Feeling blah and unable to pin down a cause

[Jenny in Florida]

55 minutes ago, Night Elf said:

First change I'm making is to walk every day. Just doing that is going to be a major accomplishment for me.

Good for you!

[ktgrok]

Start with the sleep. You are tired and unable to heal because you are not sleeping. You are unable to lose weight because you are not sleeping. 

For health, if you had to rate diet, exercise and sleep, sleep would be first priority. 

Talk to your doctors again about the sleep issue, there are other meds to try. 

[ktgrok]

5 hours ago, Night Elf said:

I have mild sleep apnea and do sleep with a cpap. It is extremely mild though so I was surprised when they gave me the machine, but I use it. 

I just saw my doctor on Friday about my weight and energy levels. That's when she did the thyroid tests. She said to walk in the morning and after dinner but she was only trying to break up my usual 20 minute walk that was making my leg hurt so bad. I've never thought about being in sunlight. It makes sense though. I bought my youngest one of those sun lights or whatever they're called because he is affected by the sun, or lack of it I should say. I've never thought about it for myself.

Does your doctor know you are getting only 3-4 hours of broken sleep a day? Fixing that seems way more vital than the walking, right now. You will have more energy to walk, and be able to heal your knee better, when you are getting sleep. 

[Night Elf]

2 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Does your doctor know you are getting only 3-4 hours of broken sleep a day? Fixing that seems way more vital than the walking, right now. You will have more energy to walk, and be able to heal your knee better, when you are getting sleep. 

Yes, my whole medical support team knows.  I've tried what I consider to be many meds. Some of them worked for the first day only, then I was back to waking up. Some didn't do anything at all. The worst one I took was Ambien. I was having conversations I didn't remember, night eating while in a sleepy state and not remembering I had eaten. It was awful. Sonata and Lunesta did nothing. I can't remember what happened with Restoril or Dayvigo, but I didn't stay on them long. I've gone back to Trazodone more than once and is what I'm currently taking, but even 150 mg. doesn't do anything, so I dropped back down to 50 mg but I think I'm going to stop taking it for a while and see what happens. I feel like there were more but I don't recall names.

[Create Your Ritual]

So sorry to hear it! Sleep is essential and lack of it definitely dictates your energy levels for the rest of the day. From a health standpoint, high levels of chronic stress (what you might see from chronic lack of sleep) raises cortisol levels which in turn raises blood glucose levels which could be a contributing factor to lack of weight loss.

With regards to sleep there are several herbal options you might research and see if they feel right for you .. sleep tinctures with valerian, hops, california poppy, chamomile, etc. There are many options, choose a reputable company. You might also research low dose melatonin. There are also adaptogens that help strengthen the body while also promoting sleep - ashwagandha for one. There are mushroom powders that might also benefit - Reishi, Lions Mane, etc.

Magnesium levels are often very low as we age, so read up on adding a Magnesium Glycinate supplement to your day (natural muscle relaxer) or taking Natural Calm powder before bed at night.

Working with a certified ND (Naturopathic Physician) would be of huge benefit as they can test hormone levels and assist through this hormonal transition. If you're interested in specific dietary changes you might also consider a nutritional approach that focuses on lowering overall inflammation in the body (Paleo, Whole 30, Younger You) to name just a few.

Love the walking! Keep it up. Might also look into Essentrics or Classical Stretch on PBS or online. This is such a process, so have loads of grace for yourself right now. Good luck! Feel better! 

Edited April 6, 2022 by Create Your Ritual

[ktgrok]

10 minutes ago, Night Elf said:

Yes, my whole medical support team knows.  I've tried what I consider to be many meds. Some of them worked for the first day only, then I was back to waking up. Some didn't do anything at all. The worst one I took was Ambien. I was having conversations I didn't remember, night eating while in a sleepy state and not remembering I had eaten. It was awful. Sonata and Lunesta did nothing. I can't remember what happened with Restoril or Dayvigo, but I didn't stay on them long. I've gone back to Trazodone more than once and is what I'm currently taking, but even 150 mg. doesn't do anything, so I dropped back down to 50 mg but I think I'm going to stop taking it for a while and see what happens. I feel like there were more but I don't recall names.

