Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

[JB]

I don't really think this is technical or I would have put it there.<br /><br />Sleep. I know a lot of we elderly folk have sleep problems. <br /><br />I want to go to bed, sleep 8 hours, then get up and do stuff. That is not even close to happening.<br /><br />I used to go to bed, sleep 3 or 4 hours and wake up wide awake. Than I would take an hour or two nap in the afternoon. I thought that was a carry over from working two six hour shifts a day. Up at 5, home at 1, up at 5, home at 1; 5 days a week.<br /><br />So I started taking OTC sleep aid pills (Sominex). To bed at 10. . . but I would wake at 5 and feel groggy til mid afternoon. Every time I sat down I would fall asleep for 1/2 hour to an hour.<br /><br />So I decided this week I would abandon the pills and try to train my body to go to sleep once a day, at about 10M, and sleep at least 7 hours, then not sleep again until the next 10M.<br /><br />Well, I slept about 4 hours last night. Yup. Been up since 3:AM after trying to go back to sleep. Now (7:30) I feel drowsy.<br /><br />RATZAKRATZA!! <br /><br />Any suggestions on a drug-free regimen to get on a good sleep schedule?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Personally,...... As long as I Don't drink Coffee, Tea, Or Soda Pop with caffeine in it,..Anytime after Noon,.......<br />I can get a Great night of Sleep......In My book,.. That's 9/10pm till 5/5:30am..........

 

[Holdimhook]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

JB, I worked shift work for years and was constantly fighting that same old demon. The best thing I could come up with was also one of the simplest. No caffeine after 3pm and a very light dinner (soup, stew, salad, etc...). Also, if you are going the otc sleep aid route with Sominex, Nytol, and the like, save $$$ and just buy the generic storebrand of Benadryl. Most all of them consist of the same ingredient and the same doseage (25mg diphenhydramine) which explains feeling groggy when you awaken. Good luck, I know it aint no fun.

 

[heycods]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

No you see why I post at all these wierd times. I cant stay asleep no mater what, the aches and pains get me up every 2 to 3 hrs.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

JB, holdim is right on. But a lot of things affect sleep. Since I haven't read every one of your posts, excuse me if I am asking for "old" info.<br />Are you in "good shape"? Has your weight increased dramatically? Do you exercise regularly? Have you had any other major health change?<br />A lot of the info I have read/heard on sleep says that the physically fit sleep better. Also, cut that afternoon nap out completely, or limit it to 20 minutes. Your 1 to two hour nap is hurting you more than helping.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

JB, have you had your blood sugar checked??

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Waking early and taking a long 1/2hr to 1hr walk might get your day and your body envigorated to beat that morning need for a nap. I have had similiar issues and I to this day still struggle with it. My schedule is all over the board.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

JB, sleep is an interesting thing. Although there are a lot of "recommended" times for sleep, each of us have a different sleep clock, and it changes over time.<br /><br />Remember when your kids were very young - they would wake up several times a night? Then the first night they sleep the whole night we are elated? You see, in those early months, it is not continuous sleep that matters, but the total amount. As we get older, we take naps to fill in our needed sleep time till eventually we sleep continuously, hopefully for about 8 hours each night.<br /><br />However, as the aging process continues, we tend to revert back to the non-continuous sleep mode of our early childhood. If we try real hard for those continuous 8 hours, it doesn't do us much good. We may only be able to sleep 3 or 4 hours at a time. When that happens, don't sweat it, it is just the normal progression of sleep. However, you must be willing to take a nap when needed.<br /><br />I have seen this both in my Grandma and Mom (90 and 70 respectively). They have a hard time sleeping through the night. When they are willing to take a nap, all is good.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

I am going through that now. I sleep 3 to 4 hours and I am up ready to go. Then after 6 or 7 hours, I am ready for a nap.<br />This happens day in and day out, nothing changes.<br />I have learned to just live with it.<br /><br />But I think aspeck may be spot on.

