Sleep - or the Lack of It

[Guest fountainhall]

I have to admit to one of Michael Jackson's maladies - difficulty in getting to sleep. Perhaps it's something to do with travelling quite a lot, and having to work quite frequently in the evenings (no, not usually THAT kind of fun work, alas!)

 

I'm also told it's an affliction of those who reach a 'certain' age. But I have had this problem much of my life, and so it is not related to the excitement or otherwise of coming to live in Thailand. I have mild sedatives prescribed for travel and for a few days after I return, but increasingly I find these are not very effective. Often, even though I feel drowsy and tired, I will have difficulty getting to sleep, suddenly becoming mentally very alert. Sometimes, I am wide awake after 2 or 3 hours of sleep, and it then takes a long time before I nod off again.

 

From what I read, it helps to exercise during the day and have a fixed routine for about an hour before retiring. As long as I am working, that it not always going to be easy. So, short of engaging Dr. Conrad Murray, I wonder what other remedies readers might suggest (all contributions grateful considered ).

[KhorTose]

Ambien or Xanax--I would not recommend these for constant use, just to get you system regulated after a long trip or when you find yourself sleepy in the day and awake at night.

 

Xanax is not usually prescribed for sleep, but it does work fine as anxiety and depression can also be an underlying cause of sleeplessness. Hope this helps.

 

Yes, by all means stay away from Profofal, Dipravan and Dr. Murray,

and minors around 12 years old .

[Guest]

1 Don't drink tea or coffee from mid-afternoon onwards.

 

2 Go to bed & get up at regular times. Set the alarm so you getup after about 7~8 hours in bed.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Relaxation techniques and the age-old remedy - warm milk are both far better for you than pills.

[bkkguy]

I have to admit to one of Michael Jackson's maladies - difficulty in getting to sleep. Perhaps it's something to do with travelling quite a lot, and having to work quite frequently in the evenings (no, not usually THAT kind of fun work, alas!)

 

speak to your health care practitioner about Melatonin - it may be useful in getting your circadian rhythm back under control, usually start at a small dose then increase gradually till you find the dose that works best for you.

 

highly recommended by pilots and trolley dollies

 

bkkguy

[Guest thaiworthy]

Do you have sleep apnea? Do you snore? It really doesn't sound like you do, but if you find yourself waking up, gasping for air then another entirely different solution would be in order. I have sleep apnea and I bought a C-pap machine. It opens the air passages in your nose and I sleep peacefully all night, every night.

[Guest Astrrro]

Don't go online for the last half hour before going to bed.

 

Perhaps chuck wowing may help.

[Guest buckeroo2]

I have to admit to one of Michael Jackson's maladies - difficulty in getting to sleep. Perhaps it's something to do with travelling quite a lot, and having to work quite frequently in the evenings (no, not usually THAT kind of fun work, alas!)

 

I'm also told it's an affliction of those who reach a 'certain' age. But I have had this problem much of my life, and so it is not related to the excitement or otherwise of coming to live in Thailand. I have mild sedatives prescribed for travel and for a few days after I return, but increasingly I find these are not very effective. Often, even though I feel drowsy and tired, I will have difficulty getting to sleep, suddenly becoming mentally very alert. Sometimes, I am wide awake after 2 or 3 hours of sleep, and it then takes a long time before I nod off again.

 

From what I read, it helps to exercise during the day and have a fixed routine for about an hour before retiring. As long as I am working, that it not always going to be easy. So, short of engaging Dr. Conrad Murray, I wonder what other remedies readers might suggest (all contributions grateful considered ).

 

I brought a white noise machine with me this time and now that I am accustomed to the sound it works well for me. It masks outside noise and the white noise is sedating - again - that is, after you get used to it after a few nights.

[Guest joseph44]

Usually I'm sleeping well, almost too well.

Working 4 days a week (long days) from 5:30 a.m.(wake up call) until 6:30 p.m. (coming home) I hit the sack around 9 p.m. and get into a temporary 'coma' for 8.5 hours.

 

On Fridays and in the weekends, I'm performing a nap of approx. 2 hours and still am able to sleep early that night. I'm not a night person, more a monring type of guy.

 

Very occassionally I have difficulties getting to sleep, but again, usually within 5 minutes after getting to bed I'm sound asleep. However, I'm a light sleeper. I have to sleep with earplugs because every sound will wake me up.

Living with a friend means that he has to be at home while I am asleep. He doesn't have to be in bed with me, but knowing he is out, it will cause a sleepless night.

 

Since sleep is very important to me, and Thai guys start to get alive in the night time, I've decided to stay alone for my own good.

[Guest HeyGay]

I don't know if you have a genuine sleeping disorder but then you would go to Bumrungrad Hospital for a diagnosis and treatment.

 

http://www.bumrungra...ers-center.aspx

 

But I know when I was in big business before I retired and sold up, I use to work work and work running my businesses, I use to go to my Villa in Spain for the week, weekend or a few weeks, when I could, but the rest of the time I had 2 Rottweiler Dogs, that I had to take for long walks minimum 6 miles up hills or 2 stairs at a time up, this use to really help me to sleep, if you don't sleep your not doing enough exorcise, so increase it, till you are tired enough to sleep well. or make an appointment as above.

