Freethought & Rationalism Archive

christ-on-a-stick · 02-05-2003, 12:23 AM

Hey Me and Me (hmmm.. who's the "other" Me?!?!?)

I hear ya... my husband works nights (7pm-7am) and it's a bitch for him trying to get on a regular schedule when he has a stretch of days off. He usually has no problem sleeping during the day, but once in a while it gets his rythms all *effed* up. I don't envy that.

And he is addicted to coffee too

Although, so am I and I don't have an excuse...

Godless Dave · 02-05-2003, 05:45 AM

Yep, OTC sleep aids are just antihistamines. Nytol and Sominex are diphenhydramine, the same drug as Benadryl (but cost more). In my life-long bout with allergies I've tried just about every OTC antihistamine there is. They all make me sleepy but it's not a restful sleep. I usually wake up groggy.

Too much alcohol will actually make it harder for you to fall asleep.

brighid · 02-05-2003, 06:08 AM

Christ on a Stick -

I am a fellow insomniac! One thing the sleep experts recommend is NOT drinking alcohol before bed. I can't remember why, but it screws up your ability to sleep.

I teach kickboxing two nights a week, from 7-8 pm, but by time I get some running or weight training in after and get home it's about 9 pm. Then, although physically exhausted, my brain is WIDE AWAKE and sleep can be elusive.

So I embark on a ritual that seems to help me and perhaps it can help you too. I don't drink any wine, even if I really would like a glass. I eat a light meal (because I am STARVING by 9:30 pm) with a lean protein, some salad and a piece of fruit. I can't sleep if I am hungry. Last night was some roasted chicken, romaine hearts, cucumbers, and an orange. I accompany the light meal with either a big mug of Sweet Dreams Tea, or one with Valerian Root (I think it's called Nighty Night) but it is has a mint blend in it that makes the disgusting taste of Valerian almost indistinguishable. You can find Sweet Dreams (I think by Bigelow) at most grocery stores and the other in the Health Food section of the same store, or at a store specializing in organic and health food. I take a long, hot shower and if need be a melatonin. Melantonin seems to always work when I can't sleep, but take it about an hour or so before you WANT to in bed by.

Also, I try and not watch any show or read any book that in controversial so I am not pissed off and thinking too much before bed. I DON'T go on the computer because I know I will get sucked into ii and I will never sleep.

I am usually asleep by 11:30. I have to get up around 5 am, so those nights I don't get alot of sleep, but 4.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep is better then 8 hours of crappy sleep.

Brighid

Infinity Lover · 02-05-2003, 09:33 AM

Isn't staring at your alarmclock, noticing how you're left with less and less time available for sleep, fun though.

MollyMac · 02-05-2003, 09:49 AM

Two things often help me. Burning lavender oil in the bedroom and watching a very carefully selected TV programme in bed. This is usually a serious history or nature programme that I've videod earlier - a programme that interests me but doesn't get me going in any way. Comedies, thrillers and any kind of political debates are definitely out. If I'm genuinely tired I'll usually drift off about half way through the programme.

Duck! · 02-05-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

You can find a description of the plant Valerian here.

Thanks. Most helpful.

Quote:

Otherwise, a word of warning on sleeping pills (not valerian !), especially barbituates:

You should never take sleeping pills longer than 2 weeks, otherwise you run risks of paradoxical reactions, addiction, depression and other side-effects.

Yeah, I'd heard bad things about barbs. I'm not particularly interested in drug addiction or depression.

Duck!

Me and Me · 02-05-2003, 01:41 PM

Christ on a stick

Me and Me is a take off of my screen name on a boxing website that I post at, there my name is I and I. That is why on the pic link to my pic is I and I. (on the thread where people post their pics.)

thebeave · 02-05-2003, 07:29 PM

Don't forget the "2000 page sleeping pill" (Bible).

Castaway · 02-05-2003, 08:28 PM

Hello COAS.

I also have trouble sleeping so I'll add my personal experiences, just in case they might help you.

Valerian did not help me. Valerian not only smells bad, it tastes really BAD. At least to me. I tried it for three or four nights with no effect. The package insert said Valerian took time to build up effectiveness and suggested at least a week's trial. I was not patient enough to wait so I tried Sominex. Sominex helped some. I could sleep a little but I found it hard to wake up and my head felt "slow" and "heavy" every morning. I also found that when I stopped taking Sominex, falling asleep was harder than before.

I tried physical activity, exercise and work, and that helps but only if I can get really tired, almost exhausted. When I could get really tired, I slept beautifully.

