The BUMMER is even chocolate keeps me awake.

This morning I slept from 2:00am to :0030 am and have been watching 'The WEDDING' ever since.

Don`t like taking PM meds to get to sleep as the next day I drag myself around, (delayed reaction?) I keep a walkman next to the bed, I give myself awhile to go to sleep, if after and hour, I put ear phones on and listen to the radio. I fall asleep during the first ad .

Wow can't believe I'm the only one who can't sleep at night.I had a car accident 5 years ago and now I have needles and pins in my arms that keeps me awake I want to scratch my arms off. I have to put ice on it to stop it when it gets really bad.I went to a nerve dr he said to wear these braces on my hands and elbows but they keep me awake too. I tried pills dr gave me they make me sick.It seems to come on strong at about 3am. If it gets really bad I take Gravol (dimenhydrinate) motion sickness pills they help me to sleep. My friend who had cancer was told to take them to help her sleep they are not additive he said, and they work well. I also take them because I get motion sickness I have since I was a kid now in my 50's go figure...

I too have this problem of not sleeping well. I sometimes go 2 or 3 nights and then I fall into an exhoustive sleep which is in not really rest. Of course the old addage still works of reading the bible or pray and you drift right off.

Oh my yes - just didn't realize so many others suffer the same thing - thought it had to do w/being 77 & not "needing as much sleep" anymore. HA :thumbdown:

After tossing 45 min to an hr. in bed, I get up, sit in the recliner, & something boring on TV will usually take my mind off things (quilts, family, etc, etc) I get a lot of my hours of sleep each nite in the recliner. :cry:

I haven't slept well for years. Someone told me it was a side effect of menopause. :(

I usually get up and read for a spell, then try again!

Mornigstar - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for mentioning this book in this thread! I saw the book mentioned on Oprah as well but didn't write it down at the time and could not for the life of me remember the title. When it was discussed I thought it would be a great gift for a friend of mine. Thanks to you, I just looked it up online and sent her a couple of links that I think will be helpful for her. She suffers terribly from IBS mainly as a result of stress and emotional termoil. I really hope this becomes a helpful tool for her.

But to get back on topic - I have the same sleep issues. 55 and perimenopausal. I was never a great sleeper but the last few years have been hell. And like someone else posted in this thread, we have a new puppy as well that up until a few nights ago was not sleeping through the night. Fortunately most times DH gets up with him. If (when) I wake in the middle of the night and get out of bed - forget it. I'm up for the duration. DH is like a horse - can sleep standing up any time of day or night. I'm so envious of that ability. If I wake and can manage to get back to sleep right away it's usually ok. I'm allergic to benedryl so the PM tabs won't do me any good. I'm assuming this, too, shall pass once I get through menopaus. A girl can dream, can't she! Again, thank you.

I found that just a little something to eat before bed, like a half portion of cheerios with a little milk or some cheese and crackers will help me sleep. Not too much and nothing with caffeine or a lot of sugar. I have diabetes, so maybe that's why that works for me.

Amen to that! I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have it. Spent years and years going on little or no sleep. It takes it's toll!

AMBIEN WARNING: I took Ambien CR for 2+ years before having a terrible reaction - sleepwalking which led to a fall down our stairs - face down - on April 17.

I was very lucky that I did not break anything. Initially, my forehead and nose were swollen - nose was blue, and I thought it was broken, but it wasn't. I am still black and blue nearly 2 weeks later. The next day, the swelling was gone, but I had black eyes and cheeks, and abrasions on scalp, and one elbow. They are nearly gone. I did hurt my back - but I've had disk problems for years, so that's not unexpected. I also jammed my cervical disks - and I'm lucky I didn't break my neck and die on the spot.

Sleep walking is not an uncommon side effect of Ambien. In my case, I woke up in my bed the next morning thinking I had a bad dream - until I looked in the mirror and realized it wasn't a dream. The only thing I remember is being at the bottom of the stairs.

Of course, I'm no longer taking Ambien, and I'm getting decent sleep only 1 night of 3. My oncologist (the doc who originally prescribed Ambien - with the warning that I probably wouldn't be able to take it 'forever') told me that all prescription sleep meds have the same side effect. My GP said the same thing. I'm going to try using melatonin tonight. I've had insomnia for 20 years - and the cancer 2 1/2 years ago just made it worse.

