Insomnia

[Guest guest]

Tim, I used to be an ER nurse working all different types of shifts. It turns out that my adrenal glands are not working properly anymore. This affects my ability to sleep, my ability to cope, and has even caused dizziness, and environmental sensitivities. My doctor has put me on cortizone to replace what my adrenals are not producing, ambien for sleep, and lexapro to help me cope...but I'm not a good patient...lol. I don't like meds, and am looking for alternatives to bring my body back into a state of health. I'm finding that regular sleep cycles are essential to my recovery. For now, refusing the night shifts, and using Valarian root, SAMe, and 5htp seems to be helping with both the sleep and ability to cope with daily stress. I'm still taking the cortizone for now. Adrenal fatigue, adrenal exhaution, or adrenal insufficiency as I've seen it called can be tested for by using a saliva test to measure the hormones

that are produced by the adrenals. I've also learned some breathing exercises and yoga stretches that promote relaxation. I'm now able to fall asleep anywhere I do those exercises...lol, even in the bathtub. I wish you well. MarlenaTim <tgenaw82 wrote: I have suffered from insomnia for year. Trouble falling asleep, wakingup frequently and early. I can never take naps. I'm so jealous of people who can nap in cars, airplanes or anytimeanywhere. I've tried

wiggling my toes, meditation, teas, herbs, melatonin,ambien, tylenol PM.... lavendar baths.....etc. Some of these areeffective to an extent. But still I continue to fall into insomniacpatterns. I know consitent sleep schedules are best. But I work in EMS. I workodd shifts. Sometimes days and nights. Sometimes 24 hours. I doze offon the 24 hour shifts at night but can get awaken at anytime for a call. I go through a lot of adrenalin rushes. One minute relaxed and thenext in flight or fight mode. My job may play a role. But there are many other paramedics I knowthat can fall asleep sitting up in a seat in broad daylight, afterdrinking a cup of coffee. I think it all comes down to being able to let go and relax. But whatis the trick?

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[Guest guest]

, " Tim " <tgenaw82 wrote:

>

> I have suffered from insomnia for year. Trouble falling asleep, waking

> up frequently and early. I can never take naps.

>

> I'm so jealous of people who can nap in cars, airplanes or anytime

> anywhere.

>

 

I am going backwards, I never slept when I was younger, in my twenties

and thirties maybe three hours a night. Now I am almost fifty, and I

still have to physically wear myself out to be able to rest. Even

still, I can go two to three days with not one nap or sleep.

[Guest guest]

try seeing if the job can be arranged at least for one shift. I used to work shift rotation, doubles, etc. and my sleep was all messed up after a period of years. One often finds oneself hurrying up to go to sleep, which doesn't work. Then ya take stuff to stay awake, and that further inputs into lack of sleep because of the stress on heart and adrenals.

Experiment with sleep when you get a vacation period. If you get two weeks at once, take them all at same time. Do hard work, play hard, whatever during the day, and at sunset start to relax. Think relax mind, relax muscles, etc.etc. Don't exactly try to go to sleep, but learn to relax, while on vacation. You can develop this somewhat through breathing exercises. And don't judge yourself on failure or success (that is not relaxing). If things improve at all, then try to get one shift, or try to be off shift all night (sleep at night is what is natural for most people). Or start to work at finding another job where you can control the schedule better.

 

-

Tim

Monday, March 19, 2007 1:50 PM

insomnia

 

 

I have suffered from insomnia for year. Trouble falling asleep, wakingup frequently and early. I can never take naps. I'm so jealous of people who can nap in cars, airplanes or anytimeanywhere. I've tried wiggling my toes, meditation, teas, herbs, melatonin,ambien, tylenol PM.... lavendar baths.....etc. Some of these areeffective to an extent. But still I continue to fall into insomniacpatterns. I know consitent sleep schedules are best. But I work in EMS. I workodd shifts. Sometimes days and nights. Sometimes 24 hours. I doze offon the 24 hour shifts at night but can get awaken at anytime for a call. I go through a lot of adrenalin rushes. One minute relaxed and thenext in flight or fight mode. My job may play a role. But there are many other paramedics I knowthat can fall asleep sitting up in a seat in broad daylight, afterdrinking a cup of coffee. I think it all comes down to being able to let go and relax. But whatis the trick?

[Guest guest]

HI Tim,

 

One trick is to do relaxing top down.

 

You start at the top of your head, (or above the head) and work down.

 

Next the forehead, the sides of the head, the ears. And continue the whole way down.