Currently, I try mind games and that works the best for me so far. I story myself to sleep. I try to tell myself a story, usually something relaxing. The story has to be inside my mind only. No books, no television, no radio. Also, I have to be where I can sleep comfortably and not have to move to go to bed. I sleep when I cross the line from the story to the dream.

Castaway

02-05-2003, 08:28 PM	#39
Castaway Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Midway Posts: 47	Out of sync Hello COAS. I also have trouble sleeping so I'll add my personal experiences, just in case they might help you. Valerian did not help me. Valerian not only smells bad, it tastes really BAD. At least to me. I tried it for three or four nights with no effect. The package insert said Valerian took time to build up effectiveness and suggested at least a week's trial. I was not patient enough to wait so I tried Sominex. Sominex helped some. I could sleep a little but I found it hard to wake up and my head felt "slow" and "heavy" every morning. I also found that when I stopped taking Sominex, falling asleep was harder than before. I tried physical activity, exercise and work, and that helps but only if I can get really tired, almost exhausted. When I could get really tired, I slept beautifully. Currently, I try mind games and that works the best for me so far. I story myself to sleep. I try to tell myself a story, usually something relaxing. The story has to be inside my mind only. No books, no television, no radio. Also, I have to be where I can sleep comfortably and not have to move to go to bed. I sleep when I cross the line from the story to the dream. Castaway

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02-05-2003, 12:23 AM	#31
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Hey Me and Me (hmmm.. who's the "other" Me?!?!?) I hear ya... my husband works nights (7pm-7am) and it's a bitch for him trying to get on a regular schedule when he has a stretch of days off. He usually has no problem sleeping during the day, but once in a while it gets his rythms all effed up. I don't envy that. And he is addicted to coffee too Although, so am I and I don't have an excuse...

02-05-2003, 05:45 AM	#32
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Yep, OTC sleep aids are just antihistamines. Nytol and Sominex are diphenhydramine, the same drug as Benadryl (but cost more). In my life-long bout with allergies I've tried just about every OTC antihistamine there is. They all make me sleepy but it's not a restful sleep. I usually wake up groggy. Too much alcohol will actually make it harder for you to fall asleep.

02-05-2003, 06:08 AM	#33
brighid Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: somewhere in the known Universe Posts: 6,993	Christ on a Stick - I am a fellow insomniac! One thing the sleep experts recommend is NOT drinking alcohol before bed. I can't remember why, but it screws up your ability to sleep. I teach kickboxing two nights a week, from 7-8 pm, but by time I get some running or weight training in after and get home it's about 9 pm. Then, although physically exhausted, my brain is WIDE AWAKE and sleep can be elusive. So I embark on a ritual that seems to help me and perhaps it can help you too. I don't drink any wine, even if I really would like a glass. I eat a light meal (because I am STARVING by 9:30 pm) with a lean protein, some salad and a piece of fruit. I can't sleep if I am hungry. Last night was some roasted chicken, romaine hearts, cucumbers, and an orange. I accompany the light meal with either a big mug of Sweet Dreams Tea, or one with Valerian Root (I think it's called Nighty Night) but it is has a mint blend in it that makes the disgusting taste of Valerian almost indistinguishable. You can find Sweet Dreams (I think by Bigelow) at most grocery stores and the other in the Health Food section of the same store, or at a store specializing in organic and health food. I take a long, hot shower and if need be a melatonin. Melantonin seems to always work when I can't sleep, but take it about an hour or so before you WANT to in bed by. Also, I try and not watch any show or read any book that in controversial so I am not pissed off and thinking too much before bed. I DON'T go on the computer because I know I will get sucked into ii and I will never sleep. I am usually asleep by 11:30. I have to get up around 5 am, so those nights I don't get alot of sleep, but 4.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep is better then 8 hours of crappy sleep. Brighid

02-05-2003, 09:33 AM	#34
Infinity Lover Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,047	Isn't staring at your alarmclock, noticing how you're left with less and less time available for sleep, fun though.

02-05-2003, 09:49 AM	#35
MollyMac Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 2,125	Two things often help me. Burning lavender oil in the bedroom and watching a very carefully selected TV programme in bed. This is usually a serious history or nature programme that I've videod earlier - a programme that interests me but doesn't get me going in any way. Comedies, thrillers and any kind of political debates are definitely out. If I'm genuinely tired I'll usually drift off about half way through the programme.

02-05-2003, 01:41 PM	#37
Me and Me Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: California Posts: 600	Christ on a stick Me and Me is a take off of my screen name on a boxing website that I post at, there my name is I and I. That is why on the pic link to my pic is I and I. (on the thread where people post their pics.)

02-05-2003, 07:29 PM	#38
thebeave Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 4,183	Don't forget the "2000 page sleeping pill" (Bible).

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