 

[JB]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

I think I am in pretty good (not great) shape for a 70 year old who has survived 3 MIs (double bypass and 2 stents) and a major GI bleed (ulcer perforated on an artery). 6'0", 165lb.<br /><br />Last total physical was about a year ago. Treadmill, colonoscopy, blood work.<br /><br />Take aspirin and Lipitor. Cholesterol about 170.<br /><br />Maybe I am asking for too much.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions. I will try at least some of them out.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Have you tried Melatonin? Ask you doc first. Some people really like it and it isnt a drowsy drug, just a hormone type product.<br /><br />I have never taken naps cause they will create an endless cycle of sleepless nights.<br /><br />Fight the urge to take a nap.<br /><br />And exercise regularly.<br /><br />Ken

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Been going through the same thing JB. Done one round at a sleep clinic and looks like I'm headed for round two. Round two is to use a cpap machine - mildly forced air through a mask. Usually needed because of sleep apnea.<br /><br />Know of several who have been put on it and they say it's a big difference. I'm sure tired of getting up tired!

 

[fireman57]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Hang'n In is right. I would sleep for three or so hours very well and then toss and turn for the rest of the night. My wife said that all I did was roll over and over. If I was on my back I would quit breathing for a while and then start back up. I woud be so tired that whole day that it was even hard to concentrate on my work. Yes, I have sleep apnea but I don't want it in my medical records as we have to buy our own insurance and it is an uninsurable condition. Have a friend that is a nurse and she said that she can find a machine for me for about 300.00 bucks instead of a grand and will show me how to use it.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Originally posted by JB:<br /> I think I am in pretty good (not great) shape for a 70 year old who has survived 3 MIs (double bypass and 2 stents) and a major GI bleed (ulcer perforated on an artery).

I don't want to send you thrashing through the archives, but you didn't forget to mention the prostate problems?

 

[JRJ]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

My 86 year old MIL doesn't whine so I make sure she doesn't run out of wine Good luck JB.

 

[heycods]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Originally posted by technoslugginagin:<br />

Originally posted by JB:<br /> I think I am in pretty good (not great) shape for a 70 year old who has survived 3 MIs (double bypass and 2 stents) and a major GI bleed (ulcer perforated on an artery).

I don't want to send you thrashing through the archives, but you didn't forget to mention the prostrate problems?

Someday your memory is gona get you Zapped

 

[heycods]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Originally posted by JB:<br /> I think I am in pretty good (not great) shape for a 70 year old who has survived 3 MIs (double bypass and 2 stents) and a major GI bleed (ulcer perforated on an artery). 6'0", 165lb.<br /><br />Last total physical was about a year ago. Treadmill, colonoscopy, blood work.<br /><br />Take aspirin and Lipitor. Cholesterol about 170.<br /><br />Maybe I am asking for too much.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions. I will try at least some of them out.

My Doc would kick your buXX over the 170 colestrol<br />not allowed above 70 on the bad and 35 on the good collestrol. Stats changed 2 years ago for people with stindts

 

[jtexas]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Sounds like you want to get up around 5 - here's an idea; stay up until 1am regardless of how tired you are, then get up at 5 regardless of how bad you want to stay in bed. Nap during the day, ok, but not more than 1/2 hour, maybe an hour. Next day, stay up until midnight or 12:30, get up at 5. Keep that pattern up over a week or so, see if it helps. Good luck.<br /><br />Or try Ambien for a day or three, if your doctor agrees - you'll get seven good hours of sleep & wake up with no "hangover" effect.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Originally posted by KenImpZoom:<br /> Have you tried Melatonin? Ask you doc first. Some people really like it and it isnt a drowsy drug, just a hormone type product.<br /><br />I have never taken naps cause they will create an endless cycle of sleepless nights.<br /><br />Fight the urge to take a nap.<br /><br />And exercise regularly.<br /><br />Ken

Ken is right. From an excerpt in 'Newsweek':<br /><br />Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness. At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of melatonin produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Some scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people.<br /><br />There are two types of melatonin that may be used in these pills: natural and synthetic (man-made). Natural melatonin is made from the pineal gland of animals. This form could be contaminated with a virus and is not recommended. The synthetic form of melatonin does not have this risk. If you are not sure if your melatonin is natural or synthetic, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.<br /><br />Might be worth a shot since it's not a sedative, which will likely cause more problems in the long run than it will help solve in the short term...<br /><br />Many people have reported that taking Melatonin helps them adjust their sleep cycles when traveling to different time zones.

 

[JB]

Re: Whine, whine. Snivel, snivel.

Techno. . . .<br /><br />I also failed to mention getting shot and stabbed or several cardiac pauses caused by incompatible prescribed medications. <br /><br />I don't think surviving prostate cancer is a big deal. You have to be pretty unconscious not to notice it in plenty of time. It didn't even "prostrate" me.