Sleep... what's that? :)

[Daen]

Hello there

I'm new to this community, however I've had a lifelong issue with getting and staying asleep. Looking forward to finding out how others manage this - as firmly believe others often have better ideas.

My go-to ways do work to a greater or lesser degree, but most of them can be as difficult as the sleep issues if used long term!

[Mullberrybush]

I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep not weeks months it's years now.

[Daen in reply to Mullberrybush]

I try to look on the bright side; whatever else my sleep issues are at least I don't have FFI!

[Hidden]

I don’t have anything that is remotely helpful in answering this. I can fall asleep but have spontaneous awakings in the night too many times to count. Made another appointment with my sleep doc this morning looking for one last recommendation, so far he throws dangerous meds at my problem which I refuse to take and just deal with it sadly.

I just love the title of this thread. 👍 Relate all to well. 😩😩😩

[RAGurl1 in reply to Hidden]

Hey Roxie - It almost sounds to me like you might have Sleep Apnea. I hope not, but even though for me it has been a relative frustrating trip, it's one I am glad I made. I now sleep better with my CPAP than I had for years. Hope your appointment went / goes(?) well.

[Hidden in reply to RAGurl1]

Thanks for reply. I did a sleep study in June and no apnea, restless legs or respiratory issues. As my sleep doc says, I just have terrible sleep with no known cause, calls it primary insomnia.

I’m super active and exercise regularly even no sleep I still exercise, I take supplements that are amino acids, vitamins and sometimes over the counter combo sleep meds but rarely. The things I take help with calming and sleep onset, nothing helps keep me asleep no matter what. I do have some old sleep scripts only good for up to 2.5 hrs sleep as I still wake after taking meds. I have on hand and some samples I’ve never tried. They are collecting dust.

The biggest thing that I have done is adjust my attitude towards sleep. I used think I would die without it, seems the opposite. The body becomes accommodating up to point. If I have 3 crappy nights as in 2 hrs or less, I rest and do nothing stressful and nap a lot to accumulate needed sleep since I cannot get it at one time. It is what it is I guess. 😂😂😂

My insomnia is individual to me, it would be great if we all had the same sleep issues, it would make finding a solution and experimenting much easier.

[RAGurl1 in reply to Hidden]

I hear you - I can generally only sleep for an average of four hours. But because I also have RA and a bunch of other things, I try to stay in bed long enough to fall asleep a second or even third time. I can't nap so for me, that isn't a solution. It sounds to me like you have it as under control as you can..

[RAGurl1]

There are lots of things you can do to help you get to sleep:

- Take all electronics out of the room if they are wireless (cell phones, tablets, etc.) and turn off the WiFi

- Turn off all electronics you don't need (like TVs)

- Try not to use or watch electronics right before bed. Read a book or something light

- Chamomile Tea

- L-Tryptophan

- Melatonin

- Dark room

- Comfy bed

- Comfy temperature in the room

You are probably doing all of this already, but if not, maybe some of the ideas will help. Best luck getting to sleep!

[Daen]

Depending on the type of exercise done might be an idea to not do that too close to bedtime either; it wakes you up!