Do you find ginger foods/drinks help with nausea/upset stomach? I want to try some but not sure where to start.

Hypersleep · ‎10-08-2017

I've been having trouble eating lately, with a mix of reasons and severity. (If you'd like to give me some advice on that I have another thread on the introduction forums.) So I'm looking for the easiest ways to have ginger foods or drinks. I find that if I wake up too early I get a particularly upset stomach, sometimes throwing up mucus or phlegm in the period between leaving bed and doing an activity, not much though. If you have any other things that help you relax in the morning food based or otherwise don't hesitate to tell me, but I'm really wondering how I can try ginger easily. I've checked the forums for the keyword ginger but didn't really find anything quite like this.

Hypersleep · ‎02-10-2017

Ah, bugger! Bed at 2 in the morning, hoping to wake around 12-2 midday. Like I did yesterday and the day before, so what happened was I went to bed at 2 in the morning, woke at around 6, decided to have a snack before meditating back to sleep. Couldn't really sleep, decided to try an actual meal. Had a chicken roll which I had the day I stayed up all day and then was only able to eat half of it. However this time I finished it easily. 🙂 So that kind of answers my 'late night appetite' worry. Then I went to bed at 7, and I couldn't help myself from being distracted by messing around on my mobile. Probably finally went to sleep again around 9 in the morning, then woke at 1:00 to my alarm. I stayed awake in bed till my 2:00 alarm then just kept on hitting snooze till 7:15 at night! Argh! Just like before I fixed my sleeping. No idea what I'll do now. Probably try sleeping at 3 and if I do wake up just going to bed after a snack and making double sure not to touch my phone.

Maybe I'm just doomed to a bad sleeping schedule. 😞

MsPurple · ‎03-10-2017

Hi Hypersleep. Getting a spelling pattern and regulating it can be hard. What my housemate does is he keeps his phone on the other side of the room. She it stops him playing with it before bed. Also it makes him get up when the alarm goes off. Maybe this is something you can try. You also say you are getting hungry before bed. Maybe have something to eat close to bed like an hour before bed so it has some time to digest and you won't feel uncomfortable. Even if it is a snack like cheese and crackers, milo or sandwich

Ladyhawke · ‎03-10-2017

Hey Hypersleep,

You're obviously trying very hard to get into the rhythm of a regular sleeping pattern and those reading your posts can see how much attention and thought you're giving to your food intake.

Since I've had a fairly intense depressive relapse, I've been having difficulty eating as normal. However, I realize my body requires nutrients and I also require food to metabolize my meds, so for the last few weeks I've been having two supplement shakes and a small meal in the evening.

One thing I'm curious about is your sleep. You indicated that you went to bed at 2.00am, hoping to wake up at around noon. I've re-read your posts and can't find anything that indicates where the desire to go to bed at 2 or 3.00 am and awake at noon originates from (I may have missed it). Is it possible it's connected to your anxiety (I understand - I'm a night owl) or does it tie in with the eating issue, perhaps?

I average around 5 hours sleep per night. When I've slept till noon, it's thrown my body clock out of whack. I realise we're all unique, but I'm a little confused about your wish to remain awake for as long as possible. Perhaps it's something you could discuss with your therapist.

You may see yourself as lapsing a bit, here and there, but reading back through posts, you appear to be very self-aware of your issues and you're attempting to overcome the struggle with a great deal of thought and self-sufficiency. So pleased the meeting at Headspace went well. I hope that makes a real difference for you.

I look forward to your updates, LH

Hypersleep · ‎03-10-2017

To Purple, this is a good idea, moving my phone. However as scared as I am at having relapsed eating wise, I'm half tempted to just let myself slip into the routine I had for the past month without posting here. It showed a lot of success to my well being and mental state, it even worked fine with early morning appointments. Gave me time at the end of the 'day' to myself too, when my anxiety had calmed down and I had food in my belly. Which wasn't worth a whole lot since it didn't quite carry over when I stayed up all day to fix it, still it made me more calm knowing each day ended up okay. I even ended up being able, sometimes preferring to eat without company. I got back to watching movies and listening to music to pass the time when my mates were asleep or busy.

To LadyH, my sleeping was never great, but my lifestyle never called for a great one I mean it wasn't always completely nocturnal, but yeah. Before I begun posting here and having this bout of increased stress/anxiety I was going to bed around 3 or 5 in the morning and waking up at 2-3 in the afternoon. I ended up staying up later and later to the point of being entirely nocturnal when I got hit with this extra stress because of 2 reasons I think, my anxiety tended to wear off as I stayed awake longer, and I kind of just stayed up to play with friends online to keep me distracted. When I stayed up all night to fix my business a few days ago I made sure I had a friend with me to keep the 'being distracted' box ticked, but maybe I caused myself strife by trying to eat too early. There are lot of questions and variables about it, really. But yesterday after having that sleep like I described, I went on to eat with nervousness, but success. Had my nightly noodles as I call them, later had a burger and then when I tried to sleep at 4:30, after having that burger at only 3:00, I felt super hungry so I got out of bed and had some snacks. Ending up in bed at 6:15. Gosh I don't know what to do with myself. I'll try the same deal again today, being that I woke up at the same time even if I did try to get up at 3:00 in the afternoon. Worst case scenario I get back into the routine I had a few days ago before trying to stay up all night, and try to fix it slowly with the help of my new Councillor. I'll see how I go today though.

