I wake up when my head hits the pillow?

Question

I've found myself in a vicious cycle - right now I'm in the insomnia part. I'm terribly sleepy, but as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm wide awake. No racing thoughts, no recent change in medications or stress level, I just lay there wide awake for hours waiting for sleep to come. I wake up 4-5 hours later, nowhere near rested, and again can't get to sleep that night. This goes on for 3-4 days, and then it reverses: I sleep 9 hours at night, stay up for 3-4 hours, take a nap, up again for 3-4 hours, and sleep all night - for 3-4 days.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? If yes, any suggestions for how to get myself on a regular schedule?

I can't take sleeping pills because of potential drug interaction with prescription meds.

Answer 1

Maybe, it's from those meds for bipolar disorder.. Go to the doctor. Maybe you are in a manic state at this time? That is why they labeled it "Manic-Depressive" in the past.

Answer 2

Hit The Pillow

Answer 3

Wow, that sucks. I know what it's like to be in a sleepless cycle, and to be so sleepy until your head hits the pillow. The best thing I can tell you is to practice good sleep hygiene. Two hours before bed, start winding down. Go to bed at the same time every night, even on the weekends. Get up at the same time every morning, even on the weekends. If the cycle doesn't end soon, see your doctor. Maybe you can be referred to a sleep clinic.

Answer 4

I would suggest perhaps some type of warm drink like hot chocolate or tea before bed, especially tea. You can pick up some specially formulated teas for insomnia that help you to feel drowsy right before bed. It is all natural so it shouldn't interact with your medicine. You can pick them up at any supermarket or grocery store in the coffee and tea section. Make sure you consult your doctor on this.

Also I would suggest Tylenol PM. It does not contain codeine in it so it is usually as safe as regular Tylenol to take along side other medicines. ( I would first consult your doctor about this though). It does wonders for insomnia and does not make you feel like you have to take it every night (habit forming). It also doesn't give you that drowsy feeling.

My last suggestion would be to read a book before you go to bed. I always find that if I read a book during an insomnia attack, I always find my way to dreamland much quicker this way.

PS.

Have you ever considered exercise? Nothing too strenuous, something as simple as taking a brisk jog or doing a exercise routine 2-3 hours before bed time or after work will tire you out. I used to go to the gym everyday after work and afterwords I slept like a baby. I couldn't go to bed fast enough. Try this it really works and it is healthy for you!!

Answer 5

If the choice is between that and Social Darwinism, then yes. Do you want to go back to the days when meatpacking plants weren't inspected for safety? Or anyone could bottle up some chemicals and call it a cure for anything? Or when employers were allowed to chain emergency exits shut to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks? Unlike your hypothetical straw man, all those things were basically legal at the beginning of the 20th century.

Answer 6

If you can afford it, get a Tempur-Pedic mattress. No, I don't work for Tempur-Pedic, and I laugh at their claims that it's a "Swedish" sleep system based on US NASA technology... But I got one a year ago, and it was THE BEST investment I ever made. I used to think I needed 12 hours of sleep a night. I now sleep very well, and wake up rested after only 6-7 hours of sleep.

Answer 7

wake head hits pillow

Answer 8

stay up for 2 days fight it go to slep at 8 and from that day on go to slep at the same time it dont have to be 8 at first you just have to lay down at the same time every day your bodys probly like mine and needs to be on a scedril to fall asleep

Answer 9

okay maybe you shou;d see your docter