 

Next is nutrition. Find out what you need, and get it. For me the most important thing is Gingo Beloba and vitamin B complex, B1 and B3.

 

Go to a naturropat and get examined by use of kinesologi, what you need.

 

Ole, Copenhagen

 

 

 

 

 

-

Tim

Monday, March 19, 2007 6:50 PM

insomnia

 

 

I have suffered from insomnia for year. Trouble falling asleep, wakingup frequently and early. I can never take naps. I'm so jealous of people who can nap in cars, airplanes or anytimeanywhere. I've tried wiggling my toes, meditation, teas, herbs, melatonin,ambien, tylenol PM.... lavendar baths.....etc. Some of these areeffective to an extent. But still I continue to fall into insomniacpatterns. I know consitent sleep schedules are best. But I work in EMS. I workodd shifts. Sometimes days and nights. Sometimes 24 hours. I doze offon the 24 hour shifts at night but can get awaken at anytime for a call. I go through a lot of adrenalin rushes. One minute relaxed and thenext in flight or fight mode. My job may play a role. But there are many other paramedics I knowthat can fall asleep sitting up in a seat in broad daylight, afterdrinking a cup of coffee. I think it all comes down to being able to let go and relax. But whatis the trick?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/19/07 10:55:53 PM Pacific Standard Time, gerstrom writes:

 

 

 

Next is nutrition. Find out what you need, and get it. For me the most important thing is Gingo Beloba and vitamin B complex, B1 and B3. >>

 

But do not take these B vitamins within many hours of bedtime. They keep you awake.

[Guest guest]

If your adrenal glands are slacking off, this may be a function of age. As a person gets older these gland shrink and shrivel. Same with appendix. In a 18 year old the appendix may be 6 inches long and susceptible to infection. By age 45, it is shriveled to one inch --and far less likely to get appendicitis past age 45. I have read somewhere about tapping on (the area of) the thymus, the thyroid and possibly the adrenal glands. A kind of manual "reference" to prompt them to greater activity.

[Guest guest]

Niacin, a b vitamin, actually works in tandem with relaxation. The body flushes, if enough is taken, and you will probably not fall asleep while flushing (but you might). I go to bed with the niacin flush quite often, feel warm all over (flush) and go to sleep. But it works with enhancing tryptophan production, if I remember correctly, which also helps to go to sleep. That is where the warmed glass of milk before bedtime used to come in handy. Regardless of what one thinks of milk, it helped this particular process. For me there are too many other processes that it interferes with to have a drink of it before bedtime. But I take niacin, and it helps. It helps me at any rate.

I used to give a combination of herbs to people with insomnia. That combination was valerian root, along with skullcap. They all reported better sleep patterns. But, I have to say that with that, and with all the mental health problems in today's world, if one is an anxiety ridden person, the valerian root should not be taken. In those particular cases it is more of a stimulant. Don't know the pharmacology of that reaction.

At present I use the niacin, and a warm cup of herbal tea or a little soup (warm my belly) and I go to sleep.

 

-

JazziDJess

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 8:50 AM

Re: insomnia

 

 

In a message dated 3/19/07 10:55:53 PM Pacific Standard Time, gerstrom (AT) post2 (DOT) tele.dk writes:

Next is nutrition. Find out what you need, and get it. For me the most important thing is Gingo Beloba and vitamin B complex, B1 and B3. >> But do not take these B vitamins within many hours of bedtime. They keep you awake.

[Guest guest]

A good tonic for adrenal glands is nettle tea, although most people do not like picking nettles, it can be had at the health food store. Grows all over the place here and I cut it and use it. This is something a lot of people can use with good effect since most people are overstimulated with sugars and coffee, green and black tea, soft drinks, etc.etc. Adrenal fatigue is very common.

 

ed

 

-

JazziDJess

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 8:55 AM

Re: insomnia

 

 

If your adrenal glands are slacking off, this may be a function of age. As a person gets older these gland shrink and shrivel. Same with appendix. In a 18 year old the appendix may be 6 inches long and susceptible to infection. By age 45, it is shriveled to one inch --and far less likely to get appendicitis past age 45. I have read somewhere about tapping on (the area of) the thymus, the thyroid and possibly the adrenal glands. A kind of manual "reference" to prompt them to greater activity.

[Guest guest]

Haven't been able to sleep unless I take 2 25mg seroquel at night.

Am abhored at having to rely on this chemical.

Never had trouble sleeping before.

What the heck is wrong with me?

