Sleep and Insomnia

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
Anyone else here struggle with insomnia?

I’ve basically unintentionally pulled three all nighters in a row. (with naps included, I’ve gotten about eight hours in the last three nights.)

I have a weighted blanket, I try to be off screens a couple hours before, I’ve tried melatonin, baths, showers, audiobooks, reading books, praying, different beds, low lighting, lavender oil, etc, etc, etc.

It doesn’t matter how tired I am. I’ll be totally delirious and still awake.

I haven’t slept good for as long as I can remember. I have both difficulty falling and staying asleep.

It’s very much affecting my day as I’m irritable and can barely think.

Anyone have any advice or tips? (or just feel free to vent here, because that’s what I did :lol:)

Anyways, not saying this to get pity, sorry, I genuinely want to see if anyone else struggles with this. Thank you!
 

Kieka

Snowshoe Servant
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Messages
11,394
Purraise
19,962
Location
Southern California
Have you tried ASMR? It might take a few different ones to find the right trigger but there are a alot of options out there. A few might rub you the wrong way too, but there are some channels that specialize on putting out different triggers and long videos with no talking of just those triggers.

 

game misconduct

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 1, 2020
Messages
5,383
Purraise
19,299
Location
westcovina california
Anyone else here struggle with insomnia?

I’ve basically unintentionally pulled three all nighters in a row. (with naps included, I’ve gotten about eight hours in the last three nights.)

I have a weighted blanket, I try to be off screens a couple hours before, I’ve tried melatonin, baths, showers, audiobooks, reading books, praying, different beds, low lighting, lavender oil, etc, etc, etc.

It doesn’t matter how tired I am. I’ll be totally delirious and still awake.

I haven’t slept good for as long as I can remember. I have both difficulty falling and staying asleep.

It’s very much affecting my day as I’m irritable and can barely think.

Anyone have any advice or tips? (or just feel free to vent here, because that’s what I did :lol:)

Anyways, not saying this to get pity, sorry, I genuinely want to see if anyone else struggles with this. Thank you!
i do kinda? always wake up after a few hours or so to take a look around at my surroundings i am a light sleeper wake up at any noise i hear if its not that then i wake up starving :lol: and eat a snack then go sleep more it does help when i eat a solid heavy meal for dinner then atleast i dont wake up from hunger:lol:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
i do kinda? always wake up after a few hours or so to take a look around at my surroundings i am a light sleeper wake up at any noise i hear if its not that then i wake up starving :lol: and eat a snack then go sleep more it does help when i eat a solid heavy meal for dinner then atleast i dont wake up from hunger:lol:
I can definitely be a light sleeper, too. My parents used to call me the junkyard dog because I would jump up in my crib if I heard them touch the doorknob. :lol:
Yeah,I do that sometimes. I don’t usually wake up from hunger, but I do occasionally get hungry in the middle of the night and sometimes I’ll get a snack. 🤗
 

sweet jane flash

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
988
Purraise
2,567
Insomnia is such a terrible thing, I'm so sorry you are having it. There are white noise machines which work really well for me and also calming music (something slow without lyrics). Of course there is counting sheep, but that does not work well for me. After that, there are some really good prescription medicines. Good luck with it dear.🌺:silver:🌻
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
Insomnia is such a terrible thing, I'm so sorry you are having it. There are white noise machines which work really well for me and also calming music (something slow without lyrics). Of course there is counting sheep, but that does not work well for me. After that, there are some really good prescription medicines. Good luck with it dear.🌺:silver:🌻
Thank you so much. :redheartpump: I haven’t tried a white noise machine, but I have tried white noise with earbuds (not sure if that makes a big difference) and it doesn’t seem to do much. I might look into that.

Yeah. I’d prefer not to go the route of prescription drugs, but… I am desperate.
 

DreamerRose

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Messages
8,744
Purraise
11,085
Location
Naperville, IL
I have insomnia, too, and I've been struggling with it for several years. I think the reason is I don't have to get up and go to work anymore, so I stay up later. What seems to work for me is to set the alarm clock - for a reasonable hour for me - 9:30 or 10:00 a.m., and make myself get up in the morning. At night, I take 25 mg benadryl about 9 p.m. and the 10 mg melatonin just before I head to bed. If I can go to sleep reliably at 11 p.m., then I can get up at 8 a.m. I've also stopped reading at night. I would get caught up in a thriller and end up reading all night.

