Any lite sleepers?

[human_male]

I'm a really lite sleeper. A car going past outside is enough to wake me up. I used to sleep with ear plugs in but recently I seem to have developed an inner ear problem. What happens is my ears feel blocked, or I might feel a pressure in my head for a few days, then suddenly they clear and I get really, really dizzy then really, really violently ill. The first time it happened it lasted two hours and I was fine. This last time it was two days ago and I'm still not right. The doctor said it sounds like an inner ear infection but there's no sign of infection, but the ear plugs couldn't cause it. I'm so afraid of it happening again (it really was horrible) I stopped wearing the ear plugs just to be on the safe side. But now I can't sleep.

I was wondering if anyone is in a similar situation and if you've found anything to help. Playing a certain type of music or something? White noise? Anything like that?

Thanks very much.

 

[jeepman6]

I'm a really lite sleeper. A car going past outside is enough to wake me up. I used to sleep with ear plugs in but recently I seem to have developed an inner ear problem. What happens is my ears feel blocked, or I might feel a pressure in my head for a few days, then suddenly they clear and I get really, really dizzy then really, really violently ill. The first time it happened it lasted two hours and I was fine. This last time it was two days ago and I'm still not right. The doctor said it sounds like an inner ear infection but there's no sign of infection, but the ear plugs couldn't cause it. I'm so afraid of it happening again (it really was horrible) I stopped wearing the ear plugs just to be on the safe side. But now I can't sleep.

I was wondering if anyone is in a similar situation and if you've found anything to help. Playing a certain type of music or something? White noise? Anything like that?

Thanks very much.

I would suggest that you might want to see an inner ear specialist. It could be something like labrynthitis or something more sever like meniers disease. Both can cause dizziness and throw off your equillibrium as well. My ex has meniers which comes on suddenly and made her violently ill for a couple of days. Whatever it may be I would definitely have it checked out with an ear specialist.

 

[fire_breeze]

I'm a really lite sleeper. A car going past outside is enough to wake me up. I used to sleep with ear plugs in but recently I seem to have developed an inner ear problem. What happens is my ears feel blocked, or I might feel a pressure in my head for a few days, then suddenly they clear and I get really, really dizzy then really, really violently ill. The first time it happened it lasted two hours and I was fine. This last time it was two days ago and I'm still not right. The doctor said it sounds like an inner ear infection but there's no sign of infection, but the ear plugs couldn't cause it. I'm so afraid of it happening again (it really was horrible) I stopped wearing the ear plugs just to be on the safe side. But now I can't sleep.

I was wondering if anyone is in a similar situation and if you've found anything to help. Playing a certain type of music or something? White noise? Anything like that?

I am a light sleeper. Incredibly light. Luckily however, I have become used to certain noises so that I either sleep through it or I don't fully wake up and can go back to sleep. However, they have to be around the same time, or else forget about it (for example, if a roommate moves around earlier, then I'm up).

My doctor wanted to prescribe me meds to sleep but I declined. I'm terrified of being knocked out and not waking up when the alarm rings so I declined. What I do is that I keep a regular (ish lately, unfortunately) sleep pattern, and I make damn sure I'm exhausted when I'm going to bed. Also, I play some white noise or soothing New Age-y nature CD which trained me to wake up to noise louder than that. I also try to be completely relaxed when I go to sleep; I found that when I'm anxious, I wake up easier.

If all else fails, Valerian root can help some, but I'm not a fan of taking anything (herbal or otherwise) except when necessary. However, that is just me. I guess I just got used to it.

As for the inner ear thing, get a second opinion or go to a specialist. If you feel that you're not okay, then in all likelihood, you're not. It may be something else than an infection, and it might take a couple of go's before it's discovered. Once could be a fluke. Twice is something.

Good luck.

 

[fgarvb1]

Well.

Been there, Done that!

And at one point in my life my mind was in such turmoil i could not shut down my inner dialog enough to GO to sleep..not to mention an ant farting in Africa would wake me up!

NOT Cool.

So what did I do about it.

Some things that helped.

Easy on the caffeine.

Work or excise to exhaustion.

And something a little different that helped a lot was a combination relaxation on one side/self hypnosis Relaxation tape on the other. Took about two weeks to really kick in but after a while I could drop into a restful sleep by counting backward slowly from 100 or drift off listening to the gentle sounds of the ocean.

Worth every fucking Penny!

Good sex before sleep helps too.

 

[Shadowann2]

Well.

Been there, Done that!

And at one point in my life my mind was in such turmoil i could not shut down my inner dialog enough to GO to sleep..not to mention an ant farting in Africa would wake me up!

