cant sleep! havent slept in 4 days straight now.......help?

Question

i cant sleep . ive gotten just about 6hrs sleep in the last week & havent slept for 4 days now. ive tried pretty much everything from hot milk to basically beating my self to sleep.........obviously nothings working ,,,,,,sooooooo anyone got any advice?!?!?!?

Answer 1

Your obviously not beating yourself hard enough,try hitting yourself over the head with a heavy object,failing that try counting sheep if you can fit enough of them in your bedroom

Answer 2

Ok, first, try not to worry, sleep isn't as important as some people make out. It is perfectly fine not to sleep and won't cause you any long-term health problems.

Next, think about good Sleep Hygeine. This is common-sense stuff:
- make your bedroom a haven that is dark and quiet
- have a 'wind-down' routine for around an hour without TV, music or computer where you put all your worries aside and begin to relax
- don't go to bed until ready to sleep
- avoid caffeine for 6h before bedtime, avoid cigarettes for 2h before bedtime and avoid alcohol for 1h before bedtime (the alcohol because it wakes you up as it leaves your system)
- get up at the same time every day regardless of when you went to bed or how well you slept in order to get your body-clock into a regular routine
- don't nap for the same reason

Then, there are some things that can help in emergencies
- herbal remedies such as hops and milk thistle from pharmacy
- antihistamines, from Piriton (mild and will last for around four hours) to Nytol (strong and will last for around eight hours). ask a pharmacist for advice on these
- sleeping pills from the doctor.

Finally, you need to sort out why you're not sleeping. Is it because you have got into a bad sleep-routine? Are you worried / stressed? Are you depressed (not enjoying anything / sad all the time)? Are you manic (excited / angry and full of energy)? Is it that your room is too light / too noisy / too hot?
When you've figured this out, hopefully you will be able to put it right, and everything will be fine and dandy.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You may have been depressed at the start of all this. If not, you will almost certainly be moving towards it now.
Firstly you'll need to increase your natural endorphines which as you might know are your body's own natural anti-depressants. To encourage more release of these 'feel good' chemicals all you will need to do is increase physical activities. eg: go for a 1/2 hour run EACH day, or an hour's walk or cycle ride a day. You may not feel like it but please give it a go! It'll cost you nothing.
Also consider taking the very safe non-drug remedy in the form of the Bach Remedy called Rescue Remedy. Just put 3 to 4 drops in a glass of mineral water and sip slowly last thing at night. Also in the morning. Most chemists sell Bach Remedies now; also Boots.
Last but not least : if you find yourself lying in bed for more than 1/2 hour you must get out and do something boring (ie :Read a dreary book; Don't watch TV as it might well stimulate the brain ) until you start to feel tired.
This method has worked with well over 90% of those who took this advice.

Answer 4

If you're in your late 30's early 40's you could be starting menopause. I didn't sleep for YEARS, couldn't shut my brain off (that's what it felt like) I am now taking an over the counter sleep aid 1/2 a tablet every night and it really helps.
If you keep going without the proper sleep you will end up with depression which will make it even worse. You may think your ok but your not.

Answer 5

You are obviously suffering from some kind of stress. Many people are suffering the same thing so you're not alone. Go to see your doctor and he will more than likely offer you some short term sleeping pills or counselling. If you are afraid to go to your Dr. so soon buy some herbal sleeping tablets and take some exercise it will really help you. Trust me I've been there and totally understand.

Answer 6

Yes you need to seek advice. Sleep deprivation is the worst thing ever. It causes mental illness and sickness. Go and speak to your doctor.

Meantime, do not toss and turn in bed, but get up and make yourself a cuppa and a sand which. Contrary to belief tea does not keep you awake but helps you to clam you. At least give it a try and see how you get on. I speak not for the sake of speaking but as someone who has and still does to some extent suffer from these nights of Sleeplessness.

That is why you will see me on here many a night. However I do not have to get up to do a full days works so at least I am fortunate that way.

When I was working I have seen myself up all night without any sleep and go to work the next day. My husband always says that he would not be able to cope without getting any sleep. He is right of course the more you go without a full nights sleep the more accustomed your brain gets to it. And that believe me that is the rocky road to disaster.

Good luck and happy dreams please!

Answer 7

do you drink coffee or soda during the day??
if you do then you gotta quit. dont do any exercise
before you go to bed that will make you hyper...
and dont read or do anything else thats not sleeping
or else your body will feel that bed isnt a place
where you are supposed to sleep. Make sure your
room is cool, not too cold tho... and use a comforter.
Don't watch tv before you go to bed cuz that is
making your brain do work for you thinking about
what is all happening... just... listen to this advice
and you should prolly sleep okay... or even better.

oh yea... it might also be from stress-related problems..
try not to have too much stress in your life.

Answer 8

I have this same problem. One time I laid in bed for about 40 hours to fall asleep and slept about 10 hours. I don't do that anymore. Now I get up and no stuff that I know will make me tired, like watching Local Edition on Headline News, reading the wikipedia, heck, go out and mow the lawn one last time before it snows, if you live in the South. You gotta get up and do stuff or you won't feel tired. That's the secret. That's the key. Get on your word program and start writing a novel and you'll be so tired you will fall asleep.

Answer 9

I think you have a problem but it need not be serious. I was once in hospital for over a week with a strange temperature type virus. My heart beat was a consatnt 160 bpm and I could not sleep a wink.Eventually the virus went and my body adjusted to a normal sleep pattern. Not sure that you have a virus but if you have that could be an answer.

Answer 10

lay of fthe caffine and the stress. get a boost from the exercise and work out your issues and then try to relax so by now your body and mind should be relaxed and detoxed and you shoul d be totally tired. also you should NOT be naping during the day. don't drive or opperate heavy machinery.. when you are trying to sleep, it helps if you have a night light if that is what you are used to. do your usual bedtime routine. go to the bathroom and hav ea glass of water by the bed so if you get hirsty during your sleep cycle you don't have to search for one. also some tylenol pm has done wonder for me if all of this doens't work. your pets if any should also be with you.

Answer 11

get drunk, that always works for me.

Sorry on a more serious note. I have this problem now and then, mostly when I get myself all wound up over some lass I had a big time crush on, all in the past now at the moment.
But honestly when it's bad just a quick drink seems to help me. But everyone is different.

Good luck.