Sleepless in Chatham

[donjuan61]

Hi Everyone,

I have a lot of trouble staying asleep at night! I fall asleep and usually wake up every hour and a half for the rest of the night. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on staying asleep?`

Thanks Don

[Xenos]

I read something seemingly serious about Melatonin. It was 3 to 5 mg per day (I do not guarantee that, even though I took written note). It's non-prescription drug, at least in the US (where I do not live).

Worth giving a try, I think.

[donjuan61 in reply to Xenos]

Thanks ,I will

Don

[Xenos in reply to donjuan61]

Keep us posted !

[donjuan61 in reply to Xenos]

Thanks ,I will!

[ronn]

DJ, I had a similar problem, even to the 1.5 hr. increments of sleep/awake. There was another symptom at that time which seemed to go along with the failure to sleep. I was totally unable to stay on-task and to complete even the simplest of work projects during the day without being distracted or giving in to fatigue. At night however,when awakened I was able to think clearly (relative terms) and to complete tasks at which I had failed during the day.. As they usually do, yesterday's symptoms give way to something else and you will sleep again. If not just remember that your ancestor did OK working nights.

[Skymom2008]

I use 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (mothers type) and 2 tsp honey in about 8 oz water or less. Helps. Melatonin did not help me much.

[Ruffinglgo in reply to Skymom2008]

Yes. It does help. I add one lemon to 1 tbsp Bragg Organic Vinegar and honey. good for GERD too.

[Sleeplessparki]

I have a real problem staying asleep for more than a couple of hours at a time. My doc prescribed clonazepam 2mg one tablet at bedtime and that works for me! It allows for at least 5 hrs of sleep. I really only take on occasion because I'm affraid of becoming dependent on it.

[Lynne1946]

2- 25mg Benadryl 1/2 hr before bed. 50 years ago Benadryl was what they used to treat Parkinsons.

[Tribselyov]

I have found creative writing to be helpful. My best ideas seem to come in the middle of the night. I am retired and I can sleep during the day. See my website for free e-book today. WWW.CRVOYLES.COM

[Jwolfman614 in reply to Tribselyov]

Hello Dr.

I followed the link to your website, but couldn't find the ebook you referenced. I'm glad to see that you were able to find creative writing as a constructive and helpful outlet for your Parkinson's.

--John

[Tribselyov in reply to Jwolfman614]

John

Go to website WWW.CRVOYLES.COM

click "FIND OUT HOW"

you will see my three books

click the cover of King David, Parkinson's First Hero

click "BUY NOW"

then click the box [Kindle $0.0]

You can get a free Kindle reader from the app store

Let me know if problems

Randy (C. Randle Voyles)

[Jwolfman614 in reply to Tribselyov]

Will do, doctor. I'm eager to start reading your books.

--John

[Maxkas]

I have had a few falls after taking Meds to help me sleep

So now when I wake at 2:53 am I usual go to the bathroom return to bed without getting upset & sometimes I go back to sleep & sometimes I don't

[llwwd]

I take 10 mg maletonin and I dsb lavender oil behind the ears and on the wrists. Together or separate they work for me. Start out with just 5 mg maleitonin.

[Cbgs]

I take melatonin and cortisol quiet

It has helped immensely

If my mind is racing ... I learned a little trick right here on this forum ...

Alphabetically name the states and capitols .... it has helped a great deal

Good luck & best wishes

C!

[luba1]

I take less then cup Tart cherry juice. Does help!! it helps a lot!! Melatonin did help just a little.

[karolmilk]

I copied this from one of my earlier posts on the subject of sleep-I hope you find it helpful. I also use "Sleepeace" which I was recommended by my acupuncturists.

I learned several years ago from a Harvard Sleep expert the following regarding getting a good night's rest: 1) get your internal clock on one time for going to bed and one time for getting up. Keep to the times during the week and weekends for two weeks. This resets your internal clock. 2) If you do wake up and can't get back to sleep get up and do an activity such as read a book, meditate until you feel sleepy and then go back to bed. 3) Don't do anything in bed other than sleep such as watch TV or read a book so that your brain recognizes the bed is to sleep. 4) Don't go to sleep in the afternoon unless you can wake up before 2:45 p.m., because it will disrupt your internal clock. I try to lay down around 1:30 p.m. and it works well.

