Insomnia - What helps?

[Crohn-Magnon]

I'm dealing with some major bouts of insomnia, mainly not being able to fall asleep . Lately, I've been getting about 4-5 hours and I feel like death.

My GP (not GI...) has given me Lunesta, Ambien, Ambien CR, and Trazodone. With the exception of Trazodone (which never worked), each has worked for a short number of nights, then stopped.

I've also tried Benedryl and Melatonin. Even tried "Sleepy Time" tea...

I know the sleep challenges when taking 'Roids...which I'm still on and can't seem to taper off...(grr....).

I think the GP has thrown in the towel and wants a sleep study...which is downright hilarious since I DO NOT fall asleep.

Any other things to try?

I don't eat before bed. Caffeine is off-limits after 6 PM (usually before this time). I'm getting frustrated, especially at night when I'm laying in bed, "waiting" to fall asleep.

Thanks.

 

[AshleyElaine87]

I have had the same problem, but usually benadryl works and Ambien has worked for me.

I have also found that if I get up and clean or do something, I start to get tired. I am now too tired throughout the day; that I have to take a nap, lol. Also, not watching TV or getting on the computer helps at night.

 

[Feather]

I had a lot of trouble falling asleep when I was on Prednisone, too. The biggest help for me was listening to spoken words in some form. When I was in the hospital, I started listening to the "This American Life" podcast. I'm always paying attention to it for awhile, but then I gradually get sleepy and start to pay attention to it less, until I fall asleep. Listening to words helps me particularly, I think, because it keeps my mind from racing, which happens to me a lot on steroids. I started listening to Harry Potter audiobooks lately, too -- I think it works well because I've read all of the books several times, so I always know what's going to happen and aren't drawn to stay awake to see what happens or anything like that.

 

[Gue33]

I have memories of awake at 4:30 am out shoveling snow of all things. Then go to work, just couldn't sleep. Sometimes however monotone narrative on a documentary would help lull me into some kind of rest and occasionally nod off for a bit.

 

[Nyx]

What time of day are you taking your steriods? I always took mine at about 6am (or as early as possible) so they didn't keep me up at night. I also found meditation helped me fall asleep as well.

 

[Jessi]

I have read an article (but forget the name and cannot reference it for you) that mentioned beds being used only for sleep and intimacy.

I know this is difficult when we are sick, but if you must lay down during the day because of a not-well-day, lay on the couch. Save the bed for sleeping, and it will train your brain that it needs to sleep once you climb under your covers. I make sure to crawl out of my room even on the worst of days. That way, when I return at night, my body will know that it's time to shut down.

This may take a while to train yourself to do, but the earlier you start, the sooner it will work and become a habit.

I hope this helps a little. :hug:

 

[Aaron1333]

I am suffering from this as well, and quite badly. I'm actually in hospital at the momnt and have only been diagnosed a couple of weeks ago. I haven't slept at night in 5 days, and i barely get any sleep in the day. I'm so worn out and tired, i really think i'm having trouble because i'm in the hospital bed most of the day, they don't let you do much. I hope you manage to sort it all out, and i hope mine fix themselves aswell

 

[Jessi]

Aaron - I am so sorry that you are struggling with this. You obviously can't leave your bed for the couch in your current situation. Hang in there, buddy. Sleep will overtake you soon, I hope. :hug:

 

[Entchen]

As a person with a mild neurological disorder that comes with MAJOR sleep problems, can I ever understand! On steroids, things got so so so much worse. Interestingly, now that I'm off steroids, the increased fatigue from Crohn's seems to be helping me get to sleep at night and I'm having fewer problems overall. :lol: I can remember being maybe 8,9 and begging my parents for help getting to sleep.

From personal experience and also from my psychology studies (I'm a research psychologist), I have a bias against sleep meds except as an occasional one-off. Our systems become so dependent on them so quickly, and we can have an even greater challenge with sleep once we stop using the meds. (That said, I've been known to pop 1/2 a Benedryl for one night only, two or three times per year. But I'll wake up as soon as the pill wears off, and I am guaranteed to have extra problems sleeping the next night. Again, am biased because of these experiences, but remember that I am working with abnormal neurochemistry, too, so my experiences are not necessarily the norm!)

The U of Maryland Medical Centre has a web page that outlines some of the most basic sleep hygiene principles that I teach in my psych classes:

http://www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm

Very important point not mentioned on this website: Our minds need about 2 hours to slow down after using electronics, so sitting at the computer before bed can be very detrimental. Best to turn off the electronics well before bedtime. This is backed up by scholarly research published within the past 2-3 years (if I have time, I might post the reference here later).

One thing I do is to get up and do something quiet (usually reading) if I haven't fallen asleep within an hour or so. It's normal for me to need 45+ mins to get to sleep because of the neurological disorder; other people might adjust this rule to say that they should get up after 30 mins or so.

