Most nights i lay down to go to sleep and it's usually at least 30 to 45 minutes before i actually fall asleep. My mind is either going a mile a minute thinking of all sorts of things, most of them nonsensical, or I'm tossing and turning from left to right every 5 minutes or so because i just can't get comfortable!
It's not that I'm stressing over anything because my thoughts never revolve around any one thing; they're just random. It's like a burst water main that i can't shut off. :-(
Can anyone give me some advice before i go to see a doctor?
OH, i should mention this... i have a cousin who's a pharmacist. I mentioned this to him and he gave me some tablets to try whenever i felt like this. They worked like a charm and i really slept well. I researched them on the net and discovered that they were anti-epileptic tablets. They basically slowed down the electrical impulses in the brain. No wonder why they worked so well! (Epilepsy also DOES run in my family...)
2007-01-07 15:49:33 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
It was just the opposite for me in my younger days. I would fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow -- well, almost!
When I was in Civil Defence and had to do night duty (Watch Room), I drank coffee to keep awake. After some time coffee had no effect.
Today I, too, take about 45 mins. to fall asleep. Sometimes, if I'm wide awake after l hour of tossing and turning, I play games on the computer or read stupid questions/answers from kids (not you, of course) on Yahoo Answers for a bit until I feel sleepy. I've been known to fall asleep at the computer!
They say old folks don't need so much sleep anyway.
By the way, I did try reading to fall asleep. It worked so well that I felt sleepy even reading the newspaper during the day. I limit myself to one cup of coffee at breakfast and that's it for the day.
I may give melatonin a try.
2007-01-07 16:32:00 · answer #1 · answered by george 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Melatonin, Melatonin appears to have some use against circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as jet lag and delayed sleep phase syndrome. It has been studied for the treatment of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and sexual dysfunction. A study by Alfred J. Lewy and other researchers at OHSU found that it may ameliorate SAD and circadian misalignment,[19] but as of 2006 it is known to affect the timing of endogenous melatonin production, raising the risk that it can exacerbate both clinical depression and SAD.[20] Basic research indicates that melatonin may play a significant role in modulating the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine.[21]
I think its a safe thing to take. You may have some other things going on like "an unquiet mind"- whatever that is. Like someone else said, avoid cafienated things a few hours before bedtime. My best suggestion is; read a book and fall asleep while reading. The book will take your mind off whaever is disrupting your ability to get calm... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
2007-01-08 00:03:39 · answer #2 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1- take the t.v. out of your room- it should be a place where only sleep is the major activity.
2- start using your library card- If you have trouble sleeping, don't ignore it, you will obsess. Keep a book on your nightstand and go ahead and read. This is a proven way to fall asleep.
3- stop eating 2 hours before bedtime-obvious reasons here.
4- If you have to use medication, try melatonin. This is an all natural substance that your body produces to fall asleep. They sell it over the counter and you will not feel drowsy in the morning.
my two scents :)
2007-01-08 00:02:31 · answer #3 · answered by cmoke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question. Your mind is going a mile a minute. You can't fall asleep like that. And a doctor can't help you. Well, maybe a shrink, but not a real doctor. Your thoughts are something you have to control.
And it takes you 30-45 minutes to get to sleep??? You don't have a problem. Or at least I wish I had your problem. It takes me 3 or 4 hours. I have Grave's disease which causes my problem. 30 or 45 minutes is perfectly normal.
2007-01-08 00:12:01 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shut the tv,computer or anything like this about 1 hour before going to bed if this dont help you could have a sleeping disorder or be depressed and they give people anti-epileptic pills for depression
2007-01-07 23:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by Joe C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to the caffeine, reduce your sugar intake. The brain is powered by glucose.
2007-01-08 00:01:42 · answer #6 · answered by THX1138 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limit your intake of caffeine after 3pm. Sometimes it doesn't really kick in until around your bedtime, then you'll really be wide awake.
2007-01-07 23:53:03 · answer #7 · answered by kakolikapiha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this-- make yourself yawn ten or more times in a row. It'll feel weird, but it works for me!
2007-01-07 23:52:37 · answer #8 · answered by whatsamatteryou 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