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So, I decided at long last to check out going to a sleep specialist to

finally get a handle on my chronic insomnia. I call. I talk to recep.



I find out the initial consult is 240 smackeroonis. Then the "sleep

study" is between 1200 and 1400 smackeroonis.



Okay, Plan B. Decide to go on HRT. I am very sure that it will let me

sleep again. News comes on. Mentions the 27 percent increased

risk of breast cancer with HRT.



Do I hear a Plan C, anyone?



:-5

Thanks, been that whole exercise/no alcohol/no caffeine route already!

Also been the "natural" route (black cohosh, valerian root, magnesium)

you name it, in my quest I've tried it.



I think I've toughed it out long enough, though... last year I had a total

of 39 good nights sleep. Yeah, you read that right. THIRTY-NINE.

Where I didn't take anything at all and slept 8 hours. That's pathetic.



Cryin' uncle, here!!



:yh_hypno

Typically sleep about 10 p.m. until 1 or 2, then awake anywhere from

1 to 3 hours. Then sleep another 2 or 3. It's the broken up aspect

that's really bad. Every once in a while, I will sleep 10p.m. to 4 a.m.

and actually don't feel too badly the next day...

valerie;792420 wrote: So, I decided at long last to check out going to a sleep specialist to

finally get a handle on my chronic insomnia. I call. I talk to recep.



I find out the initial consult is 240 smackeroonis. Then the "sleep

study" is between 1200 and 1400 smackeroonis.



Okay, Plan B. Decide to go on HRT. I am very sure that it will let me

sleep again. News comes on. Mentions the 27 percent increased

risk of breast cancer with HRT.



Do I hear a Plan C, anyone?



:-5


If it can possibly be doneDON'T take the HRT.:-4:-6

I've had trouble sleeping off and on since an early age... I know why it occurs and usually how to handle it in my case. I do believe that it's important to know why you're having trouble sleeping before you can consider how to fix it... I also don't believe there exists any sort of "magic" pill that will treat your insomnia long term. Taking drugs may help in some cases, but they will only be effective for so long.

What's most important is to understand why you're not sleeping and and adjust what you need to in your life, be it your environment, another disorder... either physical or mental, habits, stress etc. Don't try and just treat the symptoms. Think entire lifestyle change... diet, exercise, routine...

G-man;846223 wrote: I've had trouble sleeping off and on since an early age... I know why it occurs and usually how to handle it in my case. I do believe that it's important to know why you're having trouble sleeping before you can consider how to fix it... I also don't believe there exists any sort of "magic" pill that will treat your insomnia long term. Taking drugs may help in some cases, but they will only be effective for so long.

What's most important is to understand why you're not sleeping and and adjust what you need to in your life, be it your environment, another disorder... either physical or mental, habits, stress etc. Don't try and just treat the symptoms. Think entire lifestyle change... diet, exercise, routine...


Tell me something I don't know!

My study has been pretty exhaustive. I don't believe in a magic pill,

either.

I'm sure stress has a lot to do with it, but there's not a lot I can do

about the stress in my life. And don't suggest yoga, I've already thought

of it but just too expensive for classes (even the cheapo communtiy

center ones!) and they're too late at night (for ME) around here

anyway.

I've gotten a little better handle on it recently (shoot don't wanna

jinx it!) by trying various things so we'll see. Mainly I try not to

worry about not sleeping and enjoy the times I can.

valerie;792420 wrote:



Do I hear a Plan C, anyone?



:-5


Is there any chance at all that your doctor could *prescribe* the sleep treatment fo ryou and if so would insurance cover it? After all, chronic sleep disturbance is not healthy.

What do you think hypnosis or acupuncture? Both are viable options that have helped lots of people.

I agree with exercising! Otherwise your physical self, let alone mental self has too much energy left over at the day's end.

Keep TV out of your bedroom. Some say it helps them sleep but the noises disturb sleep patterns and it's too much stimulus.

Quality sex life. Nuff said.

Bedtime ritual. Rituals are good because they tell us what comes next and help us mark time. Have a nightly soak in the tub, put on favorite pajamas, put on hand and face cream if desired, find some other pleasant, quiet things you enjoy and only do them before bedtime every night. This way, you develop a routine and your mind learns to relax and turn itself off because it knows it's "quiet time" now.

Read a good book. I like to read classic poetry because the rhythm of the words lulls me to sleep, like a song kind of.

Maybe get one of those little machines that plays different sounds to relax you. They have ones that sound like rain or ocean surf or rainforest. They run from cheap to expensive.

I'm not sure why everybody always mentions "magic pills" when someone has a problem. Not using medication is great but sheesh if you need it, use it. It's better than only having 39 good sleeps! That can be just as unhealthy as taking medicine.

I don't know how much risk that really entails, the HRT, at 27%. I assume that's stuff you would get from your doctor right? What about the non-hormone pills they make? The natural ones? I think one's called Remifen, but I'm not sure. They are plant based. Have you thought of those?

If I think of any more, I'll be back.

Did you try Melatonin yet ?

Info ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

Oh Red, you make me laugh!! You are really trying to help out, aren't

you? Maybe I need to go bump the other insomnia threads or

something (where in I explained more of what I've tried!) but I've

tried almost everything.

I haven't had a tv in the bedroom in probably 30 years or so.

No health insurance.

Considered hypnosis and acupuncture, both way too expensive.

Plus, at least for the hypnosis, have had first hand accounts that

it didn't work. (I know, that doesn't mean it wouldn't work for ME,

still, too expensive)

I go to bed and get up about the same time every day, keep the

room cool, dark, and quiet... comfy (flannel right now) sheets...

Believe me when I say I've tried just about everything, including

the soy-based products. Didn't do anything. Melatonin here and there

Pheasey, but the general consensus is if you take it all the time,

your body stops producing it entirely. Plus it's not much help,

that or valerian root either one.

When I do sleep good, I get 8 or even 9 hours, it's wonderful.

The reasoning behind writing on my kitchen calendar when I slept good

(I only did it for 2007) was to see if I could trace back to something

I ate or drank or whatever.

I gave up caffeine about 8 or 9 years ago, except for an occasional

extra-strength Excedrin if I wake up with a bad headache.

I read for an hour before I go to sleep, and I keep a pen and paper

by the bed, so if I wake up and I'm thinking about something, I

write it down. Someone years ago told my sister to do it, it helps

your brain think it's gotten something "taken care of" and you

quit stressing. Works a tiny bit.

Appreciate the concern, gang.