Redhat Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hi everyone :) I'm having real trouble sleeping at the moment, and was looking for some opinions. I haven't slept tonight at all (it's now 5.26am) and I have work at 9! I would like recommendations on ways to get to sleep easier. My ideal situation would be a reasonable time going to bed, and getting up around half 5 for a run. Anyone had experience with herbal tablets? The ones my docter has given me give me terrible nightmares - I would rather not sleep :unsure: Thanks for any opinions in advance! Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 You can get KALMS or QUIET LIFE from a herbalist or chemist. They contain only plant extracts, and are both very good. However, you need to be in a more relaxed state when you go to bed. W.H.Simth and other large stationers sell relaxation tapes or C.D's. These are great and make a world of difference. They local psychiatric nurse recommended them when my swine of a boss gave me a nervous breakdown. They also sell an excellent tape by Paul McKenna, called SLEEP LIKE A LOG. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol late in the evening, and also avoid supper. Have your evening meal reasonably early, then have a warm milky drink before bed. Avoid chocolate drinks as chocolate contains a stimulant. Horlicks is excellent.As I say, all the above was advice from a psychiatric nurse. She also recommended a walk in the evening when possible. Best of luck, let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 As a diagnosed insomniac I can tell you, I feel your pain. I find that conditioning yourself for rest helps. Perhaps some excercise, shower, warm drink (I find herbal teas (no caffeine) with a bit of honey work best) with soothing music and perhaps a book, then lie down to rest. Do this every night and, whatever you do, do not get out of bed. You need to get yourself to realize that now is the time for sleep, and this (or any, if this doesn't work or is not applicable) routine might assist with this. This won't come overnight, but it will with time. Also, when you lie down, tell yourself that you're going to go to sleep and do not let your mind wander or worry about anything - this will only chase sleep away. If you need help settling into this routine, or just a nights' rest after a few days without sleep (happens occasionally) then perhaps consider a sleep aid but be very cautious. If you use them, only use them a few nights in a row. There is a risk of dependency... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 then perhaps consider a sleep aid but be very cautious. If you use them, only use them a few nights in a row. There is a risk of dependency...I agree and this is why I only take Nytol to help me sleep while I am working on my night shift as in the summer is is daylight when I finish my shift at 6am and as I am not a very good sleeper, I would be lucky to get more than a couple of hours kip without Nytol!It has been proved to work but I heed the warnings on the packet about dependancy so I only use it for 5 days out of every 3 weeks while I am on my night shift, so I don't think there is much chance of me becoming addicted.I have tried herbal sleeping pills but they didn't work for me but in any case I only have difficulty sleeping on the night shift.Having said this I have been managing on 5 or 6 hours sleep for years now and I don't think it has done me any harm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 You can get KALMS or QUIET LIFE from a herbalist or chemist. They contain only plant extracts, and are both very good. However, you need to be in a more relaxed state when you go to bed. W.H.Simth and other large stationers sell relaxation tapes or C.D's. These are great and make a world of difference. They local psychiatric nurse recommended them when my swine of a boss gave me a nervous breakdown. They also sell an excellent tape by Paul McKenna, called SLEEP LIKE A LOG. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol late in the evening, and also avoid supper. Have your evening meal reasonably early, then have a warm milky drink before bed. Avoid chocolate drinks as chocolate contains a stimulant. Horlicks is excellent.As I say, all the above was advice from a psychiatric nurse. She also recommended a walk in the evening when possible. Best of luck, let us know how you get on.OH Dear. I must be doing it all wrong. B) I have a supper (coffee and a pie or cheese on crisp bread) about half Hour before I go to bed at quite a late time (about 1.00am) as I tend to be an Owl. I am usually asleep within five Min's of my head hitting the pillow and sleep in late. (about 8.30 am) I no longer have to work so the time I rise does not matter.Very seldom have I had to resort to pills or anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Can't add much to all the above good advice but just another one to try is leaving the radio on, so you can just hear it, and before you know it you'll have dropped off. Preferably soothing/classical music. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 I am a good sleeper so I cannot offer any advice, but I do like to drop off as Pushkin says above with a low radio playing on the snooze button. Music or talk makes no difference, I never hear the end.Good luck. It must be awful not to be able to get a good night's sleep.