Sleepless?

[dlefdal]

I've been battling some insomnia lately and have noticed a couple of other people on here talking about the same thing.

My body and eyes are tired but I can't get my damn brain to shut off (I know, that is the last thing you would think of me.)

Just curious to see how many people on here suffer from occasional bouts of sleeplessness, what you think causes it and what you do to get into a regular sleep pattern again.

I am also curious to see how many members out of about 1200 now, suffer from this from time to time.

[Virginian]

You need to stop thinking about me, it would never work out between us!

Seriously, the best way for me to get to sleep is either a good workout sometime during the day or my usual - not getting enough sleep the night before. Lay off the caffeine, and start reading a book before going to bed to calm down.

[conalabu]

Brother, its a cop thing. I am normally good for at least a week per month of insomnia. Especially when the prior week was busy or there is something big coming. To fix it, I normally just wear myself out. I may push myself for 24 hours or better just to finally wear out. I have been told that it only actually takes a few hours a night for the brain to be satisfied. Sometimes I think I make it worse if I get more than eight hours of sleep for a few nights in a row.

[dlefdal]

Virg; you are too f'ing funny man. Don't break my heart. You told me you loved me, and then you left me. hee hee

You are right Cona; If I get more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night, I feel like I havn't slept at all. I do need to start working out again. I remember sleeping better when I worked out. It's a real bitch trying to find the time in the day, but I need to make the time.

[Virginian]

I read somewhere that getting sleep in increments of 4 hours is best, something about sleep cycles lasting that long. That's why everyone says 8 hours is a good amount of time to sleep.

[dlefdal]

Probably so.

[Jenna]

Humans are biologically wired to sleep better in darkness, and to sleep better on a regular schedule. It might be hard to do so on police shifts, but you could still try sleeping at the same time each day--if you work a night shift and have to sleep during the day, try to do the same on your days off. When you sleep during the day, try to do it in a room that's as completely dark as possible--try to block off all the windows. Taking melatonin (a synthetic version of the same hormone your body produces during darkness/sleep hours) right before you sleep might help as well.

[Autumn2009]

I get it once awhile, especially during the school year when I'm working such a fricked up night schedule. I have weeks, and I swear I don't even sleep. Then other weeks, were all I remember is work, class, and sleep, and not doing anything else.

[Vendetta]

It hit me the other night. I was supposed to work 1400-0200 and when i got to work they told me they needed me to work 0900-2100 the next day so they sent me home at 2200. I got home and tossed and turned and everytime I closed my eyes I was thinking about work. I didnt fall asleep until 0300...........It sucks

[Virginian]

Take Gerda to a movie and hope you get lucky, you'll sleep like a baby

[dlefdal]

Take Gerda to a movie and hope you get lucky, you'll sleep like a baby

I might actually get a piece of tail from this gal!

[dlefdal]

It hit me the other night. I was supposed to work 1400-0200 and when i got to work they told me they needed me to work 0900-2100 the next day so they sent me home at 2200. I got home and tossed and turned and everytime I closed my eyes I was thinking about work. I didnt fall asleep until 0300...........It sucks

Boy..............have I been there. It most certainly sucks. I just keep telling myself, "I've worked longer on much less sleep before, I'll just do it again."

I swear this kind of stuff takes years off of your life.

[zap]

I haven't really dealt with this too much since being a cop....but did often before. What I learned was that if I kept the news on the tv...my mind had something to focus on. That kept the "Oh...and I have to"s from bugging the shit outta me when I was trying to sleep.

Now...I just LEAVE the tv on and have no real trouble...unless I find a movie that I'm interested in

[BEK]

What I did was went to the Dr. and got me ambian. It isnt something that I take every night but when I know I need to sleep I take the dose and of course without any alcohol and I am out like a light in 15 mins. I tried that tylanol PM stuff and just woke up groggy and I was tired all day, with the abian I wake up in 8 hours and feel fine...I know drugs arnt for everyone but hey when your sitting in bed for hours not being able to sleep youll pretty much do anything.

[Virginian]

And if you wake up in a pile of crumbs, empty ice cream containers, or the smoldering wreckage of your vehicle on a road you don't recognize, read this article.

[Emily]

I think in all I got about 2.5 hours of sleep last night. And that was going to bed at midnight and waking up at 5:45am.

I wouldn't consider that insomnia, though. I'd say that I just got too much sleep Sunday morning.

[dlefdal]

I think in all I got about 2.5 hours of sleep last night. And that was going to bed at midnight and waking up at 5:45am.

I wouldn't consider that insomnia, though. I'd say that I just got too much sleep Sunday morning.

Either that or I kept you up all night long. Sorry about that.

[Virginian]

Girl talk?

[dlefdal]

I too have tried the Tylenol PM. It really knocks me out. I have to have 13 hours set aside for sleep otherwise I am nothing but a useless pile of crap.

I might try the Ambien but I would much rather just try and sleep normal. I've tried the news thing too. Some experts think that it is bad to watch tv to try and relax because it causes a sort of "crutch" for when you are supposed to sleep. Those same people say that there shouldn't even be a tv in the bedroom.

Of course, how are you and your loved one supposed to watch the "dirty, dirty" movies if there's no tv in the bedroom?

[Just KC]

I've been battling some insomnia lately and have noticed a couple of other people on here talking about the same thing.

My body and eyes are tired but I can't get my damn brain to shut off (I know, that is the last thing you would think of me.)

Just curious to see how many people on here suffer from occasional bouts of sleeplessness, what you think causes it and what you do to get into a regular sleep pattern again.

I am also curious to see how many members out of about 1200 now, suffer from this from time to time.

******I have the same thing and have been seeing my Dr. for it for about the last 6 months. I literally go 4 days with no sleep until I crash out. I was put on Ambien, then it stopped working so they switched me to Ambien CR. That only worked for a week...so now I am on Lunesta. Insurance doesn't want to cover it anymore...so about $170 for a months worth. GEEZ! Thankfully the Dr was able to make them cover it this month. I hate being KNOCKED out for the night, but I have no choice. I also go running every other night, lay off all drinks other than water after 7PM. (Try to anyways)
Depending on your schedule, you can also just force yourself to get up early so you are more tired at night. I do understand about the brain not shutting off. Have had that forever. Have you seen Dr about it yet?