Sleep issues...

[Lunos219]

Ever since I can remember, I've had issues with sleep. I have to lay in bed for hours before I fall asleep, and I never wake up feeling refreshed, even if I'm certain that I've gotten 10+ hours in.

I know that this could mean something else or nothing at all, or even weaken my immune system. Any ideas for a solution without resulting to drugs? I'd rather use prescriptions as a last resort.

[Lunos219]

The thing is, I've tried working out during the day; It doesn't help even if I feel tired at night.

I've tried all sorts of other tips recommended to me.

I've tried telling myself that I need to rest, or that I'm tired and need to sleep, etc. I've tried to make sleep even more interesting, through attempting to lucid dream every night (which I've found virtually impossible, because I have a shortage of dreams that I can remember to catch myself dreaming in). I've even tried altering my schedules (sleep and daytime activity) for prolonged periods of time, all to no avail.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, your history suggests that you have milder form of sleep disorder. There is a delayed onset of sleep which may be due to committed work, success, stress, unusual happenings make you anxious and it will keep you awake and will lead to delayed onset of sleep. If it is continued for a certain amount of period, it will become a habit i.e. it will alter your sleep-awake cycle.

Once you sleep, your sleep architecture seems to be fine i.e. stages of sleep. You do not need any major therapeutic interventions for your condition. This is common when there is a disturbance in normal sleep pattern.

The therapy for this condition includes retaining of normal circadian rhythm by non-pharmacological therapy which includes; Photo therapy, maintenance of sleep hygiene. You need to go for morning exercises and work out which will make you fresh and active all day and tiredness at the end of day will help you to induce sleep naturally.

Pharmacological therapy includes short course of appropriate sedatives and Hypnotics against prescription. Non-benzodiazepines are effective in delayed onset sleep disorder and help to initiate the sleep.

I suggest you to consult physician. Take car and regards.

[Lunos219]

I don't really think that that's the problem; my room was pained an orange-ish, for most of my life, and the problem didn't worsen when I moved into white, or even a blueish-green room, for that matter.

[harrald]

You and I must have been born twins! I have had sleeping problems all my life. I automatically awake after the first two hours after falling asleep. I had tests done at sleep laboratories, tried new sleep medication, but I still wake-up too early without enough sleep.

If by chance your studied Physics in school, my suggestions may make more sense. The colors of a rainbow(ROY G BIV), red,orange,yellow,green,blue, indigo,violet form when water drops are refracted(reflected)by white light(the light around us that we can see)to form the colors. Sleep scientists at General Electric have discovered that the blue color of the spectrum interferes with the pineal gland in the brain that produces the sleep hormone, melatonin.

There are companies that supply amber-colored glasses, light bulbs, computer screens that block the blue light so you can fall asleep sooner. Here is the website of a company that supplies the mentioned aids: www.lowbluelights.com. I have purchased two sets of glasses, one computer-screen filter, and one coated light bulb. It takes about 5-7 days for your brain to adapt to the new sleep routine. It is recommended that you use the glasses, computer-screen filter 3 hours before bedtime.

Harrald

[Lunos219]

Come to think of it, another thing that I've noticed, is that if I wake up in the middle of the night, by someone getting me to do so, I remain in a zombie like state, and have no recollection of the event. Also, as apposed to my normal self, I'm quite uncooperative and seem fed up with everything. This was told to me, by someone I trust.

[MoonlightTears]

Having to lay in bed before falling asleep and waking up tired even after many hour are lear signs that you sleep is disturbed.
Insomnia (one of many sleep disorders) means that your brain, just can't shut down.
I too have had sleep issues for ever.
In fact ist´s been known that child insomnia can contribute for many later disorders.
Of course you shloud see a doctor and try to explain your difiiculties and your historial, also speak to him about non drug treatments.
Maybe you could learn relaxation thecnics, diferent night time routines or activyties or even type of food for dinner, behavioural thecnics.

I do need my heavy drugs to have a night of sleep and I sure do support your effort not only to resolve this issue, but also to takihg a healthier way to deal with.
Sleep disturbance can realy take out on every dimesion of a person's life and leave you very ill.