What do you do when you can't sleep?

[CagneyDog]

For the last month I haven't gotten much sleep. I stay up till at least 4:00 am each night, usually later though. It's getting ridiculous. I'll lie down and be pretty tired but it's like I'm too tense to fall asleep. Thankfully, after having no sleep for a few nights I will eventually fall asleep for 1-2 hours. The ONLY thing that will make me fall asleep though is taking a few doses of benadryl (and yeah I know it's bad but it works). I've tried everything, I've taken hot showers, I've just layed there for two hours, I've tried reading, watching TV, walking around. Nothing works.

First of all, does anyone else know why this is happening? Stress, possibley? Is anyone else like this? It's actually really bugging me, I'm tired during the day and I feel like crap and it's pretty frustrating not being able to fall asleep.

[Toby's my baby]

It can be from stress, or working too hard during the day, sounds weird, but its true.

Here are some things that I do:

1. eat something light, like a piece of bread or something, that you like

2. heat up a glass of milk, and drink it, its gross, but that sometimes sooths you.

3. when you are laying in bed, start at your feet, and SLOWLY relax you whole body

4. my sister does this: we have heating blankets, and she turns her's on before she goes to bed, and puts her pillow under it, and when she goes to bed, she layes her head on the warm pillow that was under the blanket, and she says that helps.

I'll post more, as I think of more ideas. Good luck! I hope you can fall asleep soon!

[Karen]

Take a pad of paper and a pen with you. Get in bed, then write down everything you're worried about, even if it's just all you have to do the next day. If it is stress (which can absolutely cause this) that ought to let your brain rest, knowing it can pick the paper - and the worries - back up the next day.

Have you tried going for a long walk before bedtime, or working out until you're too exhausted to do anything BUT sleep?

[kimboe]

Umm...for me when I can't sleep I eat before i go to bed. I know it's bad cause your matabalism is low. But, When I eat and get full i get tired. What i usually eat if i can't sleep is Soup and sometimes crakers, with some Chamomile tea.
It works for me when i can't sleep, maybe give it a shot?
Good luck finding the SandMan!

[Nomilynn]

Well since I was awake until 6am last night I probably won't be of any help It probably is stress, so if you can find a way to alleviate some of it, it might help. I'll be looking back here for tips as well.

[CagneyDog]

Thanks guys. I'm seriosly going to try everyone of these things until something works. School is starting on Monday again and I'm not going to be able to function without at least one good night sleep

[Flatcoatluver]

I have the same problem as you and now I am just reading this thread. I just take bendrayl(sp) and it makes me fall asleep fast. It probally not good for you to take it everynight but without that i would not go to sleep at all.

[Karen]

Have you tried eliminating any caffiene during the day? When do you eat? How much do you drink during the day? Any coffee, tea, or cola or soft drinks with caffeine?

Flatcoatluver if you have to take Benadryl to get to sleep, you should see your doctor.

[CagneyDog]

The last time I eat before bed is 6:30-7:00. I really don't drink anything thing with caffeine, well i haven't lately anyways.

I'm going to try writing everything down tonight too, even before this I always slept better after talking to someone about some stuff. But with me being up at 4am no is online

[Flatcoatluver]

Flatcoatluver if you have to take Benadryl to get to sleep, you should see your doctor.

do you think cagney_dog and me have restlessness???? I have heard of it but not much about it......

[Karen]

do you think cagney_dog and me have restlessness???? I have heard of it but not much about it......

Never heard of it, but taking Benadryl just to get to sleep is not a healthy thing.


Note: I am not a medical professional, nor have I played one on TV.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I concentrate on something (like counting sheep) so my mind can't tense up. I list (in my mind) the states in alphabetic order (from Northeast to west) and the state capitals too if I'm still awake. Sometimes, for variety, I think of girls' names starting th the letter A...then B, etc.

I forget about whatever is bothering me and it is very boring so it helps me seep.

[CagneyDog]

No, i don't think it is restlessness. Benadryl works..I've tried it once, but I agree it's unhealthy.

Bahhh, I need to take my mind off it before I go lay down else I obsses over the fact that I can't sleep


Edit- Do you think there is anything a doctor could do about this. Sleeping Pills I guess?

[.sarah]

I have this problem, but I was prescribed migraine medicine last year that helps you sleep, so this only happens now when I forget my medicine ... which seems to be a lot lately

I don't do anything about it, I just deal with it. My mom has the same thing, so I figure it's hereditary in my case. Sorry I can't help.

[.sarah]

Edit- Do you think there is anything a doctor could do about this. Sleeping Pills I guess?

Yeah, there are prescribed medicines for things like this. It's worth a try, IMO. I would be at the doctor for it if my migraine medicine didn't help me sleep.