I’ve hardly slept at all this last week, and I feel like absolute garbage. I don’t know what my problem is, but I spend most nights just tossing and turning. They had a bunch of free liquor at work today and I could hardly bear the thought of drinking any of it because I was so bagged. I got home tonight and promptly passed out on the couch. Of course, given my stupid body, I woke up every 30 minutes or so, and didn’t really get any rest.
I’ll be honest — the only time I’ve had a decent sleep in the last year is when I was pounding back Oxycontin tablets after my first surgery. It was the first time in ages I remember putting my head on the pillow and just falling into a deep sleep for more than a few hours at a time. To be honest, the dulling of every sensation in my body during that period was a welcome change from how I feel right now. Despite hardly sleeping at all this week, my brain has been racing non-stop. I woke up in the middle of the night last and called a co-worker in Thailand to pitch a bunch of ideas I had while my brain was working overtime in the night. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Obviously using Oxycontin or codeine isn’t an option to battle a sleeping problem, but that week I spent after my surgery catching up on sleep was the only time I’ve felt completely rested in years. As soon as I have some time I’m going to get a referral to a sleep clinic and see if there’s something physically messed up with me that’s causing me to toss and turn. I have a bottle of zopiclone here that I used to dip into once and a while to sleep, but it makes me feel like garbage and I don’t like taking it.
I feel your pain. I pretty much never sleep. I never feel rested. I’m the lightest sleeper I know. It makes me grumpy sometimes.
I hope you are able to get some sleep, Duane.
As this last year has probably been the roughest year of my life to date, sleep in 2008 has not been easy. So unfortunately I feel your pain. I have no recommendations, no suggestions. I offer only camaraderie. Whatever keeps us unwilling insomniacs awake is different for each person. Despite the cause, you’re not alone. I wish you luck!
I feel your pain. I’m a chronic worrier and tend to sleep poor at times. Zopiclone makes me itch and gives me a rash. Here are some tips that have helped me:
1) no computering, tv, or anything electronically stimulating after 8
2) no coffee after 3
3) drastically cut my alcohol intake
4) I exercise every day to the point of exhaustion
5) I wear a sleeping mask and ear plugs
6) I write down everything on a todo list before going to bed
7) I take a hot shower before bed
8) I experimented with the temperature in my bedroom until I found something comfortable
9) I stopped keeping my phone in the bedroom
That’s what comes to mind at the moment. Good luck.
I’ve been seeing a hypnotherapist, and I think you ought to give it a whirl!