[Guest fountainhall]

Thanks to everyone who has provided suggestions.

 

I don't believe I have a sleep disorder and nor does my doctor. Equally, I do not suffer from apnea. I did try melatonin in different doses for quite a while, and found it did absolutely nothing for me. It seems to work for some and not for others. Noise certainly bothers me at night, but my apartment is in a very quiet area of Bangkok and when I travel I always take Boots wax earplugs as I'm never sure about noise coming from outside - or even from the next room. For at least a decade I have avoided caffeine from mid afternoon. - I even drink decaffeinated tea! But I have never liked milk, apart from as an accompaniment to cereals, and the thought of a glass of warm milk before bed makes me almost think of throwing up! I'd rather try my father's remedy of a hot toddy - whisky, hot water and a little honey

 

I believe the most useful suggestions for me will be not going anywhere hear a computer for an hour or so before getting to bed. This is a bad habit, partly a result of work, but more I suspect out of curiosity to see who's on line. Proper exercise during the day is also on my list now. It does seem to make sense that if you tire yourself out during the day with exercise, the brain should be all the more ready to close down at night.

 

Thirdly, I will try using a muscle relaxant sometime before getting to bed. Several people have said these make a world of difference and can be used in conjunction with a sleeping pill if required.

 

Unfortunately, I am off on a month-long trip next week and so cannot put this regimen to the test until I return. Once I have tried it for a month or two, I'll report back

[Guest buckeroo2]

 

 

But I know when I was in big business before I retired and sold up, I use to work work and work running my businesses, I use to go to my Villa in Spain for the week, weekend or a few weeks, when I could, but the rest of the time I had 2 Rottweiler Dogs, that I had to take for long walks minimum 6 miles up hills or 2 stairs at a time up, this use to really help me to sleep, if you don't sleep your not doing enough exorcise, so increase it, till you are tired enough to sleep well. or make an appointment as above.

not enough "exorcise" sounds like a job for the priests. BTW, that sentence contains 10 commas and 104 words - maybe buy a period - 5555

[Guest tdperhs]

I was treated for a similar sleeping disorder in California. My physician had me write down in detail everything I consumed for two weeks and gave me a referral to a nutritionist. She pointed out eight items that, when consumed within three hours of planned bedtime, would keep me awake another three hours, during which time I would consume more such items. She advised I try consuming nothing but water during the three hours before going to bed. It actually worked, for a while. I gave up the water after about three weeks.Do you know what fish do in that stuff!?

I would avoid taking any kind of drugs, especially if you are being medicated for something else.

[Gaybutton]

I would avoid taking any kind of drugs, especially if you are being medicated for something else.

"I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him, 'I swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills!' He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest."

- Rodney Dangerfield

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FPv2toi5og

[Guest lvdkeyes]

She pointed out eight items that, when consumed within three hours of planned bedtime, would keep me awake another three hours,

It might be helpful to others if you would list the eight items.

[Guest tdperhs]

It might be helpful to others if you would list the eight items.

 

This was 1989 so I remember five; but since each of us has a unique metabolic system, the list will vary from person to person. Warm milk will put some people to sleep. Warm milk will put my ass running for Immodium (NPI).

 

1. Iced tea W/lots of lemon and sugar; too acidic.

2. More than one beer or glass of wine. True, many more may make you unconscious but after a few hours you will wake up feeling like you've been licking truck tires and you will gain very little rest until the alcohol is out of your system.

3. Lumpfish Caviar: high in protein, higher in sodium, and irritating to the digestive system. I think it had something to do with the silicate eggshells.

4. Cola, coffee or any other caffein drink.

5. Any dairy product - I am lactose intolerant

 

Also anything that required long periods of digestion.

 

On the plus side I could enjoy fruits or vegetables where one did not eat the skins and were low in acid, like melon and bananas.

 

The problem is that, when you ingest something, your digestive system does not put it on hold until a more convenient time. And, when your digestive system is working overtime, your brain (especially if you are Jewish and/or Italian from South Philadelphia) goes on a guilt trip and stays awake.

 

In any case, I heeded her advice religiously--for four days. Then I remembered I was an atheist. I read an article on melatonin in which claims were made that it would reduce the aging process while helping one sleep. "Wow!" I thought, "This is great. Now I can get plenty of rest and stay young." And now, here I am, 68 years old looking like a high school student--a 75 year old, jowl-jawed, bulbous-nosed, hairline-receding-down-to-his-ass high school student.

 

Incidentally, about 18 months after my Declaration of Independence from nutritionists, most of my upper digestive system was surgically removed.

[Gaybutton]

Lumpfish Caviar

No lumpfish caviar? I don't know how I'll manage to survive . . .

[Guest tdperhs]

No lumpfish caviar? I don't know how I'll manage to survive . . .

 

You can eat it. You just have to eat around the lump.

[Gaybutton]

You just have to eat around the lump.

And miss the best part?