Yeah, ambien can be scary. Definitely need to take it when IN BED. My ex took it, and if he took it while in bed it was fine, he's fall asleep and stay there. If he took it while still up, like say getting a snack before bed or whatever, he'd end up delusional having long weird arguments with me tha the didn't remember later. 

Another thought, is medical marijuana legal in your state? I know a few people who use it for sleep issues. 

[GoVanGogh]

4 hours ago, mom2samlibby said:

Our bodies don't absorb Vitamin D if we are low in magnesium and potassium. 

I just pulled up the info on the mineral protocol and will read over it tonight. I know my absorption of vitamins and minerals is horrible, as do my doctors. We are working on it, but I am always wanting to further my research and options. I have been hospitalized twice with malnutrition over the years bc of what was many later diagnosed as celiac. I have half dozen autoimmune issues. Which I wanted to mention to OP… 

I was first hospitalized with malnutrition when I was 15. I was again hospitalized shortly after my child was born and at that time diagnosed with a few autoimmune issues. About ten years after that, I was diagnosed with more autoimmune issues. I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s and a few more autoimmune issues as I went through menopause. I have since had multiple specialist tell me - For people with autoimmune issues, the most vulnerable times are puberty, first child birth, menopause. That the body cannot support the fluctuations of hormones and systems start to go haywire. Why was I not told this, oh, maybe 10-15-20 years ago?!?! I feel like - I do everything I am suppose to be doing. I exercise on a consistent basis, I eat a good diet, etc… Yet, my body just keeps trying to kill me. After years of being made to feel like I am to blame, it is freeing to finally have doctors tell me, “It isn’t you, it’s your body, let’s work on this at a different level.” (I actually had an ENT tell me that if I washed my hands more frequently I wouldn’t have contracted Epstein-Barre! I never went back to him. And now doctors are saying I need to be less “clean” to help build back good bacteria!”) 
 

OP, I don’t recall your medical team situation, but I do think it is super important to find doctors that look beyond the lab reports or scales or standard medical script. I would still love to find a good alternative doctor, but too many in this area seem to go too far into conspiracy ideas for my comfort level. LOL But I do have some great traditional specialists - like  my rheumatologist, whom I adore, along with some non traditional ones, such as my “thyroid” doctor is really a Gp that has made thyroid and bio identical hormones his speciality, my acupuncture doctor, my massage therapist, etc. I would also include - My personal trainer, who really meets me where I am, plus he is certified as a plant based nutritionist. He was so helpful when I decided to go plant based, which I also have to add… I went plant based 14 months ago. My chronically high inflammation levels have plummeted down to normal range for first time in my adult life! Getting that under control has further helped my pain levels and my ability to move and be active. My rheumatologist said that is the single best thing you can do for your health. (I have also struggled with self harm and eating issues since I was 14, so this was hard at first but now my eating seems very natural for the first time ever.) I also started doing hot yoga with infrared heat about 14 months ago and it has been a game changer. Infrared heated studios are so different than traditional “hot” temperature hot classes. They are very therapeutic and healing. Just a few other thoughts from someone who is right there with you. 

[GoVanGogh]

3 hours ago, Night Elf said:

See, I really like my cpap. I feel like I sleep so much better with it. I only have mild sleep apnea but just having my airway opened up while I'm laying down feels amazing and restful.

Oh, that is great! I had trauma/abuse around my facial area and the mask just about kills me, I have to fight not having an anxiety attack.  I had to get a different type of mask and even then… I struggle with it. 

[Lisa]

You've gotten some great responses here. I don't have much to add. I too struggle with insomnia, but for me melatonin helps and sometimes I take Calms Forte.  You and I are the same age. I've already gone through menopause and noticing some joint knee pain which sometimes hurts more at night and makes it difficult to sleep. I take calcium, magnesium, vit D3 supp plus glucosamine/chondroitin/tumeric supp. I hope you get some relief from your insomnia soon. Hugs!

