I have been suffering from insomnia for the last two weeks. Between Mighty Mo waking me up in the middle of the night sick and my own whacked out clock waking me up I have been a walking zombie.
Generally speaking most nights I am falling asleep on the couch at 8:30 pm, go to bed at 9pm and then wide awake at 11:45 or midnight. Then I am up all night. Makes training damn near impossible. Not only are my energy levels having massive fluctuations but my body has started to act in kind; upset stomach, twitches, bloodshot eyes. I know those all sound just bizarre but they are fairly benign symptoms.
I had been postponing chemical sleep agents in the hopes that my system would reset normally. I really wanted to get in a run today, so last night I decided to get a good nights sleep by taking my perferred 'legal' sleeping pill, Tylenol PM. Many years ago, before it became illegal I used to take GHB, you know the 'date rape' drug because one capful and it was lights out and the body metabolised it so when you woke up there was no hangover.
But I digress, Tylenol PM. I really wanted a good nights sleep so I took 3, instead of the 2 directed. Twelve hours later I feel like a zombie and because I did not move at all last night my back was in a contorted position and it really hurts today. Really hurts.
I am going to try to figure this stuff out. In the meantime, I hope all of you forgive me for my lack of training posts, since training when done has been terrible efforts not worth the writing.
Do any of you suffer from insominia, when you are up for 20-22 hours a day, day in and day out? 10-15 years ago this was a boast, now its a definite problem.
Update Decmember 12th: Thanks to all who gave solid advise about how to kick this no sleep thing. I have tried to avoid the melatonin and such but will probably now go down that route. I have used it in the past along with many other natural remedies. I honestly think in sleep cases chemicals work just as well as supplements. This does happen quite a bit but usually only for a night or three then it takes me the rest of the week to catch up on sleep and energy levels. Since I upped the training in August, its been dormant. As long as I can sleep on Christmas Eve, Santa won't come to my house if I stay awake.
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8 comments:
What a pain! For me, a hard workout is one of the best ways to ensure a good night's sleep! But sometimes I resort to a little Benadryl now and then, too, but usually my problem is falling asleep, not staying asleep. Have you tried melatonin in the evening? Worth a try, if you haven't. And no caffeine any time after noon, right? Good luck!!
I wish I had some answers for you, although Nancy makes some good suggestions. Valerian root and a dull book might also help.
When I can't sleep I usually adopt a "tough love" strategy. I keep doing whatever I would do anyway, in terms of working out, social commitments, etc, and let my body figure it out. A day or two of that and my body is glad to hit the hay when I say it's time.
But I've never suffered from true clinical insomnia. Maybe you should try to get a referral to a sleep specialist.
I used to have insomnia issues, but very rarely now. I cut caffeine after 11 am. I use melatonin when I travel. Sometimes at home I take Valerian root before bed -- I tend to sleep really well with no grogginess after. One wraning about the Valerian - it has a bad smell - kind of a weird thing for a pill.
ouch, comm.... THREE pills? good grief. when i'm having that kind of sleep deprivation, i'll usually just take the one.. you know, to put me to sleep and then hope that my body takes the hint and stays asleep.
sorry you're having problems with the sleeping. what's stressing you out so much?
I like the new format. Can't say I like the current music. And I'm absolutely no help at all with the insomnia. For the most part, I can sleep like a log. Occasionally, I have bouts of sleeplessness, but they are usually few and far between.
Good luck on the sleep front. Next time, stick to the recommended dosage, eh?
Commodore,
Back in the young days, in University, doing 20-22 hours a day is no problem. Now I avoid it at all cost. In the short run, I gain some advantage but it kills my body in the long run. Plus I can't think if I don't get enough sleep.
Don't worry about training. Take care of your body, yourself and your family. There is no point in worrying about training if the fundamentals (body) is not taken care of.
I wake up at around two...usually it's because my daughter is just getting home (yikes) and/or I am pre-menopausal. This won't help you but might be nice to know that someone out there is awake with you!
Some idea's that used to help me get over multi-days with no sleep.
I would make sure my bedroom was completely. No lights, noises or distractions. No books, music. I would unplug my phone and put a do not disturb sign on my front appartment door handle.
I would stop drinking caffeine at least 6 hours prior to sleep time as well.
Turns out stress, caffiene, too many phone calls and knocks on the door were the problem. Now they trick for me is sleeping and waking at exactly the same time every day.
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