Posted by ramsea on October 4, 2005, at 5:10:20
In reply to Can't sleep in my bed or bedroom - need advice, posted by jerrympls on September 24, 2005, at 23:50:25
A few more thoughts--just inquiring really. Seroquel at 25 mgs-50 mgs helps me to sleep. Anymore and I have a bad reaction--though I get into a sort of stupor, according to my spouse i am not relaxed and peaceful, but highly agitated and anxious, though unable to achieve actual consiousness for up to 24 hrs. (that's on 200 mgs). However, the very small portion helps me achieve more sleep. Maybe you are taking Seroquel for more than sleep problems though.
Another thing--the light issue is really important. I bought black-out curtains this year to help keep my room totally dark, and my spring-related hyper-insomnia almost instantly improved. I still fell asleep with difficulty, but once asleep, stayed asleep longer. Of course for me longer means---lucky if I get 3 hrs without a period of waking.
Not anxing bout my insomnia is vital. My spouse (who is not bipolar as I am or anything else in MI land) has struggled with insomnia and too light sleeping for some years, esp. following work problems and several primary bereavements, found that relaxing his body and listening to the radio helped immensely. With the radio, or an audiobook, the light doesn't have to be on, and of course unlike with TV/computer there's no extra light emitted. The more darkness, the more melatonin is naturally produced.
Melatonin as a supplement needs to be used with caution. I ended up with a serious prolactin over-production, and the endocrinologist told me that the standard dose of this hormone is some 10 times more than the body should be taking in at one time and could easily be the cause of my serious hormone imbalance. People often think that because it comes from the health food store there's no dangerous side effects, but melatonin is a serious substance.
I guess sleep has always been a trouble for me. Your plight of sleeping in the "wrong place" reminds me of my early childhood, when I would be discovered sleeping in a bowed position on the wooden floor of the hallway, in one special spot. No sheets, no cover, no pillow. But I was comforted there.
poster:ramsea
thread:559269
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050929/msgs/562642.html