[Shoeless]

I don't feel I can offer specific advice regarding weight loss, given your history of eating disorders. 

What I will say is this: it isn't impossible to lose weight as a perimenopausal woman. I see this come up in several places, multiple times a week. "Oh, it's hormones, there's nothing to be done". "Oh, I am 50, so this is just how it is". And that's just not true.  I did it, with Hashimoto's disease, too. It can be done, it's not impossible. 

[Night Elf]

46 minutes ago, MissLemon said:

I don't feel I can offer specific advice regarding weight loss, given your history of eating disorders. 

What I will say is this: it isn't impossible to lose weight as a perimenopausal woman. I see this come up in several places, multiple times a week. "Oh, it's hormones, there's nothing to be done". "Oh, I am 50, so this is just how it is". And that's just not true.  I did it, with Hashimoto's disease, too. It can be done, it's not impossible. 

It's ok about my eating disorders. My weight loss is being monitored by my support team which is my primary care physician, psychiatrist and therapist. They won't let me slip up. They all want me at a healthy weight. I sort of disagree with where they'd like me to settle but that's my ED talking and logic kicks in and I tell myself that 10 lbs. more than my ideal is still a great weight. There's also the possibility I won't make it down that far but if I can lose at least 10 lbs. I'll be happy, but my goal is to lose 30 lbs. to reach what everybody thinks is a healthy weight for me. Everyone wants it done slowly so we're being careful about how I approach this. Thank you for the encouragement. I've been reading success stories too so I do know it's possible. I just have to make the changes I've discovered in this thread and maybe I'll start to see a downward trend.

[Melissa Louise]

Can't add much to the weight/sleep problem ( though I sleep much better when yoga and/or meditation happen in my day) but just wanted to address the knee/pool thing. 

You can buy swim leggings that cover your legs. And rash shirts that cover your trunk and arms. I have both these for sun safety reasons, but the other nice thing about them is that you don't have to show any skin. 

When I was doing PT for a hip problem, exercise in water really helped. I used to time it to go mid morning, when the pool was full of elderly people getting their exercise - all body shapes and sizes, no judgement. 

[Night Elf]

Ok, I had choices for Calm. I chose Calm Sleep.

A dose is 2 teaspoons which I'm going to start with rather than a small dose because supplements usually don't work on me.

It has 220 mg magnesium, 100 mg GABA, 50 mg L-Theanine, 5 mg melatonin. 

The regular Calm powder had 325 mg magnesium and I didn't know if I should be more concerned about the magnesium or having the cocktail mix. So I chose the cocktail mix to try first. 

I'm going to take this instead of my Trazodone tonight since my Trazodone really doesn't seem to do anything. There are nights I fall asleep without having taken it and my sleep pattern is the same as when I do take it. 

I'll report back in the morning to see how my night went! I'm hopeful! If I could even just get 4 hours of unbroken sleep, that would be a huge improvement over what I'm doing now.

[ktgrok]

1 hour ago, Night Elf said:

Ok, I had choices for Calm. I chose Calm Sleep.

A dose is 2 teaspoons which I'm going to start with rather than a small dose because supplements usually don't work on me.

It has 220 mg magnesium, 100 mg GABA, 50 mg L-Theanine, 5 mg melatonin. 

The regular Calm powder had 325 mg magnesium and I didn't know if I should be more concerned about the magnesium or having the cocktail mix. So I chose the cocktail mix to try first. 

I'm going to take this instead of my Trazodone tonight since my Trazodone really doesn't seem to do anything. There are nights I fall asleep without having taken it and my sleep pattern is the same as when I do take it. 

I'll report back in the morning to see how my night went! I'm hopeful! If I could even just get 4 hours of unbroken sleep, that would be a huge improvement over what I'm doing now.

Calm is known to cause diarrhea if you don't ease into it! 

