If sleep is for the weak, then I must be Hercules.
Since I started back to work four weeks ago, I've had really horrible insomnia. It's driving me crazy, and maybe y'all can help.
First, some background. I've always been a late-night person; my productivity and mood increase along with the hours on the clock. For years, my routine has been to nap for a few hours after work, then actually sleep from around 2am to 8am (I don't have to leave for work until 8:30, and my morning routine is very efficient.) Plus, I'm still getting eight hours daily, though not in one stretch. Sounds bizarre, but I really prefer that routine. Unfortunately, it's not working anymore; when I finally get in bed and turn off the light, I *can't* fall asleep. I've tried various methods, but nothing seems to help. Last night I went to bed at the usual time, then stared at the ceiling for an hour until I gave up and scrubbed the bathroom, worked on school stuff, and even did some yoga. Finally drifted off at 4am, and now I feel like hell. I'm at my wits' end.
Here's what I've tried since the insomnia started.
-- Going to bed early: Nope. That just gives me extra hours of tossing and turning.
-- Sleeping pills: My doctor prescribed Temazepam. Doesn't work. I liked Ambien, but I can't afford the $50 co-pay. People always suggest warm milk, but I have a mental block against it. (While I can deal with it in cereal, I haven't actually drank a glass of milk since I was 12. It's one of my bizarre quirks. I *want* to drink it, but just looking at a glass makes me recoil in disgust.)
-- Yoga: I downloaded a 15-minute routine specially designed for insomnia. It makes me tired, but it doesn't shut down my brain enough for sleeping. Same thing with some simple stretching exercises.
-- Skipping my after-work naps: Again, this doesn't seem to have an effect when I lie down at night. I thought that maybe my body had become accustomed to a few hours' sleep after work, which was throwing me off later in the evening, but nope. It makes me more tired, but my brain still won't shut down. Plus, I'm usually so tired after work that I *need* a short nap.
-- Caffeine: People always tell me to go easy or eliminate it altogether. Thing is, I'm ridiculously ADD, so caffeine doesn't affect my brain the way it does everyone else. Still, last night I avoided it for several hours before bedtime and went with water instead. Didn't feel any differently.
Another frustrating factor is that once I do fall asleep, I have increasing difficulty *staying* asleep. That's never been a problem before -- in fact, I've always been the world's heaviest sleeper. Ain't nothing waking me up once I drift off. :) Now? Not so much. I even have this problem on the weekends, when I can turn off the alarm and stay in bed as long as I like.
I'm still mostly functional at school, so at least I don't have to deal with teaching while zombie-fied. The insomnia definitely exacts a physical toll, but right now I'm more frustrated than anything. I have an appointment next month for my annual physical, and I'll be discussing this with the doctor. In the meantime, do y'all have suggestions for something I haven't yet tried? At this point I'll try anything.
I know I should skip my nap, but right now I NEED IT. So, I'm off to curl up in bed. If I take a while to reply, hopefully it's because I'm blissfully... asleep. ;)
First, some background. I've always been a late-night person; my productivity and mood increase along with the hours on the clock. For years, my routine has been to nap for a few hours after work, then actually sleep from around 2am to 8am (I don't have to leave for work until 8:30, and my morning routine is very efficient.) Plus, I'm still getting eight hours daily, though not in one stretch. Sounds bizarre, but I really prefer that routine. Unfortunately, it's not working anymore; when I finally get in bed and turn off the light, I *can't* fall asleep. I've tried various methods, but nothing seems to help. Last night I went to bed at the usual time, then stared at the ceiling for an hour until I gave up and scrubbed the bathroom, worked on school stuff, and even did some yoga. Finally drifted off at 4am, and now I feel like hell. I'm at my wits' end.
Here's what I've tried since the insomnia started.
-- Going to bed early: Nope. That just gives me extra hours of tossing and turning.
-- Sleeping pills: My doctor prescribed Temazepam. Doesn't work. I liked Ambien, but I can't afford the $50 co-pay. People always suggest warm milk, but I have a mental block against it. (While I can deal with it in cereal, I haven't actually drank a glass of milk since I was 12. It's one of my bizarre quirks. I *want* to drink it, but just looking at a glass makes me recoil in disgust.)
-- Yoga: I downloaded a 15-minute routine specially designed for insomnia. It makes me tired, but it doesn't shut down my brain enough for sleeping. Same thing with some simple stretching exercises.
-- Skipping my after-work naps: Again, this doesn't seem to have an effect when I lie down at night. I thought that maybe my body had become accustomed to a few hours' sleep after work, which was throwing me off later in the evening, but nope. It makes me more tired, but my brain still won't shut down. Plus, I'm usually so tired after work that I *need* a short nap.
-- Caffeine: People always tell me to go easy or eliminate it altogether. Thing is, I'm ridiculously ADD, so caffeine doesn't affect my brain the way it does everyone else. Still, last night I avoided it for several hours before bedtime and went with water instead. Didn't feel any differently.
Another frustrating factor is that once I do fall asleep, I have increasing difficulty *staying* asleep. That's never been a problem before -- in fact, I've always been the world's heaviest sleeper. Ain't nothing waking me up once I drift off. :) Now? Not so much. I even have this problem on the weekends, when I can turn off the alarm and stay in bed as long as I like.
I'm still mostly functional at school, so at least I don't have to deal with teaching while zombie-fied. The insomnia definitely exacts a physical toll, but right now I'm more frustrated than anything. I have an appointment next month for my annual physical, and I'll be discussing this with the doctor. In the meantime, do y'all have suggestions for something I haven't yet tried? At this point I'll try anything.
I know I should skip my nap, but right now I NEED IT. So, I'm off to curl up in bed. If I take a while to reply, hopefully it's because I'm blissfully... asleep. ;)