wendy hankins

I have problems with a racing mind when I try to go to sleep. Longest
time I layed there trying to go to sleep with no luck was about 6
hours. My doc put me on Seroquel at night to stop this, and it has
worked wonders for me. You have to start at a low dosage and work up
to whatever works for you. Might be something to talk to your doc
about. I've heard some folks say Seroquel is not a good thing to take,
but I've been on it for about a year I think and have had no problems
or side effects other than drowsiness, but when you have insomnia and
"racing mind" like I do, drowsiness is a good thing.

Wendy

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tal

I'd recommend at least TRYING non-drug options I posted a link to
first......IF that doesn't work, then consider drugs..no sense being on
drugs you don't really require

--
Beth in Australia
(I am not a medical professional and anything stated in my posts is my
opinion only unless specified otherwise)
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brian

Well, I can fall asleep fairly quickly but it feels that I never get into
deep or REM sleep because my mind is racing.

And finding a good pillow is hard to do..My neck just wont get comfortable.
I've even tried a "chiropractic pillow" and can't even use it. I think it
could be stress that goes to my shoulders and neck.

brian

Well, not that "Post 9/11 Disorder" was a true disorder but my sleep has
been sporadic ever since 9/11.

susan wachob

ME TOO!! My neck hurts so much from the various positions I try while
asleep. Due to other medical problems, I have to sleep flat on my back.
But with the CPAP (10+ years), at least I sleep!

I was thinking of going to a physical therapist to get some help with
finding ways to move and hold my head to counter the pain and stiffness
in my neck that I'm quite sure is related to just this problem.

Does this sound like a reasonable idea?

Susan

jgmclean0

I think I would try cutting back on the caffeine before adding another drug.
I know this is harder to do than it sounds; try stopping caffeine a half-hour
earlier in the day every few days until you are having none at all after noon.


The other advice I've consistently seen, and that works for me, is *not* to
lay in bed tossing and turning all night -- once you feel your mind racing get
up and move to a different spot in a sitting position, and find something (a
book is best for me, TV works for some) to keep your mind semi-occupied and
break the racing pattern. If nothing else this will give you another hour to
get past the caffeine. Also, when you've had a bad night, *don't* nap the
next day but stay up until you are ready to go to bed for the night (it is OK
to turn in earlier than normal).

And finally, and I know It sounds like a broken record in here, but the other
thing to consider is an assessment by a sleep specialist and possible sleep
study to rule out various physical causes of your problem, including apnea
(which could of the reasons you don't feel rested even when you sleep, and
could be worsened or masked with sleeping pills).

JGM

brian

Well, we have a Chiropractor friend who adjusts us for free but I don't
think that is a solution. It works for a while but you have to keep going.
There needs to be a better solution.

paul

Ive found that sleeping properly with the right support makes such a
difference its incredible for me. I can have so many things wrong
randing from unbearable pain in my shoulders, neck, jawline, temples,
the muscles surrounding my head and sinuses and eyes - that its like
toture. I also can get migraine type headaches and nausea from the
pain.

Ive found strangely enough after trying tons of aspirins and tylenol
for decades - adjusting my bed and pillows certain ways can make a
night and day difference. Also taking a sleeping pill also tends to
relax my muscles properly so that I wake up with far less pain too.
They both seem to work but of course I prefer the non-drug way.

Ive started experimenting with mattress pads since one of the primary
causes of pain for me Ive found is the overly firm mattress. Who in
the heck started that idea that you need a super firm mattress for
support? Its horrible and I think the cause of years of horrendous
pain Ive had. I didnt think it made such a difference until I tried
stuffing it with cheap pads on top.

Im thinking of getting a more expensive memory foam pad(s). Wrapping
blankets and vaious pillows around my head area also helps alot. A
simple pillow just doesnt seem to work that well.

I still dont have the exact formula for head support though I think a
good mattress pad will help alot. There have been times after
arranging some blankets and pillows that I woke up with virtually no
pain at all except minor ones, which has only happened perhaps a
handful of days in the last 10 years !!! In fact many days Id feel so
nauseous with head and neck and shoulder pains its a miracle I could
get through the day with tons of coffee and aspirin.

When you do get them - the pains Ive found massaging at least for me
is like a miracle. I used to think massaging - phewee. What can that
do? In fact when I do get these pains - any pain reliever etc most
range from ineffective to at best moderately OK. They can have side
effects too. Massaging is the only thing that really works .Actually
you dont really need a therapist if you have someone who isnt
incompetent and willing to massage your neck etc.

Pounding and kneading your shoulder muscles , temples, eyes areas, etc
even if its painful results in a dramatic difference Almost
immediately. Ive done the usual stuff - exercise , relaxing, taking
aspirins - nothing works like massages. Also something like Ben Gay
really does help too even on your head. Slathered all over face and
head , neck and shoulders that amazingly works well though I thought
it would have no effect too. Its incredibly greasy and smelly though
so you can only do it right before taking a shower.

For people who cant afford to be massaged - try a machine. Sure they
are a poor substitute but they do have these portable small machines
you can use on your neck and with some ingenuity shoulders etc.

Try that and some ointment , then a hot shower and see how well it
works.

wendy hankins

I dont mean for this to sound nasty, which it probably will, but what
kind of non-drug options are there for something like this? (honest
question I promise)

I've tried self-hypnosis, a certain relaxation technique taught to me
in massage school, i've tried even telling myself "stop thinking, go to
sleep" over and over again, and nothing.

I'd be willing to go off the seroquel to try anything I havent tried
yet if something might work. I HATE medications and lord knows, I
could afford to drop a few if I possibly can.

Wendy

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wendy hankins

ever try a chiropractor? massage therapist? you can often find both
in the same office lately and they both, in conjunction, work wonders
for this very problem. Instead of trying to live with the problems,
try to eliminate them. The chiropractor and/or massage therapist can
work at the problem while also giving you the sort of advice you would
be seeking from a PT. Being a massage therapist myself, I KNOW what
kind of stresses get put on the neck in most folk's normal sleeping
positions, my own included. a PT could work, but I would go for a
chiropractor and/or a massage therapist first.

Just mt .02 cents.
Wendy


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