Hope you can find some sleep relief soon.

 

[Slim Johnson]

Insomnia sucks! There are so many factors to consider. (look at the time..)

I agree with Jessi, that you should save your bed for sleep. Being active in bed will predispose you to staying up. Sadly, I have insomnia as well, and have yet to find a fix that works better than anxiety medication (which I haven't used in months..) for me. So often I find myself getting 2-3 hour naps a few times a day. Even if I get a good nights sleep.

Good luck, and keep the info coming!

 

[jonnyb]

Thanks so much for all these posts! I got about an hour's sleep last night thanks to Prednisone and it's incredibly frustrating. It really makes a difference to know that you're not alone.
I started playing 'Angry Birds' at about 4am because I was so restless and I actually found that the birds flying across the screen was a bit like 'counting sheep' and it made me pretty drowsy. But not for long!
I got up about 5.30am to make a hot water bottle and cup of hot water and I found that helped.
Tonight I might try listening to classical music as I fall asleep? This one in particular 'The Flower Duet' has a really soothing sound to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8&feature=related
Thanks for everyone's tips on this thread on ways to combat insomnia, will definitely be trying some of that out!

 

[Astra]

Amitriptyline!
It would knock a horse on it's back!
Lovely, calm, blissful sleep til the alarm goes off, even on Pred!
Just loving this med, I'm never gonna come off it, it's also a preventative for migraines, and the first line of defence for IBS.
It stops belly cramps, spasms and contractions.
It was even mentioned on Embarrasing Bodies on TV last night!
Good luck, insomnia is the pits!
xxx

 

[Slim Johnson]

Astra, Is Amitriptyline in the same class as Nortriptyline? I was on that for a while to attempt to mitigate some pain issues. FAIL... It gave me vertigo bad.. so bad that I dropped my Motorcycle in a parking lot, at a dead stop. Thank goodness there was no damage to anything (save my pride). I quit that med then, and there. My doctor gave no argument either...

 

[Astra]

Yes it is Slim, they are both tri cyclic anti depressants.
But I don't know about Nortriptyline, never tried it. I've had no problems whatsoever with Amitriptyline; I was a bit sedated in the mornings at first, but it's been my med sent from an Angel!
You were lucky you didn't hurt yourself with your bike!

 

[Slim Johnson]

Yes it is Slim, they are both tri cyclic anti depressants.
But I don't know about Nortriptyline, never tried it. I've had no problems whatsoever with Amitriptyline; I was a bit sedated in the mornings at first, but it's been my med sent from an Angel!
You were lucky you didn't hurt yourself with your bike!

I was on it for neurologic pain (assumed). The pain is real, the drug didn't work.

I too am happy I didn't get into a worse accident. I typically felt like I had the spins that come right before you vomit, from drinking way too much.:hallo3:

After I stopped the med, the vertigo went away.

 

[jenny2]

i agree with what astra said amitriptyline made me fall right to sleep at night and i could hardly get out of bed in the morning. i had to quit taking it cause i could not get up in the morning..

 

[Slim Johnson]

I was hoping a movie, and some Ativan would do the trick tonight.... I guess I was wrong.

Who needs Meth when you can have Prednisone?!?!

 

[upstateNYgirl]

I had a lot of trouble falling asleep when I was on Prednisone, too. The biggest help for me was listening to spoken words in some form. When I was in the hospital, I started listening to the "This American Life" podcast. I'm always paying attention to it for awhile, but then I gradually get sleepy and start to pay attention to it less, until I fall asleep. Listening to words helps me particularly, I think, because it keeps my mind from racing, which happens to me a lot on steroids. I started listening to Harry Potter audiobooks lately, too -- I think it works well because I've read all of the books several times, so I always know what's going to happen and aren't drawn to stay awake to see what happens or anything like that.

Great suggestion, thanks Feather!

 

[robbo87]

I found like feather that listening to talk shows really helped me whilst i was on prednisolone. Used to listen to the ricky gervais show everynight and i soon nodded off. Whilst i was in hosp i was struggling to sleep and they started giving me certain medications but i didnt like it. It would put me in a deep sleep and i was wetting the bed and allsorts because i just couldnt wake up :ylol: cant remember for the life of me what it was i was taking tho!

 

[vonfunk]

Okay, SO my GP gave me the following things to try.
1) Exercise a few hours before going to bed, make sure there is plenty of time for you body to have the heart rate lower.
2) Shower at night
3) remove all distractions from your room and only use the bed for sleeping and sex
4) Stop consuming caffeine in the afternoon

I was given amitryptaline as well, I found it did nothing to put me to sleep it just made my sleep deeper when I actually fell asleep. Currently I just smoke pot before heading off to bed.