How to sleep better

[Diosax]

Is it called calm magnesium?

Yes! It's a powder. They have gummies too

https://www.naturalvitality.com/natural-calm

I bought mine at Costco and it was 5 dollars off so I paid like 19 dollars for it.

You drink it at night and it helps you relax which helps you sleep.

The melatonin I use 5mg pills. I've been taking one or other sometimes both. I've been taking them for 3 weeks now and my sleep is improving a lot.

 

[Wonderer67]

Yes! It's a powder. They have gummies too

https://www.naturalvitality.com/natural-calm

I bought mine at Costco and it was 5 dollars off so I paid like 19 dollars for it.

You drink it at night and it helps you relax which helps you sleep.

The melatonin I use 5mg pills. I've been taking one or other sometimes both. I've been taking them for 3 weeks now and my sleep is improving a lot.

Interesting. I do take regular magnesium every night. I was taking melatonin too, but I didn’t see a big diff when I used it. Maybe I’ll try another brand?

My wife had me try velarian last night.

https://www*****extension.com/welln...4ic-qAgJOibOD20fGmqkQwwABo1gBZoBoCm8EQAvD_BwE

 

[fire_breeze]

Several things jump out--your PTSD. Is this managed? While I get being not being a fan of some meds, it may help to calm your brain down as you figure out the tools to manage and work through your PTSD. Not all medication has to be forever (for example, I was on an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety--very low dose--to just get me over a very stressful period and to learn coping skills and then my doc and I worked on getting off of them. This helped me).

Also, I may have missed it, but do you need to pee at 2.30-3.00? You could be drinking too close to bedtime. It's recommended to limit your intake 1-2 hours before.

Personally, I can't take valerian and melatonin because I have a type of hypothyroidism that if I took those supplements, no matter how 'natural', it will wreak havoc on my body. I bring this up because for me, when my thyroid levels are slightly off, it affects my sleep. Have you received a full medical to rule any physical explanation?

I'm also wondering if you may not be a biphasic or a polyphasic sleeper. Many people are, according to a number of researchers (Koslofsky, Ekirch, Wehr). If this is the case, then you may need to slightly adjust, but it would be completely normal. However, to determine if you're a polyphasic sleeper, you would need to eliminate any other possibility for interrupted sleep (medical, psych, noise, etc).

 

[Wonderer67]

Several things jump out--your PTSD. Is this managed? While I get being not being a fan of some meds, it may help to calm your brain down as you figure out the tools to manage and work through your PTSD. Not all medication has to be forever (for example, I was on an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety--very low dose--to just get me over a very stressful period and to learn coping skills and then my doc and I worked on getting off of them. This helped me).

Also, I may have missed it, but do you need to pee at 2.30-3.00? You could be drinking too close to bedtime. It's recommended to limit your intake 1-2 hours before.

Personally, I can't take valerian and melatonin because I have a type of hypothyroidism that if I took those supplements, no matter how 'natural', it will wreak havoc on my body. I bring this up because for me, when my thyroid levels are slightly off, it affects my sleep. Have you received a full medical to rule any physical explanation?

I'm also wondering if you may not be a biphasic or a polyphasic sleeper. Many people are, according to a number of researchers (Koslofsky, Ekirch, Wehr). If this is the case, then you may need to slightly adjust, but it would be completely normal. However, to determine if you're a polyphasic sleeper, you would need to eliminate any other possibility for interrupted sleep (medical, psych, noise, etc).

thanks! Good info. I don’t typically have to urinate when I get up at 2-3. Altho the other night I made myself go and it helped.

I had a full physical exam this last year and everything seems ok there.

Treatment for ptsd, not currently, but have several decent techniques for managing it… breathing, stretching, yoga, which I’ve recently started. Helps, I think. No therapy however, it’s hard to find a therapist or one you click with, so really haven’t looked into too much. Did many years ago tho.

Sleep study is in my future. Looked into it last night. The two places here locally don’t seem very good so may need to broaden the search.

 

[pezzheaddazzler]

Have you tried a weighted blanket my 30 year old son had issues and found that helped, I think hos blanket is like 20 lbs so its a lot more than a heavy quilt.

 

[Wonderer67]

I have tried the weighted blanket, but I’m not a fan. I toss and turn so much because I’m a light sleeper and just doesn’t work for me.

But the good news is that I’ve been trying a sleep CBD for the last week or so and I slept the full night through for four consecutive nights. I will wake up briefly but took the advice to go try to pee was excellent and has helped.

