SLEEP

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

In the past there may have been threads on sleep and how to improve our quality of sleep.

I am starting this thread up and hope to include past thread titles.

For some of us sleep is a real issue, the more we can learn about it the better informed we will be.

Funny stories on weird places you have fallen asleep are welcome as well.

For me, I had just moved house and was very busy getting everything organised. Friends invited me to the drag races. I was so tired and exhausted that I sat down, leant against the fence right near the starting line and fell asleep for most of the evening.

Hope to read some of your stories and tips.

Cheerio for now, from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul and All,

Yesterday I was going through some of the information I have picked up over the years on different health topics. One brochure on sleep problems includes the following:

"Australian Sleep Association" and "Sleep Disorders Australia" have web sites you can check out.

Sleep problems can arise from: Mental Health issues, Problems with insomnia, Obstructive sleep apnoea, Restless leg syndrome, Sleep Behaviour Disorders. A Dr. may be able to help with these issues.

It may be beneficial to consider what a person thinks is adding to their sleep issues. Googling and asking a Dr. about "Sleep Hygiene" may provide answers.

Some self care ideas relating to better sleep:

-Limit daily amount of caffeine and alcohol, try not to have either a few hours before bed

- Sunshine and a bit of exercise help you during the day, also helping you feel better about life before you go to bed

-Try to have a set routine before going to bed, keep the bedroom for sleeping, relaxing and sex only, don't set up a gaming session before bed in the bedroom, leave your mobile phone in another room too!

-Write down any hassles you start to think of as you are getting ready for bed, then write underneath your list that you will deal with those tomorrow.

-Some slow deep breathes might help you to relax, calming music (for me it is listening to a CD of the ocean), windows open or closed as per the noise level and fresh air requirement, maybe a fan might help too.

Sometimes it is trial and error, hopefully people will find situations that help them. Not everything will help everyone!

Cheers all from Dools

[blondguy]

Hi Dools

I am not a doctor but I have learned if a person has experienced long term sleep deprivation...waking up all night and going through severe anxiety/depression some people may need even a small dosage of anti-anxiety meds to provide us with the quality of sleep we require to get through the following day not to mention keep our job and earning ability.

This method works very well with ongoing regular counseling ......fortnightly/weekly at a minimum.....just as per my experience with my anxiety/depression of course, as everyone is different.

Thanks for the great thread topic Dools 🙂

My Best as always...Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul and Everyone reading,

Some Drs. do prescribe medication to assist people to sleep, it is certainly best I feel to have this well monitored.

My Dr. had me on some medication that assisted with sleep due to relieving physical pain and muscle spasms. Since my latest episode and hospital trip, plus more tests to come in December I am no longer on that medication.

I try to read before bed, have a shower to help relax and calm me down, and try not to allow my mind to wander into negative territory. If the brain is just not controllable, I will get up and write down my hassles, tell myself I will deal with them tomorrow...if they are still important tomorrow than go back to bed.

Pain issues interfere with my sleep more than mental health problems, so I need to find new solutions and keep up with my exercises and walking during the day.

Lack of sleep can affect us in so many ways though!

Happy dreams everyone! Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[blondguy]

Good Morning MrsDools

You are fortunate and have done well by not having to take the meds anymore and Kudos to you!

You are spot on about everyone being different. I find a shower invigorating in the morning to dust off the cobwebs. Having chronic pain is not something I know about except that it can have a bad effect on our quality of sleep as well as anxiety.....not to mention how awful pain would have to deal with on a regular basis...

Just in my situation, the meds kept me in my career and increased my job performance for over 20 years. I tried all the natural remedies for 13 years to no avail. Its always a healthy alternative when we are suffering from chronic anxiety/depression. The meds can also provide us with a solid platform on which we can heal more effectively using all the various coping techniques that are available to us as well

Thanks again for the great thread MrsDools 🙂

Paul

[Elizabeth CP]

Paul I would like to correct a statement you made You are fortunate and have done well by not having to take the meds anymore and Kudos to you! I believe Dools was forced to stop taking meds due to severe health issues caused by them but I will join you in congratulating her for coping with the challenge she is facing.

Her recommendations re sleep are valuable for all people with sleep problems & invaluable for those unable to take medication to assist with sleep.

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth, Paul and All,

Yes, Elizabeth you are right. I have been forced off all my medication as my Dr. believes the combination had become toxic, almost causing a heart attack last month. Let me just state here, that for millions of other people the combination of medications I was on for pain relief, mental health and other physical issues is perfectly fine.

My body decided to react against the medication. Another visit to the Dr. today has me now recommencing one of the milder pain relief medications, every second day, so I am very pleased at that choice.

This combined medical complication, has me considering, trying, looking for and implementing ways to make each day as "user friendly" as it can be for me.

Some gentle stretches a couple of hours before bed help me as well. The hot shower Paul helps to ease the tension in all the muscles and joints. Water to me is very soothing. I would love to have a spa bath each day, I am sure that would help me to sleep.

The offerings of ideas people read here are just that, offerings and suggestions. It would be wonderful to have a solution for everyone's sleeping problems!

One of my husband's mates whom he goes away with, is apparently fast asleep and snoring the moment his head hits the pillow! To me that is amazing!

If anyone else has any suggestions to help people with sleep concerns, please feel free to add your ideas and contributions here. We never know what may benefit someone else.

Cheers all from Dools

[blondguy]

Hi Elizabeth

Thanks for the correction and duly noted too. I have never encountered a situation where people are 'forced' off their AD's in combination with having acute pain. For everything there is a first time.... Im sorry if I didnt articulate that as well as I should have!

I have a close friend that has acute pain through abdominal adhesions combined with anxiety/depression and for many people the combination is not an issue.

My apologies MrsDools. I meant well as this is a great thread that is helping many people.

I still turn my cell phone off during the night to help me have a better quality sleep without the anticipatory feeling of an incoming call. If someone needs to talk to me urgently they can knock on my door for a cuppa 🙂

Cheers

Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul,

There is no need for any apology. Yes it is very strange for a Dr to take a person of all medication, it was just due to my situation and how my body reacted to the combined pain relieving meds and ADs. For other people it is okay, they have no troubles at all.

It appeared my Dr had the choice to leave me on my medication and risk me having a fatal heart attack, as in dropping dead on the spot, or taking me off all medication to reduce the pressure on my heart and body.

As no tests have proven one way or another what actually happened my Dr. is questioning what to do next. A return to recent levels of combined medications may build up to the same scenario or maybe not. We will not know that unless we try it.

Meanwhile my head is a mess and by body aches. I carry on, one day after another trying my best!

Last night I had a better sleep so that has certainly helped with how I feel this morning.

Cheers from Dools

[blondguy]

Hi Dools..I hope its okay if I bump your thread up as sleep is always an ongoing issue for so many people

Hi Everyone....Readers...New and Existing Members 🙂

There is a stack of information here about sleep and many ways for us to have a peaceful one!

Sleep Well

Paul

[Ggrand]

Hello Paul, Dools and everyone else,

Thank you Paul so much for bumping this thread up, I didn't know about it.

I have so much problems staying asleep for more then an hour before I wake up and then unable to get back to sleep for quite a few hours..

Thank you Dools for this thread, I'll start reading through it, .lol probably tonight when I wake up.

Thank you again Paul for boosting this thread up front..

Kind thoughts,

Grandy.....Karen..