Community Chat

[Pianomama]

I'm a night owl and also love to read before I fall asleep. I tend to keep reading and reading and reading...so when I put down the book, I'm already half asleep. I don't know what it is about me, but I have fought sleep all my life. However, once I'm there, I could sleep all day. I'm fortunate that I don't start teaching until afternoon, so I can sleep late! Wasn't always that way though.

[sfnative]

I've read a number of replies and really feel for those who find each night torturous. Though I don't have a problem going to sleep, I have had my sleep interrupted by a painful shoulder (6x/nite) for a year, so ended up having surgery that took care of it. Then the horrible night sweats began and once again I'd woke up 5-6 times a night. I was a walking zombie at work, which was not safe, because I handled and worked with surgical instruments. Fortunately, my migraine doc referred me to the greatest Gyn NP who did a comprehensive evaluation, then asked me about 50 questions. I ended up taking her up on HRT - at a very low dose.

Though I usually fall asleep in 2-10 minutes, I do require 2 hours of down time, which ticks off my DH. I've explained. He refuses to understand differences in physiology. DD is the same way. Each night I do nothing much for 2 hours prior to bed. Take 1 Benedryl, read a book for 30 minutes, insert earplugs and eye cover and I'm ready.

A thought: When I was in high school and would get twisted up into a bundle of nerves prior to an exam, my Dad made me a combination of Catnip and Skullcap tea. Both are herbs and the tea tasted much like steeped grass cuttings. However! It did work for me at that time and I've used it on and off over the years.

[RedTop]

Never more than 5 minutes. If my husband goes to bed at the same time, he says I'm asleep in less than 2 minutes. The only time I've had sleep problems in my life was before my knee surgery when I was in so much pain. Even menopause hasn't really upset my sleep rhythms. My bedroom is cool, dark, and very conducive to sleeping; I have no glowing lights such as from an alarm clock in the room. I don't have a problem staying asleep either, but will wake up if someone is moving around in the house, or my outside dogs are barking non-stop.

[~moxie~]

I take a sleep aid most of the time. It is called trazadone and I will sleep straight for 6 to 8 hrs. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for me to fall asleep. It is wonderful, no side effects, I can get woken up in a couple hours or so, but still be able to fall asleep. Sometimes I wake up at 4 in the morning and I feel refreshed and ready to tackle my day.

[focksie]

Meditation should help. Systematically relaxing your body then relaxing your mind. Just google meditation and follow any simple instruction. Stay away from drugs and sleep aids at all costs.