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Suz
559 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2007 : 12:42:58
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Hello all,
After much success using Sarno's method to get rid of my back pain of 10 years, I am still struggling with insomnia. I know this has become a psychological problem and one I am completely obssessing over. I have been doing the 6 week program from "say goodnight to Insomnia" - recommended by someone here. It has helped a little but I am still suffering from waking up early in the morning and not getting back to sleep.
I have gone through the most awful breakup with my boyfriend - completely devestated but now recovering. Also, I am going through changes at work. I got a bad review - first in 5 years and i know it is time for a change. There is an opportunity in HR here but I am concerned that I am expected to do 12 hour days. I already do 10 hour days.
so - these things weigh on my mind.
Can and has anyone used Sarno's method to get rid of insomnia.
I am absolutely exhausted.
Oh - by the way, my digestive problems have competely gone away |
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Baseball65
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 16:05:02
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Hey suz...Long time no talk...
Hey...when you said you just went through a breakup with your boyfriend, do you mean the guy from 2 years ago??
just curious.
I thought he was long gone.....
-BB65 |
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 22:27:14
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Hi Suz
Yeah - I wouldn't be on this forum if it weren't for my insomnia!
I am really having a hard time with it. I seem to get seriously wired around bedtime, even though exhausted. I know quite well the major life issues I am stressed about, though I'm not consciously thinking or obsessing about them. But I just get antsy. Last night I was almost unable to keep my eyes open, but some part of me was refusing to sleep. "No, I won't go to sleep."
I also, at times, have the 4am wake up and can't get back to sleep thing. That's when I come to the forum and it's usually so boring it sends me back to sleep.
Again, I am cracking myself up.
I've read the 6 week program, but didn't actually do it because at the time I was dealing with major dental pain and having to take painkillers, so I couldn't really do a program to sleep naturally.
I'm very open for anyone's comments, especially success stories.
xx
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 07:43:05
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Hey Baseball,
No - that guy I was engaged to and I never went back to him. I dated a guy for the last year and was completely in love with him - was completely devestated when he broke up with me out of the blue on New Year's day - this is after spending Christmas with his family. One day he was telling me he loved me so much and then suddenly out of the blue, he said he needed to consider becoming a priest. We are both very Catholic. He asked me for a month to explore it. I was a wreck. One month later, he called me. he was a completely different person - told me that he didn't want to be a priest but there were problems int he relationship - basically that he did not like that I have insomnia and that I take my job too seriously. he was horrible - really mean on the phone. It was extraordinary. He said he wanted to come and see me and discuss how I could change these things about myself. He then called me the next day and broke up with me.
This was very devestating for me. I suspect that the real problem is that he has a drinking problem and when I dated him, i pointed it out and was really concerned. He did not like that.
I know I am better off without him but the rejection and shock hit me really hard. The month before it happened, he was talking about where we would have our wedding. He came over and stayed with my family in England. It was a very serious relationship.
I actually decided to go back and see a psychologist as I took the rejection so hard. I thought it was time to explore it. Also, I was obssessed with being perfect for him and overlooked a lot of things like his immaturity and the drinking.
Phew - sorry that was so long but it has been a very tough time. I am 37 years old and am wondering if I will ever meet someone and get married again. i would love to have children. |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 08:52:05
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Pick up the book Say Goodnight To Insomnia. One of the best mindbody books I have ever read.
*************
Sarno-ize it!
************* |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 08:57:20
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I have been doing the 6 week program in there. I am on week 5. I agree that there are very good tips although I think I may have exacerbated the problem by focusing on it so much doing this program. I agree that there are good things in there - time to go to bed, relaxation exercises etc. however, I have been filling in my sleep diary every day and I think it may make it obssessive.
What did you find really helpful? I also think that undoing the continual bad thoughts about not sleeping is very helpful. I am on week 5 and still seem to be taking 75 mg of trazodone every night. I still wake up at 5:30 am and cannot get back to sleep - now that is not every night. I am going on vacation tomorrow and thought i would try and get off the medication. The book directs you not to do that during a stressful time. These last 2 months have been some of the worst of my life - with the awful break up and now immminent job change after a bad review at work. |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:00:29
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Suz, so sorry to hear about your breakup. I had one like that, with horrible timing, person mean about my issues, etc.
Two suggestions: if anxiety is a factor, I liked the book Women & Anxiety by Helen de Rossis.
Second, maybe if you are working 10-hour days you don't get home early enough to unwind before bed? Don't go for 12-hour days. work is just not worth it.
