Still not sleeping..................

[Mars]

This is just getting plain, down-right OLD - can't sleep and when I do it's the sleep where you are "barely" there and aware of everything around you. I've been functioning on 3-4 hours per night and it is just NOT enough!!!!!

I bought some sleep aid at the drug store and sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. By early afternoon I am barely able to think or function and when I get off of work I am exhausted. I try to keep busy so I don't have to sleep and then I am hit with a strong burst of energy about 7-8 and then can't fall asleep when I go to bed. Sigh............

Just thought I'd share.........

Sleepy...or is it full of energy.............I'm soooooo confused!
Mars

[starfire]

I wish I had the answer for you, Mars. I long for the days when I'd fall asleep easily and stay asleep all night long. Haven't seen any of those for 2 or 3 years now. Sometimes it's a lot worse than others. If I were working outside the home as you are, it would be a LOT worse on me.

You are right........3-4 hours is NOT enough. I'ts downright unhealthy.
I assume you've tried herbal teas, etc.

Perhaps Oma will have a suggestion or two.

I'm really sorry, Mars.

Love, Shirley

[tex]

Have you tried staying up until you're tired?

If I'm not sleepy when I go to bed, I read or watch tv, until the sandman shows up.

Love,
Wayne

[Mars]

That's the problem Wayne, my alarm goes off at 5:45 every morning no matter how many hours of sleep (or not) I get. If I were to stay up until tired or able to go to sleep, I'd be right back where I am now - 3 to 4 hours of sleep.

The other things that is bad is that my eyes are red and dry and scratchy due to lack of sleep too. Guess I'm gonna have to break down and go to the doctor. If history repeats itself, lack of sleep will reduce my immune system down to nothing and I will get sick and have a hard time shaking it. Sigh....... Can't seem to win for loosing these days.

Love,
Mars

[tex]

True, but at least you would be sleeping. and not tossing and turning.

Something is making you hyper at the wrong time. Are you eating something late in the afternoon or evening that could do that. Have you changed any medications lately?

Love,
Wayne

[Alice]

Hi Mars,

I can empathize because I've hardly ever been a good sleeper. It's the absolute worst to be chronically tired, for me it's worse than being actually sick. It ruins the quality of life. Right now I'm going through a good spell, thank goodness.

What is your cause - are you anxious? Depressed? Eating or drinking something that is a stimulant?

Sometimes making a list of things that I need to do the next day before I go to bed helps - prevents me from thinking about them in bed!

I would agree it's time to see the doctor and get some help.

Good luck!

Love,
Alice

[celia]

Mars, I really feel for you. I didn't sleep but 3 or 4 hours for six months in a row and it was hell.

What works for me and my husband is using Natural Calm, a magnesium supplement in a powdered form that you add to hot water (or vice versa). I hope I am not being too repetitive, but, beleive me, this stuff goes flying off the shelf at my health food store. I beleive it really helps people. I tried all sorts of sleep aids, and this is the one that works for me. The only thing to watch for it taking too much magnesium can cause D. Oma tried it and she reported have her first good night's sleep in a long time, but I don't know if it has kept working for her.

Dr. Teitelbaum's book on chronic fatigue and fibro (From Fatigue to Fantastic) gives a complete run down on both prescription and supplements to help with sleep...what amounts to take and how you can combine them. It was also very helpful to me to discover that I wasn't taking near the amount of valerian that is recommended. After reading this book himself to find out safe levels and combinations my husband often takes a combination of the Natural Calm, valerian, melatonin, and Tranquil Mind (an ayurvedic sleep product). Everyone has to find what works for them.

Because my adrenal functioning is low, I took phosphylated serine (an amino acid) for two months, when I wasn't taking the natural calm. This did WONDERS for re-regulating my sleep cycle and boosting my adrenal functioning.

It sounds like your adrenal functioning might be out of whack (known as "adrenal fatigue"), especially given the boose that you get in the early evening. This is a concept not accepted by most conventional doctors. You can get it tested with saliva testing done at Great Smokies Diagnositic Lab (www.gsdl.com). The site has a lot of interesting information so you might want to check it out for that reason. Or you could read Dr. J Wilson's book called "Adrenal Fatigue." He's an expert on the topic. I worked hard as a non-profit director for twenty years and was so burned out. Once my illness started, it impacted so many different systems and functions in my body, like sleep. My adrenal test definately came back as very low, but not the classic adrenal diseases.

