Has anyone ever cured their insomnia? - Page 2

[mbravebird]

Haven't read the other replies, but the things that have helped me (completely helped me) are:
--Nettle infusion (not just the tea, the infusion -- you can look up the thread in this forum)
--1-2 TBS of raw honey before bed (to support your melatonin production)
--All lights off, even light leaks from streetlights or digital clocks (to support your melatonin production)
--homeopathic Coffea Cruda

Extra magnesium has also helped, as does going to bed at the same time every night.

If I had nothing else, just the daily nettle infusion (about 2 cups a day) would do it for me. But when I slack off on making it, I usually use a combo of honey and coffea cruda.

HTH!

[mom2tatum]

I've also heard negatives of using melatonin in the past, but why? I can't remember....

Also taking notes but feeling lazy about trying so hard to solve another one of our family's many problems right now. Oh, eventually, I'll sleep I guess.

[crunchy_mama]

Insomnia can also be caused by low D3, which nearly evryone has- especially in the winter. Taking fclo and sup D3 and I stopped waking up at night. I am another that also has all lights out, even alarm clock is turned over, go to bed at the same time(early w/ the kids- I take me time in the am).

[mbravebird]

Originally Posted by mom2tatum

I've also heard negatives of using melatonin in the past, but why? I can't remember....

Also taking notes but feeling lazy about trying so hard to solve another one of our family's many problems right now. Oh, eventually, I'll sleep I guess.

Supplemental melatonin can cause your body, over time, to be less able to make its own. I forget the source of that info.

[sarah_bella1050]

Just found out my 5 year old has insomnia, going to give some of this stuff a try. How much nettles do you think would be good for her? Calms Forte seems to help her with falling asleep a bit, just need to help her stay asleep. I just told her that playing outside more will help her sleep better and she ran out of the house :LOL. She is quiet the homebody like me

[eilonwy]

I've actually tried just about everything on this list and quite a few things that aren't... and my insomnia keeps getting worse. With medication (15 mg of Ambien) I can fall asleep within half an hour and stay asleep for three or four hours; Without, I'm lucky to get two hours of sleep. I've never done the light therapy, but I have used blackout curtains in the past. I just wanted to post to say I sympathize... not sleeping sucks.

[christina229]

I have cured my insomnia 100% and naturally

I have learned a technique that worked for me like a silver bullet when no amount of drugs, teas, meditations, and hypnosis seemed to work.

It's a bit radical as it requires serious sleep deprivation. The idea is that your body had gotten used to functioning on very little sleep, perhaps conditioned for years. Your body needs to reboot itself.

Here’s how:

1. Determine the ideal time to go to sleep and wake up. Example: ideal for you may be to go to sleep at 10pm and wake up at 6am.

2. Force yourself to stay up for 30-48 hours (preferably when you are free and can just sit in front of the television like a zombie )

3. Ease your way back into sleep by only allowing 4 hours the first night after the sleep deprivation exercise. So, for example, your ideal wake up time is 6 am, then go to sleep at 2 am. Important: you MUST wake up at 6 am the next day no matter how tired you are! BTW I you’re anything like me, you should pass out instantly this evening. Yet if you find yourself still tossing and turning GET UP!!! Try again in an hour, but again, no matter what you must get up at 6am!!!

4. If you were able to fall asleep within 15 minutes the previous night, then reward yourself with an extra hour of sleep the following evening. So the next night go to sleep at 1:00 am and wake at 6am. If you tossed and turned the previous night then you must only use the 4 hours. Again ALWAYS wake at the same time! If, once again, you were able to fall asleep within 15 minutes, give yourself another hour the next night. Repeat this until you have reached your 10pm to 6am goal.


This radical technique should give you the reboot your body needs and "Cure" your insomnia. After this, you must commit to your chosen bed time and wake up time, this is key to keep your sleep cycle healthy.


*** The sleep deprivation technique can be intense so ideally you can free up some days to properly and safely do this. Best not do things like driving as car until you feel you have started getting enough sleep again.
Good luck and best wishes!

