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Hi Patrica,

                        you are right to avoid a medication solution, it does become habit forming, and the resultant sleep is not near as good as a natural one... As for your insomnia, I would not have a simple answer without any back ground knowledge, it can have many causes and there is no universal solution,  it can be caused by stress, worry, dieting, responsibility overload, lack of exercise, fear of something (real or imagined) you really need to identify the cause before trying to cure it...

You need to take a long hard look at yourself and your lifestyle..

I know this is of little help, but it may be a start...    

Try to establish a regular routine of going to bed at the same time each night. Also try to rise from bed at the same time each morning even if you have not slept well. The time before bed should be “wind down” time so avoid too much stimulating activity such as an exciting television programme. Avoid alcohol before going to bed and don’t drink tea, coffee or soft drinks containing caffeine. A warm bath before bedtime might help you to relax. Don’t smoke before sleeping. If you are restless get up out of bed and read for a short while and return to bed when you are sleepy. If you have tried all of these measures without success then I would consult a GP for further advice. Best of luck.

Hi Patricia

There's nothing worse than not being able to sleep. I had a similar problem to you and went to my GP. He prescribed a mild sleeping tablet just to get my sleeping pattern back. It did work but when the sleep goes haywire again, the temptation is to take more pills. When I asked for a further prescription, however, Doc refused and said to come back if the problem persisted. I certainly have bad nights but it tends to go in cycles so I try not to worry about it too much. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your replies. I went to the Doctor yesterday as lack of sleep was really getting me down. He prescribed a very mild sleeping tablet as a temporary measure in the hope that I will get my sleep pattern back into shape again - slept for 5 hours stright last night for the first time in a very long time. Thanks again for your comments.

I just came across this thread and am very interested as I suffer from sleep deprivation myself. Have tried everything but can still only average 3 or 4 hours sleep a night. Is this normal? I feel tired during the day but am so used to it by now. I wonder though is it bad for one's health to get so little sleep.

Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks.

Bernard

Hi Bernard

I'm no expert but I would say it probably doesn't do you much harm. I'm similar to you in that I go to bed at the same time every night and usually can't sleep. Sometimes I get up and read a book and have a cup of coffee. I know that sounds highly irregular but after staying up for half an hour or an hour, I feel tired and I always go back to sleep afterwards. Margaret Thatcher survived on 3 hours a sleep every night and managed to run a country so I think you shouldn't worry too much.

Regards

Frances

Hi Bernard

You may find this article on sleep and older people interesting:

http://www.livescience.com/health/older-adults-need-less-sleep-100201.html

Hi guys and gals..can totally empathise with the above comments...WAS a wreck for 17yrs (long story)...but I go for ACUPUNCTURE and now I sleep like a baby....if anyone would like some help.....pls feel free to contact me at msannekelly@eircom.net I hope it is okay to post my email address...Anne