So, for some reason, I’ve been unable to sleep the past two weeks.
This means that on top of my normal dose of crazy, I am absolutely exhausted. It goes like this: wake up at 6 AM, feel like crap on a stick. Work all day, all while fantasizing about sweet, sweet sleep. All night long, I am nodding off. And then, when I finally make it to a respectable hour, say 9:30 pm, I lay down, sure that I am going to pass out.
Instead, I slowly start to drift off before something wakes me up. And then? I LAY AWAKE. For hours. If Andrew moves, snores, breathes, I am instantly roused. If the cat comes to cuddle or starts chasing something, I am totally screwed. Of course, I try and find something to bore me: mindless iPhone games, reading, counting sheep or playing the alphabet game (think of fruits/veggies, boys or girls names, etc. for each letter). No dice.
Usually, I can fall asleep by 3 AM. And then? I have total anxiety that I will not wake up on time for work. So then? I wake up every hour, on the hour. Until 6 am.
Rinse, repeat. Feel awful the entire day.
This morning, instead of forcing myself to sleep, I just went with it. I got up at 5:30 am, did some reading and then went to Target as soon as it opened. When I arrived, I caught a glimpse of myself and wanted to die. I look awful, and my hair was out of hand. I wandered around the store like a zombie, sure that as soon as I came home, I’d fall asleep.
But here I am. TYPING A FREAKING BLOG POST. Which, by the way, is really GRINDING MY GEARS. And this post? Isn’t even good!
I’ve taken sleeping pills before. And those work, I guess. But really? I don’t like the idea of having pills in my body every single night to sleep. I’ve heard melatonin works, and plan to try that tonight. I’ve done hot baths, Sleepytime Tea, and everything under the sun.
So, trusty Internet: any suggestions? I need you, friends.
17 Comments so far
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I used to take sleeping pills every night, but they always made me groggy (while some were good, Ambien scared the living daylights out of me). Now, I guess I just deal with the insomnia and nightmares. It’s shitty, but it could be worse.
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By Jaime on 12.22.09 11:18 am | Permalink
I wish I had some good suggestions, but I don’t. Normally, I’m a great sleeper, but the hormone treatments I’m on keep me up all night long. It’s awful being tired. Sorry, love!
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By Erin on 12.22.09 11:31 am | Permalink
Melatonin is FANTASTIC. It takes a bit for it to kick in, but take it on a regular basis and it works. I also suggest a hot shower or bath right before bed, following with lotioning up with an aromatherapy blend. I suggest SLEEP at Bath & Body works. It’s heavenly, and it’s being discontinued (sad face) so it’s 50% off! The scent really calms me and helps me sleep. Good luck, and sweet dreams…xoxo
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By Merissa on 12.22.09 11:53 am | Permalink
I’ve done sleeping pills a few times. Sometimes you just have to. At some point you have to say “ENOUGH” and have at least one good night’s sleep. I’ve been there though, and I’m sorry. It the most frustrating thing ever. It happens to me at least once a week but occassionally I go in spurts where I can’t sleep for weeks. Makes me want to cry all night.
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By Chelsea on 12.22.09 11:55 am | Permalink
I have no suggestions. I am terrified of taking sleeping pills but every once in a while will take a Tylenol PM, which does make me feel better. Hope you can find something soon.
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By mandy on 12.22.09 12:17 pm | Permalink
Working out has always been the best sleep remedy for me. Even if I just go for a walk or walk on the treadmill or something. Just to get my blood moving. It’s so hard to find the motivation this time of year when there are cookies and candy canes everywhere, but it really helps me. I’m curious to see how the melatonin works for you. I’ve never used it, but I know it works really well for some people. Good luck!
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By Stevie on 12.22.09 1:38 pm | Permalink
Do you watch TV or go on the computer right up until bed time? If you do, that could be part of the problem. I read an article that says the blue light that screens emit mimics sunlight which sort of recharges you and keeps you awake. It’s best to avoid TV and internet for at least 30 mins to one hour before bed. It always helps me to read something before bed. It makes time go much slower (unless it’s a scary book) and it helps me get sleepy.
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By Erin on 12.22.09 1:50 pm | Permalink
Working out? I always find that when I work out after work, I sleep soundly at night. Then again, that could just be that I’m a sound sleeper. I dunno, why not try getting the oxygen moving through the body to see if that helps.