I also take Ambien everynight and will as long as a dr. will give me a script. I have tried sleeping without it and will literally stay awake all night. I know exactly how you feel!!

I am so glad you are OK and hope you heal quickly! WOW! Like I mentioned above my DSIL said melatonin worked for her.

I never required more than 3-4 hrs and worked 12-18 hr days but since my husband passed 3yrs ago now I was feeling lucky if I got that in a week I've had several scripts they all just made me wired and jittery I even changed my diet -no stimulants-tried warm milk-way yukky-Now I pick up a book go to bed and within 2-3 chapters I'm asleep Now all I need to do is teach one of my dogs to shut off the light but I'm now back to my usual 3-4 hrs and decided to be happy with this

I'm with you, Benadryl totally wires me, Ambien works great but is really expensive. Recently the doc gave me zaleplon 10 mg and it helps most of the time.

]

I'm with you, Benadryl totally wires me, Ambien works great but is really expensive. Recently the doc gave me zaleplon 10 mg and it helps most of the time.[/quote]

They now have a generic Ambien product. Not the controlled release formula but the just plain Ambien one,
much cheaper! Thank goodness. I don't know what it is with the "racing" thoughts. Just can't get them under control, I really hate when a song starts running through my brain and I can't remember "all" the words to it, just some, so then my brain just keeps running it by me! Very annoying!

I can relate I'm tired when I go to bed and sleep 15 min then wide awake thinking about what to do 1st then I'm groggy later that day. I hate to waste time sleeping but it's how the body heals a lot of things in your body. I only slept about two hrs last night if that because I wanted to watch the Prince William and Her Royal Highness marry. I remember when PW's Mom and Dad got wed. So tonight s/b sleep night. Maybe Sleepytime tea or hot cocoa will help before BT. Good Luck everyone. Sue

I was up most of the night last night too. Watching the royal wedding, which was fascinating to me. I was recording it so I could have waited, but nope. I do stuff like that a lot. My mom said I was not a sleeper when I was a kid either. I am just too afraid I will miss something.

I have tried sleeping pills and then I am groggy all day long. I am terrified of Ambien, heard too many horror stories. A friend of my daughters woke up in the Walmart foyer with two carts of toys and stuff, even a laptop, that she had already purchased. She was still in her pj's. Can you imagine? She had to drive there, even on the freeway. She did it twice actually. How scary is that?

The only thing I have found works for me is to get in the recliner and stick my hands tight at my sides. Works most of the time. I think forcing myself to be still helps. But mostly I just can not shut my brain off. I make lists and plan stuff and just generally work in my head which is not good if you want to sleep.

I had a baby, worked for me exhausted all the time sleep great

I worked the night shift for 27 years, and I'm sure that changed my sleeping habits.I stopped fighting it years ago...when I can't sleep, I get up and quilt or clean or catch up on e-mail...I find that after a few long nights, my body automatically adjusts and I sleep well for a night(maybe 2 )...but all in all, I"ve just accepted it.It is much better than lying in bed tossing and turning. I get a lot done in the middle of the night, too, no interruptions.I am afraid of the pills out there and their side effects, so I just go with it when I'm wide awake.
Sometimes I wonder if we all aren't being put into the same mold, when in fact, we are all different...I have just accepted my fate and work with it, not aginst it.

I think, at 50 or so sleep becomes a problem because of the change.
I am 62 and don't need any kind of medication.
But I do take 5mg of Ambien every night and sleep at least a good 5 hours before I wake. Plus I wake up clear headed.
I was taking 10mg and some sleep walking was a problem. The doctor called me and explained it was just to much.
I would be up all night long if I don't take anything. So I do.
DJC

When I couldn't shut my mind off I found using a small portable battery radio with ear pieces worked wonders. turn on to a music station and I'm asleep very quickly. We have a classical music station I listen to, turn the volume very low and I'm in sleep land in a hurry.

