Here's the deal: I don't want to use this space to whine about my ailments. Sure, here and there like a normal person, but this last week and a half has been unlike anything I've ever experienced. Actually it's similar to staying up for days on methamphetamine (not that I would know a thing about that, shhh), and then suffering the come-down with the added bonus of continuing inability to sleep. I think I'm starting to know what it's like those first few months (years?) after the birth of a child. Anyway, Saturday was 100% sleepless, and Sunday I slept three hours and then took a sleeping pill, which, goddamnmotherfucker, didn't work. Monday I felt so tired. This morning, I've been awake since 3. Oh and there's a difference between tired and sleepy, this I can say with certainty. I'm very, very tired.
Don't look at me like that, I took your advice!!!! (and also felt great love for all the suggestions)
Worked out in the evening - nope
Took Gravol - no dice
Drank extra alcohol - bad idea
Drank no alcohol - worse idea
Smoked pot - negative, dude
Took Benedryl - made me buzzed and angsty, and my scalp tingled
Took three spins on my own little slot machine - fun, but no help in the sleeping arena
Can't get Melatonin here but the Valerian Root didn't work either.
So anyway, as I said, I don't want this to spiral into some kind of poor me blog. Therefore, if I'm sick or insomniated, I'm not going to post. If you don't see a post for a day, now you know why.
Oh and by the way, I discovered that Benedryl and Unisom are both peddling the same exact drug in the same exact size/milligrammed capsules. It's just that the Benedryl box is promising allergy relief and the Unisom box is promising slumber. Oh, and you get fewer pills for the same price when you buy the Benedryl.
I didn't realize you still weren't able to sleep. Call me one evening and I'll tell you about my recent social life. I guarantee you'll be asleep in minutes.
ReplyDeleteDo they have Excedrin PM or Nyquil up there?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear albout your insomnia again - and despite such valliant (3x) efforts. Same thing here, although I am able to get to sleep thank's to some help from a long-standing Rx. For me staying asleep seems to be the problem, probably due to stress. Good luck, although I've found in my experience that the anxiety about being afraid that you won't sleep can cause insomnia - kinda like "performance anxiety" I imagine. As far as over-the-counter remedies go, my psychiatrist describes them as really "sloppy," just kinda trying to do a few different things, and none of them well. I do have some suggestions though, and will email.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Young Buck! (I think I just wrote poetry!)
Here's what you do ... Get up early, drive an hour and a half to a video shoot, mill around in the gorgeousness of the outdoors for 4 hours of shooting, eat a quick mid-afternoon meal, drive back into town for a rehearsal with two people who aren't very good, do two shows for various high schoolers and assorted drunkards, then go out for a quick drink (with a flirty waiter), get a call from a friend whose car broke down, wait with them on the interstate, follow the tow truck, then take them back to your place and only get 3-4 hours sleep before you are up and out the door. The next night you will crash by 7:00.
ReplyDeleteThat was my Saturday / Sunday.
i find that over the counter sleeping pills do nothing for me, in fact, inexplicably, i'm pretty sure they make it *harder* for me to sleep.
ReplyDeletei have some sleeping pills from my gp though so that when my sleep cycle gets totally screwed up i can rein it in. i could days with prescription sleeping pills and i'm back in a normal cycle. i probably take them for a grand total of 4 nights a year.
i also sometimes take l-theanine which you can get at the health food store. it's a relaxation thing not a sedative, but relaxation is part of the way there.
i also make sure that i've taken my multi and my b complex early in the morning, because vits add energy and can keep you awake.
hmmm. perhaps i'll stop my novel now...
What you need is: http://www.modafinil.com/
ReplyDeleteWho need to sleep !
Have you tried watching "Maid in Manhattan" with J-Lo? I've never gotten past the first 15 minutes without lapsing into a coma...
ReplyDeleteI think it's time to see a doctor. That much insomnia would ruin me.
ReplyDeleteAfter playing with the slot machine (does he like it when you you call him that?), you can have the spouse smother you with a pillow.
ReplyDeleteIf he does it well, total coma!
RE: your comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I admire you. Thank you.
I really think it's about time Rebekah sent you that psych text she mentioned a while back. If that doesn't do it for you, then you are totally screwed man!haha. Seriously though, I am very sorry to hear of the sleeplessness, it is not a fun or pretty time. I agree it may be time to seek assistance from your GP. Best of luck-Devo
ReplyDeleteOh sweetie...
ReplyDeleteI've so been there. I did finally break down and get Rx meds. They really helped. And now, Ambien is supposed to be really good without being groggy the next day.
I know how you procrastinate; go to the doctor now, so you don't have this going on and on.
Something I read about, which is really weird and probably nonsense, but which seemed to have a calming effect for me was to lay on my back in bed, eyes shut. With my eyes closed, I would look up for 30 seconds, down for 30 seconds and to each side for 30 seconds. And there's the whole focusing on different body parts and relaxing them one by one.
And I was thinking your personal slot machine was just your own "one armed bandit." Hmm...
bsgbaPoor you :>)
ReplyDeletesorry about bsgba!
ReplyDeleteI am distressed to read that your insomnia lasted this long. Sadly, I have no good advice. I am thinking about you, though, and hope that you feel better soon.
ReplyDelete"three spins on my own little slot machine" [grin]
ReplyDelete-chamomile tea
-one of the "pams" (Lorazepam, Oxazepam...). Highly addictive, but highly effective.
NeoCitran is my known sleeping pill.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
Jane
I love Tylenol PM, but I'm guessing it wouldn't work for you...
ReplyDeletemay the sandman visit you tonight. sleeplessness is exhausting on every level.
ReplyDeleteChrist, I hate insomnia. I get it every now and then. Wishing you a deep sleep and see you soon. :)
ReplyDeleteYou didn't try the cricket bat option! (a frying pan would do the same) ;)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, this is not good. Go see a doctor. They can give you a prescription of something strong.
I know you've had alot of suggestions, but Dramamine always works for me... Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I didn't think of this before.
ReplyDeleteTurkey. Washed down with a glass of warm milk.
And did you try all those other remedies in one night? Must have been interesting.
The only pills that work for me, oddly enough are generic storebrand ibuprofen. ten or twelve. Alcohol just made me drunk and tired, ludes made me sluggish and tired. Reading something heavy just made me bored and tired. With me it was always the aloneness...What seems to work for me is finding somebody to just snuggle with. Sometimes hard to find, though.
ReplyDeletestrength and honor,
DEL