I wish you well. I know how horrible it is to live without sleep.

All the best, Celia

[Mars]

Thanks everyone,

No new or discontinued meds or changes in diet or drinks. Still at a loss but thankful for all of your advice and suggestions. I really think it is because of the stress from the job and from the wedding planning!

Love to all,
Mars

[Umber]

Mars,

It does sound like adrenal fatigue.....I have been dealing with it for well over a year now. You should check out the symptoms and see if your doc will do a saliva test.

Hugs

Lori

[annie oakley]

Mars....If I am not working I get maybe 3 hours a night, so I know of what you speak. Maybe you need to see the doc. I am sorry you are having this problem but I can relate. Love Oma

[celia]

Here are links to find out more about adrenal fatigue:

www.adrenalfatigue.org

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_f ... atigue.cfm

Our adrenals are intimately involved when we have food reactions, so it wouldn't be unusual for people with food intolerances to experience adrenal fatigue. Stress is another big depleter of the adrenals.

Best, Celia

[Mars]

Celia,

Thanks for the links. I researched the web last night and took a test from one of them. I fall into the "moderate" range and they were full of suggestions, including:

fatty acids from fish oil; calcium-magnesium; progesterone cream; diet including meat at each meal and 3 or more servings of fruit and veggies per day, etc. Of course they want me to use their products!

I have decided to call my doc and have a consult. He is open to my thoughts and research. We will see.

The lack of sleep and stress are connected, of that I am sure. I need to make sure nothing else is going on also. I am also in the beginning stages of menopause I believe. Unless the immediate "hot" feelings/flashes are due to my BP or possibly "diabetic symptoms", it is quite possible I have an adrenal problem. The diabetic symptoms were mentioned because my sugar tests have been "questionable" in the past.

The doc has checked my thyroid and I am in the "normal" range - how funny to associate "normal" with our conditions! LOL I do however, feel better than I have in ages. The diet is agreeing with me and I continue to loose a few pounds per week! The D is gone unless I eat something I shouldn't which is few and far between because I don't eat the things I shouldn't on the diet. Bloating, another one of my constant complaints is at a minimum also. Still get it but not as often! YIPPEE!!!!!!

I'll continue to research and ask questions. Thanks for your knowledge and input everyone!

Love,
Mars

[tex]

Mars,

Speaking of blood sugar levels, are you aware that glucocorticoids, (one of the hormones produced by the adrenal gland), help regulate blood sugar levels and the metabolism of protein and fat? They are also important to the body's immune response and are particularly important in helping the body buffer any kind of stress.

Love,
Wayne

[Momster]

Hi Mars:

I know how you feel. I'm lucky I don't have to go to work or I would really be in trouble. Sometimes I manage to get an hour in the afternoon to help catch up. Been going through a bout of sleep problems for about a week now - it happens to me often. Anyway, I had a thought that maybe with your weight loss some changes in your metabolism may be happening and it will take your body time to re-adjust. Just a thought. I'm certainly no doctor and it sound like you have a good one and it would be a good idea to consult him (or her).

You can soothe the eyes with cold teabags. Just put the teabags in boiling water like making tea, let them sit for a few minutes and put them on a saucer to cool and then apply them to your closed eyes (lie down and put on some relaxing music when you do this - an excuse to relax).

Have a nice weekend - we're off to the flower show today - I'll send pictures.

Love - Momster

[celia]

Mars, you are so on top of it! So good to hear about your continued weight loss and diminishing symtpoms.

Yes, those sites promote their products and I don't necessarily recommend any of them. But I will vouch for Dr. James Wilson's Book, Adrenal Fatigue. It's terrific. Another really nice book is Tired of Being Tired, Rescue, Repair, and Rejuvenate by Jesse Lynn Hanely, MD.

I looked at those sites briefly again this morning myself, and I found it interesting the gluten intolerances is one of the factors that can lead to adrenal fatigue.
It's been a long day for me with two deadlines and two other projects I'm working on. I could use a nap myself! Celia