[ktgrok]

Is your vitamin D level good?

Also, does pain keep you up at night? Or wake you up? If so, could some pain meds at bedtime help you sleep better?

[Night Elf]

6 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Calm is known to cause diarrhea if you don't ease into it! 

😱 Well 10 mg of melatonin does nothing. 50 mg of Benadryl does nothing. Unisom does nothing. And miralax does nothing. TMI huh? So I'm just thinking ahead to the fact that this won't work either. One bottle said to start with 1/2 teaspoon and work your way up to 2 teaspoons. This bottle I have just says 2 teaspoons.

[Night Elf]

8 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Is your vitamin D level good?

Also, does pain keep you up at night? Or wake you up? If so, could some pain meds at bedtime help you sleep better?

Yes my vitamin D level is great. That was just checked in December and I take a Vitamin D supplement per my chiropractor's advice. I do not wake up because of pain. I just wake up for no reason. It's like a natural waking up too. I lay there and just know I won't be able to go back to sleep but I stay in bed for about 30 minutes hoping, then finally get up. My legs don't hurt at night probably because I'm not using them.

[Harriet Vane]

A random question and not real likely, but I'll ask anyway--do you use a nasal spray for allergies or anything like that? I ask because I am only able to use nasal sprays (like Nasonex and the like) for 2 or 3 days at most. After that, I am unable to sleep. I might fall asleep for 1-3 hours, but then I'm wide, wide awake. I do not have that effect when I use a Neilmed bottle to flush antibiotics through the area (if I have a sinus infection)--it only happens with steroid nasal sprays.

[Night Elf]

Just now, Harriet Vane said:

A random question and not real likely, but I'll ask anyway--do you use a nasal spray for allergies or anything like that? I ask because I am only able to use nasal sprays (like Nasonex and the like) for 2 or 3 days at most. After that, I am unable to sleep. I might fall asleep for 1-3 hours, but then I'm wide, wide awake. I do not have that effect when I use a Neilmed bottle to flush antibiotics through the area (if I have a sinus infection)--it only happens with steroid nasal sprays.

No. But it was a good thought. I'm open to any thoughts!

[ktgrok]

9 minutes ago, Night Elf said:

Yes my vitamin D level is great. That was just checked in December and I take a Vitamin D supplement per my chiropractor's advice. I do not wake up because of pain. I just wake up for no reason. It's like a natural waking up too. I lay there and just know I won't be able to go back to sleep but I stay in bed for about 30 minutes hoping, then finally get up. My legs don't hurt at night probably because I'm not using them.

What time do you take the vitamin D? some people have insomnia if they take it in the evening...

[Kassia]

4 hours ago, Lisa said:

I too struggle with insomnia, but for me melatonin helps and sometimes I take Calms Forte.  

I'm going to try the Calms Forte - thank you.

 

28 minutes ago, Night Elf said:

. I do not wake up because of pain. I just wake up for no reason. It's like a natural waking up too. I lay there and just know I won't be able to go back to sleep but I stay in bed for about 30 minutes hoping, then finally get up

This happens to me every night, too.  It's awful and it's been like this for so long (20 years?).  

I bought this last year for when we were traveling and sharing a hotel room because I didn't know what I would do about getting up during the night.  It worked very well for me (I only take 1/3 to 1/2 pill or I'll be way too groggy in the morning).  I don't take it at home because I don't want to take it regularly so I'm up every night.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L4M4M0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1  ETA this probably wouldn't work for you after all.  I checked and the active ingredient is pretty common in other things I think you've tried.  OTC meds like Benadryl or nighttime cold meds knock me out even with a half dose, I just don't want to take them regularly to keep me asleep.

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Kassia

[Night Elf]

17 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

What time do you take the vitamin D? some people have insomnia if they take it in the evening...

In the morning. 

[Night Elf]

13 minutes ago, Kassia said:

I'm going to try the Calms Forte - thank you.

 

This happens to me every night, too.  It's awful and it's been like this for so long (20 years?).  

