posted
So, with the all important sleep, I've noticed any time I'm improving I tend to get more sleep. Truncated or interrupted sleep does the opposite.
At this point I am thinking about training myself to sleep at least 10 hours a night. Has anyone been able to get some relief by focusing directly on sleep? I am seriously considering doing everything I can to sleep 12 hours a night to see if I can repair more.
Thoughts, ideas?
Posts: 922 | From Philadelphia | Registered: Sep 2012
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posted
I can't sleep more than three hours at a time no matter what I do. I think sleep plays a HUGE part in my healing and how I feel.
Please share your strategy for getting 10-12 hours of sleep.
Posts: 331 | From West Coast | Registered: Jan 2012
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Great idea. I do feel better when I get sleep.
Debilyn, try valarian (herb). It stinks like you know what, but boy does it work! I can only take it once in a while though (gives me yeast for some reason).
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
10-12 hrs of sleep wow that would be amazing! I wake every 2hrs throughout the night. I've tried melatonin and chamomile tea but they don't help. My LLNP recommended an rx sleep med, which I really did not want to do, but may think about it.
When I wake I do need to use the bathroom every time, so I wonder am I waking because I have to go or am I just waking...
Posts: 1747 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Melatonin used to do the trick, but I've tried not to be dependent on it. I used to get about 10 hours of sleep if I took a 5mg. I started backing off to 2.5 then stopped altogether, but due to a really toxic herx my insomnia came back full force (3 hours max) at which point I was using melatonin, valerian and chamomile and nothing was working until I got a script for Ativan bc tremors were keeping me from sleeping.
Now I can take a .5-1mg Ativan an hour before bed and sleep for 6 hours straight, then try to snooze for another few hours. I know I can't stay on it forever, but I figure I'll make the best of it for a couple of weeks to retrain my body to sleep longer.
Some things I find a must: 1. blindfold for total darkness 2. consistent timing to keep a good diurnal rhythm 3. turn off computers/tv's/cable boxes/gadgets completely (don't just put them to sleep). the vibrational frequencies are disturbing and can keep you from getting a deep sleep.
Posts: 922 | From Philadelphia | Registered: Sep 2012
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
I can't believe I used to go night after night watching every single hour tick by! I've had insomnia since I was a teenager
I hated the idea of it, but ambien was the best thing to every happen to me. I take 2/3 a pill and I refuse to go up...if it stops working I stop taking it for a few nights , and usually don't sleep, but then it starts working again. But I will say I have slept without it for the first time in ages since I have been treating.
So yes, what ever you can do to sleep. Sleep is awesome.
[ 10-20-2012, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Kudzuslipper ]
Posts: 1725 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Thanks for posting about ambien Kudzuslipper. My doc gave me a prescription for it, but I'm leary after all I've heard. That's a good idea to cut it in half or 2/3rds.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
It seems I'm just wired at night lately. I started at 10 mg elavil and that stopped working so now I'm at 20 mg, which I don't like.
It really dries my mouth and nose out something awful.
The doctor gave me ambien and lunesta and I reacted very badly. My husband says I was talking in my sleep and even started thrashing around. Scared both him and me when I woke up.
Tried melatonin and I bounced off the walls. I was very jittery and nervous.
I just can't get to sleep at all. I lay awake until 1 and then get maybe an hour or so. After several nights I am completely exhausted so then I will take the elavil and just die all night...
There has got to be something we can take.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
I take Ambien. Never gotten weird or anything. Sure wish it would put me under for a solid 8.
By the way, what is the deal with the peeing at night?! Good grief.
And yes, I stop drinking my water after dinner.
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
Unfortunately before bed I am taking magnesium, probiotic, estradiol, melatonin so I need a decent amount of water to get them down. Otherwise I would not drink so much before bed.
Posts: 1747 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
I know, the peeing at night thing sucks. I took half an ambien last night and it helped me fall back to sleep even though I had to get up to pee 3 or 4 times. Unfortunately, though, today my husband has a giant bruise right in the middle of his forehead (so very sad)... Just kidding (lol)!
Randibear, try valarian. Nothing has ever knocked me out quite like that stuff (it works fast). Warning--it stinks.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Bi Est or Tri Est cream on the wrists at night does the trick, a tiny tiny bit !!! HORMONES are the major reason why women can't sleep, estrogen helps get into a good delta sleep.
Posts: 532 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2004
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lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
I can sleep for 10 hours easily. My problem is getting to sleep at a reasonable time. I usually get wired and inspired around 10pm and can't get to sleep until 1-130...its driving me nuts.
I've always been a night person. But I'd really like to be a day and night person that gets good sleep.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
My DD had terrible insomnia for years. We tried everything natural that we could think of and nothing worked until I stumbled about a product called CALM. It's a powdered magnesium supplement. She has to take twice the recommended dosage, which doesn't hurt her at all. She also takes 9mg of melatonin with it.
She can actually go to sleep at a decent hour now, and if she doesn't have to get up for an appt. she can sleep for 10-12 hours. It's been one of the best products that we've come across.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I also have terrible insomnia. I've tried many naturals and RX meds. Now I'm taking trazodone, l-tryptophan, and melatonin. Oh, and desmopressin for the peeing problem. Before I found a combo that works (sort of) for me, I spent every night feeling as if I didn't sleep at all, and my body was falling apart as a result. I'm not treating my infection (can't afford to), but I feel a hundred times better now that I'm sleeping.
Posts: 59 | From Seattle WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I take Flexeril which is helpful but the best thing was fixing my adrenals.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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