[Guest guest]

You might be deficient in Calcium; Calcium helps create a good sleep; u

could also try Valerian Root Capsules; hot chocolate or hot soups

before bed; have a cup of hot choco ready in case you cannot sleep;

 

eating a Fruti bar with a glass of milk or soy milk is also very good.--

- In , " direwolf808 "

<direwolf808 wrote:

>

> Haven't been able to sleep unless I take 2 25mg seroquel at night.

> Am abhored at having to rely on this chemical.

> Never had trouble sleeping before.

> What the heck is wrong with me?

>

[Guest guest]

There are several alternatives to use for Insomnia.

 

1. Bach Flowers - find the ones that suit your needs. Especially

Sweet Chestnut for constant thoughts.

 

2. Breathing - notice when you can't get to sleep you tend to shallow

breath. If you watch someone when they are fast asleep they do a

quick deep breath in and then a slow breath out. Try it ..its

amazing how it relaxes you.

 

3. Lavender Oil on your temples and a drop on your pillow.

 

4. Get in to a routine of getting up at the same time every morning.

Pick a time and get up no matter what at the same time BUT dont' go

to bed until you are really tired.

 

 

Sweet Dreams

Diana Moore

New Zealand

http://www.bowentherapy.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

Tell us more, direwolf. What's up? Why do *you* think you can't sleep?

When and how did this start? Have you tried any natural assistance -

some peaceful yoga at night, meditation, quiet music, a warm bath,

melatonin, l-theanine, lavender? Are there any other problems - health

or otherwise - going on?

 

Cindy

 

Cindy Kirchhoff

http://LivinginRhyme.com

 

Reclaim your passion and your power for life;

Reclaim your health

 

, " direwolf808 "

<direwolf808 wrote:

>

> Haven't been able to sleep unless I take 2 25mg seroquel at night.

> Am abhored at having to rely on this chemical.

> Never had trouble sleeping before.

> What the heck is wrong with me?

[Guest guest]

Melatonin is also a good natural alternative to a chemical prescription. I had

really bad insomnia when my husband left for Iraq. Here is what I do, my

natualist set it up for me. First, I take a melatonin. Then I write down all

the junk that is bothering me in a journal by my bed. Next I use a lavender

spray on my bed. I read a chapter of a book. Then its off to " La La Land "

This whole process only takes about 30 minutes, but it really works. I dont

even wake up in the middle of the night. As far as Annes suggestions, they all

seem good as well. But if you try the hot chocolate approach, make sure it is

caffeine free.

carrie

 

-------------- Original message --------------

" Anne " <annroc2004

You might be deficient in Calcium; Calcium helps create a good sleep; u

could also try Valerian Root Capsules; hot chocolate or hot soups

before bed; have a cup of hot choco ready in case you cannot sleep;

 

eating a Fruti bar with a glass of milk or soy milk is also very good.--

- In , " direwolf808 "

<direwolf808 wrote:

>

> Haven't been able to sleep unless I take 2 25mg seroquel at night.

> Am abhored at having to rely on this chemical.

> Never had trouble sleeping before.

> What the heck is wrong with me?

>

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

The calcium is a great point - usually associated with calcium deficiency is

moderate weight gain, fatigue during the day, easily irritated. The calcium I

use I actually got from (wait hold your ears - i know i know) walmart. It is a

gel cap and has a liquid form inside. I have found it to be easily assimilated

for myself and my clients. I also use it for my children by poping the cap and

squeezing the liquid into some peanut butter.

 

If you drink any soda's, are a healer or impath you are using a lot of

calcuim. Two of those caps about 30min-hour before bed works great for me - I

hope it works for you!

 

 

Chart the Course of Your Life Today!

 

Blessings : )

 

Chastaneyka

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Also make sure you are hydrated during the day as if you are dehyrated

you will not be able to get to sleep easily. Always get up and have a

small drink of water if you can't sleep, it really does help.

 

Also you can download a Free Sanjeevini Healing Card for Sleep, print

it out and put it under your pillow.

http://www.bowentherapy.homestead.com/healingcards.html

 

Diana Moore

New Zealand

http://www.bowentherapy.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Coxie,If you are not on any antidepressants or sedatives, passion flower, valerian, skullcap, and chamomile are wonderful herbs that induce sleep. Hugs,oleander soup , Steve Cox <cox_agent wrote:>> Arthur,> > I also have hcv and have insomnia, (get up to pee 1 or 2 times per night), What did you do to sleep better?> > Coxie> > >

[Guest guest]