[pianojazzgirl]

A good friend of mine has been suffering from insomnia for quite a while now and her dr is suggesting anti-depressants. Has anyone gone this route? I feel so bad for her as I know the pain of insomnia (I had it pretty bad for years).

[Sileree]

I developed delayed sleep phase syndrome because of several years of depression and anti-depressant use.

I just finished treatment at a sleep clinic this month. Basically I sit in front of a special UV light box (10,000 lux) for an hour in the morning and take 500 mcg of melatonin two hours before bedtime.

[Sileree]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

I've actually tried just about everything on this list and quite a few things that aren't... and my insomnia keeps getting worse. With medication (15 mg of Ambien) I can fall asleep within half a hour and stay asleep for three or four hours. Without, I'm lucky to get two hours of sleep. I've never done the light therapy, but I have used blackout curtains in the past. I just wanted to post to say I sympathize... not sleeping sucks.

I tried various "sleep medications" too and they did the exact same thing for me. A therapist at a sleep clinic told me it is very common.

[Sileree]

Originally Posted by mbravebird

Supplemental melatonin can cause your body, over time, to be less able to make its own. I forget the source of that info.

The sleep clinic therapist I used to see told me recently that this isn't true.

It might depend on the dosage. Supposedly 500 mcg is not enough to make most people sleepy enough to fall asleep. It's just a tool I use to signal to my body (along with dimming the lights) that it's time to slow down.

Personally I've been taking it almost every night for two months so far and I find myself getting tired enough around bedtime that I fall asleep on my own a night or two a week without it. So my body's ability to make its own melatonin so far has not been impaired.

[eilonwy]

I'm up to 20mg of Ambien or 15mg with two NyQuil LiquiCaps. I think I need to ask my doctor if she can refer me to a sleep clinic.

[alireb]

My naturopath gave me Seriphos and that has worked wonders for me. Maybe look into acupuncture, homeopathy or a naturopath? I've also heard of the raw honey but haven't tried it because I'm not eating sugar right now. Have you read the book Lights Out? Really insightful.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Bunnyflakes

I am shocked at how fast Melatonin knocks me out.

Needing melatonin is often a sign you are B12 deficient... B12 is key player in producing melatonin. It really helped me a lot falling asleep quickly: Jarrow methyl B12 sublingual 5000 mcg.

Originally Posted by whoMe;14983609'

When I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm just awake, that's adrenal.

Yes, adrenal and blood sugar too. The "mind racing" feeling. And the "waking in the wee hours of the morning" syndrome is your adrenal glands pumping out extra sugar and adenaline to counteract hypoglycemia... your blood sugar dipped too low. This is almost always caused by a high carb diet and resulting insulin resistance... meaning if you are eating more carbs than your body can handle, the insulin goes really high in order to take care of high blood sugar...because the cells are not absorbing it. And then it causes you to crash and go hypoglycemic.

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

Insomnia can also be caused by low D3, which nearly evryone has- especially in the winter. Taking fclo and sup D3 and I stopped waking up at night.

Yes, ditto vitamin D! The Vitamin D Council is a good website for info. and they suggest 4000-5000 IU per day.

[subtlycrunchy]

Here's a good, holistic health article on insomnia and women -- might have some useful info for you -- Insomnia — reset your inner clock and get back to sleep The sleeplessness could be caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Good luck finding rest!

[JaneS]

Here's the thread I was thinking of when I came across this hypoglycemia and disturbed sleep article:

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Hypog...the_full_story

[Louisep]

Resurrecting this thread - I'm suffering badly right now and want to try melatonin. How much, what form, when, how long for?

[Sileree]

Originally Posted by Louisep

Resurrecting this thread - I'm suffering badly right now and want to try melatonin. How much, what form, when, how long for?

You could try 500 mcg at first, along with dimming the lights maybe an hour before bedtime. You can always take more if you need it later.