NOT Cool.

So what did I do about it.

Some things that helped.

Easy on the caffeine.

Work or excise to exhaustion.

And something a little different that helped a lot was a combination relaxation on one side/self hypnosis Relaxation tape on the other. Took about two weeks to really kick in but after a while I could drop into a restful sleep by counting backward slowly from 100 or drift off listening to the gentle sounds of the ocean.

Worth every fucking Penny!

Good sex before sleep helps too.

This always helps me!!!!!

 

[fgarvb1]

This always helps me!!!!!

Do doubt about it! ( LOL! I was going on memory!)


As for Relaxation something like one of these I suppose nowadays.



http://www.hazelden.org/itemquest/search.view?srch=Y&start=0&=&kw=relaxation

 

[PertPerth]

I am a light sleeper. Incredibly light. Luckily however, I have become used to certain noises so that I either sleep through it or I don't fully wake up and can go back to sleep. However, they have to be around the same time, or else forget about it (for example, if a roommate moves around earlier, then I'm up).

That's the trick. It takes dedication to train yourself to "stay asleep". Try whatever works for you - just don't get out of bed if you think you've got a chance of drifting back to sleep. Try not to go to bed with things going through your mind. If you need to, make a list. Make sure your room isn't too hot/cold. Go to bed and wake up at the same time. Really, it's all about setting a routine, then the noises don't matter so much - you'll be able to sleep through it.
I'm not a huge fan of pills, but something like valerian might help you get into a good routine. Or even herbal tea or warm milk. What ever works for you - you just need to try things out!

I still wake up a lot, but now I go back to sleep instantly, so I feel refreshed in the morning (rather than tired and grumpy as I used to be!!)

Good luck and sweet dreams

 

[NippleMuncher]

First off, it does sound like you've got an inner ear issue. Regardless of what the doctors are saying, I would recommend dipping a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and swabbing your ear with it, leaving behind a plentiful amount of peroxide. This is going to do two things, it will kill any active bacteria and infection in the ear, and it will work as a surfactant to break loose and remove wax build up. I do this regularly, several times a week after a shower as part of normal hygiene. When I miss a few days my ears itch and have excessive amounts of wax.

Secondly, your ears, nose, and throat are interconnected. You may want to consider using a netti pot to flush your sinuses, which will in turn help to rid the ear canals of pressure, plugs, and issues.

Thirdly, there is a technique called "oil pulling" where you swish oil - preferably coconut oil - in your mouth for 15 to 20 minute, morning and night. This not only cleanses the mouth of bacteria and issues, it helps to clear the nasal passages and in turn the ear canals.

Lastly, both caffeine and alcohol will affect your breathing and sleep patterns. Reduce or give up both for a period of one week and see if that makes a difference. The caffeine alone will most assuredly make a difference. Caffeine is in iced tea, coffee, chocolate, soda, and a myriad of other common drinks and foods, so while coffee might be your #1 source, it does come in all shapes and colors of food and drink.

 

[Eilan]

For years, I've needed to use a fan or white noise machine while I sleep.

I've had sleep issues in the past. Right now, thanks to heavy weights, intense cardio, and melatonin, I fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.

 

[PertPerth]

For years, I've needed to use a fan or white noise machine while I sleep.

Yup. Works like a charm for me when the neighbours have loud music going - even if I can still hear the music!

 

[human_male]

Thanks very much for all the helpful comments. I seem to have adapted a bit after a few days not using the plugs. I can sleep through the night, I just get awakened rather early with all the early morning activity going on in the house and out in the street. I just have to go to bed earlier I suppose.

I've tried having a fan going but that didn't really do anything. I also never touch caffine anyway and don't usually have trouble getting off to sleep.

I'm still feeling off after my "episode" on Sunday. Minor dizziness and discomfort in my head but nothing like on Sunday. I'm hoping it's just a residual effect and will go away shortly. It never occured to me to talk to a specialist but I will if my ears feel blocked again or I have another serious bout of dizziness, so thanks jeepman.

I don't usually make such a drama about being ill but it was frankly the worst thing I've ever experienced.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Eilan]

I'm still feeling off after my "episode" on Sunday. Minor dizziness and discomfort in my head but nothing like on Sunday. I'm hoping it's just a residual effect and will go away shortly. It never occured to me to talk to a specialist but I will if my ears feel blocked again or I have another serious bout of dizziness, so thanks jeepman.

You might want to look into the Epley maneuver. My father-in-law had some dizziness issues recently and the doc (I'm thinking he or she was an ENT specialist) did this and he felt better instantly.