They induce sleep for me too, but I only stay sleeping for 4 hours. Same with Melatonin, it only works half as long for me compared to others I know. Any suggestions?--- On Thu, 11/13/08, May <luellamay129 wrote:

May <luellamay129 Re: Insomniaoleander soup Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 10:09 AM

 

 

Hi Coxie,If you are not on any antidepressants or sedatives, passion flower, valerian, skullcap, and chamomile are wonderful herbs that induce sleep. Hugs,oleander soup, Steve Cox <cox_agent@.. .> wrote:>> Arthur,> > I also have hcv and have insomnia, (get up to pee 1 or 2 times per night), What did you do to sleep better?> > Coxie> > >

[Guest guest]

Steve,I am copying and pasting a portion of a post that Dr. Loretta Lanphier made a few months ago. I hope it helps.Here it is:For sleep you may want to try Ancient

Minerals Magnesium Oil rubbed on the skin at night.

 

Calcium Orotate before bed.

 

Lithium Orotate will also help with anxiety.

 

You may want to implement supplements

for liver support while coming off the meds.

 

Coffea, a homeopathic medicine derived

from coffee may be helpful. It can help induce sleep by calming down the

nervous system when the senses seem over-stimulated. The recommended dose of

coffea is three pills, with a strength of 30c, taken under the tongue.

 

5HTP, a compound derived from the amino

acid L-tryptophan. This helps many people with insomnia by acting as a

precursor to serotonin. The recommended dose is 100 milligrams one hour before

bedtime.

 

Valerian root as an herbal supplement.

It relaxes and restores your nervous system, especially if your mind is racing.

The herb has compounds that bind to GABA receptors in the brain, exerting a

calming effect. The recommended dose is 300 to 500 milligrams taken one hour

before bedtime. (Don't take valerian root if you are already taking

5HTP.)

 

Hormone Imbalance - Have your

progesterone and estrogen and cortisol (adrenals) levels checked by using a

saliva test. When women are experiencing fluctuations in their

hormones—for example, when they go through peri-menopause—insomnia

can be a sign of low progesterone, estrogen, or both. Supplemental

bio-identical natural hormones can help those who suffer from insomnia due to

lowered hormone levels; herbal medicines that have phytoestrogenic effects,

such as black cohosh, and phytoprogesteronic effects, such as chaste tree berry

(Vitex), can also help.

 

Again, find someone knowledgeable to

monitor you during this process (chiropractor, naturopath, etc.). It can

be successfully accomplished when taken slowly.

[Guest guest]

Thanks .--- On Thu, 11/13/08, May <luellamay129 wrote:

May <luellamay129 Re: Insomniaoleander soup Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 11:54 AM

 

 

Steve,I am copying and pasting a portion of a post that Dr. Loretta Lanphier made a few months ago. I hope it helps.Here it is:

For sleep you may want to try Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil rubbed on the skin at night. Calcium Orotate before bed.Lithium Orotate will also help with anxiety.

 

You may want to implement supplements for liver support while coming off the meds.

 

Coffea, a homeopathic medicine derived from coffee may be helpful. It can help induce sleep by calming down the nervous system when the senses seem over-stimulated. The recommended dose of coffea is three pills, with a strength of 30c, taken under the tongue.

 

5HTP, a compound derived from the amino acid L-tryptophan. This helps many people with insomnia by acting as a precursor to serotonin. The recommended dose is 100 milligrams one hour before bedtime.

 

Valerian root as an herbal supplement. It relaxes and restores your nervous system, especially if your mind is racing. The herb has compounds that bind to GABA receptors in the brain, exerting a calming effect. The recommended dose is 300 to 500 milligrams taken one hour before bedtime. (Don't take valerian root if you are already taking 5HTP.)

 

Hormone Imbalance - Have your progesterone and estrogen and cortisol (adrenals) levels checked by using a saliva test. When women are experiencing fluctuations in their hormones—for example, when they go through peri-menopause— insomnia can be a sign of low progesterone, estrogen, or both. Supplemental bio-identical natural hormones can help those who suffer from insomnia due to lowered hormone levels; herbal medicines that have phytoestrogenic effects, such as black cohosh, and phytoprogesteronic effects, such as chaste tree berry (Vitex), can also help.

Again, find someone knowledgeable to monitor you during this process (chiropractor, naturopath, etc.). It can be successfully accomplished when taken slowly.

[Guest guest]

Steve.

 

skullcap - Scutellaria Lateriflora ) works much better when fresh, skullcap has blue- perple flowers, but most of the time on the marker the sell us the Lycopus - wolf mint or montain mint with white flowers.