I bought this last year for when we were traveling and sharing a hotel room because I didn't know what I would do about getting up during the night.  It worked very well for me (I only take 1/3 to 1/2 pill or I'll be way too groggy in the morning).  I don't take it at home because I don't want to take it regularly so I'm up every night.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L4M4M0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

That's Unisom. It doesn't do anything for me. 😞

[Kassia]

1 minute ago, Night Elf said:

That's Unisom. It doesn't do anything for me. 😞

Yes, I realized that after I posted and added an ETA but I guess you didn't see it.  Sorry.  😞  

[Night Elf]

1 minute ago, Kassia said:

Yes, I realized that after I posted and added an ETA but I guess you didn't see it.  Sorry.  😞  

Oh it's okay. I saw another brand next to Calm at the store called Goli. I've never head of that. Looking into it, one is Ashwagandha which I think someone on this thread mentioned? Not sure, but I figured I'd try that next if Calm doesn't work.

[KungFuPanda]

How's your sleep hygiene wrt screens?  Sometimes DH will be up half the night because he can't sleep, but he always, always, always fills that time with screens while he waits to get sleepy again.  He doesn't have the willpower to get through even one night without turning on a computer or television.  I can't complain too much, because he usually knocks out a lot of work, then naps a bit during the day.  I'm convinced he could develop better sleep habits if he committed to zero screens between midnight and 5 a.m.

Could you get an indoor pool membership and exercise in the water until your knee hurts you less?  

[Arcadia]

DS17 finds chamomile tea helpful when he feels tired but can’t fall asleep. 

[ktgrok]

Oh, do you have your screens set to lower blue light at night? My laptop and phone automatically do this at sunset. You can also get blue light blocking glasses. 

There are some people that say going camping for a few days, with no artificial lights, helps, but that's pretty inconvenient. But no sleep is very dangerous, so might be worth it. 

Edited April 7, 2022 by ktgrok

[Hilltopmom]

Lands End makes skirted swim capris and leggings and rash guard swim tops in super cute patterns and options now. 

[Ali in OR]

Just an aside, but at my annual appointment last week my doctor said women have sleep issues after the age of 20! You hear so many stories about not sleeping well since becoming a parent--"every noise wakes me"--but there may something more to it biologically and not just associating it with kids. It does seem so common that women don't sleep as well as men.

[Night Elf]

23 minutes ago, KungFuPanda said:

How's your sleep hygiene wrt screens?  Sometimes DH will be up half the night because he can't sleep, but he always, always, always fills that time with screens while he waits to get sleepy again.  He doesn't have the willpower to get through even one night without turning on a computer or television.  I can't complain too much, because he usually knocks out a lot of work, then naps a bit during the day.  I'm convinced he could develop better sleep habits if he committed to zero screens between midnight and 5 a.m.

Could you get an indoor pool membership and exercise in the water until your knee hurts you less?  

I'll admit I do get on my laptop to watch sermons, but that's probably 30% of the time. Otherwise I'm working on my curriculum or reading pleasure books.

I could get a YMCA membership but I'm just really not liking that idea despite all the wonderful ideas given here. I'd just feel like an idiot and what others think is extremely important to me. A great deal of it is my body dysmorphia. I don't see myself as others do and i'm very uncomfortable in my skin. I try to avoid mirrors.

[Night Elf]

15 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Oh, do you have your screens set to lower blue light at night? My laptop and phone automatically do this at sunset. You can also get blue light blocking glasses. 

There are some people that say going camping for a few days, with no artificial lights, helps, but that's pretty inconvenient. But no sleep is very dangerous, so might be worth it. 

I don't think I have a blue light option on my kindle or laptop. Is it easy to find glasses? I don't want to get knock offs that don't work.

 

[Night Elf]

Okay, I found a pair of blue light blocking glasses that fit over prescription glasses with 4.5 stars on Amazon. $22. They'll be delivered Friday and I'll give them a try.

