What do you do for insomnia??

[rozbushy]

I have been having some sleepless nights. I am mentally exhausted when I go to bed. I sleep about 2 hours and then wake up ready to go!!
Physically that is, not mentally.
I really dont know what do to about it or how to deal w it. Any advice is appreciated. It is really frustrating...but good I know, to have the energy.
Help.

[Peterlock]

Hi Bushy, :wave

Having lived with chronic insomnia most of my life I can sure emphasize with you - it's awful. Atkins has been miraculous for me in many ways and beating my insomnia is certainly one of them.

A few things you can try:

• * Melatonin - it's very effective and recommended by Dr. Atkins, it's available in most drug stores, supermarkets and vitamin shops. The recommended dosage is 3mg a night - you take it about thirty minutes before heading off to bed.
  
  * Valerian root and Magnesium are also worth trying although I find them not as effective as melatonin - you can read more about Dr. Atkins recommendations for insomnia in your copy of DANDR page #308
  
  * Set reasonable time for you to fall asleep 30-45 minutes, if you're not asleep within that time period get out of bed. The worse thing you can do is lay there and be frustrated. Read sitting up in a chair, watch TV, walk the dog anything but lay in bed. When you begin to feel sleepy go back to bed and allow yourself the same 30-45 minutes, if you're not asleep - repeat the process all over again.

This process may take a few days but it's very effective in restoring normal sleep patterns you just may have a couple of days feeling exhausted.

If the insomnia gets to the point where it's having a real impact on your life, it's time to see your Doctor, sleep disorders can be progressive and harder to treat as time goes on so you want to arrest them while it's still early.

Chances are your Physician will start you on a medication like Ambien for a week or so which also been proven quite effective and safe.

Peter ha

[earthgodes]

Hey Roz!

I just wanted to second what Peter said. I have used Melatonin for the past 3 years, more often than not. It has worked really well for me. I did find though, that I prefer a certain brand, which I can't remember the name of at this moment. Like Peter, I also tried the Valerian Root, but I didn't find it worked nearly as well.

Good Luck!!

[will7128301]

You could fix insomnia by sleeping :yes j/k What worked for me was reading there was times I would read and read and read and be done with the book becuase I really enjoyed it I had to start reading stuff I didnt want to...but to stay asleep I had to used some OTC drugs or severly wear myself out before bed.

I also agree with peter on the 30 minute thing I have broken numerous clocks becuase I was mad watching the time go by also it might help not to watch the clock it srated to help me. I just coved the clock. I know its kinda hard to judge the time but if you have a clock where you can see it all night you lay there starring at it and it seems like forever.

eventually I am at the point where I have to force myself to go to bed(to much energy from atkins) but once I go to bed and relax I am out...I think with atkins it has helped me sleep better and longer than ever before.

Also you could try getting a CD player and some sounds of nature I have thunderstorms, Heavy rain,Light rain, a mountain stream and indian flutes. Then I have mixes of different sounds. like a thunder storm into heavy to light and then birds chirping. Its what I use now to relax!

You'll get over it just give it time, and don't get frustrated about it that just makes you awake more, Good luck to ya!

[rozbushy]

Thanks!

Thank you for all the input.
Will or does melotonin cause any of you to stall? I know it is in the book but I am concerned at this point about stalling...DO NOT want to do that!
Please let me know. :confused

[JESTEROO]

I had the same trouble with falling asleep . . . but that is pretty much a thing of the past.

I drink a cup of green tea about a half hour before going to bed . . .

I bought a small 10- gallon aquarium, and put it in my bedroom . . . the filter I have sounds like a trickling stream.

I pop in a Native American Flute CD really low . . . I can barely hear it , I turn on the fan by my bed . . . get the room nice and cool .

Once I lay down, I concentrate on the sounds, on the cool "breeze" of the fan, I do some relaxation breathing. . . and I fall asleep like a baby.

I definitly recommend turning your clock around so you cannot see the time. I know when I used to have a nightly battle with insomnia, I would watch the clock - 2 . . . 230 . . . 300 . . . aargh. The more I watched it . . . the more awake I became.

Hope this helps!

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Thanks!

Thank you for all the input.
Will or does melotonin cause any of you to stall? I know it is in the book but I am concerned at this point about stalling...DO NOT want to do that!
Please let me know. :confused

I've been taking 3mg Melatonin for years including this past year since starting Atkins. I found the Natrol brand to work best for me. Take at bedtime and it helps you fall and stay asleep, with no nasty morning grogginess that other sleep aids cause.

[DebbietheHugBug]

Also you could try getting a CD player and some sounds of nature I have thunderstorms, Heavy rain,Light rain, a mountain stream and indian flutes. Then I have mixes of different sounds. like a thunder storm into heavy to light and then birds chirping. Its what I use now to relax!

This is EXACTLY what I use! It really works for me! After I got over induction flu, I had an awful time sleeping "enough". Meaning, I would sleep for 3-4 hours then wake up ready for the day.

It does eventually go away. Exercise exhausts me. I also take an 800mg ibuprofen at night because I have bursitis (sp) in my hip and it's so sore after exercise. It relaxes me enough to sleep.

Hang in there! :hug