Hi-I'm usually on the osteo boards but I'm so fed up with my lack of quality sleep that I thought I'd try here. For years, I'd fall asleep at a decent time, say, 10:30, then wake up at one, then again between 3:30 and 4AM. For the 3:30-4 awakening, I can't seem to get back to sleep until around 5:30AM. Then, of course, if one has to be up at 6:30.......
To top it off, for the past month I can't fall asleep either. It takes me until past midnight, and I have the same awakening pattern too. I've been evaluated by a sleep MD; no apnea, no discernible problems. He gave me a prescription for sleeping pills and told me to do this (which I haven't done):
Calculate how much sleep you're getting (in my case, 4-5 hours total). Determine a time to get up (6:30). Subtract 4-5 hours from 6:30=1:30 or 2:30AM. Force yourself to stay awake until 1:30AM, then go to bed and get up at 6:30. When you're able to stay asleep the entire 5 hours, you can add 1/2 hour (i.e. go to bed at 1AM). When you can stay asleep the entire night, add another half hour....and so on.
Has anyone tried this approach, and if so, did it work for you? Even the sleeping pills only knock me out for 4-5 hours, and leave me feeling groggy the next day. I've tried chamomile tea, valerian, acupuncture and chinese herbs to no avail, and the 2 times I tried melatonin I was nauseated to the point of vomiting (and it was a prescription so presumably uncontaminated). I should mention I'm 51, physically active, and otherwise in good health. But I really need a good solid night's sleep
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