[J-rap]

Just a lot of random thoughts (I haven't read all of the replies, but many).  

Premenopausal/menopausal years are hard on sleep.  That definitely affected me.  And my dh began having poor sleep patterns about 20 years ago, exactly when his migraines became chronic (in his 30's).  That makes me think that at least for some people, poor sleep patterns is an actual brain thing -- chemical or neurological, not just based on bad habits. 

He discovered fairly recently that things that didn't help before, like cutting out caffeine, are suddenly helping now.  I don't know why this didn't help 20 years ago, but it definitely makes a difference now.  Our bodies change as we get older though, so it must have to do with that.  He now has caffeine only in the morning.  He also has become comfortable breaking his sleep into two periods.  There was actually a study done on this recently, to find out if sleeping a night straight through is better than having two periods of good sleep in a day, and there wasn't a difference in outcome.  So that's what my dh does.  He sometimes gets in just 3-4 hours at night, but then will sleep another 3-hour stretch later in the morning, after breakfast.  (He can do that since he was forced to take early retirement due to a disability.) 

My own sleep certainly isn't perfect (since premenopause) ...It's still kind of hit and miss these days.  But I find that I need less sleep than I used to, or can go for two short night sleeps in a row and then one long one, and I actually feel just fine.  So letting go of sleep expectations.  I also have pretty severe RLS (restless leg syndrome) from time to time.  If I'm getting enough iron, then I don't have that issue and my sleep is so much better.  Even if my blood tests show that I'm getting enough iron, it seems my body just needs more.  When I take iron supplements my RLS goes away and my sleep is hugely improved.

About eating.  After menopause, I find I need about 2/3 (or less) what I used to eat.  I feel just as hungry, but a lesser amount definitely fills me up.  I don't set limits, but I eat slowly and listen to my body.  So I might start with just half a sandwich instead of a whole sandwich, or an open-faced sandwich instead of a two-slices-of-bread sandwich, and usually when I'm done with that, I realize I'm full.  I eat till I'm full but I just pay careful attention to when that actually is.  I try and eat a healthy diet but mostly I eat in moderation.  I've eliminated most pure-sweet items -- desserts, cookies, soft drinks, even sugar in my coffee.  That wasn't hard because my taste just changed and I rarely crave them anymore.

I have knee pain now and then leftover from sports as a youth/young adult.  I was amazed how after one session with a PT about 5 years ago, I could learn simple exercises that improved it significantly.   During periods when it hurts, I wear a knee brace.  I always take one with me when I travel in case it kicks in.  Have you met with a PT?

My dh has many health issues and off and on pain, and he's found that the gentlest and most helpful exercise is pool exercise.  Amazing!  The warmer (the water) the better.  Many rehab centers have very warm pools and will sometimes sell health passes to use them (without an actual PT).

Someone mentioned hypnosis therapy above, and that's something I've been reading about a lot lately.  Maybe something to look into?  

Oh, lastly, weather really impacts my dh.  His body seems to be super ultra sensitive to his environment.  Cloudy days and rainy periods can completely throw off his sleep and bring on pain.  It definitely affects his mood too.  Then when the sun breaks out, he's suddenly chipper and feeling good.

Anyway, maybe something somewhere in all of that is helpful!

Edited April 7, 2022 by J-rap

[ktgrok]

1 hour ago, Night Elf said:

Okay, I found a pair of blue light blocking glasses that fit over prescription glasses with 4.5 stars on Amazon. $22. They'll be delivered Friday and I'll give them a try.

Oh good! My son finds they help a lot. 

Also, consider taking melatonin every evening at the same time, even if it isn't helping right away. It may help over time. 

And can you sleep during the day? At this point, napping would seem almost a necessity. That little sleep is dangerous for driving, if nothing else. 

[Ceilingfan]

I would absolutely seriously consider a week long camping trip in may or June with absolutely no screens, just take like a burner flip phone for communication and have nothing else. Don't take the curriculum with you. This amount of sleep has terrible health implications, something drastic is warranted and a week of camping without artificial light or screens or intellectual distractions is a small price to pay for a circadian reset.

