I can't sleep anymore...

[AprilBaby]

It's 2:45 am and this is getting to be a routine. It's not menopause, that's done. I had knee surgery again that's knocked me off schedule. I'm six weeks out and back to work but this is killing me. I need one Vicodin at night for the pain, and if I need it, one diazepam so I should be out cold. I try to limit internet and light and do something relaxing. Then I go to bed and stare at the ceiling for hours. Last night it was after 3:30 am. And then I have to go to work by noon. This stinks. Any suggestions???

 

[dragonfly411]

I wish I had answers for you. It is now 5 and I've been up for 2 hours. I am 8 months pregnant though. I have to sleep on my side, and my hips just can't take much more. Yesterday was a rough work day. Today will be a rough stay at home day while I call my Dr. to find out if they have ANY tips left.

I'm sorry you can't sleep anymore.

 

[missy]

Aprilbaby, I'm sorry! I know how much not being able to sleep sucks. I tend to get up too early just because I wake up and I am too awake to fall back so I feel your pain. I have woken up at 3-4 AM every morning the past week. This AM I actually woke up at 2AM and thought that was it but I fell back to sleep.

What I do- I just lay in bed and think about something pleasant. A daydream of sorts and I just relax my body and concentrate on breathing deeply and fully and that helps. If I don't stress about not being able to fall back to sleep then it is more likely I will be able to fall back to sleep.

Also, it helps not to look at the clock when you wake up in the middle of the night. Sending you easy sleep and sweet dreams. Once your knee has healed and the pain is gone you should be back to your normal sleep routine and I hope that happens soon!

Dragonfly, congrats and good luck and sweet dreams to you too!

 

[monarch64]

When I was a kid, I could never fall asleep the night before the first day of school. One year my mother said something to me that has stuck with me and helped for the rest of my life: "don't worry about falling asleep--just rest." I wouldn't say it's totally foolproof but it has worked for me many times I've been stressed and unable to sleep.

 

[luv2sparkle]

April, it sounds like it is related to your surgery. That is major trauma and can really throw your body off. I take two gluclosomine with MSM and that seems to help me, but I am not sure it would help you. I think your knee problems would overcome what ever help it could give you. I have found that when I have gone through sleeplessness the best thing I could do for it is give in to it. Say to yourself, "it's ok if I am not sleeping for a while. I will get past it eventually. Then just sit up and read a book. I love my kindle for that. the light can be dimmed so it doesn't effect your sleep rhythm to much. You will get past it, just as soon as your body gets back to normal. Fighting it can make it worse and make you much more stressed out and unable to sleep. At least that has been my experience.

 

[liaerfbv]

I have been unable to fall asleep my entire life. I started taking 1mg melatonin about an hour before bed a year ago and it changed my life.

 

[JewelFreak]

The advice not to stress about being awake is the best, April. I wake up any time between 2 and 4 a.m. every night. Once I'm awake, that's it. I get up & watch some tv or read, sometimes even do the ironing. In about 2 hrs I'm ready to close my eyes again & I can then sleep for 2 or 3 hours. (If the dog & cat don't pounce.)

Since you don't have to be at work at like 8 a.m., tell yourself you have plenty of time. Reading always makes me sleepy; you might try it. Something calm, not a thriller!

My dad advised me once to physically relax every muscle -- start with your face, jaw, neck, go to shoulders & on. If you concentrate totally on that & don't allow anxiety into your brain, it does work. You can be asleep before you get to your feet.

Once your knee is healed, I'm sure it would get back to normal. If you accept the waking up as part of the process instead of letting it worry you, it should be easier to beat.

Good luck & hugs!

--- Laurie

 

[movie zombie]

ok, I know this sounds weird but oddly when I changed clocks I found I could drift off easier/faster.
I went from digital back to an old fashioned tick-tock clock.
at first I thought the sound would drive me crazy....but it gets me to sleep faster!
I lay on my back covering my eyes for a bit and concentrate on listening to the clock.
I get relaxed and then roll over and I'm out.
I've always struggled to fall asleep but this change is working for me....perhaps it triggers something from childhood?
I don't know but it helps me.

 

[iLander]

Try this as you're laying there: breathe in, think 1, breathe out, think 2, breathe in, think 1, breathe out, think 2, repeat. It's so darn boring, I bet you'll fall asleep soon.

