Insomnia strikes again, help?

Question

At least two times a week, I go through these periods where, even if I feel tired, I simply can't fall asleep, and end up spending at least an hour limply laying in bed, then I end up going online or doing some homework, or whatever. The general problem seems to be that I experience metacognition (thinking all the time) about random bullshit, and it keeps me up. It ends up hurting me a little during the day...I get a little ornery, and my concentration gets a little fuzzy. It's been going on for maybe six months. Should I get some over-the-counter sleep aids? Know any home remedies? Thanks.

P.S. Physically, I don't think it's doing much. Maybe some bags under the eyes...here's a pic:

http://360.yahoo.com/profile-R9hvs0A4dralQy1R1e8Lx6u98gLjrZ6AIPBcA9WvsCY-

Do I look sleep-deprived? What should I do?

Answer 1

How to Beat INSOMNIA with Sleep
http://tips-to-sleep.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-to-beat-insomnia-with-sleep.html

Answer 2

There are some lifestyle changes you could make. If you consume a bunch of caffeine then cut it down or out completely. Exercising in the morning or afternoon will help you to be sleepy at night. Don't consume a huge meal close to bedtime, but maybe try a glass of milk which contains tryptophan (the amino acid in turkey that makes everyone sleepy). Meditate or do yoga prior to turning in, relax all of the muscles and your mind from an intense day. Read before you fall asleep - something to get your mind off of the day and after a while of reading you will be ready to fall asleep.

It's possible you will need to make an appointment with a physician to discuss insomnia, at least you can go in with a list of things you've tried and found to be not helpful. Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

Yes, I would say your sleep deprived.
As to taking medication? I have before. I was prescribed Ambien at one point to get my sleep schedule back on track after working nights. It worked but I was groggy.
What I have found after years of insomnia is that the best medication for sleep is Melatonin. It is over the counter, found in the vitamin section of any drug store. Make sure you get the 3 MG pills and not 3 mcg. pills. Mcg= micrograms.
Anyway, Melatonin is a natural chemical that your body produces naturally until you get older....then it gradually stops producing it.
I take between 3 - 4 pills a night and sleep well. I have no grogginess in the morning even if I wake up early.
Take 2 pills the first night about 15 - 20 minutes before bed then lay down. It works better when you are actually trying to go to sleep. Depending on how you sleep you may want to increase it the next night to 3. Find the best dose for you.
It is completely safe. There are some that recommend taking up to 5-8 at a time for part of a cold prevention solution....
The other post that recommended creating a bedtime routine is also good to use as well as the melatonin.
I would also agree with the post on reading to fall asleep. I always have a good book by my bed to read before falling asleep. A notebook helps to get unwanted thoughts out and is useful if you want to write down your dreams when you wake up.

Try a routine, book and notebook along with taking Melatonin and I will almost guarantee you will find the sleep you need.
After trying all of that, if you still aren't sleeping, see a doctor to find out if you may need some other medication or tests. As the other post suggested, at least then you will have a list of what all you have tried!
Good luck and happy snoozing.

Answer 4

Ok, so here is my official "I'm a nurse" answer....

I have the same problem, my mind races at night, I get anxious, my heart rate sometimes speeds up. So I started to put a pen and notepad on my bedside table. Then, whatever I am thinking about, like how I have to remember to pay a certain bill, or how funny it would have been if I had said "#$%$&*" when someone asked me a certain question, etc, come spinning through my head... I WRITE IT DOWN. Then I can forget about it and move on to the next thing. Eventually, I feel like I got all the stuff I needed to remember down so that I can now fall asleep, unafraid of forgetting whatever it was that was bugging me.

It usually works.

Now for the "when all else fails answer"---

I take some Gravol, like 1/4 tablet or 1/2 tablet at bedtime, and then I am out like a light. Now forget I said that...promise sware!

Ok.... so good luck with that

Answer 5

Yeah I have the same problem, but almost everyday for the last 2 months. I only get about 4 hours of sleep on weekdays. I have found a solution of sorts, it's kinda hard though. I drink energy drink all day and then I stop at about 4pm, then I just fight off the caffiene crash until about 9pm, and then just pass out. The caffiene still doesn't allow your sleep to get the full effect, but things are getting better, and I need less energy drinks everyday, and get a lil better sleep everyday.

Answer 6

Hello insomnia meet Mr. Procrastination. I am 20.

Answer 7

I totally feel you with the metacognition... it can be really tough to stop that train once it gets started.

I avoid alcohol and food near bedtime since they interfere with my sleep. I also try (don't always succeed...) to have a routine before bed -- trying to apply a little cognitive behavioralism to my everyday life -- to train myself to fall asleep more easily. I feel like it has helped quite a bit to really establish a sleep routine when possible.

Since I also procrastinate going to bed, I shamelessly take 2 diphenhydramine (Benadryl) pills about an hour before I want to go to sleep. It really makes me drowsy enough that I HAVE to go to sleep.

Of course, if I had taken it tonight then maybe I wouldn't be on Y! Answers at 4 in the morning....

Answer 8

You may have OCD. Please see my best answers to know more about Insomnia and OCD. These links are also helpful.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_Depression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety

You have to consult a Clinical Psychiatrist. Do not self medicate with OTC drugs. If you still want to medicate yourself
try Mirtazapine 7.5 at bed time for 3 months.

Mirtazapine is marketed under the tradenames Remeron® in the U.S. and Finland, Avanza® and Axit® in Australia, Zispin® in the UK & Ireland, Norset® in France, Remergon® in Belgium, Remergil® in Germany, Mirtabene® in Austria and Rexer® in Spain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is a safe antidepressant.

Answer 9

I have had many of those nights also. If I do not get to sleep in an hour or so, I will get up and take a couple of tylenol. (I know, tylenol is for pain, but it seems to relax me and relieve some stress) Some of the over-the-counter sleeps aids will leave you groggy and fuzzy minded in the morning and tylenol does not have this side effect. Just me.

Answer 10

I don't like some of the over the counter medications. They can become addictive and even make you feel groggy and not very rested when you wake. Serenite is an herbal supplement that is excellent. Works for me and I wake up feeling great.