# Sleep-Starved: Insomniac Check-In **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950 "2017-06-14T17:16:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/1 "2017-06-14T17:16:22Z")
I usually avoid starting threads because my widdle feewings get hurt when they’re ignored, but I keep seeing insomnia discussions pop up in unrelated threads. It’s time for our very own. Please post anything insomnia-related even if it’s just to bitch. I’d talk about the liquid melatonin **chimera** recommended in one of those unrelated threads, but with only four hours of sleep, I’m too tired! Last night was difficult, but overall it’s been quite helpful. I’ll post about it later if no one else does. I think **Sunny Daze** was going to try it, but I haven’t read anywhere how it’s going. ETA: I’m so tired I can’t even spell. Reported for title correction. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/2 "2017-06-14T17:24:34Z")
Would a fifth of vodka allow you to go to sleep for a long time? Serious question, but can be any type of alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/3 "2017-06-14T17:28:56Z")
Insomnia sucks. In my 20s I was lucky to sleep more than 4 hours a night. I got better at sleeping in my 40s but still have lots of nights where I sleep fewer than 5 hours (including zero hours sometimes). Melatonin makes me sweat like a mofo so I don’t use it. Sucks to actually fall asleep only to wake up 2 hours later with soaking wet sheets. **manson1972** , alcohol is not considered a good way to induce sleep. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/4 "2017-06-14T17:29:42Z")
I used to use a real sleeper - Temazepam 30mg. Even had it coming in the mail! Then renal failure makes MD’s very hesitant to prescribe benzodiazepines/ So I now use apill which gives me exactly one hour per pill (tested with 4, 2, and 3 doses). Of course, PCP will not prescribe more than 1/day. Last night was 3 hours, with 2 yesterday. I am now going to drive across town for a medical appt. On no sleep, no REM, no dreams… Yes, those DID die a few years back 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/5 "2017-06-14T17:34:54Z")
Alcohol is what I used for 30+ years. Got up to 300 mg 100 proof vodka + 2 Unisom Gel-Caps. The tablets did nothing - I tend to burn them off as they dissolve. Then came the benzodiazepines - not nice, but they do work. For those with good rapport with their MD’s: ask about the benzos and/or the “NEW! Better!” so-called "Z drugs - I like Lunesta. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/6 "2017-06-14T18:02:18Z")
Cannabis is my medication of choice for occasional sleeplessness. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/7 "2017-06-14T18:06:15Z")
I slept until 4:30 am this morning. Boy howdy, did that feel good! All too often lately, I wake up at 3am, and it’s game over for the night. When I wake up much earlier than that, I can usually get back to sleep, but on those nights when I can’t, it _really_ sucks. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/8 "2017-06-14T18:07:51Z")
In keeping with the thread topic: Q. What does a dyslexic agnostic insomniac do? A. Sits up all night, wondering if there is a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/9 "2017-06-14T18:17:08Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > **manson1972** , alcohol is not considered a good way to induce sleep. That may be true. But DOES it induce sleep? ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/10 "2017-06-14T18:19:02Z")
I do not have insomnia and sleep like a champ so excuse my ignorance about insomnia. A question I’ve always had for insomniacs is, if you only get 3 hours of sleep a night, do you have to take a nap during the day? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/11 "2017-06-14T18:19:45Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Would a fifth of vodka allow you to go to sleep for a long time? Serious question, but can be any type of alcohol. > [@Slash1972](#): > > That may be true. But DOES it induce sleep? For a few hours, yes. But you wake up after 3 hours or so and can’t get to sleep. Plus, those few hours that you _do_ get are poor quality. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/12 "2017-06-14T18:21:47Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That may be true. But DOES it induce sleep? Short answer: Yes. Not sure if its sleep or just passed out. I’m cutting back on the beer (well, trying) and now can’t sleep. I’m also crabby and irritable, even by my standards. Was up till 4 am last night, then the dogs woke me up at 8. :mad: Dogs… ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/13 "2017-06-14T18:23:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Cannabis is my medication of choice for occasional sleeplessness. Ditto. I actually medicate every night just in case. Can’t be too careful. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/14 "2017-06-14T18:39:48Z")