I’ve had four really nice nights of sleep in a row. I thank you all for your advice and input.

 

[the_single_gal_unconfidential]

something that I find helps, is to change sheets frequently. I like clean sheets.
2, 3 days max.

 

[twister947]

I tried the CBD gummies with limited success. THC on the other hand, puts me out like a light. Unfortunately I take some really weird trips on that stuff.

 

[RoperTrace]

Have you ever had a sleep study done on you? My daughter and wife have both had them, and my daughter will be trying a CPAP machine to see if it helps. She has stop-and-go breathing patterns(my terminology) that disturbs her sleep. My wife was borderline, and tried the CPAP, but it was bothersome to wear that mask all night. I've had two hunting buddies, that both took CPAP machines along to our cabin for hunting trips. Lots of folks with sleep problems it seems. Our health insurance paid for my wife's study and the machine, my daughter doesn't have as comprehensive a plan as we had, so she's waiting on how much out of pocket she's facing.

 

[the_single_gal_unconfidential]

yes, I did try weed too - weird dreams haha.
also it interfered with my reading.
I do read, on my kindle - just five dollar murder mystery things. they're lite reads. the kindle is so easy, just lay it down when you get sleepy.
and I'll put on ambient amazon music on my Alexa - for 45 minutes. the music there is sort of hypnotic. helps me sleep.
my problem is waking up. this morn it was 351 when I woke up.

 

[Wonderer67]

THC on the other hand, puts me out like a light.

I’ve been hit or Miss with thc, but it is a little more fun!

Have you ever had a sleep study done on you?
I have one scheduled for February.

my problem is waking up. this morn it was 351 when I woke up.

I routinely wake up betw 2-4. A couple of times this week, I have gotten up and peed, but I had to or not and that seemed to help. Knock on wood, I had a few good nights in a row of really good sleep.

 

[redroses3377]

I thought THC was used to help block the dream state...

 

[RedSilk69]

I’m an insomniac. I rarely sleep through the night. I think I have good sleep habits. I go to bed around the same time every night.

I am 55, I eat well, lots of fruit, veggies, and not too close to bedtime. Im in decent shape and work out 3-4x a week.

I’ve started doing yoga stretches and also meditation before bedtime.

I’ve tried getting high, I’ve tried cbd, melatonin, masturbating when I wake up or go to bed. I’ve tried staying off of my phone and being on my phone.

I am a very light sleeper and also unfortunately have ptsd. I wake up almost every morning at 2-330am.

Any tips or advice you all have on staying asleep or getting back to sleep when you wake up?

So many excellent replies! Two things:

1 - Melatonin is only a short term answer, as your brain can get used to it and stop making its own supply;

2 - A metronome (or a metronome app) can be very helpful

Best of luck. I am also a GenXer facing insomnia as I settle into my fifties; it’s no fun.

 

[the_single_gal_unconfidential]

yippie - 514 this morning.
not a record, but way improved.
what did I do diff, was kept kind of busy yesterday.
o - then earlier in the evening a gentleguy came by and put his cock in me
so nice of him. brand new guy too

 

[hotcpu]

yippie - 514 this morning.
not a record, but way improved.
what did I do diff, was kept kind of busy yesterday.
o - then earlier in the evening a gentleguy came by and put his cock in me
so nice of him. brand new guy too

Happy the right call was made and delivered

 

[Wonderer67]

yippie - 514 this morning.
not a record, but way improved.
what did I do diff, was kept kind of busy yesterday.
o - then earlier in the evening a gentleguy came by and put his cock in me
so nice of him. brand new guy too

did it help you sleep?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

My doctor gave me a script for Trazodone 50mg. It was originally developed as an antidepressant but they found out it was a great sleep aid. I take one at 11:00pm and I'm out by 11:30. My problem was getting to sleep. I still get up because my bladder wakes me up, but I can get back to sleep quickly. The only problem with it is that your body metabolizes it in 6 hours. So, by 5:00am it's out of my system. Usually, I sleep until 8:00am now. Unless, my bladder wakes me up at 4 or so. Then it takes me awhile to get back to sleep and I find myself sleeping until 9 or 10 am.

Luckily, I don't have to be at any special time.

 

[Melissa2]

.

 

[Goldenfinger]

You mentioned having PTSD. I know that pills aren't the answer, but they can temporarily help. There's Prazosin, which helps suppress dreaming so you're not having nightmares and it has a calming effect. It's not an addictive medication.

