Aa
insomnia most of my life
I have had problems sleeping all my life. It has been so miserable at times. I am a very nervous person and had panic attacks and a real worrier. Now I'm older (66) and it is getting worse. The last 9 months I have had 2 surgeries and many tests which have stressed me out so much. Unbelievable but I survived the surgeries with very few problems and really was not that scared. I honestly think the tests stressed me out more. I had CT scan, endoscopy, colonoscopy, MRI and passed a stress test and surgery in a 6 week period. And I do not have high blood pressure. Sounds ridiculous but it is true.
I handle pain without strong pain meds. Actually the pain was not that bad for me. Now I am taking 1mg of clonazepam and 10mg ambien to help with sleep. I was cutting back on the clonazepam to 1/2 and then stressed over tests and surgery. I missed many nights without any sleep at all. I don't go to therapy or a psychiatrist My medical doctor understands my anxiety level and gives me sleep med. I listen to relaxation music all night and try everything possible. I really want to stop the ambien which doesn't seem to help me much. Guess after a while it doesn't work as well. I live alone and don't have anyone to help me with shopping and such. If I don't sleep I get very nervous and can't hardly function. Now I'm about fully recovered with surgery and walking again. I am not a stay at home person!!
Naturally in my younger days I could function without much sleep but not now that I am older. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I handle pain without strong pain meds. Actually the pain was not that bad for me. Now I am taking 1mg of clonazepam and 10mg ambien to help with sleep. I was cutting back on the clonazepam to 1/2 and then stressed over tests and surgery. I missed many nights without any sleep at all. I don't go to therapy or a psychiatrist My medical doctor understands my anxiety level and gives me sleep med. I listen to relaxation music all night and try everything possible. I really want to stop the ambien which doesn't seem to help me much. Guess after a while it doesn't work as well. I live alone and don't have anyone to help me with shopping and such. If I don't sleep I get very nervous and can't hardly function. Now I'm about fully recovered with surgery and walking again. I am not a stay at home person!!
Naturally in my younger days I could function without much sleep but not now that I am older. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I suggest that you could using the Chinese Herbal Medicine to cure the insomnia.
Ziziphi Spinosae Decoction: Crush the Suanzaoren with the quantity about three qian, and then decoct them with water. Take it an hour before sleeping every night. Suanzaoren can inhibit the central nervous system, have function of constant composedness. And it can bring good effect in insomnia caused by dysthesia and uncomfortable by blood asthenia.
Meditation Soup: Fry two bowls of water to half with three qian arillus longanae and Chuandan Jinshen. And take it 30 minutes before sleeping, which can get quelling effect, especially for insomnia with blood asthenia.
Soothe Soup: Steam five qian raw Lily with an egg yolk. And then agitate before put 200ml water into it, next put a little rock candy into it. At last, homogenize with 50ml cold boiled water after boiling. Take it an hour before going to bed.
Hope that i help.
Ziziphi Spinosae Decoction: Crush the Suanzaoren with the quantity about three qian, and then decoct them with water. Take it an hour before sleeping every night. Suanzaoren can inhibit the central nervous system, have function of constant composedness. And it can bring good effect in insomnia caused by dysthesia and uncomfortable by blood asthenia.
Meditation Soup: Fry two bowls of water to half with three qian arillus longanae and Chuandan Jinshen. And take it 30 minutes before sleeping, which can get quelling effect, especially for insomnia with blood asthenia.
Soothe Soup: Steam five qian raw Lily with an egg yolk. And then agitate before put 200ml water into it, next put a little rock candy into it. At last, homogenize with 50ml cold boiled water after boiling. Take it an hour before going to bed.
Hope that i help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.
