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I CAN'T SLEEP! CAN SOMEONE GIVE TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP.

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Posted 1/22/2011 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't slept in about a week.  I've had this issue before but never this bad.  I can't shut my mind down.  I go to bed exhausted only to feel anxiety kick in the minute I try to sleep.  I toss and turn until I can't stand it anymore and I get up at about 4:00 a.m.  I'm so tired all day I can't function.

Can anyone give me suggestions on things I can do to help myself.  Thanks...Willie

Posted 1/22/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I only know of medications that I have taken - Amitriptyline, Trazadone, and Xanax. The Xanax would put me to sleep but you have to be very very still. no matter how uncomfortable you are just close your eyes and don't move. Actual sleeping meds like nyquil or other rx sleeping pills would work or me but they can have just as many if not more side effects. Net net - I have only had success w/ xanax for sure.
Posted 1/22/2011 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
Health food or vitamin store..look for L Theanine
100mg natural mood relaxer.
take 2 before bed.
Helps me get a decent...not a full 8 hr...........sleep
Posted 1/22/2011 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Willie,
Hang in there, there are things to do! One of my biggest issues is non-restorative sleep. You most likely need to spruce up what is known as your "sleep hygiene".

Here is a good article about sleep hygiene;

www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm

A lot of the LLMD's treatment stratedgies that I have read place a great deal of importance on taking naps during the day. I, for one, cannot take naps during the day if I want any hope of resting well at night - well, unless I have the flu (like the last two days!!!).

Something I don't see recommended often is the use of lavender oil in & around the bed. This was the final piece of my sleep hygiene that I couldn't do without.
Of course you will want to use the highest quality oil you can afford, but any is better than none as far as my body was concerned!

If these things don't start working soon, you will need to talk to your doc about getting some medications to help. I actually have to take several pills every night -on top of all of the sleep hygiene things I have mentioned here. Not only Melatonin (10 mgs.), but magnesium, and a 'script for Trazadone as well - other wise I only sleep 3 -4 hrs a day.

I'm really glad you started asking about getting some sleep, as this remains one of the key points in healing. The body must have good sleep in order to heal & repair itself.

I hope you start getting some rest soon!!
Posted 1/22/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have found magnesium and potassium at bedtime to be helpful. I also do deep breathing techniques where you just breath in until your chest expands and then breath out. It is very relaxing and I usually fall asleep. I have also read to imagine yourself floating in water and believe it or not, it has worked for me on occasion.
Posted 1/23/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Willie,

Try taking GABA 1/2 hour before you go to bed.  I take it with Melatonin 1.5 mg SL and it has worked wonders for me something the Melatonin did not do on it's own.

Good Luck, KO

Posted 1/24/2011 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have a few that I take when I cannot sleep. One is called Muscle Calm but the ingredients that help me sleep are Valerien root and skullcap. Brain Plus is also a good one. You could probably find something good at your local health food store. When none of those help me, I take a klonopin but I usually try the natural remedies first.
Posted 1/24/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!

This forum is such a great resource. I'm grateful for all of your responses. While I can't try them all at once, I'm glad to have all the options ....................Willie
Posted 1/24/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Willie,

I just re-read your post, GABA will help quiet your mind and thoughts so you can get some sleep.  I would start with that first, I've tried just about all the things that people have suggested over the years and GABA along with Melatonin is the first thing that has worked well.

Take Care, KO

Posted 1/24/2011 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Willie!
One thing that did double duty for me a long time was the Epsom salts detox baths. See the "New to Lyme" post at the beginning of this forum.
It is very effective and I integrated it into my sleep hygiene pattern. Have everything done for the day, crawl into the tub and then go directly to bed.
I live in Iowa, the winters are cold and I get terribly chilled. It helps warm me up, relax my nerves, detox and achieve more restful sleep.
Zzzzzzz's to you!
Carol Jean Lyma Bean
Posted 1/24/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CarolJeanLymaBean!!
Love your screen name!! Welcome to our forum!!! I am so glad you found us! From your post I gather that you already have your diagnosis, but how long have you been infected? Do you know if you have any co-infections?

I see that you have already read the New to Lyme post!! Giggle!! you took away part of my greeting!! smilewinkgrin I always use my welcome post to suggest that new member read it!!

It would be really great if you would start a new post & introduce yourself - even just a few lines- so that our other members - who might not notice a new members' post on an established thread- can welcome you as well!!

We are happy to have you here as part of our little group!! The more the merrier when it comes to figuring out stuff with tick-borne infections!!
Posted 1/26/2011 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Willie,

I just saw a commercial on TV and thought about you. There is a natural sleep aid that they sell in stores called Alteril. You can google it if you want more information on it. It has Valerian root, L-Tryptophan and Melatonin in it. I've tried both Valerin root and L-Tryptophan and they both helped get me to sleep. It looks like a great natural sleep aid. Maybe you could give it a try. The only thing you should not mix with L-Tryptophan is anti-depressants, nerve pills or Tramadol since these medications combined can cause serotonin symdrome and can slow down your breathing.
Posted 1/26/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for thinking of me CajunGrl! That sounds like something I would like to try.................Willie
Posted 1/27/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
My husband suffers from lyme and we found that if he cuts out all sugar, eat small amount of high fiber carbs only and takes 5htp before bed it helps him sleep better.
Posted 1/27/2011 7:44 PM (GMT 0)

hi willie, and all... i feel late to this (hiatal attatck)

i SO relate. i feel my whole life revolves around what it takes, and it changes. i've tried many of the ideas listed.

for clearing mind, i have used white chestnut BACH FLOWER.

lavedar oil is real good to dab on wrists, ears and forehead too.

allternate nostril breathing, as in my other post,  really does help to make the mind switch gears from that fight/flight mode.

i do use 5HTP, but sometimes capsules are hard for me.

hot as you can take it epsom salt bath, (with llavendar oil!) then fall in bed.

for me, valerian is STIMULANT!

i do use melatonin. they say rocking chairs make you produce melatonin too. i believe bent wood THONETs are the best! .

my best help is with sculcap powder herb.

make an infusion to drink thru the nite. the trick is to make it stong enough, (1-2 tsp/2cups water?) to only have to get up and pee once or twice......

in the good ol' days, the good burn of a 3-4 mile hike to the river with my dogs would ensure a good knock out.

good luck willie, stay posted...

Posted 1/27/2011 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks bauhaus!

I especially love the lavender oil and rocking chair ideas! I felt relaxed just imagining it. I look forward to trying them to see what works best.

Thanks again for sharing what works best for you..............Willie
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