Insomnia

[mathare]

Anyone got any good advice for coping with, and preferably preventing/treating insomnia, especially sleep onset insomnia?

For a while now (weeks, months) I have had great difficulty getting to sleep. I spend all day at work on a computer, get home and spend most of each evening ona computer then go to bed and read poker/racing books. But I have done that for years and only recently started to struggle to get to sleep.

I thought I was getting too hot (I need a cool spot on the pillow to be able to sleep) so I bought a fan. I have tried varying the time at which I try to get to sleep. I have tried eyemasks to black things out in an attempt to force me to sleep but they make me too hot round the eyes.

When I can't sleep I don't get up or switch the light back on and carry on reading. Should I? It's getting ridiculous now and I am having seriously difficulty getting a few hours sleep a night, whuch worries me as Thatcher only slept a few hours each night and look what she did to the country.

Do I need a lifestyle change? I don't want one, that's for sure. Do I need to go see a doctor and maybe get a short-term solution in the form of sleeping pills?

[Street cry]

I get like that Mat i get up and go on the computer till i am literally exhausted which is usually 3am. Not apractical solution but i do sympathise :cryer

[mathare]

I get like that Mat i get up and go on the computer till i am literally exhausted which is usually 3am. Not apractical solution but i do sympathise :cryerNot ideal when I have to work the next day but something I have considered certainly. It doesn't help that the missus wouldn't sleep as well without me there so she's likely to try and force me to come to bed and get some sleep even though I'm not properly exhausted

[presto]

for a long time (10 years :yikes: ) i have suffered from on/off very bad insomnia. not sure what causes it and i never really found how to cure it. doctors were always usless for me, typical advice was:

- warm milk before bed.
- exercise.
- stop any mental stimulation 1 hour before bed (tv, books, computer etc)
- cut caffine completely after 4pm
- keep bedroom pitch black

not sure what 'type' of insomnia you have - but i found my body went to sleep well before my mind did, if you get what i mean.

sleeping pills like nytol never really worked for me, i found the first time i used it i was off like a light - but the 2nd time onwards it never worked, as if i built up an immediate tolerance for the stuff.

stress is often considered a major factor with insomnia.

[silax]

hmm try going out of reality into an imaginary world in your thought take yourself into a land where you are king, something along those lines anyway just block out the real world and nod off.
never had a problem sleeping

[Win2Win]

I never sleep for more than 4-5hrs a night, and never in one go. Bugger all I can do about it, so just have to live with it.

Doesn't bother my daily work though, my mind works fine even if the body can no longer keep up. I never sleep during the day though...unless I have the Labour conference on :laugh

[mathare]

typical advice was:

- warm milk before bed.
- exercise.
- stop any mental stimulation 1 hour before bed (tv, books, computer etc)
- cut caffine completely after 4pm
- keep bedroom pitch black
I don't like the taste of milk so that's out. I don't see how I can stop mental stimulation that early - what do I do between stopping reading/computing and sleep? I don't have caffeine except a bit of chocolate during the day. The bedroom is as dark as I can get it and I have tried eyemasks but they don't help any more (they used to, a bit).

not sure what 'type' of insomnia you have - but i found my body went to sleep well before my mind did, if you get what i mean. My body never really gets that tired because I'm a lazy bugger so it hardly gets the chance. I get to the point where my eyes feel tired, so I try dropping off but my brain kicks in to hyperspeed and starts going over all sorts of things - work, poker, code designs etc.

stress is often considered a major factor with insomnia.I don't feel that stressed but maybe I am. I am trying to implement measures at work to reduce my stress levels - only time will tell if that helps any. There is no quick and easy fix for stress though. I am taking some time out from gambling at the end of the month for a holiday - that might help also.

[scoobydoo]

Have you tried some exercise Mat? Could you go for a run for 45 mins...or a walk for an hour...maybe some fresh air would help you? Failing that, you could watch an Italian Serie A match...that would just about send you! :rolleyes:

[mathare]

Have you tried some exercise Mat? Could you go for a run for 45 mins...or a walk for an hour...maybe some fresh air would help you?At what time of day? During the evening?

I get home from work about 6.30-7.00pm, have me tea about 8pm and then go to bed about 11pm. Not sure when I'd have time to fit in a walk, and I'm not bloody running - I'd rather suffer from insomnia as cool things can happen if you believe Fight Club

[Win2Win]

You're eating too late, your body is still processing the food in a high gear at 11pm.



what do I do between stopping reading/computing and sleep?

Sex! :doh

[wb]

It's not much help Mat, but just to say that I'm the same and rarely go to bed before 2am.

I simply can't sleep and have resigned myself to the fact that I need only 5 or 6 hours despite doctors recommending that we have more.

Again, this goes against advice, but I'll sleep better if I have a can or two of beer (or a glass of wine). I'm not talking about getting drunk, but after I turn of the computer (or put down the book) at 12 or 12:30, I'll have a can or two, turn on the TV and that knocks me out.

The missus goes to bed early which is always a problem as I simply cant do that. She's the opposite and cant stay up late.

[mathare]

You're eating too late, your body is still processing the food in a high gear at 11pm.I have no choice in the matter. That's the time of night I have to eat so maybe I should be going to bed later

[Win2Win]

I have no choice in the matter. That's the time of night I have to eat so maybe I should be going to bed later
Big meal at lunchtime, snack at night :thumbs

[mathare]

Big meal at lunchtime, snack at night :thumbsNot an option. That doesn't suit my working day at all.

