Now I Lay Me Down and Hope…

Click on the pic to read an article about sleep-deprived parents

 

I tell you all frequently how much I care about each and every one of you.  I was going to do a poem or a short story or some such thing today and get back on my own good schedule for posting.  I haven’t missed a day in well over 400 days and I see no reason not to continue.  However, before I could do this, I went through my normal morning routine of reading news posts online and I found this article on sleep.  Please read – I will wait.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/cheating-ourselves-of-sleep/

All done?  Good.  If you slept enough last night to get through it and remember, it was a very timely article for me.  I don’t sleep well and I know most of the things that are affected – I am affected constantly.

Some of my battle is in the AM when my meds from the night are still in my system.  I stay in bed 6.5 to 9.5 hours, the meds usually work for from 9.5-12 hours, so I am drowsy in the mornings.  I don’t like caffeine as it makes me jumpy, but I will drink a big cup if I have to be out earlier than I like.

Lately, it has been sleep about 4 hours (which is nice), wake up, get up, eat, go back to bed for 2-3 hours.  I don’t like this schedule but as it used to be sleep 2 hours, sleep 2 hours, etc… This is so much better for my brain and my functioning.

Pay attention to your sleep.  Stop letting “things” get in the way.  You know how you feel after a good solid night’s sleep? – well, that would be great each and every night.  And, if you paid attention to the article, just because you are older doesn’t mean you don’t need as much sleep.  The article indicates that your “sleeper” just isn’t doing as good a job anymore.  Taking Melatonin may help.  Melatonin (I take 5mg night) helps to regulate when and how long you sleep at night. It takes a while to work and you will not feel the difference; you will have to notice the difference in your sleeping schedule.  You shouldn’t wake as much, perhaps, as before.

If your problem is falling asleep, Valerian Root can help with this.  It has more of a sedative affect.  You take it and about 20 minutes or so later, you should fall asleep and rest.  I take both Valerian Root and Melatonin.  That isn’t enough for me, unfortunately, and I have to take an Rx sleeping pill.  That’s what does the groggy thing to me in the morning.  It is also my most expensive Rx.

Talk to your doctor and ask about these two herbs.  If he balks big time at taking “herbs”, perhaps you need another doctor.  I don’t know about interactions, that’s why I would ask.  Be safe and sleep well.

Namaste,

Scott

 

Rip Van Winkle had it easy!

Yep! He had it easy!

I mean it! He just had to sleep for however many years it was (20 says Internet). He should try to not sleep.

I find that easy to do, just miserable. Yesterday (Saturday), I decided to try something. I take 3 medications to help me sleep:

The first is Melatonin. This is an herb and your body makes it. My understanding is that is helps, over time, to regulate how long you stay asleep.

The second is Valerian Root, another herb, which helps you feel sleepy.

The last is an Rx (Prescription) called Sonata or Zaleplon (generic). It is also supposed to make you sleepy and help you stay sleepy all night.

There are three things I don’t like about Sonata:

First, it is a prescription, which has to be renewed each month. I have had some problems with this.

Second, according to my up-coming Medicare prescription plan, it will be the most expensive one I purchase.

Third, it seems to take about 12 hours to leave my system. I am very groggy when I get up after being in bed for even 9 hours, even if I slept well.

Felt sleepy, but it didn’t really take…

So, last night, I decided to not take my Sonata. About thirty minutes after taking the other two, I was extremely sleepy and went to bed. Now, the only reason I say I slept at all was that, if I did lay in bed for 4 1/2 hours without sleeping, it didn’t feel like it. But, I didn’t sleep long, nor did I sleep well.

I felt awake at 5:30, but by 7 was so dead tired, I tried to go back to bed and sleep again. I did and in two separate sessions, I got about 3 1/2 hours in by 2:00pm today. It was enough that I have made it through the day, but I will go back on my third med tonight.

This isn’t a complaining post. What I really set out to do was an experiment and it had bad side effects. It did keep me from meeting my daughter and her fiance for the suit fit for the wedding, but she is great and we are doing that at another date. I also did not get groceries tonight, but those will be bought in time. That’s for certain.

My experiment showed me I need my meds.

Have any of you tried to experiment just a bit with meds or a recipe and had it simply go bad?
I hope you rest well tonight. I plan to.

_
Namaste,
Scott

A New Tactic

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/12/05/health/chen_600.jpg
“No – I ‘talked’ to my doctor ‘about sleep'”

Well, I did go to the doctor this morning for blood work, general checkup (for stroke and meds), as well as discussing sleep. I mentioned two herbs my son had suggested work well together. They are Melatonin and Valerian Root. Valerian Root, apparently, makes you sleepy, while Melatonin regulates your sleep cycle over time.

The doctor told me to take those two with my current med. I confirmed with the pharmacist that this was okay. I wanted to make certain I had given my doctor the proper info and heard him correctly. So, hopefully, tonight, I will sleep well.

http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/08296461000?hei=185&wid=185&op_sharpen=1&qlt=85

I also purchased a new mattress and box spring set. It feels wonderful and will come in Wednesday. I am going to bed much earlier (before midnight). All these things are to help me sleep.

I did stop in at a reflexology place in town and made an appointment for tomorrow. She will, hopefully, be able to help my neuropathy (nerve problems in feet, mostly from diabetes) and work on my arthritic hip.

http://pthumbnails.5min.com/10348360/517417963_5_648_307.jpg
Came up on Google for watching movie – I just like the bear.

I will end tomorrow by taking my daughter out to eat (or eat at her apartment) and watch a movie with her.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jha/lowres/jhan159l.jpg

I came home today to the person who works on my yard. He had two people with him and they were trimming my bushes and trees and removing (chopping and loading) all the damaged wood from the storms we have been having.

Busy Day!

So, things are happening and I just wanted to keep all of you up to date. I am going to post this, take my meds, and – sleep!

_
Namaste,
Scott