Comments on: Sleep, I Need Sleep http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/ blah blah blah from the northwest side Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:34:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Barb http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6043 Barb Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:49:46 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6043 You've described what I go through, exactly. And it's so frustrating -- and yes, naps make me feel worse when I wake up but sometimes it's so hard to keep my eyes open! I do think the time change and winter season have something to do with it because this seems to happen every year. Usually, the depression gets worse, but I agree with what the pdoc said recently: that the anxiety is driving the depression rather than the other way around. I mean, really, who wouldn't feel just a tad "down in the dumps" if they aren't getting the rest they need? Since we got back from vacation I've had trouble leaving my apartment again. But this year I'm finally going to get a lightbox so hopefully that'll help. Thanks for commenting, and I fixed your link so it goes to your blog. :-) You’ve described what I go through, exactly. And it’s so frustrating — and yes, naps make me feel worse when I wake up but sometimes it’s so hard to keep my eyes open!

I do think the time change and winter season have something to do with it because this seems to happen every year. Usually, the depression gets worse, but I agree with what the pdoc said recently: that the anxiety is driving the depression rather than the other way around. I mean, really, who wouldn’t feel just a tad “down in the dumps” if they aren’t getting the rest they need?

Since we got back from vacation I’ve had trouble leaving my apartment again. But this year I’m finally going to get a lightbox so hopefully that’ll help.

Thanks for commenting, and I fixed your link so it goes to your blog. :-)

]]> By: Barb http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6042 Barb Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:39:39 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6042 *sigh* I've tried so many different medications over the years for sleep. Ambien was too weak, as was Lunesta; Restoril gave me suicidal thoughts and I was far from depressed at the time; trazodone works best. I've taken anywhere from 25mg to 150mg. All of the meds I take that could possibly make me sleepy I take at night. The pdoc currently thinks that it's the anxiety that's hindering my sleep rather than depression. Although I can alternately barely keep my eyes open and feel like I'm crawling out of my skin, I'm certain we'll find something that works. I forgot about this, but I actually have mild sleep apnea. I had a series of tests done a few years ago. You can read one of the posts <a href="http://bloggochicago.com/2006/02/16/sleep-study-results/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>, if you want. I even took pictures! :lol: *sigh* I’ve tried so many different medications over the years for sleep. Ambien was too weak, as was Lunesta; Restoril gave me suicidal thoughts and I was far from depressed at the time; trazodone works best. I’ve taken anywhere from 25mg to 150mg.

All of the meds I take that could possibly make me sleepy I take at night. The pdoc currently thinks that it’s the anxiety that’s hindering my sleep rather than depression.

Although I can alternately barely keep my eyes open and feel like I’m crawling out of my skin, I’m certain we’ll find something that works.

I forgot about this, but I actually have mild sleep apnea. I had a series of tests done a few years ago. You can read one of the posts here, if you want. I even took pictures! :lol:

]]> By: Waco http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6038 Waco Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:02:44 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6038 I know what you mean about waking up "in a knotted ball of muscle". Sometimes my body tells me what's going on even before my thinking or mood does. I go through periods where I wake up grinding my teeth, and with my fists clenched (whole body, really) - sore muscles all day long. For some reasons, naps make me ga-ga. I always wake up from a nap feeling more tired than when I laid down. Maybe the change of seasons is impacting your REM sleep. Have you tried getting more sunlight? I know that sounds kind of silly, but I do sleep a lot better when I getting outside for 30 minutes or more during the day. I know what you mean about waking up “in a knotted ball of muscle”. Sometimes my body tells me what’s going on even before my thinking or mood does. I go through periods where I wake up grinding my teeth, and with my fists clenched (whole body, really) – sore muscles all day long. For some reasons, naps make me ga-ga. I always wake up from a nap feeling more tired than when I laid down.

Maybe the change of seasons is impacting your REM sleep. Have you tried getting more sunlight? I know that sounds kind of silly, but I do sleep a lot better when I getting outside for 30 minutes or more during the day.

]]> By: crazybeanrider http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6021 crazybeanrider Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:12:08 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6021 I have finally been able to get some sleep. I take 900mgs of seroquel at bedtime. It has been working pretty good. Before I was lucky to sleep 4 hours. Now I sleep about 8 and only wake once or twice in the night. Sleep is so important. I notice a huge difference in my mood when I get sleep. Have you tried a different medication for sleep? I hope you find some comfort. .-= crazybeanrider´s last blog ..<a href="http://boosbipolar.blogspot.com/2009/12/crazy-little-zombies.html" rel="nofollow">Crazy Little Zombies</a> =-. I have finally been able to get some sleep. I take 900mgs of seroquel at bedtime. It has been working pretty good. Before I was lucky to sleep 4 hours. Now I sleep about 8 and only wake once or twice in the night.

Sleep is so important. I notice a huge difference in my mood when I get sleep. Have you tried a different medication for sleep? I hope you find some comfort.
crazybeanrider´s last blog ..Crazy Little Zombies My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: Barb http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6019 Barb Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:51:33 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6019 I haven't, but whenever I try natural stuff, even if one of the docs recommends it, bad IBS things happen. :-( It might be worth a try. I'll ask the pdoc. I haven’t, but whenever I try natural stuff, even if one of the docs recommends it, bad IBS things happen. :-( It might be worth a try. I’ll ask the pdoc.

]]> By: Robin http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6017 Robin Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:15:50 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6017 Have you tried Melatonin? It's natural. .-= Robin´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.lifeisnotamovie.net/2009/12/03/my-unsexy-hollywood-men-list/" rel="nofollow">My Unsexy Hollywood Men List</a> =-. Have you tried Melatonin? It’s natural.
Robin´s last blog ..My Unsexy Hollywood Men List My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: Barb http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6015 Barb Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:56:05 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6015 Usually, when it's really bad and I can't fall asleep (other times, not this time), I just get out of bed instead of trying to force it. Then I get on the computer and play Mafia Wars. ;-) Having one of the cats, usually Angelo who's amenable to being dragged to bed or onto the couch with me, helps with my nap, but I still always wake up even more exhausted. Confusing. Trying to get into a normal sleep cycle has always been a struggle for me. It's harder to remember the times when my sleep has been fine, unfortunately. Usually, when it’s really bad and I can’t fall asleep (other times, not this time), I just get out of bed instead of trying to force it. Then I get on the computer and play Mafia Wars. ;-)

Having one of the cats, usually Angelo who’s amenable to being dragged to bed or onto the couch with me, helps with my nap, but I still always wake up even more exhausted. Confusing.

Trying to get into a normal sleep cycle has always been a struggle for me. It’s harder to remember the times when my sleep has been fine, unfortunately.

]]> By: Michelle http://bloggochicago.com/2009/12/02/sleep-i-need-sleep/comment-page-1/#comment-6013 Michelle Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:45:22 +0000 http://bloggochicago.com/?p=3203#comment-6013 I have the same thing with having a sleeping tablet to get sleep and waking waking too early. If I try stay in bed then my mind sabotages my mood. Although when I'm in a dip, having a nap always makes me feel a notch or two better for a few hours, especially if I take a cat up with me to cuddle :) You're doing the right thing trying to get a regular sleeping pattern. I have the same thing with having a sleeping tablet to get sleep and waking waking too early. If I try stay in bed then my mind sabotages my mood.

Although when I’m in a dip, having a nap always makes me feel a notch or two better for a few hours, especially if I take a cat up with me to cuddle :)

You’re doing the right thing trying to get a regular sleeping pattern.

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