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By SoMi's Nilsa on 12.22.09 2:54 pm | Permalink
Ear plugs… I know it’s scary because you think you might not hear your alarm… but for some reason, the high pitch breaks through mine. I hear nothing BUT my phone alarm, rousing me in the morning… and kitty and boyfriend do not interfere with my sweet sweet sleep. I know that this isn’t all the cause of your problem atm… but it might help a little. Maybe try when you don’t HAVE to wake up, just to give yourself a little test and see if it works?
Oh… and nose strips. Apparently I discovered that some people are born with smaller nasal passages, and right when you start to fall asleep, you stop getting enough air and you wake up again. Seriously Amy, this caused YEARS of sleepless nights for me. I cannot live without my nosestrips. And I’m not a snorer, I promise!
Hopefully my drug-free advice helps!
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By Katy on 12.22.09 3:09 pm | Permalink
I wish I could help, but I have almost he same exact issues getting to sleep and staying asleep as you do. If you find something that works, let me know! Best of luck my sleepy friend!
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By Christina on 12.22.09 3:13 pm | Permalink
So since you asked for suggestions…
1.) Ask Andrew to sleep on the couch for a few nights, just so you can get back on the horse.
2.) Use earplugs.
3.) Sounds crazy, but I shit you not–sleep with your head at the foot of the bed and your feet at the head of the bed.
4.) Quit caffeine. Switch to kukicha tea for a pickmeup as you get off of caffeine, but sorry–gotta stop with the coffee.
5.) Get honest: What hard truth are you not wanting to acknowledge in your waking hours?
[[ hugs ]]
I hate having insomnia. My M.O. used to be teaching dreams where I was teaching lessons (and moving and talking) in my sleep.
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By Kate on 12.22.09 3:30 pm | Permalink
This happened to me for such a long time I Just gave up, blew up in an exhausted, sleep deprived hissy fit at work and went to the doctor’s – I got sleeping pills for a couple of weeks but when I went off them and had the exact same problem, he put me on something long term (not a sleeping pill, another kind that has drowsiness as a side effect) and it’s been amazing – it’s called amitriptyline and might be worth mentioning to your doctor? I also sleep with a mask and earplugs too – I hope you figure something out, not sleeping is THE suckiest thing ever. *Hugs*
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By Emily Jane on 12.22.09 5:16 pm | Permalink
here is my advice (I am not soliciting medical secrets here and they are not listed in any specific order
1. have a hot shower – it’ll make you relax
2. take my kids; they are up at 4 daily and go until bedtime – 1 day with them you’ll be done
3. i know it’s not proper to offer but smoke em if you got em…you’ll pass out for sure!
4. i agree about the changing where you sleep
5. drink a lot of wine or whatever your poison is..after enough you will sleep like a baby
I went through it for a long time even after my kids started sleeping through the night but take a day off; dont do anything..just chill and you will get your groove back…
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By Danon Pascoa on 12.22.09 6:33 pm | Permalink
OH MY GOD, totally going through the same thing right now (or similar, at least). I don’t know how to fix it yet but sleeping pills aren’t the greatest idea. They are extremely addictive, and, in short, tend to mess with your brain chemistry. Keep with the Sleepytime Tea and maybe try a warm bath before bed, and going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning should help, too.
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By sanya on 12.22.09 7:29 pm | Permalink
You already have a ton of really good suggestions but I will add my two cents anyway!
Stop drinking caffeine after 2 or 3 in the afternoon at the latest!
Create a bedtime routine, and do the same exact thing every night before bed. You can begin the bedtime routine with a 4 oz. glass of red wine or caffeine free hot tea and then move onto things like brush teeth, wash face etc. followed by a bit of stretching and deep breathing and end with lathering up with lotion. Then get into bed in a COMPLETELY black room, I’m talking black-hole black, wear a mask if you have to and drop the temperature a few degrees so its cool, not cold. Your body will produce melatonin naturally in cool, dark places.
If a routine doesn’t work, definitely try melatonin supplements, they work the same as naturally produced melatonin and are not addictive or harm the natural production.
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By BS Talks on 12.22.09 10:39 pm | Permalink
I periodically go through WEEKS like that. It’s miserable. And nothing works for me. Sleeping pills do evenutally, but then I feel even worse all day. UGH!
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By slynnro on 12.22.09 10:56 pm | Permalink
i am a lifelong fellow insomniac. things that have worked for me – klonopin. and amitriptyline. amitriptyline is good because it’s non habituating. i would tell you to take hot baths and do yoga and all that ish, but honestly, none of that crap has ever worked for me.
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By Kori on 12.23.09 8:20 am | Permalink
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