As predicted

[caddyman]

It's not eleven in the morning yet and already the predictions for the day are fulfilling themselves.

Lack of sleep has turned my eyeballs to dry, dusty pebbles that grate and scrape whenever I blink or in anyway move them. I ache from the tips iof my fingers to the nape of my neck and if I close my eyes for a second too long I can feel myself nodding off. The only time I cannot sleep, it seems, is at night in bed. I seem to be hot, too, though thed weather is quite clearly much cooler than of late and I am anyway in an air -conditioned office. I think my humours are in imbalance, though which of the blood, yellow bile, black bile or phlegm needs draining off is anyone's guess. Doctors don't hold much store by this eminently sensible system any more. Quacks.

Of course, being one averse to being prodded and punctured at the best of times, I should be more grateful that medical science has moved on. I don't want anything drained, ta very much. Maybe not quacks, then; a bit more respect. Mountebanks and charlatans, perhaps.

Again, I am too stern with them, too disrespectful. Especially as a day or two more of this and I shall be in need of potions, ungents or linaments from said august profession.

Comments

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

Am not sure what to try next. I must admit that no sleep-aid I have ever tried has had any effect whatsoever. Probably cos when I can't sleep (v rare) it's cos I am mulling something over.

We can cover your pillow in lavender and you in badger balm if you like! May work on you - but I fear it's usually far too small an effect.

Wonder what it is?

[snorkel-maiden.livejournal.com]

I was going to say lavender oil too!

Also, if you're that tired, go home :) You won't achieve much today anyway being that sleepy and the rest of the day at home might also relax you more.

Apparently doing a jigsaw is a good way of getting sleepy. Something to do with the mind operating but not thinking about sleeping.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I don't think I dare sleep during the day as it will simply ensure that my sleep patterns remain completely out of sync with everyone else!

I shall be nipping off early, though. Tonight is games night and I always leave early for that on Monday.

[caffeine-fairy.livejournal.com]

Actually, I find sleeping during the day is the only thing which helps when I'm having a bout of insomnia. I assume it reduces the "Argh I can't get to sleep!" thing at night because you know you've already had a few hours.

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

Docs won't suggest much for insomnia sadly. I have experience with sleep issues so if you want to chat about stuff to try feel free to gimme a buzz before eight any evening.

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

Well ain't that spooky. Stop borg-minding with me.

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

Jamie uses some Valerian based concoction for his insomnia, which apparently knocks him out. He may be able to tell you more.

I think this heat has been stinky for over a month now. Having accustomed myself to living in a leaky colander of a house without running the central heating I have been finding it pretty oppressive. Mal has been melting.

Unfortunately Mal has conditioned me into not sleeping so that even if he sleeps through the night now I don't. I need the habit back.

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

BTW you could stop mainlining caffeine first just as an experiment.

By which I mean, try to avoid it in the second half of the day. After you have recovered from the crushing withdrawal symptoms you might go to sleep.

(I just read back to your "I'm just finishing my cup of tea and then we'll see how much sleep I get" post.)

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

Yes she's right, you do seem to chain on the old caffeine. Takes about 2 weeks I believe of cutting down before you'll really notice the effects.

There's only one solution that comes to mind:

[failing-angel.livejournal.com]

Laudanum.



Alternatively, is this a current problem, or regular one?

Re: There's only one solution that comes to mind:

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Everyone has it from time to time.

I don't recall getting it for three consecutive nights, though.

Three successive nights? That's nothing!

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

Hey, welcome to my world, Bry.

Re: Three successive nights? That's nothing!

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

I think that, like Bry, my problem is caffeine. What can I do? If I stop sloshing down Mountain Dew, I become a gibbering wreck ready to turn the nearest work colleague inside out and nosh their brains.

[romney.livejournal.com]

Dehydraton can make it difficult to sleep, so when you take your brain out to put it in the glass of water by the bed, I suggest you gently squeeze it first so that it will absorb more water.

If you want sweet dreams, add a teaspoon of sugar to the water, although over time this will give you a fat brain.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Presumably it is through dispensing such advice that you gained a fat head?

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

Excuse me! but dehydration is the most common cause of insomnia. My cousin Russ, who teaches brain gym - look it up on the internet - told me that the reason I wasn't sleeping was that I didn't drink enough water before going to bed. He would drink about threequarters of a pint and then refill the glass and take it with him to drink as he read a bit and settled down for the night.
I have now taken to doing the same thing and always drink at least half a pint of water before going up to bed and I take a small bottle of water with me - we now have a cat that like to drink from anything except his own water bowl so we take bottles cos he hasn't learned how to unscrew the tops yet.
Try it for a few days - it took me about a week to get my fluid levels up, and reduce the amount of caffiene you are taking it is a bad drug very addictive

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

It was the fat brain comment that led to the fat head response, not the sage wisdom about dehydration per se.

If you knew romney better, you'd understand. He doesn't take umbrage, he appreciates being kept in his place.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Furtle has found some lavender oil which I have sprinkled liberally over the pillow (and hers, he he). I'll see if that works and then start working my way through various other remedies!

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

I have some lavendar pillows about 6 inches square to go inside the pillow case on your bed to relax you and let sleep arrive naturally - give me your address I will post them. they are very light and won't cost more than 50-60p to post two of them

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

That's very kind!

Does your LJ email work (the one on your info page)?

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, try ann at annmaceyoriginals.co.uk

That one works