Good luck. I've walked in your shoes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
I’m sorry you’ve struggled with it too.
Reading your post I can relate so much. I’ve stayed up all night reading books as well- the past couple of nights, I’ve listened to entire audiobooks.
I’ve tried that and it seems to help a bit. I set an alarm last night, but I canceled it since I was awake. Thank you 🤗
 

CatladyJan

<><
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
2,132
Purraise
5,692
Yes I’ve struggled with it. I’m a light sleeper as well.
Did this start up recently and does it seem to be triggered by something?
Good sleep hygiene helps it it takes time to get you circadian rhythm. Naps are a no no.

if your intaking caffeine I’d cut it off as early in the afternoon.

if you have a rocking chair try that

I need the fan on and for it to be cool
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,836
Purraise
13,143
Location
Columbus OH
I have struggled with not sleeping for a number of years now. The only thing I have found that helps is running a fan, I think it is the same idea as white noise. I can usually go to sleep but I wake up a few hours later, still very tired but can't go back to sleep. I have heard it called hypervigilance.
 

Whenallhellbreakslose

Living in Kitty Paradise.
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Messages
3,065
Purraise
14,157
Anyone else here struggle with insomnia?

I’ve basically unintentionally pulled three all nighters in a row. (with naps included, I’ve gotten about eight hours in the last three nights.)

I have a weighted blanket, I try to be off screens a couple hours before, I’ve tried melatonin, baths, showers, audiobooks, reading books, praying, different beds, low lighting, lavender oil, etc, etc, etc.

It doesn’t matter how tired I am. I’ll be totally delirious and still awake.

I haven’t slept good for as long as I can remember. I have both difficulty falling and staying asleep.

It’s very much affecting my day as I’m irritable and can barely think.

Anyone have any advice or tips? (or just feel free to vent here, because that’s what I did :lol:)

Anyways, not saying this to get pity, sorry, I genuinely want to see if anyone else struggles with this. Thank you!
So, you and I are part of the same club I see. I fully understand what it is like going night after night with either with no, very little or fragmented sleep (where you wake up quite often). Getting 6-8 hours of sleep for me is a pipe dream, although as of the last day or so it has improved a bit.

You need to find the root cause of your sleep issues. Is it stress, or is it an over stimulated mind, or is it because of bad habits (like watching TV too late)? Could it be from your diet (too much sugar or caffiene) or that you eat too late, could it be an environment issue or could it be perimenapause (this can happen 10 years before actual menapause, but on average it's 4 years before the big M.) Besides any hormonal changes, chemical, and nutritional imbalances can be another factor.

You can try to see what the cause(s) maybe and correct it. Don't eat, watch TV or be on the computer too late (oopsie, I broke the last rule tonight- my bad 🙄). Check your environment, could something in it be causing this? I strongly suggest wearing a good eye mask and use a sound maker to block out any outside disturbances. Also check your mattress and pillows, it might be time to get new ones. If you suspect this is hormonal, chemical or vitamin deficiencies you should see your doctor and get all that tested so you can pinpoint the imbalance. I can tell you right now most people don't get enough Magnesium in their diet which can effect sleep, so that is one thing you can correct yourself if you are lacking. If as mentioned before, you are nearing the Change of Life, one of the first things that changes is your sleep patterns. Another thing that happens, but not to everyone, is experiencing hot flashes and night sweats which naturally affect sleep.

I am far from out of the woods. I have been exercising daily (seriously want to lose weight, but insomia is a setback). I do not eat after 6pm. I take long walks in the evening. I take Magnesium Glysite (best for sleep), Choline and Insulin, GABA (good for calming the mind), Tryptophan, and Melotonin. I also took Ahwaghanda (which is also good at keeping you calm) in the past, but switched to GABA. My insomia is getting a bit better. It still a uphill battle.

I will pray for you because I know how frustrating it can be. Hang in there. DM me if you have any questions.🙂

P.s. I read the the best time to go to bed is like 10-10:30pm. This has to do the with the Circadian rhythm and when Melatonin and Serotonin levels are at their most elevated. Hope that helps.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
Wow, thank you everyone for responding! Your support is very appreciated. CatladyJan CatladyJan strider rose strider rose fionasmom fionasmom e Whenallhellbreakslose Whenallhellbreakslose

I do not drink caffeine. I have not been particularly more stressed than usual, and this has been something I’ve struggled with for literally as long as I can remember.
I do also have ADHD which I’ve read can majorly play into lack of sleep.

I have tried GABA and magnesium for weeks at a time, but with no results.
I think my bed contributes to it, but I’ve slept on other beds that are very comfy and I still can’t sleep.
All of your advice is very appreciated and I will look into it. Thank you 🤗🤗🤗
 
Top