No Rest For The Weary

I cannot sleep. I take ambien and my doctor just started me on mini press for ptsd nightmares. But no sleep. None. Nada. Nothing.

I have slept a matter of a few hours over the last 3 days and I'm taking sleeping medication.  It shouldn't be like this! Last night at 5am I broke down and went to the store and bought 2 bottles of nyquil to use over the next week or so. I also bought some sleep aid similar to zquil.

I ended up taking half a bottle of nyquil and 4 doses of sleep aid before i got to sleep. That lasted 2 hrs. Not even a full 2 hours; it was a broken up and down 2 hours. Ahh!!! I feel like im going crazy!

Insomia, you're a bitch. JS.

Insomnia And Crohn’s Disease

Here's some info for us crohnies on insomnia....

How to Get a Good Night's Sleep With Crohn's DiseaseBy Karen Appold | Medically reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD 

Poor sleep and Crohn's are a frustrating pair. Find out how to get the rest you need and prevent a flare-up from fatigue.

THURSDAY, April 11, 2013 — Getting a good night's sleep may be good for your health, but when you have Crohn's disease, uncomfortable symptoms like gas and bloating can disturb your slumber. And, according to a study done by researchers at Rush University in Chicago, the lack of restorative sleep can occur even when Crohn’s isn’t active and will have a ripple effect on your quality of life, your gastrointestinal symptoms, and the severity of your disease, even increasing your risk for flare-ups.

Others have found similar links between sleep issues and bowel problems. Research on 3,173 people with inflammatory bowel disease, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that people who had disrupted sleep had an increased risk of their disease reoccurring in six months," says Millie D. Long, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a study co-author. "This could be due to their inflammatory bowel disease or to getting poor sleep. More studies are needed to understand the relationship between sleep and disease recurrence."

Poor Sleep and Crohn's: Breaking the Pattern

Here are ways to counter symptoms that could be standing between you and the sleep you need to achieve better control over Crohn's. Try these tips for better sleep:

If you have night sweats: Night sweats are common with active Crohn's disease. "Regardless of the temperature, if you have Crohn's disease, you may wake up one or more times a night sweating," says Maxwell Chait, MD, a gastroenterologist with Columbia Doctors Medical Group in Hartsdale, N.Y. For improving sleep, try wearing lightweight pajamas and consider taking a shower or bath before bedtime to help make you drowsy.

If you have pain: When your Crohn's is active, you may experience pain that wakes you up. Taking painkillers during a particularly tough episode may help with improving sleep. For joint pain, Dr. Chait suggests an over-the-counter drug, such as acetaminophen, that doesn’t cause digestive upsets. Also consider buying a body pillow, which may help you relax. In severe situations, talk to your doctor about whether taking a sleeping pill is a good idea.

If you take steroids: Although they can relieve symptoms, taking high doses of certain types of steroids -- such as 20 milligrams of prednisone a day -- can result in poor sleep. Splitting the daily dose between morning and evening may help. Make up your lost sleep with a 15-minute catnap during the day.

If you’re eating a lot at night: Poor sleep and Crohn's can be related to eating late in the evening. Your digestive tract works most efficiently in the morning, so try to eat larger meals earlier in the day to improve sleep at night and definitely avoid eating a large meal or even a large snack after 8 p.m. If you wake up with nausea during the night, a few bites of a cracker or a piece of bread may soothe you, Chait suggests.

If you have reflux: Gastric reflux is a common problem with Crohn's and a hindrance to getting good sleep. It worsens when you have a partial obstruction of the small intestine, which causes food to back up. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms and improve sleep.

If you get diarrhea: Diarrhea will deprive you of sleep if you have to repeatedly get up to go to the bathroom through the night. "Don't eat right before bedtime," Chait says. Instead, try taking an anti-diarrhea medicine such as Imodium and remember to make the bathroom your last stop before bed.

If you have anxiety: If you’re anxious or depressed about Crohn’s and its effects on your life, try developing some basic stress-management strategies, such as meditation skills, to restore a sense of calm.

If you continue to have difficulty sleeping, talk to your doctor about being tested for sinus problems, allergies, or obstructive sleep apnea, all of which can rob you of restful sleep.

Copyright © 2015 Everyday Health Media, LLC

QUALITY HEALTH SOURCE:

Crohn’s and Sleep: What’s the Connection?

Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

We all have the occasional sleepless night. However, when sleeplessness persists, it can have a detrimental effect on your physical well being, especially if you have Crohn’s disease. Sleep modulates the immune system, and a regular good night sleep is a key component of good health. Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, often goes hand in hand with other medical conditions.