Also, associating a scent with sleep helps. Some people put a few drops of a favorite oil or scent on the pillow. But it can ONLY be used at night, to get the mind to associate it with sleep.

 

[Lorelei]

It's 2:45 am and this is getting to be a routine. It's not menopause, that's done. I had knee surgery again that's knocked me off schedule. I'm six weeks out and back to work but this is killing me. I need one Vicodin at night for the pain, and if I need it, one diazepam so I should be out cold. I try to limit internet and light and do something relaxing. Then I go to bed and stare at the ceiling for hours. Last night it was after 3:30 am. And then I have to go to work by noon. This stinks. Any suggestions???

It could be the Vicodin keeping you awake April, try taking the painkiller earlier in the day if you can and see if that helps or try a non narcotic pain reliever with the Diazepam, but check with your doctor first which would be safe to use with the Diazepam. I had a reaction to narcotic painkillers, they made my mind active at night and I couldn't sleep either when I took those for pain. I have a similar reaction to night time cold medicines, I can't sleep at all when I have a cold and use those!

I hope you feel better soon, that really sux as Karl would say.

 

[Calliecake]

It's 2:45 am and this is getting to be a routine. It's not menopause, that's done. I had knee surgery again that's knocked me off schedule. I'm six weeks out and back to work but this is killing me. I need one Vicodin at night for the pain, and if I need it, one diazepam so I should be out cold. I try to limit internet and light and do something relaxing. Then I go to bed and stare at the ceiling for hours. Last night it was after 3:30 am. And then I have to go to work by noon. This stinks. Any suggestions???

It could be the Vicodin keeping you awake April, try taking the painkiller earlier in the day if you can and see if that helps or try a non narcotic pain reliever with the Diazepam, but check with your doctor first which would be safe to use with the Diazepam. I had a reaction to narcotic painkillers, they made my mind active at night and I couldn't sleep either when I took those for pain. I have a similar reaction to night time cold medicines, I can't sleep at all when I have a cold and use those!

I hope you feel better soon, that really sux as Karl would say.

April, Have you been taking Vicodin since you came home from your surgery? I have the same reaction with both Vicodin and cold medicine that Lorelei mentioned above. I sleep fine for the first hour or so, then I'm up the rest of the night. If you have been taking it since you got home from the hospital that's probably not the problem. Could it be stress from your job?

 

[Indylady]

I'm having terrible sleep problems now too. Was up till 5:30am last night, at the very least--maybe even longer. It happens to me once or twice a year, usually in the summer time. 1-2 sleepless weeks. I can't really predict when, nor do I know why. Traveling or stress are usually related and are the reason that I imagine I have these issues.

Kava Stress relief tea from Yogi has put me to sleep as well as any OTC sleep aid, but gives me nightmares after using it for a few weeks. It doesn't give everyone nightmares, though, so I think its worth a shot. You can find it in the tea aisle usually.

Exercise--it helps me a lot, but honestly, once I'm in the spiral of sleeplessness, it doesn't really 'put me to sleep.' It helps, yes, but doesn't necessarily mean I'll actually get sleep.

Getting out of bed if you can't sleep does help me; I got up at 5:30 to read, and then got into bed about 1/2 hour later.

Limit caffeine; I don't do it in the hours before bed, but usually that's not the problem.

Turn off all lights, and keep the shades open so that you get natural sunlight in your room when you wake up in the morning. There are also lamps that do this. It can help reset your sleep schedule.

I'll be reading this thread with interested--thanks for starting it!

 

[Indylady]

Try this as you're laying there: breathe in, think 1, breathe out, think 2, breathe in, think 1, breathe out, think 2, repeat. It's so darn boring, I bet you'll fall asleep soon.

Also, associating a scent with sleep helps. Some people put a few drops of a favorite oil or scent on the pillow. But it can ONLY be used at night, to get the mind to associate it with sleep.

+1 Lavender oil is good for this. Avoid too much though! And lastly, a 'sleep routine' kind of like your 'morning routine' also helps.

 

[AprilBaby]

Thanks! You know, it could be the Vicodin! A lot of people knock out after taking it but not me. I will try Tylenol for the pain tonight along with melatonin and lavender oil and see what happens. I do think it's the knee. I can't wait till a day goes by where I don't even think about it again! Great suggestions!

