Posted by beardedlady on May 27, 2002, at 14:15:05
In reply to A Sleepy and Boring Idea » Angel Girl, posted by IsoM on May 27, 2002, at 12:37:05
Iso's right; no computer an hour before what you'd like to be your bedtime.
I have insomnia. Last night, I went to bed at 9:00, took my 100 mg. of Serzone, woke up at 12:00 and took the other 100 mg., fell asleep until 3:00 a.m., and then listened to my husband snore. I went in the guest room and tossed and turned for two hours, went back in my room and listened to my husband snore, then went back into the guest room and closed my eyes until 6:00.
I was going to advise you to go to bed even if you weren't tired. Just get in bed, lie with your eyes closed, try to clear your mind and do something relaxing, non-stimulating. It can be frustrating to lie there for three hours not sleeping. Sometimes it can fuel anxiety. But sometimes, if you just tell yourself you're not expecting anything, you can relax enough to just rest.
Reading a boring book is an excellent idea, but I like reading a good book. I get so tired reading that I pass out. (But my problem is staying asleep, rather than falling asleep.)
I don't know why your meds aren't working, but maybe they are not right for you. I have very few nights like the one above (it was too late to take a sleeping pill, as my daughter is usually up at 6:30), and I am usually able to fall asleep at 9:30, get up at 1:00 to pee and take a pill, and go back to sleep until 7:00. I'm on Serzone, with the occasional Sonata. Trazodone is also good for sleep (though it didn't help me, even combined with Xanax, after about a month).
I thought of you when I woke up at 3:00! I remember you hating that time! I usually hate 2:00, because that's the time that usually means doom for me. It's the time I am least likely to fall asleep on my own and most likely to take a pill.
Anyway, I know how horrible insomnia is. I think it's the worst thing I've ever had wrong, and I have nothing but sympathy for those who suffer from it.
beardy
P.S. A hot bath works very well, even at 2:00 a.m., and I have often done that.
poster:beardedlady
thread:107701
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/107745.html