Finnegan Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Going through a bit of a rough patch and haven't slept at all in four nights. I'm completely ruined. I'm shattered at night when I sleep but my brain just won't stop. Tried the obvious no bright screens, no caffeine, etc but I just can't switch myself off. Now it's gotten such an issue that I can't stop being anxious about not sleeping which is obviously making it worse. Anyone got any experience with over the counter sleeping pills and whether or not they actually work? I'm not normally a light or troubled sleeper so I think if I can just get one solid, normal-ish night in I'll be back on track.
Vacamion Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I gave up caffeine (as far as is possible) a couple of months ago, because I was often sleepless. It used to hit before big important days at work and I would turn up distracted, flat and with eyes like sheep's cvnts. Since I packed in the coffee and cut down on choccy I sleep longer and deeper. Give that a go, if you haven't already.
Solihullfox Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Go to the doctor and explain the situation - ask for prescription sleeping tablets to get you through whatever is causing the lack of sleep. You will sleep like a log !
Webbo Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 When I can't sleep, which is not unoften, I find reading or watching a bit of telly helps me turn my brain off.
James. Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I've been there. Was in a bad way for the first 4-5 months of 2012. Firstly buy this book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004XCFJ3E?btkr=1 Secondly really try to resist the urge to go to the GP for sleeping tablets. They do not address the underlying cause and when the prescription runs out you'll more than likely be back where you started. For me the anxiety about not sleeping was the biggest issue and it took awhile to overcome. Rest assured you're not broken and nothing bad will happen just because you miss some sleep. Read that book, do the meditation exercises and always, always bring your attention to your breathing. Don't fight the anxiety, let it wash over you. It works. PM me or reply on here if you want any more advice, ask questions, etc.
Finnegan Posted 27 October 2014 Author Posted 27 October 2014 Thanks James, I'll have a look. I do know some of my underlying causes, which is a start. I do have an appointment with the doctor but it's not til next week, hence the question about over the counters. I'm desperate to not be useless at work but I'm currently a zombie.
Russell sprout Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Thanks James, I'll have a look. I do know some of my underlying causes, which is a start. I do have an appointment with the doctor but it's not til next week, hence the question about over the counters. I'm desperate to not be useless at work but I'm currently a zombie. I'm not trying to be funny but a w*nk always works for me
Rocket-Ron Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Look on the bright side, only 3 sleeps till Christmas
Vardinhio Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Remove the TV from your bedroom and make an effort to get to bed by say midnight every night. Then when you're in bed you will begin associate it with purely sleeping. The biggest problem these days is that to many people now their bed is like a second sofa.
Fox92 Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I personally would avoid getting tablets or anything like that.
DennisNedry Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Seriously, if you haven't already tried, have a wank.
VLC86 Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 As above, and if that doesn't work have a second wank. In all seriousness have you considered reading Kingfoxs posts while in bed? Could work.
Finnegan Posted 27 October 2014 Author Posted 27 October 2014 Look on the bright side, only 3 sleeps till Christmas Bastard Can confirm wank didn't work. I'll tell the missus she'll have to escalate.
Buce Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I periodically go through this: I've had no success with over the counter sleeping aids whatsoever, but have found that prescibed drugs are very effective in the short term, and usually is enough to re-set the sleep pattern. One caveat though: be aware that hypnotics can cause anxiety and depression, so I would urge caution if you have a predisposition to that. Bananas and warm milk can be helpful sometimes; they contain tryptophan (cashew nuts also contain useful amounts) which is a pre-cursor to dopamine (lack of dopamine is often associated with anxiety).
Bellend Sebastian Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I always found that Nytol works pretty well, but at the same time even though they are very mild they can make me feel very odd - far more so than the prescription sleep meds I've tried. There is a herbal version that works OK, and I don't think that caused me any problems from what I remember. There's a sleep version of Kalms too, which seems innocuous enough and I found semi effective. The thing with all this stuff is that you really have to sort out the underlying problem, which you've already identified as being an inability to switch off, which is then compounded by worrying about whether you're going to sleep or not. Been through this myself and eventually I had to admit defeat and go to the doctor, who prescribed Zopliclone as a sleep remedy - which works a treat, and doesn't mess you up much at all. The doctor was pretty firm about being careful with them though, as you can easily get addicted - as a result I've never even taken it on consecutive nights. My issue was primarily borne of work related stress, which I only have limited control over. I was eventually prescribed a mild anti-depressant, which seems to have done the trick. For once, I can say that I wasn't depressed, but the meds have the effect of making stuff seem just slightly less of a big deal, which means you can relax enough for some sort of normality to be re-established. I can see why people are reluctant to take medication for stuff like this, but at the same time I don't think you can underplay how much sleep deprivation messes you up if it goes on for any length of time. In fact, I'd say that prolonged lack of sleep eventually produces symptoms very similar to being depressed - although you're not unhappy (except about the lack of sleep), motivation goes out the window, everything becomes an incredible effort and the ability to plan ahead more than about a day falls by the wayside too . It's only now I'm sleeping normally again for once that I can see what a state I was in. Got to watch some good BBC4 documentaries in the early hours, mind. Regardless of what route you take, the first thing is to try and kill the anxiety about going to bed. When I've managed to curtail sleeplessness without medication it usually involves going through a process of basically giving up any hope of a good night's rest and just accepting the situation, and reaching that point of resignation can be the cue to let go and actually start relaxing. It's pretty grim getting to that point though, so I don't think it's wussing out to get medicinal help in the meantime
Turtles Head Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 I've found Natrasleep to be an effective herbal sleeping pill. Also, a method my mrs taught me...lights and tv off, slowly count to ten with your eyes open, close them and count to ten. Repeat with 20 seconds, 30, etc. Works really well. Counting in your head, obviously.
Beliall Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 have kids. takes about 9 months to start working
Rincewind Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 As above, and if that doesn't work have a second wank. In all seriousness have you considered reading Kingfoxs posts while in bed? Could work. I was expecting someone say to read mine. A good back up I suspect if kinfox doesn't work.
AdamN Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Remove the TV from your bedroom and make an effort to get to bed by say midnight every night. Then when you're in bed you will begin associate it with purely sleeping. The biggest problem these days is that to many people now their bed is like a second sofa. It's different for everyone, I think. I get to sleep better if I have a TV/laptop/mp3 player on, as I find the thought of 'having to get to sleep' far more of a distraction than anything else. It could be that after doing it for so long that my brain starts to associate "lying down and aimlessly clicking around on the internet" with "bed time", but either way it works for me. If you're the type that needs absolute silence to nod off, though, then not so much.
kingcarr21 Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Starlight Dreamshow sends my 9 month old to sleep no problem. You never know some soft music with pretty pictures projected on the ceiling might do the trick
Rocket-Ron Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Lullabies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud7aXfVzRkc
Beliall Posted 27 October 2014 Posted 27 October 2014 Make an effort to stay awake. Find a film on tv or something and plan to stay up a watch it. Stop trying to sleep and perhaps you will
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