For all you insomniacs who should be sleeping...?

Write any random thoughts that are keeping you awake.
Or write why insomnia sucks so much.
Or write about your life as an insomniac.

I'm almost 20 years old. I was diagnosed with insomnia when I was around 15 years old. It really sucks having insomnia when you're in nursing school. You don't go to bed until about 2 or 3 in the morning but you have to be up and at the hospital for clinicals by 6:45AM. No matter how tired I am, once my head hits the pillow I am wide awake. My mind starts racing and a million incoherent thoughts are running through my head at once. I can't concentrate on just one. I get up and turn the lights on....and the thoughts disappear. I study for a while or read to make myself tired again....but once my head hits the pillow it's the same thing repeating itself. I HATE IT! I was on sleeping pills for a while, but the doctor took me off so I wouldn't be addicted. I'm immune to OTC sleep aids now because I take them so much. Now I just don't sleep...

The only things that have ever helped me are to get up and physically write on paper every random piece of info that comes to mind. Sometimes I sit and write for 5 minutes, sometimes it's almost 2 hours. When I completely empty my brain I get worn out and knock myself right out. I was even thinking lately of writing a book about it. I would call it "Completely Meaningless Ramblings of and Insomniac" or "The Insomnia Files" or "Diary of a Teenage Insomniac"... What do you think? And don't steal my idea! lol

i would buy that book!

that is an excellent idea! (writing thoghts down, i mean, to go to sleep) i usually lay awake for hours just thinking. ill try that tonite.

I feel ya there.

Same thing, different story.

Except, I haven't ever had OTC or RX sleeping pills...I don't like drugs (medicinal or illegal) in my system because I am HYPER-sensitive to them.

I should add, I've never used illegal drugs...had to edit that, it sounded bad. hahaha

Baby benadryl will knock me out for 12 hours flat, so I just can't even consider a sleeping med!

My insomnia started about 10 years ago as a 911 dispatcher pulling 48 hour shifts, sometimes 72, straight, for 5 years straight.

I've been taking some diet pills that give me energy so they keep me awake. It sucks!

I get SO bored when I'm up all night. I'm lucky enough to have a job that I can work from home with, and one I can come in late with so that is good.

My mind races too. I usually give up after 20 minutes of lying in bed and move to the couch to watch TV, or the comptuer to get some work done.

Every sleeping pill I've ever taken hasn't worked. I know I should try an anti-anxiety pill, but I'm not up for that.

I know what you mean about being immune to the OTC sleep aids. I used to love my Benadryl when I first started taking it. What a wonderful night of sleep that used to be! Sigh....

oh how i can relate... when u find a solution let me know... i walk around all the time exhausted but yet the minute i hit that pillow its over...im wide awake and second burst of energy... one thing that does work for me... my hubby takes me on drives... i sit and relax starring out the window and i actually fall asleep until the car stops.....

My friend who's brother is a psychiatrist told me that taking calcium right before bed helps her get a good night's sleep. I gave it a try and it's true. Even if I had coffee at dinner, if I take a calcium supplement that night I sleep perfectly fine. Good luck to you. Sleep is important.
Oh, and another thing. In the 90s there was a report that the scent of lavendar was as effective as a sleeping pill. Get a bit of the dried herb to keep in your pajama drawer, or buy a quality lotion with lavendar scent in it. Apply it only at the time you want to go to sleep. Creating a sensual ritual will help you relax enough to go to sleep.

Hi, for personal problems in my life since i was younger i am having trouble sleeping. I've never take pills because i am very scare to get addicted. I recommend you to try to get off them, maybe try natural ways like herbs tea or respiration exercises. That helps, I think lol. Well, here trying to suvive without sleeping like you. Wish you luck and sweet dreams!!!!

I'm where you guys are almost every night- not sleeping. I don't get the racing thoughts through my mind anymore. Have any of you had a sleep study done to see what goes on in your brain at night? That can provide some helpful info to doctors. Also, routine is very important when you can't sleep- same thing, evernight- so your body gets used to it- etc. There's lots of helpful info out there about it.
For those who can't take meds- maybe something like acupuncture could work. And, check the doctor to see if there isn't another underlying problem- like a thyroid issue, or depression or bipolar disorder or something you don't know about. Finally, you may need a prescribed sleep med for some nights when you really just cant's eleep at all.

It sounds to me like your going through a little bout of anxiety. Those are called panic attacks. I imagine your mind is racing around that time and it won't slow down to rest. What you can do is try some 5-htp 50mg which is just a very safe herbal form of Triptiphan the stuff that comes from eating a turkey that makes you sleepy. Or Melatonin about 3-5mg. They can be taken right before bed. They are totally safe and sold in the vitamin section of Walgreens or whatever pharmacy in your area. Naturopaths recommend these to patients and they do work without any side effects just don't go over the recommended dosages. The 5-Htp will ease the anxious feeling that keeps you from sleeping.

Oh! and none of these herbal remedies cause addiction.