Someone mentioned lorazepam. 4 mg is a lot and it's addictive. I'd avoid benzodiazepines (lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, etc) and sedatives (zolpidem) for that reason.

I mentioned lorasapam, it’s what the Dr gave me when I had trouble sleeping.They gave it to me for a quick triage, vet + insomnia they think ptsd. yes you are right lorasapam is addictive. They sometimes use hydroxazine to help sleep it kinda quiets the mind. You can get melatonin from the store but I think it’s nasty. It Gave me dry mouth and made it hard to empty my bladder.

 

[Wonderer67]

Hope your sleep has been a little better.
I’ve found yoga before bed , more the gentle kind with the breathing and meditation at the end, being warm at night so I’m not waking because I’m cold, coupled with sleeping naked seems to feel more comfy too. Eating more protein during the day and exercising consistently seem to have helped with good sleeping patterns too. Could be a coincidence but?
And no coffee late at night. (I love coffee)
A friend suggested brown noise. I tried rain sounds etc. mixed results there.

Sleep has been much better the last two weeks-thanks for asking. Not sure if I’d attribute it to my pre bed habits or not.

Still do my yoga and stretching right before bed. That’s been consistent. Still exercising 3-4x/week. Maybe drinking and eating a bit more due to holidays.

Two things I’ve been trying that have seemingly helped: 1. Go to the bathroom when I wake up whether I have to or not. 2. Taking a nighttime cbd (Altho I don’t take it every night, so not sure).

Been averaging 6 - 6.5 hrs of sleep after several months of 3-4 hrs of sleep. Feel pretty good.

Also a big coffee fan but really don’t drink much after mid afternoon if at all.

 

[Wonderer67]

I mentioned lorasapam, it’s what the Dr gave me when I had trouble sleeping.They gave it to me for a quick triage, vet + insomnia they think ptsd. yes you are right lorasapam is addictive. They sometimes use hydroxazine to help sleep it kinda quiets the mind. You can get melatonin from the store but I think it’s nasty. It Gave me dry mouth and made it hard to empty my bladder.

I know my PTSD is an issue. I know I need to address it. I’m gonna try finding a therapist, Altho that seems hard.

I am really against any medications that may change my mood or my body functions. I’m just not a pill person (not judging people who do!) I tried an anti depressant several years ago (Prozac) and it made me just feel dead and hollow and very suicidal. It also affected my sex drive greatly.

I know there are other types of drugs out there, but I am really reluctant to take anything that may impact my mood or me psychologically. I’m a control freak. (May be part of my problems!)

 

[Goldenfinger]

I know my PTSD is an issue. I know I need to address it. I’m gonna try finding a therapist, Altho that seems hard.

I am really against any medications that may change my mood or my body functions. I’m just not a pill person (not judging people who do!) I tried an anti depressant several years ago (Prozac) and it made me just feel dead and hollow and very suicidal. It also affected my sex drive greatly.

I know there are other types of drugs out there, but I am really reluctant to take anything that may impact my mood or me psychologically. I’m a control freak. (May be part of my problems!)

It all comes down to quality of life. If you can get a grip on it without meds, more power to you. The first step is talking to someone. There really is a lot of resources out there to help but they don’t just find you. Talk to your Dr and get a referral to a therapist, find a support group. Just know there are people out there that it’s their job to help, you just need to find them.

 

[Britva415]

I’ve started doing yoga stretches and also meditation before bedtime.

It might be good to do the stretching a while before bedtime.

Stretching can feel relaxing but it can also have a stimulating effect.

Like exercise, consider seeing if it helps at least a couple of hours before bedtime, no later?

 

[Lady2020]

Keep it simple. No distractions.

 

[Wonderer67]

It might be good to do the stretching a while before bedtime.

Stretching can feel relaxing but it can also have a stimulating effect.

Like exercise, consider seeing if it helps at least a couple of hours before bedtime, no later?

Worth a try. Right now I’ve been sleeping really well for the last 1.5 weeks, but if this starts happening, I will try this.

Have you tried just relaxing. Insomnia, sometimes is like a self-fulfilling prophecy: I think I can't sleep, therefore I will not sleep.

I have…. Breathing exercises and meditation in bed. Or even just kyijng there trying to just chill. Unfortunately, it mostly doesn’t work.

But when my next bout of insomnia hits, I will try it. It’s a nice problem to have (no insomnia, right now).