I have had this meal routine for years now and used to be able to sleep so while it may not be helping it's certainly not the root cause of the problem

[presto]

I'd rather suffer from insomnia as cool things can happen if you believe Fight Club

i was going to mention that :laugh
at the start when ed norton goes into the doctors for some sleeping pills as he hasn't slept for days, and the doctor won't give him any saying he needs healthy natural sleep - try valerian root.

it so reminded me of when i hadn't slept for 3 days and the dissapering spiders were comming after me, not to mention all the other wierd stuff, all i wanted to do was get pills to help me sleep. and all he could say was - have a glass of warm milk. :headbange

[Street cry]

I have to be up at 6.00 too Mat and it is hard. Its probably due to your intelligence and calculative mind .
Silax is right though think of imaginery things and that does help.

[mathare]

I have tried a new tactic this evening - I walked home from walk rather than getting the train. It's half an hour door to door if I get the train, including the time to walk to/from the station. Walking took me an hour this evening. I don't mind the walk but I'd only do it when the evenings are dry but if I could it say ince a week or so it may help things I guess.

[sparkyminer]

Not an option. That doesn't suit my working day at all.


And not sleeping does?:rolleyes:
Keith took the words out of my mouth, (keyboard:D).
You're eating too late. And you probably need some physical exercise.
Get off the bus one or two stops early and walk, if it's safe to do so. I know it's bit rough down south.:laugh

I unfortunately have the reverse problem. Since my 'accident', I struggle to stay awake in the evenings. I'm very rarely up after 10pm, even at weekends. I really have to foce myself to stay up. It's probably not too bad as I have to get up at 4.30am.:splapme

[mathare]

And not sleeping does?:rolleyes:I know what you're saying but I have never been able to eat a big lunch. And as I have said a few times, I used to be able to sleep fine without changing my eating habits. Plus it's not practical to change and have a big lunch and small tea because the missus won't.

[sparkyminer]

I have tried a new tactic this evening - I walked home from walk rather than getting the train.



Get off the bus one or two stops early and walk, if it's safe to do so. I know it's bit rough down south.

Blimey. Great minds...................and all that.:yikes:

[bigcumba]

You could try a herbal type thing.... the herbal version of Nytol can help, or pop into your local Holland and Barrett and pick up some Valerian either in capsule or liquid form and take an hour before go to bed. If you do get the Nytol - do make sure it's the herbal one as the other version is like chemical cosh, and you'll wake up feeling like crap - hangover-ish.

[Win2Win]

....And as I have said a few times, I used to be able to sleep fine without changing my eating habits......
But your body is changing as you get older.....you process food slower, and therefore less energy, so you have more left got longer.

If you like a cold pillow like me, get a water pillow.....:censored: grrrrreat :thumbs

[mathare]

I thought about getting one of those Chillows from Amazon but have read mixed reviews.

I may investigate Nytol/valerian though - cheers all :thumbs

[Win2Win]

http://www.inpeakcondition.com/products/mediflow.html

Great for those of us who don't have a neck! :doh Works for me then :)

[vegyjones]

Its probably due to your intelligence and calculative mind.

Are you saying that those of us who have no problem drifting off are as thick as two planks ? :mad:

[bigcumba]

Are you saying that those of us who have no problem drifting off are as thick as two planks ? :mad:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Win2Win]

Are you saying that those of us who have no problem drifting off are as thick as two planks ? :mad:
If we are using you as an example.....case closed :thumbs

[karen]

I use 5-HTP, which is used to make serotonin—an important brain chemical regulating mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep.It works wonders for me,100mg 90 mins before sleep.

[Win2Win]

Deja Vu :laugh

I need some insomnia tonight, our friends flight is delayed and she wont be landing till 1am instead of 9....and I've gotta pick her up :mad:

[peza2605]

I use 5-HTP, which is used to make serotonin—an important brain chemical regulating mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep.It works wonders for me,100mg 90 mins before sleep.
where from? how much? help?

[lowe1]

where from? how much? help?

Just google it loads of places selling it

http://www.naturesbest.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=564&SRC=GOMISCVVVV&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_term=5%2Bhtp

[peza2605]

cheers mate im a lazy git i know:D

[purpletrader]

Had the same sleep problems

Basically your suffering from what far eastern cultures call monkey mind!

I use the proteus meditation sound & light machine and 5-HTP, I think the main thing is to have an hours break from concentrating on PC etc.

[bigcumba]

I tried counting sheep, but that just gave rise to other problems :wink

[piggy]

i use vodka normally about half a bottle does it with 3 x 50mgm dothiepin :D

[Win2Win]

i use vodka normally about half a bottle does it with 3 x 50mgm dothiepin :D
This is NOT advised.

(I recommend only 2 x 50mgm dothiepin with vodka :rolleyes:)

[Street cry]

Get your lazeee :butthead: out of bed and trade the asian session ha ha ha ha you know it make sense

[Win2Win]

get Your Lazeee :butthead: Out Of Bed And Trade The Asian Session Ha Ha Ha Ha You Know It Make Sense
:d

[peza2605]

ive been having that 5 htp stuff for about a week now, not sleeping any better but i feel even more sh**ged out most of the time :mad:, or is it cos im getting old.

[Win2Win]

.....or is it cos im getting old.
Some truth in that :thumbs