any difference if I get up and read in another room or just lie in bed. Last night I started out with a relaxation tape, went to sleep but woke up in about an hour with a very dry mouth and couldn't get back to sleep. I think I got about 2 hours sleep, as it felt like I was awake most of the night and I try and not look at a clock. It was a bad night, like you mentioned, as the night before was better and I got about 4 hours sleep. It seems every third night is a bad night. I had been out gardening most of yesterday and was really tired. I thought with all the exercise and sunshine it would make a difference but it didn't. Do others find this also happens when you exercise or do you sleep better? Friends and family just can't understand how I can go to bed and just lie there without drifting off. They have absolutely no idea what insomnia is like. I will find out about my cortisol levels in about a week's time when my doctor gets back from vacation. I haven't slept with my husband for 9 months. He doesn't understand that his snoring or heavy breathing keep me awake too. I have another bedroom that I have fixed up with a fan going, window open and no clock. I am going to be positive, as I know I am capable of sleep. I just need to stay asleep. Georgina 2
The sleep restriction did not work well at all, so I am back to going to bed about 9:30, read for a short while and then do a relaxation tape. I turn the light off about 10:30 but have trouble getting to sleep. I get about 3 to 4 hours sleep on the average. I am presently waiting for cortisol level test results to see if my cortisol levels are high. It was done through DiagnosTech in Kent, Washington. It consisted of doing four saliva tests throughout a day. I don't fall asleep during the day, but lie down to rest my back, as I have sciatica pain. The pain is what started my lack of sleep in the first place. My back is much better and does not hurt when sleeping. It would be wonderful to have a full night of deep sleep. Georgina 2
Didn't realize there are two Georginas on this forum, so I will call myself Georgina 2. It is presently 11:30 and I am trying to keep myself up until 12:00. The hard part is trying to figure out what to do in the evenings to keep myself busy. It is so tempting to go to bed but I really want to do the sleep restriction. Is there anyone else out there trying this also? Georgina2
ok now, so I am the first Georgina and my story is different than the other Georgina….
I looked after my mom from 2001 to 2004. She had alzheimer's and was a sundowner and up all night. So I had to stay up all night so she wouldn't wonder away, and we slept all day.
I have never slept at night since, that is 10 years ago. I can sleep if I take a whole lot of pills, like a couple gravol, some allergy pills and a tranquillizer, but usually I only stay sleeping for about 2 hours, then I am up. I do catch up during the day. I sleep nearly all day long. If the sun is shining in the window, I get very sleepy, but as soon as it is dark, I am wide awake.
I don't know if things will ever change. I am already 71 yrs old. 🙁
