First Night without Lunesta Sucks!

[musclemom]

Google sleep hygiene. Most people, particularly type As, lead stressed out lives that puts sleep, which is actually critically important to life, on the absolute bottom of their lists of priorities. You have to approach sleep, the time leading up to it, your sleeping environment, like anything else that's important in your life, you make time for it, you prepare for it.

Once humans get past a certain age the whole being able to hit the pillow and pass out like we did when we were kids generally is over (not for everyone, and may those snoozing bastards rot in hell).

Oh, yeah, I forgot something, screw you and your ivory tower, Plunk -- just trying to be consistent.

 

[Arabian]

Google sleep hygiene. Most people, particularly type As, lead stressed out lives that puts sleep, which is actually critically important to life, on the absolute bottom of their lists of priorities. You have to approach sleep, the time leading up to it, your sleeping environment, like anything else that's important in your life, you make time for it, you prepare for it.

Once humans get past a certain age the whole being able to hit the pillow and pass out like we did when we were kids generally is over (not for everyone, and may those snoozing bastards rot in hell).

Oh, yeah, I forgot something, screw you and your ivory tower, Plunk -- just trying to be consistent.

lol, makes sense. I will definitely google this. I hope you are feeling better Musclemom.

 

[cindylou]

lol...I can still pass out when I hit the pillow as long as I have done my "checks"....I've checked to be sure the garage door is shut..I've locked all the doors..the alarm is on and the living room light is on..plus I have to sleep with the tv on..

 

[mrplunkey]

Google sleep hygiene. Most people, particularly type As, lead stressed out lives that puts sleep, which is actually critically important to life, on the absolute bottom of their lists of priorities. You have to approach sleep, the time leading up to it, your sleeping environment, like anything else that's important in your life, you make time for it, you prepare for it.

Once humans get past a certain age the whole being able to hit the pillow and pass out like we did when we were kids generally is over (not for everyone, and may those snoozing bastards rot in hell).

Oh, yeah, I forgot something, screw you and your ivory tower, Plunk -- just trying to be consistent.

That is exactly where I messed up.

I used to have a decent ritual.

- No work for 1-1.5 hours before bed
- No alcohol/food 1-1.5 hours before bed
- No exercise 1-1.5 hours before bed
- Pitch black room
- Read a fairly boring book (i.e. WW2 documentary) before sleep

But when I started using a CPAP machine, I couldn't fall asleep. So I started taking Lunesta. Then I realized that I could work right up to bedtime, so I started using Lunesta as a crutch. I also discovered I could use it to change time zones more easily. This last China trip was a breeze.

But before you know it, I'm taking a fairly large dose seven days a week. And one of the side effects is a headache, which I used to believe was sinus-related -- but I didn't have an infection.

So it's no more Lunesta for me, except under extraordinary circumstances. Once again, the old adage is true: "With every pill is some poison."

 

[musclemom]

But when I started using a CPAP machine, I couldn't fall asleep. So I started taking Lunesta. Then I realized that I could work right up to bedtime, so I started using Lunesta as a crutch. I also discovered I could use it to change time zones more easily. This last China trip was a breeze.

But before you know it, I'm taking a fairly large dose seven days a week. And one of the side effects is a headache, which I used to believe was sinus-related -- but I didn't have an infection.

So it's no more Lunesta for me, except under extraordinary circumstances. Once again, the old adage is true: "With every pill is some poison."

Seriously, try getting hooked on something for 10+ years because you lost the ability to sleep naturally (I started having trouble sleeping in the end of my last marriage and it's still fucked up).

Getting used to the CPAP is tough, I get that. But here's the WEIRD thing, once you DO get used to it, you'll have trouble falling/staying asleep without it.

When I first moved in with my current husband he was a true misery to sleep with (he snores, has apnea -- just got his CPAP this July -- and has sleep movement disorder). My health went to shit because, in hindsight, I was waking up 20+ times a night (maybe more). Anyway, I started using foam ear plugs, 33+ dB. Now he's using the CPAP which has eliminated all of his funkitude while he sleeps, but I've discovered if I DON'T put the plugs in (which really aren't terribly comfortable after 8 hours) I wake up constantly.

Re-establish your old routine, and when you'd normally close the book and turn the lights off, you just add putting on the fighter pilot mask It takes a little time, but you're going to start feeling so much better if you'll just hang in there. You might need to play some sleeping sounds (meditational CDs or something else) I know those masks virtually force your eyes closed. My husband lost weight without doing anything other than just [finally] using his CPAP for a month straight.

I don't know what to tell you about jet lag. Avoid it as much as possible is the only solution.

Good luck, capitalist scum

 

[Smurfy]

I feel bad for all you non-sleeping fuckers. I pass out at the drop of a dime. Always have.

 

[mrplunkey]

Seriously, try getting hooked on something for 10+ years because you lost the ability to sleep naturally (I started having trouble sleeping in the end of my last marriage and it's still fucked up).

Getting used to the CPAP is tough, I get that. But here's the WEIRD thing, once you DO get used to it, you'll have trouble falling/staying asleep without it.

When I first moved in with my current husband he was a true misery to sleep with (he snores, has apnea -- just got his CPAP this July -- and has sleep movement disorder). My health went to shit because, in hindsight, I was waking up 20+ times a night (maybe more). Anyway, I started using foam ear plugs, 33+ dB. Now he's using the CPAP which has eliminated all of his funkitude while he sleeps, but I've discovered if I DON'T put the plugs in (which really aren't terribly comfortable after 8 hours) I wake up constantly.

Re-establish your old routine, and when you'd normally close the book and turn the lights off, you just add putting on the fighter pilot mask It takes a little time, but you're going to start feeling so much better if you'll just hang in there. You might need to play some sleeping sounds (meditational CDs or something else) I know those masks virtually force your eyes closed. My husband lost weight without doing anything other than just [finally] using his CPAP for a month straight.

I don't know what to tell you about jet lag. Avoid it as much as possible is the only solution.

Good luck, capitalist scum

I can totally see that happening.

I may save a few lunesta solely for time zone changes. I had been prescribed up to 6 mg/night (which would knock-down a horse). Hopefully using it only 4-8 times/month will allow me to get by with 1/2 or even 1/4 of that.

 

[digimon7068]

i've never had trouble falling asleep...i work so hard most of the time that i literally rarely remember falling asleep at night...my head hits the pillow, i say a couple of our fathers and couple of hail marys and before i'm done, i'm out like a light...i've had some extremely stressful periods in my life too, but it's never affected my sleep...this time of the year, i only get about 4 hours a night and i gotta make the most of it, thank God i don't have trouble sleeping.

on another note, i've never had a headache either...ever...don't have a clue what one feels like.

 

[billfred]

Falling asleep is no issue for me. Staying asleep is the sucky part. I generally wake up around 3 am. Can't get back to sleep, go watch tv, fall back asleep at 5:30, get up at 6:30 and feel like I have had 1 hr of sleep.

Never take the pills, just live with it. I gave up coffee this week hoping to make it better but so far, no go. I have suffered for two days with a pounding coffee withdrawel headache for no reason!!!

 

[cindylou]

Life is not worth living w/o that morning cup of joe...I look foward to that when I go to bed