Crohn’s patients often struggle with sleeplessness, even when their disease is not active. Although there is little scientific research on sleep disruption and Crohn’s, a study reported in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology reports that sleep deprivation does affect quality of life and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms that affect the severity of the disease or increase the risk of flare-ups. Lack of sleep also limits your ability to cope with the disease. Ensuring that you get enough sleep should be part of your overall treatment for Crohn’s.

The low energy, inability to concentrate, and moodiness you experience when you don’t get enough sleep really is all in your head. According to the Academy of Sleep Medicine, insomnia is linked to low levels of a chemical in the brain called GABA, which is the brain’s “brake fluid.” GABA helps stop the transmission of nerve impulses. In adults with chronic insomnia, GABA is about 30 percent lower than in adults who get a good night’s sleep. Low levels of GABA means the brain can’t slow down and instead, races.

In addition to the negative effect on your general quality of life, chronic insomnia increases your risk for other health issues, such as depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and obesity. Undetected and untreated, insomnia increases your use, and the cost, of healthcare spending.

Experts recommend you get at least seven hours of sleep every day. Here are some tips for getting a better night’s rest.

Maintain a schedule from day to day. This means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Avoid naps if possible. When you feel tired at night, go to bed.

Engage in rituals. Doing the same thing, such as brushing your teeth, every day before you go to bed trains your body to prepare for sleep. You may find a warm bath or a cup of herbal tea are rituals that work well for you.

Avoid alcohol, coffee, nicotine, and exercising too close to bedtime. Yes, exercise is important. Just do it earlier in the day.

Limit your activities in bed to sleep and romance. That includes no late TV—or any TV for that matter. And stay off the Internet. You may believe watching TV or surfing the Internet are relaxing activities, but in reality, they stimulate dopamine in your brain, which keeps you awake.

Create an environment that’s conducive to sleep. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and not too warm. Melatonin, a hormone in your brain that regulates your body’s internal clock, is activated by darkness.

If your sleeplessness persists, talk to your doctor. Your investment in a good night’s sleep is one of the best investments you can make in your health.

Insomnia Overload

So I ran out of my ambien because ive needed more of it to sleep lately. So I havent had it in a week and a half and I havent slept at night since I ran out. My doctor put me on something new called Belsomra but ive doubled the dosage and NOTHING.  Im not falling asleep until 8am every day/night, whatever you want to call it.  And then im sleeping off and on for a few hours, horribly, and then im wide awake again. So im incredibly sleep deprived. I have to wait until Monday to reach my doctor again. I dont know how much longer I can handle this. To top it off, my appetite has been nonexistent,  my stomach is very upset, my head is killing me and im super stressed. I know if I got some rest, id be better. At least id be able to deal with the other issues. But for now, im just too exhausted.  I give up

Its 5:01am...ive been trying to go to sleep for 4 hours now. I've really given up at this point. There's no point stressing over it when I know it wont happen for a few more hours anyway. Ugh!!! Sucks so bad

Insomnia Tips

I'm pretty certain that I'm not the only one who experiences insomnia so I hope some of this helps!

Ten Natural Sleep Tips
By Dr. Weil

1. Secrets to Sleeping Soundly
There are many reasons why people have a difficult time staying asleep. The good news is that common problems with sleep are often easily addressed without the use of medication - there are no guaranteed natural cures for insomnia, but there are effective steps you can take. Ask yourself these questions (and try the simple sleep aid recommendations) if you find yourself waking frequently in the night:

Are you physically uncomfortable? A too soft or too firm mattress, an uncomfortable pillow, or an older, worn-out bed can all impede a good night's sleep. Check your mattress for signs of wear at least twice a year, and consider new pillows. You may also want to see an osteopathic physician who specializes in osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT). A session or two of this safe and effective sleep aid treatment can be life-changing.Is your bedroom noisy? Consider a "white noise" generator, an inexpensive but effective device for making soothing sounds to mask jangling ones.Is your mind overactive? If you can't sleep because of thoughts whirling through your head, try the Relaxing Breath - it can help you put aside the thoughts that are keeping you awake. A few stretches can help with sleep aid, too.Are you frequently getting up to urinate and then not able to get back to sleep? Eliminate caffeine and alcohol, especially before bedtime - both can increase nighttime urination and increase sleep disturbances.

If you experiment with all these possibilities and still wake in the early morning hours, try getting up and reading or doing some light stretching - anything other than watching the clock and worrying about the sleep you're losing. Taking your mind off the problem can help to relax you and may help you to fall back asleep.

