Maybe it is because of Christmas madness but I haven’t seen Helen on the forum of late. Perhaps she is enjoying a well deserved break.

Hi Bev,
good to know I am missed and I do appreciate it.
We are looking forward to seeing the end of 2017 and hoping that the new year is not quite so challenging.
The lack of newsletters and action from me has been a culmination of my concussion, Ed's skiing injury (multiple broken bones), a very busy September and then my body deciding enough is enough.
Without going on about it, I have managed to get myself to a state of too much cortisol and chronic insomnia which has been so frustrating to say the least. As much as I try to rationalise it sleep is still defying me.
Hoping that supplements, summer and whatever else, can make a difference to this as for someone who was one of the world's best sleepers I am now wondering where that sleep has gone.

Any tips?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2017 09:43PM by helen.

Hi Helen

I have chronic insomnia (illness related) and have had for a number of years now. I tend to go through periods of a few weeks of not sleeping well, (like now when I was up at 4am doing Christmas baking ) and then a period of sleeping well. My problem is not falling asleep but staying asleep.

Magnesium sleep support was recommended to me but had the opposite effect on me but it could well be worth a try if you haven’t already tried it. My daughter in laws mother finds it helps her significantly.

I have found a diffuser burning lavender oil in our bedroom at night helps, it could be the placebo effect or just the lovely smell but if it works does it matter. I uses Doterra brand or diffuser and oil. There are a few distributors of this in NZ. Trade Me also has some listings.

I also drink Camomile tea at night too.

I do hope that 2018 is a lot kinder to you, you have certainly been through the mill this year. Hopefully a good break in the sun will work wonders.

Take care and have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Bev

Yes mine too is a problem with staying asleep although getting to sleep can also take a long time.
I am waking between 1-3 am feeling that there is something terribly wrong and then that is it, I am awake.
It has been gong on for a couple of months.
I have lavender on my pillow, magnesium supplements etc... eye mask on, pbone turned off, drink chamomile tea, no caffeine or alcohol and little refined sugar. Trying to meditate.
My Dr doesn't seem to be able to offer a suitable treatment ad it is ghastly feeling continuously tired but not able to sleep.

Sorry, this wasn't supposed to be a health rant but just explaining my whereabouts.

Helen I have PM’d you
Bev

Helen, the insomnia could well be related to your head injury. I'd ask for a referral to someone who specialises in concussion injuries.
I've also had issues sleeping for ages, I put it down to doing a lot of night shifts (although now I think about it I also had a concussion about the same time it started!), I must admit to half a zopiclone each night, which helps a lot! I'm probably addicted, but really, I'm sleeping so I don't care!

After a lifetime of insomnia I have arrived at a system that works for me i.e. 6.5 - 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep almost every night. No alcohol after 7.30pm (and no more than a glass of wine before that), 200g of magnesium glycinate per day taken after dinner, half a zopiclone when I go to bed. I've used zopiclone for many years and like Griz I'm probably addicted, but I have no side effects, and the benefits are huge. Occasionally when we're travelling I'll take a whole tab but I don't actually think it makes any difference other than a placebo effect from having made a special effort.

I do have zopiclone but find that 1/2 tablet only gives me 3-4 hours sleep so I tend to save it for 1am or whenever it is that I most need it. I don't take it every night but actually don't care if I do.
My night time cortisol is probably what is the most annoying as it is hard to relax when your body is in "fight or flight" mode. From what I read and understand, mine seems to be metabolic as I am not an anxious person and nor do I have depression symptoms.
I am still under the concussion clinic but more for physio which is great for loosening neck/shoulders.
The lack of sleep is what is most difficult to work/live with.
I have a strong magnesium plus product that I take at night, it contains other ingredients than magnesium and is supposedly very strong. Not quite strong enough to send me to sleep though....

It is reassuring to know that I am not the only one with this type of thing and just hope that I can get out the other side again.

Can I add me too! Have always slept like a log, however I have had a rare eye condition this year and have been in and out of hospital. I go to sleep easily but 1.30 am I am wide awake. The lack of sleep made me think I was going mad. Of course because my eye was involved I couldn't get up and read etc. My sleep patterns have now settled down a bit. I had never been very understanding of insomniacs but now you have my deepest sympathy.

Helen, no real tips, sorry but I hope your's and Ed's health improves dramatically.

I agree about concussion, as well as worrying about things in our life, can be the cause of insomnia or the exact opposite. Neither is a good place to be in. I've been in both camps.

Thanks so much for your comments and messages, it really means a lot.
Hopefully by February I can once again start to be more active here as there is so much to be done.

Helen, I have severe carpal tunnel syndrome which makes the thumb and first two fingers of my hand go dead and my arm very painful. It wakes me around 1am to 3am and I find it hard to get back to sleep. However, I have been practising the 4-8-8 breathing tecnique and it usually works well for me. It could be another avenue for you to try. It's very simple:

Get comfortable. Take a very deep breath, right into your stomach, to the count of 4. Hold your breath for the count of 8. Breath out forcefully (important) to the count of 8, completely emptying your lungs. Repeat the whole process 3 more times. Remain relaxed, in the same comfortable position and hopefully sleep will come within a few minutes.

Don't ask me why it works, it just does. And that's all that matters to me. Hospital waiting lists are so long, and I'm still waiting for a referral to the specialist, then I'll have to wait more once he (hopefully) agrees that I need more than the steroid injections I have been getting every few months over the last couple of years

Sorry to hear about your insomnia, Helen. A friend of mine had great success with acupuncture for the same cortisol-related problem. You know how cats pick up kittens in their mouths and they go limp - they treated the same points on the back of my friend's neck which are incredibly calming and make the cortisol levels drop. She does it herself now with acupressure if she ever has a problem- if you want to have a try yourself this page lists some of the points:

[www.modernreflexology.com]

A new GP literally saved my sanity with prescribing me a tablet that she asked me not to research for fear of not taking it but said it did wonders for both her mother and sister who suffered from hormonal insomnia.
The tablet is quentiapine which can be taken in doses of 25-100mg for insomnia and much larger doses for psychaitric illnesses - yes I googled it.
25mg per night for me has made the world of difference.
I know its not for everyone but for me it was incredible.

Very glad to hear that your GP could prescribe something that has success for you. Often, through no fault of their own, it is often only when a GP has experienced something themselves or been associated with someone whom they know well that they can really help (and quickly).
p.s. I'd have googled it, too!

Hi Helen
Glad you've found something. Sorry Ive no advice except don't get hooked into awesome Netflix dramas!!!! La Mante and No Second Chance are awesome and will keep you awake for hours!!!!
Bring on a better 2018
Vanessa

Lovely to see you back again Helen and to know someone has found something to get you back into a decent sleep and focus mode again. That is such good news.

Wishing you, Ed and your family all the very best for 2018.
With kind regards from Dawn. x