Discussion Insomnia Aids?

[FTL.Wanderer]

I was a long-time caretaker for someone who died. Ever since then, I've been an insomniac. But it's gotten much worse over the years. Now, it's hard to get to sleep before 4AM--and then only for a couple hours. I've tried pills, exercise, temperature interventions, no-blue-lights, turning off all electronics, sound therapy, changing sleeping surfaces, reading, not eating, eating certain things, meditating, herbs... Nothing helps. And the chronic insomnia makes everything else worse.

How have other people overcome insomnia? What's worked for you?

 

[BobMorane]

After a traumatic episode I was left insomniac for 2 years... tried everything, nothing worked, until my doctor finally prescribed me Remeron. It worked wonders, I took it for about 7 months and never had insomnia ever since. If your doctor asks you if you're suicidal, say no else he's not gonna prescribe it to you . Good luck !
edit: it boosts your appetite and sexual activity.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

After a traumatic episode I was left insomniac for 2 years... tried everything, nothing worked, until my doctor finally prescribed me Remeron. It worked wonders, I took it for about 7 months and never had insomnia ever since. If your doctor asks you if you're suicidal, say no else he's not gonna prescribe it to you . Good luck !
edit: it boosts your appetite and sexual activity.

Thanks for the reference. What happened after the 7 months?

 

[BobMorane]

I quit. Didn't need them anymore

 

[Sunset Limited]

Human interaction has a huge impact on sleep. Is there someone around you who loves you and you can share everything with?

After a traumatic episode I was left insomniac for 2 years... tried everything, nothing worked, until my doctor finally prescribed me Remeron. It worked wonders, I took it for about 7 months and never had insomnia ever since. If your doctor asks you if you're suicidal, say no else he's not gonna prescribe it to you . Good luck !
edit: it boosts your appetite and sexual activity.

I am still using. 15 mg is good. It is a good antidepressant too.

 

[Chancerator]

Look up "Michael Sealey sleep hypnosis" on YouTube. I can't listen to him for more than 15 mins without falling asleep!

 

[goldenvirginia]

Hot bath, no screen time for at least an hour before going to bed, scented oil burning, reading an actual paper book. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it helps a lot.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Human interaction has a huge impact on sleep. Is there someone around you who loves you and you can share everything with?

I know your intention is totally benevolent. Thank you. :) I'm thinking of the tomes published on the grave health effects of loneliness. How it can be worse than smoking heavily, being obese... But never in these publications from some of the best medical research centers in the world do they offer an actual cure. Suggestions, yes, to "get out there." If many of the people who're desperately lonely could build meaningful relationships, I bet they'd trade their right hands for them.

Mother Teresa: "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty."

Bertrand Russell: "Those who most need friends are the least likely to acquire them."

I quit. Didn't need them anymore

Glad you got over it.

Look up "Michael Sealey sleep hypnosis" on YouTube. I can't listen to him for more than 15 mins without falling asleep!

Thanks for the reference. I'll look him up.

 

[dyingalone123]

Insomnia is the biggest reason why I want to ctb!!! What has worked for you guys?

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Insomnia is the biggest reason why I want to ctb!!! What has worked for you guys?

How have you been dealing with the cumulative effects of night-after-night of insomnia?

 

[ihatemylife]

I was a long-time caretaker for someone who died. Ever since then, I've been an insomniac. But it's gotten much worse over the years. Now, it's hard to get to sleep before 4AM--and then only for a couple hours. I've tried pills, exercise, temperature interventions, no-blue-lights, turning off all electronics, sound therapy, changing sleeping surfaces, reading, not eating, eating certain things, meditating, herbs... Nothing helps. And the chronic insomnia makes everything else worse.

How have other people overcome insomnia? What's worked for you?

I use melatonin but find brand matters alot. Some are complete duds. I now use a brand called Pure Encapsulation which seems to work for me but of course everyone is different.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

I use melatonin but find brand matters alot. Some are complete duds. I now use a brand called Pure Encapsulation which seems to work for me but of course everyone is different.

Thanks for the brand suggestion. I've tried melatonin for years. Maybe I'm using low-quality brands. It doesn't help me GET to sleep or stay asleep, but it makes it very hard for me to get up if I don't get at least 6-hours of sleep. Will check out Pure Encapsulation. What pill concentration do you use? 0.5mg, 3mg, 20mg...?

 

[tgfm]

I can empathize. I've struggled with horrific insomnia for years. I wish I had a cure for you. I've tried probably most every prescription and non-prescription medicine out there. Some helped a little or for a little while, but nothing worked for long. But, that was just my experience and my body. The only thing I would say is to avoid benzodiazepine drugs if you possibly can. They can work, for sure. But the price to your body and mind is so high that you might end up worse off than when you started. A lot worse off. I hope you find some peace and sleep.

 

[xLosthopex]

I struggle with insomnia also
I take 15mg a day of valium(which I keep intending to ween myself off in preparation for taking N but I'm so reliant on it :/) and that doesn't even always work…
I have anorexia(at the moment I'm dealing with the binge/purge subtype) and I also need to binge and purge right before going to bed then take my valium in order to sleep
Some of the more 'healthier' methods I use though which also help are putting lavender oil on my pillow and listening to either a guided meditation or some kind of relaxation/sleep sounds or music, such as the Headspace or Calm apps

Even with all that I rarely ever get a full nights sleep though so will be following this thread for other tips

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Some of the more 'healthier' methods I use though which also help are putting lavender oil on my pillow and listening to either a guided meditation or some kind of relaxation/sleep sounds or music, such as the Headspace or Calm apps

I've never tried either of those apps, though I do use white noise apps. I'll check out Headspace & Calm. Thanks for your honesty. Right there with you in the struggle. Peace.

 

[tgfm]

I definitely agree with some kind of wind down audio. Those Headspace and Calm apps are good. Insight Timer is a great free meditation app with a lot of sleep content as well (soundscapes, guided meditation, etc.). Podcasts too. There are a lot of really great sleep ones (I'm partial to a very strange mix of Nothing Much Happens and Knifepoint Horror - whatever works I guess). I think that they all have in common the same idea of establishing a calming routine to help signal to your body and mind that it's time to relax and sleep. It doesn't always work for me. But it's helped. More than even a lot of the drugs, and if don't like Headspace it's a lot easier to quit than Xanax believe me :)

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

I definitely agree with some kind of wind down audio. Those Headspace and Calm apps are good. Insight Timer is a great free meditation app with a lot of sleep content as well (soundscapes, guided meditation, etc.). Podcasts too. There are a lot of really great sleep ones (I'm partial to a very strange mix of Nothing Much Happens and Knifepoint Horror - whatever works I guess). I think that they all have in common the same idea of establishing a calming routine to help signal to your body and mind that it's time to relax and sleep. It doesn't always work for me. But it's helped. More than even a lot of the drugs, and if don't like Headspace it's a lot easier to quit than Xanax believe me :)

I'm so grateful to everyone for sharing these apps I've NEVER EVEN HEARD OF! I'm going to hunt for some tonight!

 

[ihatemylife]

Thanks for the brand suggestion. I've tried melatonin for years. Maybe I'm using low-quality brands. It doesn't help me GET to sleep or stay asleep, but it makes it very hard for me to get up if I don't get at least 6-hours of sleep. Will check out Pure Encapsulation. What pill concentration do you use? 0.5mg, 3mg, 20mg...?

I use the 0.5 mg one. I've used 3mg of other brands and nothing which confirms to me brand definitely matters. It seems like everyone's system is different. The pure encapsulation brand one also does not give me the hung over feeling other brands do. Good luck to you. Insomnia can defiantly be brutal.

 

[Skathon]

What's worked for you?

Remaining awake for as long as I am able to with no schedule. I fall asleep accidentally when I go to lie down for "a few minutes".

 

[ChobaniFlipSmores]

Man, I would never take Remeron again. It helped with Insomnia, but I gained 25 pounds in two months. I always had to be eating on it.

After a traumatic episode I was left insomniac for 2 years... tried everything, nothing worked, until my doctor finally prescribed me Remeron. It worked wonders, I took it for about 7 months and never had insomnia ever since. If your doctor asks you if you're suicidal, say no else he's not gonna prescribe it to you . Good luck !
edit: it boosts your appetite and sexual activity.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Remaining awake for as long as I am able to with no schedule. I fall asleep accidentally when I go to lie down for "a few minutes".

Now that you mention it, this works great for me, too! Just stay up about 48 hours if you have the next day off. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[dyingalone123]

How have you been dealing with the cumulative effects of night-after-night of insomnia?

Only reason why I haven't Ctb myself is due to survival instinct

 

[ChobaniFlipSmores]

The APP "Down Dog", which you can primarily use to create custom guided yoga sessions, has a yoga Nidra option which is basically guided sleep meditation. It's really helpful when I wake up in the middle of the night and my brain wants to stay awake, but I know I should go back to sleep.

I'm so grateful to everyone for sharing these apps I've NEVER EVEN HEARD OF! I'm going to hunt for some tonight!

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Only reason why I haven't Ctb myself is due to survival instinct

Exactly. :(