Sleep

Nonexistent or broken up. Never wake feeling refreshed since initial symptoms in 2014. I even moved to a 2nd shift position so I could make it to work(sleep wasnt the major issue then, morning pain and stiffnesd were). It seems now that im on 2nd, a 3rd shift position would suit better. I make a move to align with sleep patterns(if a pattern truly existed) and insomnia moves right along with me.

One things not helping. The neighbor down stairs still has Cristmas lights up hanging loosely, and when the wind blows, which is all the time, its like someones tapping on my apartment with a baseball bat for hours at a time. Im about ready to meet him at his door and wrap the lights around his neck! Hopefully I can convince the property manager to either take them down or fasten them in such a way to stop the noise.

Im starting back up on abx this week after a couple weeks off herbs. Is there anything not too harsh on the body and wont make me wake drowsy that I can take? Chamomile tea, sometimes with a shot of hard stuff, isnt helping at all.

Thank you.

Each of us is different (different brain chemicals in need of support), so you will have to keep trying different combinations until you find one that works for you.

This is what works for me:
Celestial Seasonings 'Sleepy time' tea or Bigelow's 'Sweet Dreams' tea
Valerian
magnesium
melatonin
Tryptophan

I have learned to sleep with music softly playing to cover noises outside

I have a sleep mask in case the light is too much, even with "black out" curtains in my bedroom (light sneaks in sometimes anyway).

And a "clean sleep hygiene routine"

Have you had your adrenals tested recently? This may also be an issue for you, and the only way to know is to have a 4 point saliva test done to see where and how much cortisol they are putting out thorough out the day (which is why it needs to be tested 4 times in one day). Just a thought.

Traveler, could Trader treat his adrenals without testing, without messing with his thyroid function?

I'm just wondering about an adjustment in diet and/or adrenal supporting herbs.

I use a melatonin spray. The one I use is made by RediSorb. I haven't found where you can buy it direct, but maybe Amazon or another site might have it. I bought it from my doctor.

Nyquil and melatonin do the trick for me.

I also found out the chinese skullcap increases natural melatonin while also breaking up biofilm. Had a good night's sleep on it last night.

Yup. They were off just a bit the last test and the doc wanted to keep me at 75mcg but I convinced him to bump it up to 88. 5 weeks now, but I havent retested. Should be ok, but probably not a bad idea to double check.

julymorning said...
Traveler, could Trader treat his adrenals without testing, without messing with his thyroid function?

I'm just wondering about an adjustment in diet and/or adrenal supporting herbs.

Trader already said he's had his adrenals tested and they were fine, but for those still wondering about this, the answer is no. It is NOT safe to treat the adrenals without testing to make sure that they NEED treatment. Adrenals in overdrive will burn them out, leaving the person in the same boat as I'm in and believe me, it's interfering with my treatment horribly!! I can't allow my body to get stressed, so herxing will hit my adrenals as well as being miserable with increased symptoms - plus then I have to go back and work on gaining the "lost ground" with my adrenals. It's a really vicious cycle to get stuck in.

It's really, really worth paying for testing, even if it's not covered by insurance.

Both. It started with cant stay asleep, then migrated to not being able to get to sleep.