Posted by mattdds on January 1, 2004, at 22:51:11
In reply to Re: Larry, how is your sleep? » mattdds, posted by JLx on January 1, 2004, at 19:54:47
Hey,
Thanks for your very helpful post. I'm encouraged to hear there is a possibility for improvement. You no longer suffer from insomnia, or at least suffer significantly less? That's great!
> Hi Matt,
>
> I've used a light visor for several years now. Sometimes when I was in night-owl phase it was the ONLY way...So you had delayed sleep phase syndrome also? I'm beginning to wonder if my problems are not so much latency - I go to bed fairly quickly...when I'm tired. The problem is that my phase advances toward around 4-5 am for in the absence of something to get up for. My problem right now is that I'm in dental school and have erratic clinic hours. Some days I have to get up very early, while others I don't have to get there until 2 pm.
Basically, if I don't *have* to get up, I won't.
>If you try a light box, I recommend this questionnaire to see what time of day would be best using it for your individual circadian rhythm. http://www.cet.org/default.htm?
I did, thanks for the link. Apparently, my melatonin production begins around 11:45 (sounds early). And I should beging light therapy at 8 am.
> I've been plagued with insomnia most of my life, but no longer.
Again, I'm so glad you were able to get relief, it's very encouraging.
>One of the best things I've done is discipline myself to go to bed early -- and start turning off lights a couple hours before bedtime, not reading in bed with a bright light, not being on my computer late at night, etc.
I have a feeling this is the bulk of my problem - my habits. I routinely play around on the computer until late at night, and leave the lights on. These are good ideas you give.
>
> Also, in my experience, magnesium citrate is the most diarrhea-provoking type of magnesium I've tried.The malate salt is perhaps less likely to cause diarrhea?
> Insomnia is a special form of hell, imo. I wish both you and Larry luck in finding a way out of it.Well put, it is hell. I feel isolated and out of sync with the "real" world. Thanks for your insightful post. I got a ton from it. If I can scrounge up enough money, maybe I'll buy a 10,000 lux lamp. Probably have to wait until after dental school to be able to afford the dawn-dusk sim (though I'm tempted, it looks so cool, haha).
Best,
Matt
poster:mattdds
thread:295133
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031218/msgs/295580.html