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble too. Have you ever tried or been recommended the drug like the one my Doc mentioned? Helps you sleep and have appetite.

Hypersleep · ‎03-10-2017

To clarify about the sleeping at 2:00am thing:

It came from when I stayed up all day to try fix my sleeping (causing me to post here again) I tried to get to sleep around 6-7pm. I got about an hour sleep and woke up panicked and nervous. I tried to eat at 11pm like I usually do (my nightly noodles) but no doubt the worry from before was still lingering. I ate a little bit of them, tried to follow them up with a tiny bag of pretzels to split the difference, only ate some of those too. Messed around with mates and the weather was nice so I decided to hit the hay around 2 in the morning. I set my alarm for 12 and 2, figuring that I'd deserve a proper sleep and that 12 hours is around about the amount I'd get if I didn't decide to stay up all day and just went to bed at 6-8 in the morning like usual.

My plan was to kind of make a new routine, instead of taking my SRI at 6 in the afternoon I'd work it back half an hour, day by day. I only got to taking it at 5:00 before I managed to do as I described in my post on the 2nd of October and get my sleeping buggered again.

You said "However, I realize my body requires nutrients". I am pretty sure I mentioned it the day I had the 'revelation' but that made me have a much better time with food. Definitely contributed to increasing the amount I can eat, if not also the ease of which I do eat. Just kind of finding joy in filling myself up, looking at eating differently. Still trying to blitz through it and being happy when I can eat without thinking about it, but yeah. A note a wrote on my phone just this morning to remind myself.

"Think of how relaxed I feel after having eaten, and the way food sustains me."

Followed by

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Which was my attitude when having the burger I mentioned. I didn't feel particularly hungry but it was the time I'd normally eat around and I was a little relaxed so I kind of checked if my body still agreed with the time. I'm over thinking things and giving my body and this 'routine' too much ability in my life lately, no doubt. But I've got my Councillor again so I can work on these things.

Ladyhawke · ‎06-10-2017

I "get" the sleeping issue now - you've explained it very well. Yes, you have your Counsellor to guide you, which I hope makes you feel supported and who may eventually suggest a structure to your routine. Either way, it's a very positive move.

I may be slightly confused, but did you mention you also had an appointment with a psychologist last month? Or was that the fellow at Headspace? I may be confusing the details with someone else I responded to.

I also write myself little quotes or affirmations and leave them around the house. The last one I found is:

"Fortune Favours the Brave"

- finding it helpful with the anxiety/depressive relapse. You asked if I've tried any meds that help with sleep and eating. Yes, and I did find them very helpful. Unfortunately, my psychiatrist has reassessed me during the last month and has rediagnosed me as having Bipolar II (originally diagnosed as such 20 years ago). I asked to be put on a low dose mood stabiliser which also helps with the sleep. The eating issue is temporary and I'll eventually start to get back into the eating habit. Thanks for your concern.

If you can, let me know how you're going, and remember to post whenever you feel the need. LH

Hypersleep · ‎06-10-2017

Yeah we did have an appointment with a psychologist last month, we decided we couldn't go because of the cost. Headspace can set up video-call appointments with psychologists so we're going to go with that route instead. It's a shame but it was just too costly. I saw Centrelink today and they think I'm worthy of a 6 month exemption to get a confirmation diagnosis from a psychologist to potentially be put on full disability. Which I hope will help me. I might ask to cut it off early if I start managing better. I get lonely on my own. But I will post here off and on, maybe even later today if my odd sleeping (due to the centrelink appointment) gives me any issues.

I need to read my journal again, the earlier entries. The other times I got hit by this I wasn't so stuck in a routine and scared to change. I'll need to address this with my Councillor. Yet another thing. The list is growing. It's not really getting hard to stay positive it's just weighing on me more.

Ladyhawke · ‎21-10-2017

Hi Hypersleep,

So sorry I've been off this thread for a while - my depression seems to be treatment-resistant according to my psychiatrist and he has suggested a stay in hospital. The anxiety level has been off the charts at the thought of going into hospital yet again. Continuing to lose weight due to the combination of anxiety/depression - my doctor has increased one of my meds in an attempt to stimulate appetite.

Anyway, enough about me. I think the Centrelink offer is an excellent one. It will give you a break from having to attend interviews and deal with the anxiety that goes with it. You may find that just concentrating on your issues, and not having the constant pressure to work helps you even more. Yes, it can be lonely on your own. For me, it gave me the opportunity to indulge my love of art. I also volunteered at a local animal shelter and became involved with WIRES which is a fabulous organisation.

Can you think of any areas of interest you'd like to explore? I found that there are many areas that cost very little and quite a few that are free.

I absolutely agree about the expense of seeing psychologists - I really don't know how many people can afford it on a regular basis. Great pity the Government can't apply some form of rebate system - there are so many who require therapy and simply can't access it financially. I'm fortunate in that I see a psychiatrist weekly who will bulk-bill where necessary. His regular fee is $240 - even with the Medicare rebate, it would be a struggle. The video-call setup sounds excellent. I have a friend who lives in country NSW who accesses her therapist via Skype and she finds it works really well.

So glad you have a Counsellor you feel comfortable with - it makes a huge difference.

Will check the thread as frequently as I can - at the moment, I'm taking things one day at a time. I've started journalling again, which has provided some structure - always helps me to put my feelings into words.

Stay strong and hope to hear from you soon. LH