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Post by jody on Jan 22, 2013 7:22:20 GMT 10
I am suffering quite badly at the moment...latest effort is 2 hours sleep in the past 48 hours. Now my lifestyle can't be changed. I am a mother who needs to be relatively alert and ready for business 24/7.....I would just like to be able to sleep at least 6 hours a night. Can anyone suggest foods, drinks (not chamomile) that you have found helps? Has anyone tried valerian?(sp)
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Post by pim on Jan 22, 2013 10:19:19 GMT 10
Jeez that's no good, jody! I'm not in any way qualified medically so I wouldn't dream of speculating on the why's and wherefores and I think the worst place to ask for advice for something as serious as that is on a discussion board. I had bouts of insomnia in my past life. It usually meant I was facing heavy shit either at work or in my personal life so I sympathise. Best thing I ever did for it was to retire.
Look jody, I have no right to advise you and it would be improper to recommend this or that brand of knockout drops. I always take a pack whenever I'm on a long haul flight overseas because with my 6'4" frame I find it difficult to sleep in those aircraft seats. The only advice I have the right to give you is to see your GP and to tell her/him about it.
Good luck with it, and whatever you do don't just "suffer" it. You need your sleep. You obviously feel the need of help because you went public with it here. First priority is to get some sleep! Then, when you've had a night's sleep and can think more clearly you might start looking at lifestyle issues. I try to work out at the gym every day. Doesn't always happen but I try. It isn't just the kilos that I'm losing (and I am!), it's also the sense of well-being which also translates into a good night's sleep.
Anyway, now I'm starting to get into gratuitous advice which I said I wouldn't do! See your GP. Promise??
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2013 17:30:58 GMT 10
Sorry to hear, Jody. I hope it is not a case of uhtceare* as well? Stellar may be able to offer some advice if she drops in From personal experience with Valerian, I did find it helps but can take some time to kick in. You need to take it well over an hour before bedtime. Passiflora is another natural relaxant, ofter the two are blended. I have taken Phenergan..low dose 10mg and works well for me but it can leave you a groggy in the morning. As Pim suggests, see your Doctor * newstalkback1.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=chat&thread=854&page=1#15534
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Post by jody on Jan 22, 2013 18:18:06 GMT 10
I have had poor sleep patterns for 23 years now but they seem to be getting worse. My doctor prescribed Temaze a few years back and normally taking 1/2 or a full works (I only take it once a week or fortnight (when Daniel is well and sleeping great) to encourage a decent nights sleep. It is not working at all and no I have never over used them. I spoke to the chemist today and he suggested these www.naturesown.com.au/complete-sleep-advanced/ saying that they are better than valerian due to not making you feel hungover the next day. I'll give them a go tonight. Huge tablets though.
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Post by matt on Jan 22, 2013 23:54:50 GMT 10
I live on 4 hours sleep, and have done since age 13.
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Post by jody on Jan 23, 2013 0:59:36 GMT 10
So helpful as usual matt
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Post by jody on Jan 23, 2013 6:52:47 GMT 10
Well I have now had five and a half hours in the past 72. The tablets the chemist suggested didn't work but I'll give them another day or two.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2013 7:38:06 GMT 10
That's no good Jody. You will start hallucinating with that little sleep. I think that doctor visit is a must, and soon!
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Post by sonex on Jan 23, 2013 8:05:25 GMT 10
Jody, this may sound silly, but because it works for me often, I'll tell you what I do. I find I simply cannot stop thinking about things when I try to go to sleep, especially if I am under stress, I can't turn my brain off. I have a little radio under the pillow which I keep tuned to Radio National or Radio News, and I turn this on and listen to it. Often I go to sleep listening to Phillip Adams interviewing someone. I force myself to actually listen instead of thinking. Music doesn't help.
Grim and Pim are right, you need help and you probably shouldn't even be driving you are so sleep deprived. Are you trying to sleep lightly so you can always hear Daniel if he needs you? Have you an intercom with him? I feel for you, we all need sufficient sleep.
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Post by jody on Jan 23, 2013 12:03:03 GMT 10
Sonex I have slept lightly for many years so that I hear him if he needs me. I have an intercom set up in the house and there is one in his room and one in mine. Daniel spends at least 3 nights a week awake all night , somenights he is more vocal and active than others. This is life and I accept it. The insomnia just seems to be getting worse. I do have a lot on my mind. He has been unwell too which doesn't help.
Sent from my V96A using proboards
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Post by sonex on Jan 23, 2013 12:11:25 GMT 10
I feel very sorry for you Jody, sleep deprivation leads to mental and physical exhaustion and you need help. I can only suggest that if Daniel sleeps during the daytime you should seize the opportunity to also rest, much as we did when we had a baby who kept us awake at night. Make another appointment with your doctor.