2. Understanding Insomnia
Insomnia is a relatively common sleeping disorder, affecting about one-third of the adult population worldwide. Insomnia is more common in women, but quality of sleep often decreases equally in both women and men as we age.

There are a variety of factors that can cause insomnia: stress (including anxiety about not being able to sleep), extreme temperature fluctuations, environmental noise or changes, medication side effects, hormones, or disruption to the regular sleep pattern. Depression, chronic pain, a variety of health issues and sleep apnea can also contribute to insomnia. Lifestyle can also affect insomnia - studies have shown that alcohol and caffeine intake and smoking cigarettes before bedtime disrupts sleep, as can excessive napping in the afternoon or evening.

These are not guaranteed natural cures for insomnia, but each may provide relief:

Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Take a warm bath, go for a relaxing stroll, or practice meditation/relaxation exercises as part of your regular nighttime routine.Try to go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time each morning. This includes weekends.Get plenty of exercise during the day. Studies have shown people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary. The more energy you expend during the day (preferable earlier in the day) the sleepier you will feel at bedtime.Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, particularly in the evening.Avoid large meals late in the evening.Learn and use a relaxation technique regularly. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are good examples.Use "white noise" devices to block out surrounding environmental noise.Don't obsess about not sleeping. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that individuals who worry about falling asleep have greater trouble dropping off. It may help to remind yourself that while sleeplessness is troublesome, it isn't life-threatening.Short naps are good. Try to get into the habit of napping: ten to twenty minutes in the afternoon, preferably lying down in a darkened room.Spend some time outdoors as often as you can to get exposure to bright, natural light. If you are concerned about harmful effects of solar radiation, do it before ten in the morning or after three in the afternoon or use sunscreen.Try to give yourself some time (up to an hour)in dim light before you go to sleep at night. Lower the lighting in your house and bedroom and if other members of the household object, wear sunglasses.The two best natural sleep aid treatments are valerian and melatonin. Valerian is a sedative herb, used for centuries. You can find standardized extracts in health food stores and pharmacies. Take one to two capsules a half hour before bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the wake/sleep cycle and other daily biorhythms. Try sublingual tablets (to be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve); take 2.5 mg at bedtime as an occasional dose, making sure that your bedroom is completely dark. A much lower dose, 0.25 to 0.3 mg, is more effective for regular use.

3. Avoiding Afternoon Slowdowns
Many people find themselves losing steam in the afternoon, due to a variety of reasons. If you experience afternoon slumps, ask yourself the following:

Do you exercise regularly? Exercising can help keep your energy levels high, especially if you exercise in the morning.Are your lunches heavy in carbohydrates? Midday meals with lots of carbs can make you sleepy. Make sure your lunch has a balance of carbs and protein.Do your snacks come in the form of a candy bar? Stay away from refined and processed foods, especially products heavy on sugar. While they can cause an initial energy spike, they are usually followed by a decline in energy. Opt for a healthier snack, like fresh fruit, that will better sustain your energy.How do you combat boredom? Instead of slumping in your chair, get up and go for a brief walk, to get your blood flowing.How much coffee do you drink in the morning? A coffee drinker's energy cycle is usually controlled by coffee - energized early in the day, lethargic and slow in the late afternoon. Ginseng tea is a good coffee substitute, one that is less likely to make you feel sluggish in the afternoon.

4. Coping with Insomnia
Insomnia is a relatively common sleeping disorder, affecting about one-third of the adult population worldwide. Unfortunately, as we age, quality of sleep can decrease. While different types of insomnia have different causes, most people can find relief through natural remedies for insomnia, regardless of the source of their insomnia:

Establish a consistent bedtime routine, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. Get plenty of exercise during the day. The more energy you expend during the day, the sleepier you will feel at bedtime.Reduce or eliminate your intake of caffeine, stimulants and alcohol. Even when consumed early in the day, these can affect sleep.Avoid large meals late in the evening.Learn and practice a relaxation technique regularly.Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are good examples, although these are not sure-fire natural cures for insomnia.Don't obsess about not sleeping. Instead, remind yourself that while sleeplessness is troublesome, it isn't life-threatening.

5. Drowsing in the Afternoon?
Each of us has different patterns of high and low states of energy throughout the day. Some people find that exercise in the morning can go a long way toward keeping their energy level consistent during the afternoon. A secret known to those who have become habitual exercisers is that effort creates energy. Don't wait for energy to come when you are tired; as soon as you begin to feel that afternoon slump, shake it off by moving your body. Try taking a brisk walk after lunch. It may be what you need to keep you awake and alert the rest of the day.