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 No good asking me mate! I have the same problem as you know, we often see and exchange a couple of PM's at daft O'clock in the morning. :blink:Unfortunately I took the sleeping pills way out, started on half a tablet each night then eventually up to three every night. That was 10 years back and I now take two every night just to stop me from shaking, if I want to sleep then about every fourth night or so I will take 4 of the damn things to give me a couple of hours sleep.Whatever you do, don't go that route and try everything you can to avoid it. Try some of the excellent advice from the posts above and if all else fails, I'll read you a story and with a bit of luck we'll both fall asleep. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 More good advice from DJohn :) My doc wouldn't prescribe sleeping tablets for me so I've had to make do without and it's perhaps better that way :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 My doc wouldn't prescribe sleeping tablets for me so I've had to make do without and it's perhaps better that way :unsure:I think you may well be right as look what happened to Djohn :0 By the way sorry to hear about your sleeping tablet addiction Djohn :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhat Posted January 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Thank you everyone! Very much appreciated! I've just done 9am-6pm with no sleep the night before. SHATTERED. And off to bed very soon!!! Although I have ebay items ending.... but I need sleep... :unsure: :lol: I'll try some of your suggestions, many thanks for the tips and warnings :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie2 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 camomile tea, very relaxing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 camomile tea, very relaxingVery true, forgot to mention that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Perhaps I ought not to get personal, but a bit of nookie is an excellent sleep maker.(After, not during)Thos. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhat Posted January 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Perhaps I ought not to get personal, but a bit of nookie is an excellent sleep maker.(After, not during)Thos. :DBest suggestion yet :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Just read in the Daily mail health section that Suzie Quatro had in somnia. She swears by 2 x 5mg tablets of Melaton. Can be bought from health shops.Maybe worth a try. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhat Posted January 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Just read in the Daily mail health section that Suzie Quatro had in somnia. She swears by 2 x 5mg tablets of Melaton. Can be bought from health shops.Maybe worth a try. :)Thanks for that artist :) I'll keep it in mind. I've started to experience what i'd called "Vertigo" and so have just rang NHS Direct. After the call handler slagged B'liar off (!) I talked to a nurse who said to visit the docter. I didn't make it to work yesterday, and I don't think I'm going to today either :( Thanks everyone so far!Oh and I ordered a meditation CD off ebay :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Wise move having it checked out. Probably just fatigue. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Perhaps I ought not to get personal, but a bit of nookie is an excellent sleep maker.(After, not during)Thos. :DDoesn't work for everybody - by the time you get home you are wide awake again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Perhaps I ought not to get personal, but a bit of nookie is an excellent sleep maker.(After, not during)Thos. :DDoesn't work for everybody - by the time you get home you are wide awake again.I have heard that some ladies will do home visits. No personal experience of course. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Doesn't work for everybody - by the time you get home you are wide awake again.I have heard that some ladies will do home visits. No personal experience of course. :lol: :lol: Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 I have heard that some ladies will do home visits. No personal experience of course. :lol:Some men too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhat Posted January 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 You lot are great :D OK the doc's given me Zopiclone AGAIN which I took one night this week and yet again, NIGHTMARES.Infact, I had a nightmare and in the nightmare i dreamt I had woken up but the nightmare carried on and I dreamt I woke up again and then it continued etc... when I woke up I didn't believe I was awake! :( Horrible things. Never, ever again shall I take them. Oh, but they have halved my dosage of my main drug! :D And said my blood pressure was high and sent me for a blood test :( (it was 150/72, and I'm 17) I've been told 72 is normal, but the first number should be 100 + your age....? Finally got some OK sleep last night, my meditiation CD came from ebay :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 Have you tried any of the other suggestions, especially an evening walk? You BP is high, I'm nearly 70 and mine averages 140 over 80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 Your BP does seem on the high side for a teenager especially, but as your doc knows about it and has asked for blood tests it can be controlled. Your cholosterol levels should be interesting when the results come back.My BP is about 13O/75 but I am on beta-blockers and statins, a regime which seems to keep me fairly well.Best wishes.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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