Understand your concern. You have come through surgeries and difficult tests, so now is the time to relax and recover. But the more you get anxious the less likely you are to fall asleep and this becomes a vicious circle. Sleep aids can help to temporarily tide over insomnia or in ability to sleep. You should stop becoming anxious and try to relax. Try to have a warm bath before sleeping. Have a glass of milk or read a book before trying to sleep. Don’t watch TV or do exercise before sleeping. Condition yourself that you can relax and that you can sleep well. Maintain warm, comfortable bedroom environment and engage in relaxing activities like a warm bath before bed time. If problem persist consult your primary care physician to rule out sleep disorders.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
Understand your concern. You have come through surgeries and difficult tests, so now is the time to relax and recover. But the more you get anxious the less likely you are to fall asleep and this becomes a vicious circle. Sleep aids can help to temporarily tide over insomnia or in ability to sleep. You should stop becoming anxious and try to relax. Try to have a warm bath before sleeping. Have a glass of milk or read a book before trying to sleep. Don’t watch TV or do exercise before sleeping. Condition yourself that you can relax and that you can sleep well. Maintain warm, comfortable bedroom environment and engage in relaxing activities like a warm bath before bed time. If problem persist consult your primary care physician to rule out sleep disorders.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
The questions are so much easier than the answers.
My husband and I both have sleep apnea. His is very bad and mine is not so bad since it is obstructive sleep apnea but I had no idea I had it till a couple of years ago.
The poster above referred to reading the Bible and that reminded me how very much we do "see through a glass darkly".
We tend only to recognize our symptoms and that's normal. It takes either a very good doctor/specialist to recognize the cause of the symptoms or a whole lot of digging around and research on our part to recognize what "might" be the problem.
My husband's father and his brother both died of sleep apnea related heart attacks. My husband would have had either a heart attach or a stroke had he gone on so exhausted, sleep and oxygen deprived and tired all the time.
I finally realized what sleep apnea was when my friend's husband died of sleep apnea/heart attack after a life of bad sleep. I recognized her husband's symptoms being the same as my husband's and talked him into being tested. It was pure accident that we learned what was wrong with him and it may have saved his life.
I'm not suggesting you have sleep apnea but I noticed you live alone and I wonder if there is anyone around to even tell you if you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea. My husband's sleep was sketchy, disjointed, interrupted and non-restorative. He would never have had a clue if I had not recognized it.
If you think you've tried everything else maybe having a sleep study (if you haven't already) might be something to consider.
Just a thought since I was 63 when I was finally diagnosed and my husband was older than that.
I wish you well.
My husband and I both have sleep apnea. His is very bad and mine is not so bad since it is obstructive sleep apnea but I had no idea I had it till a couple of years ago.
The poster above referred to reading the Bible and that reminded me how very much we do "see through a glass darkly".
We tend only to recognize our symptoms and that's normal. It takes either a very good doctor/specialist to recognize the cause of the symptoms or a whole lot of digging around and research on our part to recognize what "might" be the problem.
My husband's father and his brother both died of sleep apnea related heart attacks. My husband would have had either a heart attach or a stroke had he gone on so exhausted, sleep and oxygen deprived and tired all the time.
I finally realized what sleep apnea was when my friend's husband died of sleep apnea/heart attack after a life of bad sleep. I recognized her husband's symptoms being the same as my husband's and talked him into being tested. It was pure accident that we learned what was wrong with him and it may have saved his life.
I'm not suggesting you have sleep apnea but I noticed you live alone and I wonder if there is anyone around to even tell you if you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea. My husband's sleep was sketchy, disjointed, interrupted and non-restorative. He would never have had a clue if I had not recognized it.
If you think you've tried everything else maybe having a sleep study (if you haven't already) might be something to consider.
Just a thought since I was 63 when I was finally diagnosed and my husband was older than that.
I wish you well.
When I cant sleep I read my Bible and it relaxes me and i can got to sleep pretty easily. I have suffered with insomnia 2 for MANY yrs. Thats all I found that worked FOR ME. Cant hurt to try. GL
Somehow you must accept that you are not a 'sleeper', lots of folk have sleep problems & it can wreck your life if you let it. As a lifetime 'poor sleeper' I find it easier now to manage than when younger. ~Worrying about sleep loss causes a lot of stress, more damaging in my view than the sleep loss. Will power alone won't beat it! I know several people that as soon as their backsides hit a chair they fall asleep, even in important meetings ~ our politicians are able to manage that when in debates! But, those kinds never seem to be really active/awake. It's our own fault for not choosing the right parents?Genetics? Wish you luck & suggest you turn off your music at night, just enjoy the comfort of being in comfortable surroundings & think of all the pleasant things that have happened to you. Give it a try?
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