robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
I have been sleeping for 7 -9 hours per night but never uninterrupted. I seem to wake up at 2 to 4 hour intervals. I think sleep is essential in recovery and need help staying aslep......getting to sleep is not a problem. It is STAYING asleep that isn't working. I assume I am never getting to REM since I keep waking up.
I am taking so much between the abx and supplements that I am hesitant to add another drug. If anyone has some non-drug ideas please share them with me.
I use sleep CD's but that hasn't helped.....maybe there are some specific ones you can suggest. Also, I can try supplements or herbs......if I have to.....let me know what worked for you and at what dose.
posted
Yep, we all have early wakeups; lots of them. I finally gave up on natural stuff and started taking something my doc says is old, reliable, and something that the body seems to throw off very well. I have no hang overs from it, and no side effects. It's called oxazepam and I take 15 mgs. I get good rest nowadays. be well, lymerx
Posts: 226 | From ashland, OR., usa | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
There are natural supplements you can take to balance the neurotransmitters, (imbalances due to lyme or chronic illness cause imbalances) although you need a practitioner well versed in neurotransmitters to prescribe the supplements. Our naturopathic doctor does it for us.
Good luck! Marie
Posts: 143 | From Putnam Valley, NY. USA | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
When I just coudnt take it any more I would take nightquill at least I could get some un interuppted sleep the old 3am spirochete manuver Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am on Diazepam. It ws actually designed to be an antidepressent, but doesn't work all that well for depression. It will put you to sleep fast, keep you asleep, and is non-addictive. Krista
Posts: 12 | From St Paul, MN USA | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
robi, Sorry to hear you're having problems sleeping. I posted on this a few weeks ago about going to sleep - you might do a search to look at additional responses.
My biggest problem is waking up at 7am, exhausted, but my mind racing and trying to quiet it.
If you look on ELymeNancy's post about pain (somewhere on the past 3 pages), I wrote out a music-assisted imagery script I use on myself when I'm not feeling well or have difficulty sleeping.
For me the most effective - going back to sleep remedies, have been the imagery, deep breating (diaphramatic), and benedryl (except that can sometimes give me a hangover).
I've found the following CD's helpful: Stephen Halpern - spectrum suite Kim Robertson - she is a harpist any of hers are nice.
Some CD stores allow you to listen to CDs before you buy - that is what I'd recommend - look in the New age section.
I would probably look at CDs using harps, delta waves, guitar, strings.... Let me know if you have other questions about the CD thing.
And I'd stay away from the benzodiazepines - temazepam and oxazepam are some. They are "controlled substances" because they are addictive, and the quality of sleep they give is poor for many.
Posts: 2420 | From Davis, California | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged |
jen13
Unregistered
posted
I disagree about the benzos--temezapem has been a lifesaver for me. I function much better with it. I think lyme disrupts the gaba receptors and that's part of the sleep disorder problems. A little dependency is better than the adverse health effects both mental and physical of chronic lack of sleep and exhaustion.
Also, I find they work better if you take them for fitful awakening, rather than to FALL asleep. Then you get some of your own sleep as well as assisted sleep.
posted
We try to be very careful about what I take, because of past treatment failures/drug reactions/interactions liver function etc.
I use L-theanine in combo with Marnie's favorite-magnesium. I refer to L-theanine as peace in a pill.
On occasion, I will use 3mg to 4mg of promethazine (antinausea), it does casue a hangover, but, when used only occassionally, it can take the edge off of a sleepless cycle.
posted
I take benadril every 4 hours. When it wears off I go to the bathroom and take the next dose. This time of year it is also needed for allergies, but I cannot take it during the day and stay awake. Sometimes I take one pill 1/2 the normal dose every 4 hours during the day for allergies.
Posts: 505 | From Western NY | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
Have you looked at your diet? I know that if I eat certain things (nutrasweet, doritos, etc.) even in the early afternoon, my sleep quality is for crap.
An elimination diet would help you pinpoint any foods that are problematic for you - if you have any.
breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
remember that there is a keen difference between dependence and addiction.
Addiction is the abuse or misuse of a medication, substance or behavior. Dependence is a part of addiction, but they are not the same.
Dependence is physiological. Your body's developing a dependence on a medication is not the same as addiction.
Taking Vicodin for pain, not taking any more than is needed to relieve the pain, not taking it for the high or emotional numbness, is the proper use of vicodin. If you develop a physiological dependence, deal with that with your doctor after the need for the medication has lessened.
The key is determining why you are taking the medication. Are you taking it to relieve specific symptoms that are a part of your lyme scenario only? If so, that can lead to dependence, but this is not addiction.
If you take any substance or use any behavior in order to not feel emotional pain...to avoid life or responsibility...continuing to use it despite adverse consequences...that is addiction.
If you need sleep, and alternative methods are not working for you, discuss your concerns about addiction vs. dependence with your physician, and try the medication that he/she suggests to see if it works for you. Only use it when you genuinely need it, and addiction is not the result...perhaps physiological dependence, but not addiction.
posted
Valerian helps me sometimes, but it's hard to get past the smell.
I am allergic to Benadryl, so that's out for me.
Flexeril did not help me sleep at all.
Since I seem to have a lot of anxiety while I'm sleeping, and can't seem to get into that deep sleep phase, plus my muscles jerk like a seizure, I do take .25mg of Xanax occasionally to get a restful night's sleep. It doesn't leave me groggy in the morning.
Actually, I am able to get up earlier, and feeling more refreshed when I take it. I didn't take one last night, and I'm dragging this morning.
posted
OH MY GOSH!!!! I said Diazepam, I am sooo sorry. I meant to say Trazedone. Don't know why I was confused about the two. Trazedone is NOT addictive and WAS developed as an antidepressent. The others are correct, diazepam is addictive - stay away from that. Again, I am so sorry about my mistake!
Posts: 12 | From St Paul, MN USA | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
Amitriptyline has been a lifesaver for myself and my sister.
Flexeril did not help us get a full nights rest although it does help with spasms, pain, etc.
I take 15 mg of Amitriptyline and my sister takes 20 mg.
posted
i used to wake up 4 times a night.all nerve problems (sciatica, restless legs). now i only wake up once a night. Neurontin is the drug and 600mg is the dose.With all the abx and supplements, and germs i doubt any of us will get a full nights rest.Good luck
Posts: 7 | From raleigh,nc | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yogi tea company makes a blend they call "Bedtime Tea" which works incredibly well fo me. The only downside is the packaging- it's hard to buy very much because the packaging is totally non-recyclable, with all kind of plastic in it, which probably leeches into the tea. But if I need it, I'll grit my teeth and buy it. Another thing which is probably good is (real) Yoghurt, and real yoghurt contains acidophilus, which is also very imporant to eat, to replenish probiotics in your body. DaveS Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
HI gang...
Do any of you remember hearing that melatonin and lyme are not good pals?
I used to take it, then read somewhere, about two years ago, that melatonin was not a good thing to use while treating lyme...
Clearly, my lyme brain could have crossed wires here, but I thought I should ask...
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic