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I can't sleep

For the last few months I've had practically no sleep, but the last 2 weeks or so it's been a load worse; I have a lot of trouble getting to sleep and then I get about 10-15 minutes sleep before waking up. I usually can't sleep past about 6 or 7 am either.

I saw the doctor who gave me temezepram which did nothing, so saw again and got 7.5mg zopiclone tablets. These let me sleep one night then last night did nothing much again.

What can I do? I'm tired and ill and just want some nice sleep.

Reply 1

HacklyFracture

I know how you feel (i suffer from insomnia). I've tried medication but it didn't work and I didn't like being on it anyway. I get hardly any sleep, some mornings I don't wake up I just stop trying to sleep :frown:

.

All I can suggest is a few things that most websites and stuff suggest to help you sleep:

- Don't use your bed for anything other than sleeping. Something to do with your brain registering it needs to sleep then when it's in bed.

- Try some of that spray stuff to help you sleep? It's often lavender and you spray it on your pillow and stuff.

- Try not to eat too soon before bed

- Try going to bed at the same time every day (I think this was similar to the first, make you more inclined to sleep or something and 'programmes' your brain). Get into a routine.

-Although I've seen things that say only sleep when your tired. Sorry, bit contradictory.

- Sleep in the day as little as possible

- Don't drink caffiene after dinner/tea time

- Try and clear your room of stuff like televisions, computer's homework etc

- Write down anything you need to do tomorrow or anything on your mind before you go to bed. Helps to clear your mind - stops you mulling things over trying to remember what you have to do tomorrow which stops you sleeping

Reply 2

Phantom Phoenix

I second everythin Moon_Wolf said; that's a good summary of everything I know. I particularly second not lying in your bed for working/TV etc - try to associate your bed with sleep only. That really helped me. Regardless, I still get the odd night when I don't sleep at all and it messes me up for days (having said that, I have CFS so it's pretty cataclysmic when I don't sleep for a night or two!). Also, spend half an hour reading something before bed to wind down (TV stimulates your brain so turning off the TV and trying to sleep is difficult). Hope something there was helpful!

Reply 3

HacklyFracture

Phantom Phoenix

I second everythin Moon_Wolf said...Also, spend half an hour reading something before bed to wind down

Reading is always good. Apart from those times when I just have to keep reading to see what happens *sigh*.

Reply 4

Phantom Phoenix

Hah, I started reading Stephen King's Dark Tower for the first time before bed and was up all night. Kicked myself in the morning but it was worth it. :biggrin:

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

Tried all that, have been doing it for years, now I'm just knackered and need sleep any other ideas?

Reply 6

hannah_dru

Are you still taking the Zopiclone? If you are, be careful as you're only supposed to be on it for a week, as it gets addictive.

Sleep tea can be useful.

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

no it doesn't so anything. I was going to take 2 of the temazepam tablets but my friend has told me not to go against what the doctor said.

I feel awful. My head is a mess, I'm knackered, dizzy all the time, I can't concentrate, just typing is arduous and not to mention trying to go up the stairs. I can't keep this up I need sleep what the hell is sleep tea?

Reply 8

HacklyFracture

Sleep tea= tea that makes you sleep :smile:

Herbal tea that is, usually has chamomile and stuff in.

Have you tried having a nice hot bath before bed?
Or erm... making sure it's completely dark - expose yourself to as little light as possible when you get up in the night?

Only other thing I can find about it is this:

"Melatonin and its precursors. If behavioral changes do not work, it may be possible to improve sleep by supplementing with the hormone melatonin. However, I would exercise extreme caution in using it, and only as a last resort, as it is a powerful hormone. Ideally it is best to increase levels naturally with exposure to bright sunlight in the daytime (along with full spectrum fluorescent bulbs in the winter) and absolute complete darkness at night. One should get blackout drapes so no light is coming in from the outside. One can also use one of melatonin's precursors, L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). L-tryptophan is the safest and my preference, but must be obtained by prescription only. However, don't be afraid or intimidated by its prescription status. It is just a simple amino acid."