No matter whitch one you get make sure is fresh, the dry ones do not work as they loose the medicinal properties.

all the best.

 

Hugs Mary

 

 

-

Steve Cox

oleander soup

Friday, November 14, 2008 3:00 AM

Re: Re: Insomnia

 

 

 

 

 

 

They induce sleep for me too, but I only stay sleeping for 4 hours. Same with Melatonin, it only works half as long for me compared to others I know. Any suggestions?--- On Thu, 11/13/08, May <luellamay129 > wrote:

May <luellamay129 > Re: Insomniaoleander soup Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 10:09 AM

 

 

Hi Coxie,If you are not on any antidepressants or sedatives, passion flower, valerian, skullcap, and chamomile are wonderful herbs that induce sleep. Hugs,oleander soup, Steve Cox <cox_agent@.. .> wrote:>> Arthur,> > I also have hcv and have insomnia, (get up to pee 1 or 2 times per night), What did you do to sleep better?> > Coxie> > >

[Guest guest]

Is waking once or twice in the night insomnia? Is it a natural part of aging? Many people have changing pee and/or sleep habits as they age.When I was taking classes while I had three young children, I would go to sleep at the same time as them, early. I'd wake up after 4 hours and study or write papers for a couple of hours, and then back to sleep. I've had that pattern since, and enjoyed the quiet night. I now wake to pee, which I did not as a youngster. It's not a problem for me. Rhoda

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhoda,

 

Insomnia is when you just plain can't sleep. All night, sometimes days.

 

As for waking up to pee, have you tried not drinking anything for a few

hours before you go to bed?

 

Hugs,

 

 

oleander soup , " Rhoda Mead " <hummingbird541

wrote:

>

> *Is waking once or twice in the night insomnia? Is it a natural part

of

> aging? Many people have changing pee and/or sleep habits as they age.

> When I was taking classes while I had three young children, I would go

to

> sleep at the same time as them, early. I'd wake up after 4 hours and

study

> or write papers for a couple of hours, and then back to sleep. I've

had that

> pattern since, and enjoyed the quiet night. I now wake to pee, which I

did

> not as a youngster. It's not a problem for me. Rhoda

> *

>

[Guest guest]

I tried many things. I even went to the Dr. and he gave me some Rozerem (sp?), which did the same thing as melatonin, etc. IMO. Finally I just broke down and started doing one Benedryl (actually the Walmart brand allergy med...) with 2 melatonin. That is not my "ideal", but it works, and it costs less than the co-pay on a perscription. I am more able to get some things done now. C

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

 

Insonia can wreak havoc on you - I know from experience. I was experiencing nights of complete sleeplessness. I actually couldn't believe the human body could do it but a few nights back a few years ago I was awake all night. I had two babies at the time and exhausted beyond measure. I developed heart palpitations as a result. My husband was so worried he rushed home from work himself to relieve me from work (at a children's centre) on the days when he knew I hadn't slept AT ALL the night before.

 

I explained to my MD that it was like a mini panic attack every time I was about to fall asleep. My autonomic nervous system would not shut down. I tried everything to no avail and broke down and bought over the counter sleep meds. THEY DIDN'T WORK!

 

Through months of research and dedication to a holistic lifestyle I read John Lee's book about premenopause. I got the progesterone cream from the hfs and VOILA! Sleeping like a baby for years now.

 

Here's the kicker: My MD KNEW my progesterone levels were low because I had miscarried twice as a result. I went on prescription prog pills when I became pregnant that 3rd time and that baby is now 11. But I was the one that figured out the low levels were causing such sleep disturbances.

For people who are suffering from lack of sleep, it might be temporarily better to find an allopathic remedy (that works) until a holistic one can be found because sleeplessness can cause more serious health problems that the side effects of the allopathic remedy.

 

Kind regards,

Janet

[Guest guest]

I find that taking a calcium/magnesium supplement is quite helpful...if you

haven't tried it already....<smiles>

 

 

>

 

> Hello -- I am peri-menopausal, have been for many months now. In

 

> recent months, in the week or so before my period starts, I have

 

> terrible insomnia, usually awakening at the same time each night

 

> (right around 2am) and then having my brain totally wake up and not

 

> shut up, so I can't sleep and have to get up and watch tv to engage

 

> my brain and turn off my monkey mind. It's getting really

 

> frustrating, as then I have to make it through the say on just a few

 

> hours of sleep, and tumble into bed early the next night. Is there

 

> something natural which can help correct this?

 

>

 

> Andrea

 

> NZ

 

>