 

[MonkeysInk]

I started using magnesium oil at night, just sprayed onto my legs. It helps with achy muscles and sleeplessness, and I can tell a huge difference when I don't use it. It can sting a bit at first but I don't notice it anymore.

 

[marcy]

Sorry to hear you have trouble sleeping AprilBaby. I hope your knee feels better soon. I have a lot of nights where I either can't fall asleep or I wake up and can't go back to sleep. If I watch the clock it seems to make it worse so I like that suggestion. I think I'll look in to an old fashioned clock, I like that idea too. I don't have any advice to give you but I am sending you PS dust for a good night's sleep and no knee pain.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You've already been given good advice, so I am hoping it will work for you! Not being able to sleep is miserable!

 

[AprilBaby]

Well last night I had warm milk, warm shower, lavender oil, no Vicodin and kept off the electronics. Also took melatonin. First good night sleep in a while. Tonight iWork till 8 which is when I am more likely to have troubles. We shall see what happens.

 

[Indylady]

Nice! I'm glad to hear it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm also having the same problem. Started back in April where I would only get a few hours a night. I tried OTT options and finally got an RX for Lunesta and am now getting approx 5 hours a sleep a night. I would recommend trying it (keeping in mind that some insurance companies don't cover it...mine was $50 for 15 generic ones!)

I actually had considered starting a thread on melatonin because it's what I'm going to try when the Lunesta runs out and I can't get it filled right away.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I have been unable to fall asleep my entire life. I started taking 1mg melatonin about an hour before bed a year ago and it changed my life.

Sorry to thread jack. Liaerfbv, Which brand of Melatonin do you use?

 

[Boatluvr]

Hi April,

I have bad knees, hip etc. I can't take vicodin at night - only during the day. I take an advil PM which seems to help a lot. I also have a rub on painkilling cream (Voltaren) from my ortho that really helps me relax when my knee is killing me. Some nights just the aching keeps me up. I don't try to read at all, that just wakes me up. I try to just 'rest' as some other posters have suggested. I think that at times, you think you are not sleeping, but you drift off and doze more than you think. Good luck with the sleeping and the knees!

Chris

 

[blackprophet]

I really like melatonin as well. I think I'm using 5mg (but I'm a big guy)
ETA: Brand doesn't really matter when it comes to melatonin. What ever they have at the drugstore is fine.

There is also a supplement that I have used. Didn't give me good results but there is lots of people who swear by it. Has Magnesium in is as well as a proprietary sleep agent. Its called Nimbus Abyss Unparalleled.
http://www.getrippednutrition.com/NIMBUS_ABYSS_Unparalleled_p/abyss.htm

 

[Lorelei]

Well last night I had warm milk, warm shower, lavender oil, no Vicodin and kept off the electronics. Also took melatonin. First good night sleep in a while. Tonight iWork till 8 which is when I am more likely to have troubles. We shall see what happens.

Excellent, hope it continues!

 

[justginger]

One trick I learned years ago is to lie flat on your back. You tense up one isolated area of your body, starting at your feet, and hold for 10-15 seconds. Then relax that area, and move to the next highest body area that you can comfortably tense and repeat, all the way up until the last thing you tense up is your face. Then relax. All of the extra tensing leaves your full body feeling very floaty and relaxed. It allows me to fall asleep afterwards, and I think all of the counting has similar effects to counting sheep.

 

[marcy]

Well last night I had warm milk, warm shower, lavender oil, no Vicodin and kept off the electronics. Also took melatonin. First good night sleep in a while. Tonight iWork till 8 which is when I am more likely to have troubles. We shall see what happens.

I am glad you had a good night's sleep last night.

 

[AprilBaby]

Thank you all. Let's try it again tonight!

 

[missy]

AprilBaby, hope you enjoyed a good night's sleep again! My friend is going through something similar. Due to pain she is having difficulty sleeping and her healthcare practitioner recommended something called nerve sleep from Woodstock. I have no clue if it works but I checked out the ingredients for her and it has valerian root which can make you drowsy. Just putting it out there for anyone else who might be having trouble sleeping.

http://www.woodstockherbalproducts.com/nerve-sleep.html