Help Needed With Getting Back Into Normal Sleep Pattern - Sleep Disorders Message Board

rachel33 · 07-02-2002, 03:43 PM

I have Fibromyalgia and it really has affected my sleep pattern over the past few months. I have been falling asleep around 3 or 4 in the morning and sleeping until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It's awful! I'm so tired all of the time and I thought that maybe if I got my sleep pattern back to normal things would get better. How would I go about doing this so that it's not too stressful on my body? The only thing I can think of is just going to bed at 3 or 4 like normal and then getting up early at 7 something and forcing myself to stay awake. I didn't know if this would work or not though. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this? Thank you!

drs · 07-04-2002, 12:36 AM

Rachel, I've veiwed your post before,I thought you sounded like you really need some ideas to try, since you didn't get a response from the rest of the board, I thought I'd at least give you acouple of my ideas.

But first some questions:

What meds are you taking?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Do you get alot of swelling?

Do you drink caffine, and or alcohol?

Are you overweight/underweight?

Do you gain weight mainly in the abdomen, first?

With some of these questions answered, the rest of the board may have ideas too. I'm pretty busy these days so I'll come back soon, if possible, to check your answers to the questions, and give you my version on what to try. OK, Diana

mishl33 · 07-09-2002, 01:02 PM

hi, i have the same problem with my sleeping and have tried everything to get my sleep pattern back to normal. my immunologist advised me of a herbal tablet you can buy from healthfood stores called melatonin and it helps you normalise your sleeping pattern. i have not tried it yet as i had to order it from the USA because i am in australia and we do not have this tablet available here.
have you tried to force yourself to stay awake of a day so that you do get a better sleep at night? i have tried this and it didnt work for me but you may have better luck.
well, best of luck!

drs · 07-09-2002, 05:19 PM

Melatonin's are not good to take because it messes with the natural levels in the body. You could try taking Calcium citrate with Magnesium, it has the effect of a natural muscle relaxant in it. My mother takes it as a sleep aid, and it has done wonders for her. You may want to take it 3 times a day and again an hour before bedtime. If your female. I've heard men don't need that much calcium. But women use it up. Also increase your water daily and include a mineral based sea/salt to replace flushed out minerals. Your suppose have 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day. And 1/4 teas. of this kind of sea/salt for every quart you drink. In the thyroid forum there was some interest info. in a topic posted "Tell me more about MACA!!" read that about the thyroid funtion, and adreanal gland funtion too. hope this helps. Diana

jeepers · 07-12-2002, 07:14 AM

I have been taking 3mg of melatonin every night for over a year. It works great. It does not mess up your system. Melatonin is a naturally occuring hormone in your body that signals it to cool off and lower the heart rate in preparation for sleep. It is also an astoundingly awesome antioxidant. It REGULATES your internal balance of melatonin. There are no side effects and no drug hangover in the morning.

Granted it may not be for everyone, but if you rule out everything because one person somewhere didn't like it or reacted poorly to it, you aresorely limiting your options. Every BODY is different!