Also, there are several natural sleep aides such a Natural Vitality's Calm-the Anti-Stress drink, MyoCalm P.M. from Metagenics, and of course Tryptophan amino acid. All have been helpful to me if I need a little help sleeping or are wound up prior to going to bed. I usually only take one, if needed, prior to going to bed.

Works for me for several years. Hope you have restful days and nights ahead of you. Karol

[Jwolfman614]

Sleepless in C-Bus:

DonJuan61,

I can really empathize with your sleeping problem.

I am 68 years old, exercise to complete my PT with my therapist three days a week and do the exercises given to me for when I'm not at PT.

I was diagnosed with PD a little over a year ago, I also have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep when I do fall asleep.

For meds I am taking 6 MG Melatonin, 50 MG Trazodone, and Sertraline 25 MG 3 X daily without effect. Sometimes I'll fall asleep, but my mind is racing so much that I can't stay asleep.

About five months ago, I fell and broke my neck. As a result, I've had surgery, inpatient and outpatient therapies.

My Neurologist has suggested each of the last 4 office calls for follow-up, that, "We should probably arrange to have you do a sleep study." Yet, nothing has happened. He'll say, "What? They should have contacted you by now!"

But, I just figured because I was wearing my neck brace at the time, it might be more difficult to have the study done. I'm out of my neck brace now although it still is painful to turn my head in either direction.

I see my Neurologist next week and I'm going to ask him why we haven't done the sleep study and if that is still his plan because the meds I'm taking aren't doing anything for me. My wife and I are both so frustrated over this. I'm not waiting another four months for him to see me again. I want an answer, or maybe it's time to see someone else. I just don't want to start all over again.

I'll try some of the ideas I've seen here: juices, getting out of bed and going in the other room if I can't fall asleep or wake up.

Often, I'll even wake up having had a night terror and not be able to fall asleep. I've even gone to a psychiatrist to help, but also didn't get much resolution.

Anyone suffer from these?

--John

[donjuan61 in reply to Jwolfman614]

HI John,

I have a sleep study done! You shouldn't have to start over another Neurologist ,just have your current one forward your medical records and what he has done.I am still looking to a solution to my sleep problems.

Good luck John

[Jwolfman614 in reply to donjuan61]

donjuan61,

Thanks for the news about getting a new Neurologist and not having to start over. That is good news. I was so concerned about having to start from the beginning with all the tests and everything.

I've even considered going to a Neurologist who specializes in movement disorders for my PD and then see what he might say about my sleepless nights and even night terrors.

I had a sleep study done several (15 - 18) years ago and a C-PAP was suggested for me. I wore it every night without fail. When we moved years ago, my machine was broken and because I didn't have it any longer and it would have been well beyond any warranty, I just let it go. Of course, my ability to sleep at night went with it.

So, I was encouraged when my Neurologist suggested that a sleep study would be in order in addition to the meds he was giving me to help me sleep. And that my initial testing was so long ago when I'd had my first one and subsequent C-PAP, that insurance should not be any problem. So, he said he'd go ahead and set that up. He hasn't yet!

Then, I was diagnosed with PD by him, and then fell and broke my neck.

(Sorry, after my brain trauma, from slamming my head onto the ground and sidewalk, I sometimes get confused by the order of events! Happen to anyone else - another part of my frustration that keeps my mind whirling.)

-John

[donjuan61 in reply to Jwolfman614]

Hi John,

Where are you located?

Thanks Don

[Jwolfman614]

Columbus, OH

[JohnPepper]

I have found that being unable to sleep is very STRESSFUL! To avoid that stress, I get up and read a book until I start feeling sleepy again, then go back to sleep again. In this way you will help to overcome that problem.