Has anyone ever cured their insomnia?

[millefleur]

Have any of you ever cured your own insomnia? If so, how? I have been struggling with it for so long I can't take it anymore! :yawning

Any advice that has really worked for you would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[sbgrace]

What have you tried?
Melatonin helps me as does good sleep hygiene.

[tinuviel_k]

I've had sleep issues for years. Earlier this year my doctor gave me three suggestions:
1. I should try to get some form of good, vigorous exercise every day
2. Cut out before-bed screen time (TV, movie, or computer), because staring right into the light for awhile right before bedtime can make it hard to get to sleep.
3. He suggested I take a magnesium supplement. Apparently if one gets too much calcium and not enough magnesium it can cause sleep issues.

It really worked well for me! Instead of taking hours to fall asleep and waking over and over in the middle of the night I can usually get to sleep within 20 minutes, and I stay asleep.

[MoonStarFalling]

I believe getting rid of my insomnia was mostly due to exercise. I started working out an hour every single day. I used to lie awake for hours every night but now I pass out easily.

If you already do exercise every day, don't drink caffeine in the evening, don't watch TV right before bed... you might try Bach Flower rescue sleep remedy or a trip to the chiropractor.

[MommyDOK]

I've had insomnia off-and-on for years. In pregnancy, it was from the hormones...not too much I could do w/ that.

When I'm stressed, I get really bad insomnia. Therapy does help me. Whenever I have insomnia, I know it's time to go back.

And this was very unusual,, but I will throw it out there. My sister developed insomnia after never having it and some other symptoms and found she was allergic to dairy. Adult onset, which is rare, I guess. Anyways ,eliminating dairy has helped her sleep. Go figure.

[MamaChicken]

Melatonin + Guided Imagery (or self hypnosis) has worked wonders for me. The Melatonin helps me get to sleep and the Guided Imagery helps me stop thinking and worrying about everything in the world and relax my brain. I use both for 4-5 nights to establish a pattern and then stop. Every 2-3 months, I go through it again as stress builds up and bad habits take over.

[karika]

no dairy, no chocolate or caffeine. if you already do all of the above.... most of us cannot sleep because we cannot still our minds. have paper and pen to write down what is running in your head. then turn on an audio copy of Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" It will put you to sleep for the first few months...

[BfBobby]

I have tried most of these to no avail but my problem is not getting to sleep but rather staying asleep. I fall asleep quickly but awaken in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep.

[Purple*Lotus]

I am shocked at how fast Melatonin knocks me out. So that is my suggestion for you. As well as trying to have a regular routine of avoiding caffeine, getting some daily exercise, avoiding TV/computer before bedtime, taking a warm bath and going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Which I realize is easier said than done once you have kids

[millefleur]

Thank you so much everyone! These are all really great suggestions!

[herenow2]

I love this list of tips for getting a good sleep -

http://www.mercola.com/article/sleep.aspx

[prothyraia]

I used Hypnobabies for the birth of my second child, and the relaxation techniques pretty much cured my insomnia (after 15 years!). Who knew?

[Theloose]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1059165

When I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm just awake, that's adrenal. Pantothenic acid, biotin and magnesium help me a bunch. For a while, pantothenic acid made the difference of sleeping all night long (minus nursing sessions) and being awake for like 6 hours every night.

When my mind is on overdrive and I just can't stop thinking about stuff, that's low melatonin, and B6 helps me the most.

Another trick to try is honey before bed:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=932971

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by BfBobby

I have tried most of these to no avail but my problem is not getting to sleep but rather staying asleep. I fall asleep quickly but awaken in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep.

When this was happening to my mom it turned out she had some major sleep issues a sleep study picked up (sleep apnea and restless leg as well).

Have you tried an extended release melatonin?

[CageFreeFamily]

Originally Posted by prothyraia

I used Hypnobabies for the birth of my second child, and the relaxation techniques pretty much cured my insomnia (after 15 years!). Who knew?

I came into this world with sleep problems, and suffered them until I was 27 yo, sometimes staying awake for days, and usually waking 10+ times per night.

I learned self hypnosis and through that, lucid dreaming, in order to find the source of my trouble and work through it. I've been sleeping well for 3 years now.

[lifeguard]

I can't say I've "cured" it. I've found ways to minimize it (pretty much all the things mentioned here) but the most important thing I've done is accept it. When I get into an insomnia period I just accept it & have faith it will pass - it always does. Feeling less stressed about it makes it much more bearable.

[rcr]

I had it for years, I got rid of it by finishing my dissertation.

[subtlycrunchy]

I have good luck with melatonin, too, as well as chamomille and valerian root tea. The Huffington Post has a ton of sleep articles on its site right now -- January is National Sleep Challenge for Women Month or something like that. Also, Women to WOmen has a bunch of really great articles. Here's one you might find helpful... Insomnia: reset your inner clock and get back to sleep

[millefleur]

Originally Posted by subtlycrunchy

I have good luck with melatonin, too, as well as chamomille and valerian root tea. The Huffington Post has a ton of sleep articles on its site right now -- January is National Sleep Challenge for Women Month or something like that. Also, Women to WOmen has a bunch of really great articles. Here's one you might find helpful... Insomnia: reset your inner clock and get back to sleep

Thanks! That is a great link!

[millefleur]

I'm so grateful to everyone for sharing your suggestions and experiences. It's helpful to know I'm not alone. I have tried a lot of things, but not *everything* - so I will certainly try more of your great suggestions. I do need to ditch the morning coffee, get more exercise, and practice better "sleep hygiene".

Another thing that was suggested to me was chronotherapy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronotherapy

Sounds extreme but I hear it works. Anybody heard of that/tried that? I had a sleep study and was diagnosed with Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.

Melatonin (5 mg, time release) does work for me sometimes, but I'm TTC and I was told not to take it while TTC or pg. Is that true?