I have been taking a prescribed ambien substitute nightly for over a year. It works much of the time. There are still many nights where I have to additionally take an over the counter med to finally get to sleep. Without the meds I just don’t seem to be able to sleep at all, no matter how tired I am. I envy those who can sleep with ease. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/15 "2017-06-14T18:48:04Z")
I got about 6 hours of sleep last night and that was the most in about 2.5 months. It really sucks when I fall asleep and then look at the clock next time I wake up, often it has only been just over an hour but I feel fully rested. > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Ditto. I actually medicate every night just in case. Can’t be too careful. And sometimes during the day… ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/16 "2017-06-14T18:48:50Z")
I take 50mg of Trazadone every night about 20-30 minutes before I go to bed. I have what I call the “Spin Cycle”, where I wake up, roll over and go back to sleep. Every 5-15 minutes, or in the absolute worst times, every 2-5 minutes. I once dislocated my right shoulder in the middle of the night from thrashing around so much. Woke up face down with my shoulder beneath me. Trazadone doesn’t put me to sleep, it simply helps me stay asleep, largely defeating the spin cycle in all but the most stressful times. I know a lot of people who have tried it and didn’t continue because one of the side effects is drowsiness the next day, but I find I’m less tired than I would be if I didn’t sleep. Trazadone was originally used as an anti-anxiety, anti-depression drug with a therapeutic range of 200-600mg per day. Not used so much for that anymore because of the drowsiness issue and more effective meds. Yes, I suggested the sublingual Melatonin because the pills are useless. Each time I’ve taken it, I’ve slept a minimum of 9 hours and as long as 14. But I don’t take it very often. The other suggestion I have is simple relaxation. **Stop worrying about getting to sleep** - because I’ve found that causes its own problems. Just lie down or get comfortable and concentrate on relaxing your body and just resting your mind. Don’t try to stop the 90mph thoughts. Just let your mind flow but don’t linger on anything. Scenario building or thinking about something, let it go. Don’t even think about getting mad at yourself, just calm, relax, when you catch yourself thinking of something, just stop, breathe and relax. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/17 "2017-06-14T18:58:16Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > For a few hours, yes. But you wake up after 3 hours or so and can’t get to sleep. Plus, those few hours that you _do_ get are poor quality. ok, thanks. I wasn’t suggesting it, just always wondered about the effects of drinking until you passed out on insomniacs. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/18 "2017-06-14T19:25:52Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > I do not have insomnia and sleep like a champ so excuse my ignorance about insomnia. A question I’ve always had for insomniacs is, if you only get 3 hours of sleep a night, do you have to take a nap during the day? Sometimes. But insomnia is often not related to being tired. Even if you try and take a nap, it doesn’t mean you’ll get to sleep. Then sometimes you might get in a cycle of needing short naps (like two hours) followed by three hours of wakefulness. Typically, I’ll be up for days with just an hour or two of sleep followed by a hard crash of twenty hours or more in bed. I always feel worse after a nap and laying there desperately hoping is worst of all. Mostly I don’t bother. It’s hell on my dog but there doesn’t seem to be a solution. I’m planning to get my meds adjusted in a few weeks. I don’t have any real expectation of success. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/19 "2017-06-14T20:03:26Z")
> [@](#): > > I have been taking a prescribed ambien substitute nightly for over a year. It works much of the time. biotop, what is this? I have had ambien in the past and find it really works as long as you don’t use it too often. does NOT work if you take it frequently. so, what is the substitute? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950/20 "2017-06-14T20:34:43Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Sometimes. But insomnia is often not related to being tired. Even if you try and take a nap, it doesn’t mean you’ll get to sleep. Then sometimes you might get in a cycle of needing short naps (like two hours) followed by three hours of wakefulness. Typically, I’ll be up for days with just an hour or two of sleep followed by a hard crash of twenty hours or more in bed. > > I always feel worse after a nap and laying there desperately hoping is worst of all. Mostly I don’t bother. > > It’s hell on my dog but there doesn’t seem to be a solution. I’m planning to get my meds adjusted in a few weeks. I don’t have any real expectation of success. Yeah the entire concept of a “quick nap” is foreign to me. Sure, I might be able to fall asleep for 30 minutes…after about 3 hours of trying. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-starved-insomniac-check-in/788950.md?page=2)