Posted by Monica Caillet on April 11, 1998 at 21:32:44:

In Reply to: I have had insomnia for 20 years... posted by jasmine on April 11, 1998 at 02:06:10:

I, too, have suffered from insomnia all of my life. I go in "spurts" - sometimes months at a time, sometimes days at a time, that it's impossible to get more than 3 hours of sleep per day. I've tried all the old remedies, but few work. The later it gets, the wider-eyed I become.

Here are a few things that have worked at times:

Use a sound machine. I received one as a gift to help with my Tinnutis, but it also seems to help with the Insomnia. It at least lets me relax sooner, which sometimes helps me to fall asleep.

Try "St. John's Wort" (herb). Supposed to actually pick you up during the day. I've found it to actually have a "calming" effect, which aids in my getting to sleep quicker at night.

Do not bathe or shower shortly before bed. A lot of people think this will relax them; however, I've found that usually it will wake an insomniac even more.

If you doze off somewhere other than your bed, do not move! Warn everyone in the house, that if you fall asleep anywhere at all, that unless you're in danger of hurting yourself, do not disturb! For some reason, insomniacs often can fall asleep while watching TV on the couch or chair; some well-intentioned household member usually always tries to wake them up to go to bed. There is a new rule in my house-no disturbing me if I doze off, no matter what. Sometimes, its the only way I can get more than 2-3 hours of sleep. I usually wake up on my own sooner or later, anyway.

Don't fight the insomnia. Get up and do something, anything, to break up the thoughts keeping you from sleeping. Try again in an hour or so. Get on the computer, read, listen to music, study, anything but toss and turn for hours. The more frustrated you become, the less sleep you will actually get.

Hope some of these help.

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