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Post by matt on Jan 23, 2013 12:42:44 GMT 10
I have a friend who takes an antipsychotic to help with sleep. He said it knocks him right out. Ask your doctor, they might be able to prescribe a very small dose.
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Post by jody on Jan 23, 2013 14:45:58 GMT 10
Funny you should say that Sonex...I stayed in bed today for as long as possible and got another 3 hours sleep. Still not enough but better than nothing. I might have to see my doctor about some valium....I am willing to put up with the druggy feeling the next day as long as it helps me get back into some kind of sleep pattern.
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Post by matt on Jan 23, 2013 16:05:28 GMT 10
You should also ask about the antipsychotic drug. They don't exclusively use it for schizophrenia, but also sleep. They even use it for kids, but a low dose.
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Post by jody on Jan 23, 2013 16:06:50 GMT 10
No thanks Matt. I hate taking tablets at the best of times.
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Post by matt on Jan 23, 2013 17:52:48 GMT 10
In all seriousness, my grandmother when she had sleep issues would take two shots of vodka a few minutes before bed. She said it relaxed her enough to be able to fall asleep.
She didn't do it all the time, just when she couldn't sleep.
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Post by jody on Jan 24, 2013 16:30:53 GMT 10
How sad that my asking for some advice for a serious problem had to be used by scumbags in an attack. Says a lot about them doesn't it!
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Post by matt on Jan 24, 2013 17:45:33 GMT 10
Who attacked you?
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Post by jody on Jan 24, 2013 17:55:35 GMT 10
Phil and Spinner.
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Post by matt on Jan 24, 2013 23:55:14 GMT 10
Well, aren't they nice leftists who claim to be the light of tolerance that everyone else has to follow!
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Post by jody on Jan 25, 2013 0:28:15 GMT 10
Apparently
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2013 10:28:59 GMT 10
So that explains the deletion of that thread! I wondered where it got to and that's the only reason I find myself over here as I rarely check out these pages.
But that is typical of Phil and Spinner to be so repulsive when someone is genuinely calling out for help. That "wink" did it for me Phil ... you don't regret an obnoxious thing you say, do you!
I wish I could offer a panacea for sleeplessness but I can't. I'm chronically sleep deprived myself. Just coming home from the asylum - you are so "out there" that it takes a lot to switch off and relax. I have to go through the relaxation processes and that means absolute quiet (to counteract the constant noise, yelling, wailing, altercations), absolute stillness (to counteract the constant movement, pacing), absolute darkness (to counteract the blazing overhead fluorescent lights in all almost every area. No privacy at any time during the shift but always available to the inmates. Have you ever tried to type up your documentation, progress notes, incident forms and whatnot at 10 pm with a couple of inmates yelling for attention over the counter?? Or worse trying to scale the counter, or lob furniture and other items over the counter? You can never concentrate fully on what you are doing because you are always being interrupted and sometimes for the most trivial of reasons.
This is why nurses are burnt out and leave in droves. This is why they can't sleep at night. Now while I can go to sleep instantly due to total exhaustion, I can't stay asleep. Things will be going through my mind and I'll wake up abruptly, wondering if I'd done something differently I might have achieved a better outcome. I am still beating myself around the bush over incidents that happened years ago. I also wake up every time I roll over so that means several times a night and then I can't go back to sleep.
So I am not the best sort of person to advise on sleeplessness. We use Temaze in the asylum but it shouldn't be used long term and it certainly doesn't work for everyone. I won't take medication myself because I see the results of people being medicated and the side effects are just not worth it. However I can say that if you take Valium out of sheer desperation, then your situation may have become critical. But by all means try it if you think it will help.
But you can't go on like this forever Jody. You will have to consider some alternatives that I feel you are not going to like. And one, is putting Daniel into fulltime care. I say that because as a nurse I know exactly what you are going through. I know how difficult it is and the sheer exhaustion - mental and physical - of looking after someone like Daniel. However as an employee you can go home at the end of a shift, something you cannot do. You are on duty 24/7 and that is an impossible gig. It is a credit you have done it for so long but you are not getting younger. You have a life to lead and you owe it to yourself and your daughter to maybe, just maybe this once, put yourself first.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2013 11:10:27 GMT 10
It was obnoxious!! You know only too well that Jody was referring to illegal drugs. The sourge of society.
But you have to stoop to inferring that someone taking a legal substance because of chronic sleep deprivation is a drug abuser!!
Honestly, haven't you got something better to do with your time??
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Post by jody on Jan 25, 2013 11:40:28 GMT 10
I just like the assumptions about me phil.....classic stuff and makes you out to be a complete moron. Best you quit while you're so far behind.
Stellar, I will never put Daniel in fulltime care. He is my son, I adore him and will always be there for him. He is in respite this weekend so I will do my best to make up for lost sleep.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2013 12:14:38 GMT 10
Of you??
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