[Guest]

Averagely I get 4 - 5 hours of continuious sleep per night. Then I wake up for 1 - 3 hours then go back to bed and sleep "off & on" for a little bit more. Thus I am tired most of the time. Does anyone else have this sleep problem? Any suggestions as to how to get a full night's sleep??? I have very little caffine in my diet. Thanks.------------------Mildred

 

[saltycat20]

Sounds like me. I have been experimenting with vitamins and herbs. I use inositol which is one of the B vitamins in combination with the herb scullcap. i also use a nice children's formula put out by Gaia's Children(an alcohol free liquid suppliment) that contains passionflower and lemon balm. These give me some help since I work full-time and can't sleep in until the weeekend. Good luck to you and be well.

 

[Clair]

Mildred,I'm exactly the same I only manage 4-5 hours most nights.It's terrible when I have to get up in the morning and go to work.The only thing that works for me is to go to bed much later than I should, and thus am so tired I tend to sleep right through.

 

[Guest]

I have had the same problem for 2 months now. I am on a mild dose(25mgof Zoloft) and hoped that would help with my sleep problems-as it did with my IBS- but no.I wake up at 4-or 4:30-if I am lucky 5- what I try to do is put on a relaxtion tape(not MIke's- I use that separately) and I usually go back. My theory is that since I got this latest relapse, I cut out all wheat and dairy. I used to eat a lot of yogurt, and cheese and never had a problem getting a good 7or 8 hours sleep. So I would love to know what to do also.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Some of the antidepressants might help.Then again, your sleep pattern is what would have been considered pretty normal prior to the invention of the electric light. I read a recent article in Smithsonian magazine (would have been in the last couple of months if you want to look for it) and a full nights sleep used to be not normal. People generally had a 1st sleep and a 2nd sleep with a couple of hours of wakefulness in between.I think some people are less affected by the constant illumination of modern light.At any rate, it may be worth taking this to your doctor, if you haven't already. There may be something you need to be evaluated for, and there may be some treatments to try.One thing to work on also is what is called sleep hygeine. Your bed is only for two things sleeping and sex. Do not read, watch TV, or do anything else in bed. Get up at the same time every day. Basicaly what you are trying to do is train your body/mind to sleep better by getting rid of reasons why it won'tK.

 

[bunged up]

Strange, because that's exactly what I do now. I get 6 hours of deep sleep, get up for a couple of hours, and then go back for about 2 hours of lighter sleep. If you feel that sleep is a problem for you, then you should get evaluated at a sleep clinic. If you are not getting the proper type of sleep, then this will be recorded and a specialist will be able to make recommendations on how you could improve it. If you have a genuine sleep disorder, then this can be documented and treated. Some anti-depressants such as amitryptilene and trazodone are non-addictive and, in the right dosage, can improve sleep a great deal. Any chronic condition requires proper sleep (both type and amount) if it is going to be managed satisfactorily.

 

[LUCIA]

Hi everybody. I have a sleep problem too. I have learned to handle this problem in different ways. First, I DON'T TAKE NAPS IF I WANT TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. Second, I stay up as late as I can so I wake up at the right time. If that doesn't work, I take a strong antidepressant like xanax. I have to take it for a few days to improve my sleep. ------------------

 

[BQ]

I can't get to sleep. I had alot of insomnia when I was a teenager right thru until I had my second child.(Alot of years, not telling Exactly how many). Then I think I just got so exhausted & run down with that pregnancy & trying to cope with two little ones I just passed out at night. The only time I had a little trouble was when I had a loss of someone I loved lots. I was good right up until my Gall Bladder surg. last March. Now I'm lucky to get to sleep by 2;30 or 3:00 am and that alarm goes of at 6;30, YIKES! I'm getting alot of reading done though. Silver lining, c'mon, work with me here. BQ

 

[wanderingstar]

Know how you feel, after a fortnights interrupted sleep it gets tedious. Taking an antidepressant might help - this is not to suggest that you are depressed (although many cases of interrupted sleep, particularly early morning wakening is associated with depression) - but it may help with the brain chemicals and hormones (serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine).Other standard non-medical approaches are making sure there is no cause for you waking up that you haven't thought of: comfort, warmth, noise, worry, pain, restless legs. Restless leg syndrome is common with Fibromyalgia and CFS.Relaxation techniques at night, also yoga and meditation may be beneficial.Getting some exercise during the day is also very helpful - if you have fibromyalgia this may not be possible. I have CFS so it isn't possible for me, but whenever I can, I make sure I walk for a few minutes down the road each day. You could try herbal remedies, such as teas with calming and sedating herbs in them (valerian is one of them, can't think of the others just now) or tablets with similar ingredients.Not sleeping well is a common aspect of Fibromyalgia and CFS. Antidepressants are often prescribed for this (again, not because the doctor thinks you are depressed), and are helpful. A low dose is usual, often of amitryptaline, and Remeron (mirtazapine) is becoming a familar alternative now as well.susan