[ktgrok]

Your post title says you feel blah and don't know why...the why is that you are very sleep deprived. It is okay to have two sleep periods, but try to make at least one of them longer, or take a nap during the day, while you figure this out. 

[Lisa]

4 hours ago, ktgrok said:

Calm is known to cause diarrhea if you don't ease into it! 

Yes, it is mag citrate, which is what we use in the hospital for severe constipation and sometimes for people who need to be cleaned out before a colonoscopy.

[Night Elf]

7 hours ago, J-rap said:

He also has become comfortable breaking his sleep into two periods.  There was actually a study done on this recently, to find out if sleeping a night straight through is better than having two periods of good sleep in a day, and there wasn't a difference in outcome.  

and

Have you met with a PT?

 

I read an article about that study quite some time ago and had forgotten about it. I'll look it up again. It would probably be a great solution for me.

And yes, I did do PT for my back and legs. I do have a series of home exercises but don't do them every day like I am supposed to do. My DH has been encouraging me to do them as well as walk/bike. 

[Night Elf]

Well, a great update! I took half the dose of Calm Sleep before bed last night in place of my prescription medication. I slept almost 4.5 hours without waking up! I'm amazed. I'm trying not to be too excited because I've had sleep meds work wonderfully the first night and then not at all subsequent nights. I hope that doesn't happen with the Calm. I would like to try a full dose and see if I can sleep longer. However, I do like the idea of two sleep periods if I can sleep at least 4 hours in one sitting. I'm feeling pretty good right now but still a little tired so maybe I'll lay back down just after breakfast around 6:30 am and see if I can get 2-3 more hours.

Yay for Calm! Thanks for the suggestion!

[ktgrok]

2 hours ago, Night Elf said:

Well, a great update! I took half the dose of Calm Sleep before bed last night in place of my prescription medication. I slept almost 4.5 hours without waking up! I'm amazed. I'm trying not to be too excited because I've had sleep meds work wonderfully the first night and then not at all subsequent nights. I hope that doesn't happen with the Calm. I would like to try a full dose and see if I can sleep longer. However, I do like the idea of two sleep periods if I can sleep at least 4 hours in one sitting. I'm feeling pretty good right now but still a little tired so maybe I'll lay back down just after breakfast around 6:30 am and see if I can get 2-3 more hours.

Yay for Calm! Thanks for the suggestion!

yay! Sounds like maybe you are a bit deficient in magnesium - my doctor thinks I am and I'm supposed to take it daily. I take a daily heartburn medication, prilosec, which is known to prevent absorption of magnesium I guess. Might even help with your leg pain as well!

But yes, go back to sleep! I often as I age find I need to sleep periods - will wake around 3am, stay up until 4 or 5, and go back to sleep for a few more hours. 

[Kassia]

7 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

 

But yes, go back to sleep! I often as I age find I need to sleep periods - will wake around 3am, stay up until 4 or 5, and go back to sleep for a few more hours. 

This is what I do too.  Much better than how I used to sleep - it used to be two naps each night for 2 1/2 - 3 hours each.  This works much better for me unless we're traveling and sharing a hotel room.

[Night Elf]

Ok, I am awake now I think. I did go back to sleep and slept 3 hours so I've had a total of 7.4 hours sleep. I still slept all morning like usual but that's okay. If I can sleep longer tonight, I might not need to sleep as long in the morning. 

[ktgrok]

13 minutes ago, Night Elf said:

Ok, I am awake now I think. I did go back to sleep and slept 3 hours so I've had a total of 7.4 hours sleep. I still slept all morning like usual but that's okay. If I can sleep longer tonight, I might not need to sleep as long in the morning. 

That's fantastic! (warning, when I'm sleep deprived, I often feel a bit mORE tired at first, when I get normal sleep again. Like my body is saying, "yes! This stuff - do more of this!" but it does even out and get better)