6. Fighting Fatigue With Insomnia Herbs
If you feel worn down or are lacking energy due to improper sleep, a hectic schedule or day-to-day stressors, learn how to fight fatigue naturally with insomnia herbs. Taking a few minutes for yourself and doing simple breathing exercises can be helpful, as can daily moderate exercise and getting adequate rest. Certain nutrients, botanicals and other compounds can also help to ward off or lessen the effects of general fatigue. Experiment with the following insomnia herbs and natural remedies for insomnia:

Magnesium and calcium. Oral magnesium supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue in persons with low magnesium levels.Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Studies show that Eleuthero can help enhance mental activity as well as physical endurance.Coenzyme Q10. This vital nutrient is involved in cellular energy production throughout the body.Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb prized for its ability to help the body deal with stress.Cordyceps, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom that may help fight fatigue and boost energy levels.

7. Natural Remedies for Insomnia
Sleep is an important part of reaching your health goals. Shakespeare called sleep "the chief nourisher in life's feast." Adequate sleep is a primary component of a healthy lifestyle. Although often the undesirable result of our busy lives, insufficient sleep may also be indicative of imperfect health, and can itself lead to future health problems.

Here are some suggestions for getting the sleep you need to protect body and mind:

Eliminate caffeine from your diet, especially in the form of soft drinks and coffee, as well as over-the-counter drugs (check the labels).Practice daily breathing exercises, and the relaxing breath when falling asleep.Take a warm bath before bedtime.Get at least 45 minutes of aerobic activity every day.

8. Sleep for Weight Loss
Want help achieving and maintaining a healthy weight? Aim for eight hours of sleep a night. Research suggests that appetite-regulating hormones are affected by sleep and that sleep deprivation could lead to weight gain. In two studies, people who slept five hours or less per night had higher levels of ghrelin - a hormone that stimulates hunger - and lower levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin than those who slept eight hours per night. So make sure getting adequate sleep is near the top of your optimum health checklist!

9. Trouble Counting Sheep?
Insomnia is a relatively common sleep disorder, affecting about one-third of the adult population worldwide. Insomnia can cause severe sleeplessness and is more common in women, but the quality of sleep decreases equally in both women and men as we age.

Typical symptoms of insomnia include problems falling asleep, waking up frequently in the night with difficulty falling back to sleep, waking too early in the morning, and feeling unrefreshed when waking in the morning.

The causes of insomnia are varied. Noise, temperature changes, medication side effects, jet lag, and a change in surroundings can all cause insomnia, as can PMS, menopause, menstruation, or pregnancy.

If you suffer from insomnia, try to stick to a routine at bedtime, and go to bed at the same time every day. Avoid caffeine and nicotine before bedtime, and get plenty of exercise during the day. A dark room free of noise may also help-consider buying a "white noise" device if your bedroom is noisy. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

10. Trouble Sleeping? Try Mantram
Mantram is the practice of repeating over and over in the mind certain syllables, words or phrases that help unify consciousness and counteract negative mental states. It is especially helpful for people with restless minds, whose turbulent thoughts keep them from relaxing, concentrating and falling asleep. The repetition of a verbal formula is a way of focusing the thinking mind and counteracting the damage done to both mind and body by thoughts that produce anxiety, agitation and unhappiness.

You can practice mantram anywhere, especially as a sleep aid and a natural remedy for insomnia- it is a totally portable technique, requires no training or equipment, and can be used in any circumstance, so long as you don't practice it while doing something that otherwise requires your undivided attention. Try experimenting with it - choose a word, sound or phrase that is pleasing to you, and repeat it. If your mind wanders, simply focus back on the word. You will be amazed at the results.

Yep I Got That Too

Since my blog is about my journey in Crohn's disease and my stem cell transplant, many of my followers and even friends, don't know all the other health issues I carry with me. I posted below pics of other health problems I have to deal with on a daily basis. Some have information attached,  some just state the problem. And some, as you will see, are very personal and this is the first time I have ever come out publicly. You will know what I mean when you get there. The point of this post is not to "show off" all my problems and definitely not for sympathy. I'm merely giving you a bit of insight in to the world of, well, me. And I hope some of them can help some of my readers feel more relatable and even give them more confidence and courage to seek medical attention for problems they may have as well! So here it goes!

Side note: I am seriously diagnosed with these issues. I am by far not a hypochondriac.  I would trade anything in the world to not have the health problems I have, but this is the life I've been given and there's no point in denying any of it. And if anyone of my fellow crohnies or loved ones of Crohn's patients know, many of these illnesses come hand in hand with autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease.