insomnia

fallen_nemesis · 25th January 2008, 5:14pm

GAH! so I've gotten 7 and a bit hours sleep roughly in 4 days.

it's taking it's toll now as I'm on split shifts at work all weekend. Starting to feel physically sick etc and feeling the cold a lot more than normal.

Anyone any hints or advice for anything I can do to help? I'm shattered till i go to bed then I just can't sleep.

I'm very reluctant to take sleeping pills though as I don't view them as being a solution. They're only a temporary measue and one I'm deff. not keen on trying.

Even from a short term point of view can anyone think of anything to help keep me alert on shifts? It's gotten to the stage of having to drink red bull and having to go stand in the cellar in the freezing cold to waken up every so often.

HELP! I'm seriously starting to lose the plot

Dec · 25th January 2008, 5:27pm

Get some sleep.

fallen_nemesis · 25th January 2008, 5:29pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dec

Get some sleep.

that's the point you pie. i can't. I'm shattered, and i WANT to sleep, but I can't.

Have you never lay awake in bed for hours unable to get comfy or go to sleep.

it's like that...except it never ends

Dec · 25th January 2008, 5:31pm

Honestly, with most things like that you just need a good nights sleep. It'll do you the world of good.

fallen_nemesis · 25th January 2008, 5:33pm

you've obviously never had insomnia....

Dec · 25th January 2008, 5:35pm

Because I always make sure that I get a full 8 hours sleep.

fallen_nemesis · 25th January 2008, 5:37pm

i dedicated 14 hours of the day to bed on tuesday and no sleep

hotblonde · 25th January 2008, 5:45pm

The first thing you NEED to do is quit caffeine. Seriously. Your mind may be too alert when you're in bed (churning over the day events, etc) and if you're taking any stimulants like caffeine & alcohol you will only aggravate the problem. Try gentle exercise a few hours before bed and a warm bath. The old remedy of warm milk can also work; milk contains a natural sedative. Yoga, meditation, relaxing techniques (sure you'll be able to find some on you google it).

Goth_pixie · 25th January 2008, 5:48pm

I get insomnia a lot, and it's a bitch. Try cutting out caffeine a few hours before bed, and having a mug of horlicks. If you spend half an hour in bed and still can't sleep, get up and do something relaxing, like reading, before going back to bed.

JZY · 25th January 2008, 5:52pm

half a valium.

supernothing · 25th January 2008, 6:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fallen_nemesis

i dedicated 14 hours of the day to bed on tuesday and no sleep

Aye but you need to sleep, thats the thing, once your in bed close your eyes and think of nothing, it'll make you feel better.

Frankie LiDeo · 25th January 2008, 6:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dec

Because I always make sure that I get a full 8 hours sleep.

Looks like somebody wants to get repped again. [/Handbanana]

**djtoast** · 25th January 2008, 6:33pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie LiDeo

Looks like somebody wants to get repped again. [/Handbanana]

i couldn't help myself either. i'm nice though so even though he was being mean it was POS REP.

good luck finding a solution, i don't need much sleep but it'd drive me spare if i couldn't get what i do need.

fallen_nemesis · 26th January 2008, 2:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblonde

The first thing you NEED to do is quit caffeine. Seriously. Your mind may be too alert when you're in bed (churning over the day events, etc) and if you're taking any stimulants like caffeine & alcohol you will only aggravate the problem. Try gentle exercise a few hours before bed and a warm bath. The old remedy of warm milk can also work; milk contains a natural sedative. Yoga, meditation, relaxing techniques (sure you'll be able to find some on you google it).

i need to take at least a small amount of caffeine during a shift like today when I worked 11-4 then 6-2.15 am with only 20 minutes off all day and a boss who wouldn't let me get an early because they don't have any sympathy for lack of sleep . If I don't I drop glasses, mispour and fuck up. I don't even think it's the caffeine. I've gone that long without sleep I'm on full auto-pilot simply reacting . There's no mental thought processes going on when I'm, lying in bed.

While I try relaxation techniques, anyone think of a way to get my work to take me seriously?

Rhythm Junkie · 26th January 2008, 3:02am

my boy says herbal Nytol is pretty useful. I recommend a trip to either the chinese herbalist guys or somewhere like Holland and Barrett