Many years ago I decided I had to do something about not getting enough sleep. I bought a book on self hypnosis and learned a wonderful technique for turning off my brain and body. It involves concentrating and relaxing each part of the body while counting from 10 to 1. Now when I need to sleep all I do is begin the count down. I usually do not get past 8 before being fast asleep and don't wake until the alarm sounds.
Judy

I need my sleep but sometimes my brain goes into over drive and won't let me sleep at all. most frustrating. i tend to take 2 to 4 hours to get to sleep as it is.

does your hubby have RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME? I do and there is meds for it. I do find myself picturing so many quilts, projects and crafts in my head instead of sleeping. I am going to try the audio books

I am another one who is sleep challenged. If it's not pain (FM & OA), it's that I can't 'turn my mind off'. Makes for a very long next day. :oops:

I aree with all of you. Menopause did it for me and nothing seems to help. I think I am doomed. However, quilting at 4:00 AM is fun when the house is nice and quiet!

Has anyone tried Melatonin? I use it every night and I seem to get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. I use the 5 mg. tablets.

I have always had a falling asleep problem. Took sleeping pills, worked for awhile then wide awake. A friend told me about natural Melatonin super snooze and it really works. Hope this may help you other nite owls. Happy to hear I'm not alone.

I find that when I really can't sleep it's because I am stressing about something that affects me or my immediate family.

After laying awake for a long time, I get out my prayer list and start praying for everyone on it. It's amazing how concentrating on other's woes takes your mind off your own!

Next thing I know, it's morning!

I tried melatonin but developed vivid nightmares on it. Have heard that people with an actual melatonin deficiency do well with it, but apparently that's not what is associated with my sleep problems.

The audiobooks provide, I think, a sort of "white noise" that puts my brain to sleep.

Most of the time I have the opposite problem, can't wake up in the mornings. I've always been a night owl so don't get to bed early. Once in a while though I just can't go to sleep. I usually turn on the TV and watch some really boring show until I doze off.

I take Melatonin about 3 hours before I go to bed and wear foam ear plugs. Sometimes I wake up 15 -30 minutes and can't go back to sleep, I get up and watch TV until I get sleepy again. I'm going back to work in about 3 weeks, so I will be struggling again with less sleep. I'm sure a consistent bedtime routine would be best. I am just not a consistent person and don't like routines much.
Melatonin is what your body makes so you can sleep. My DH has too much and I don't have enough.

I have the same problem, but I realize if I don't think about sleeping during the day and not worry about if I sleep tonight or not I sleep better. And if you meditate before you going to bed you will be relaxed,I know it works for me.

Turning my mind off is a problem but the worst is that I have "restless leg" syndrome and, as you can see by the time is my big problem. I da take an Rx from the doctor and it helps sometimes. I use straight Benytral to help me sleep and it works about 50% of the time. Will lie back down and see if my mind shuts down now and my legs will be still. Good Night.

Yep, I am with the rest of you. I very seldom go to bed before 2:30 am & at that takes me forever to drop off. Then I wake up at least 3 times before getting up between 6:30 & 7:30 every morning. Gets frustrating at times. Can't take over the counter things to help cause of the heart meds & Thyroid meds I am on. Been this way for years.

I've got arthritis in most of my joints. I can sleep about two hours then I start hurting, so I get up and go to the potty, sometimes change from bed to my recliner, sometimes come in to the computer (as now!), then back to try again. If I'm lucky enough to sleep more than two hours in one stretch, my body is as stiff as a board and I wish I hadn't. In the end, I'll sleep 6 hours, but it takes a few jabs at sleeping to do so.

I use generic benedryl, too. It helps. But still the pain wins in the end.

uote=NatalieMacDonald]Brother, I wish I could just turn my mind off and let me sleep! Went to bed thinking about challenging myself with untried techniques - Diane Gaudynski's artful FMG, borders, how about piping, etc. It just doesn't stop! Then I'm good for nothing the next day. I envy envy envy people who can sleep well.

I did watch a hail storm at 4 AM this morning.

Some of you can probably relate.[/quote]

I'm not a "sleeper" either, but I justify it by saying it stems from all of the midnight oil I burned when I was teaching and raising a family. After retirement I continued to follow the same pattern of sleep (or sleeplessness). It's been 13 years, so I can hardly blame it on my working days pattern. I, too, lay awake (and sometimes sitting at the computer) thinking about quilting (and cake decorating).

Is insomnia connected with quilting? I have many sleepless nights and when sleep just wont happen I get up and cut out a quilt, or do some handwork, anything quilt related. After an hour or 2 so I can go back to bed and sleep like a baby

Don't worry Natalie McDonald, I won't tell your secret to anyone!!!! ROFL!