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
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Susie
USA
319 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:04:05
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| hey you sleep deprived people-get some ambien 10 mg. It works great for me. Sleep is no longer an issue for me. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:52:09
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| thanks armchair. Unfortunately, my new job will involve 12 hour days continually - but I think for the first time I am going to enjoy what I do. This is the job break I have been waiting for. I think it will give me more confidence and that will seep over into my life |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 10:26:09
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I hope it works out well and you do enjoy it. (I cannot imagine working 12-hour days...)
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 10:34:50
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| 12 hour work days, sheesh, move to frisco. If I tried making my employees work 12 hour days, I'd be thrown in San Quentin. Out here, you're just happy if they show up! |
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JohnO
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 15:58:29
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| Tylenol PM -- best thing ever for insomnia. Stay away from prescription drugs as most are new and no history of long term side effects. Tylenol PM is great fro this. Lets you sleep great but not too groggy in the morning. Some take a full pill and some just a half. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2007 : 19:48:10
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Look in the index of TDM under "sleep disorders".
good luck! |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 14:23:52
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I wanted to let everyone know that I spoke to Sarno regarding my insomnia. He promptly announced it as an equivalent and told me to go back to his psychologist. As soon as I knew it was just a distraction of the mind, I slept for the first time over the last 2 nights. I have come off all sleep medication. It is fantastic.
I have woken up early in the morning over the last few nights and instead of panicking and taking a sleep pill, i just rolled over, confirmed to myself it was TMS and went back to sleep.
YEAH!! I cannot tell you how relieved I am. Of course, my symptoms are moving everywhere now - from back pain to anxiety to now a sinus infection.
I am going to start aggressive work with my psychologist.
It just shows that all these drugs for sleep problems would be entirely unnecessary. I felt so dependant on them and wondered what sort of harm they might be doing to other organs in my body like the liver. Doctors just give out drugs today without even thinking |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 15:52:25
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quote:
I suspect that the real problem is that he has a drinking problem and when I dated him, i pointed it out and was really concerned. He did not like that.
Suz,
I know it didn't feel that way at the time, but he did you a huge favor if he's an alcoholic. People with drinking problems are not equipped to have healthy relationships...He saved you much heartbreak and perhaps many wasted years...Sooner or later the bottom would have fallen out..
All that said, I know how devastating that kind of abrupt breakup can be...It's a betrayal of the highest order, possibly the most painful thing in the world outside of a loved one's death. And in a way, that's just what it is... |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 16:30:47
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Hi Suz,
I am so sorry to hear about your breakup..that is a devastating loss..I am sure that is contributing to the insomnia along with the work issues...I battle with insomnia sometimes as well..I find it gets worse the more I have on my mind..or if I have some sort of stress in a relationship...I have no problem falling asleep, but I wake up every hour and a half or so..sometimes just get up in the middle of the night and then go back to sleep when the sun comes up...I wanted to share what has helped me...I take calcium-magnesium (3 tablets) 30 minutes b4 bed...It is totally natural, good for the body and it relaxes me...I also avoid any stimulants like chocolate many hours b4 bed...There is a homeopathic remedy called "Calm Forte" which I also use once in awhile...And, of course, journalling to get the thoughts/feelings that are troubling you out on paper so your mind isn't racing when you are trying to fall asleep...
Hugs and God bless,
Karen |
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 20:16:21
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Suz, I'm really glad to hear your insomnia has let up. The world always looks a lot better on enough sleep. Hopefully you will feel energetic enough to get a lot out of the work you do with your psychologist.
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2007 : 07:49:45
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Thank you so much Art, karen and armchair - this has been the most awful time of my life. However, I am coming out of the fog now. I am starting to feel much stronger and have learnt alot from this past relationship. I believe so strongly that good always comes out of bad things.
Re:the insomnia - it is all just another obssessive distraction of the mind. That book "say good night to Insomnia" actually made the problem worse. It made me obssess over it so much which just feeds it. it has all these suggestions of what time to go to bed, what to do, what not to do.
The best approach has been not to think about it - to go back to journalling and to really get stuck into my work with the psychologist. |
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alexis
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2007 : 08:09:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Suz
... I am still suffering from waking up early in the morning and not getting back to sleep.
A recent issue of Scientific American Mind cited research questioning the idea that a normal night's sleep is 8 solid hours.
Summary:
http://www.sciamdigital.com/index.cfm?fa=Products.ViewIssuePreview&ARTICLEID_CHAR=2F8C03C7-2B35-221B-60C30BF036003416
The basic idea of this theory is that until recently, people slept in two sections, waking in the middle of the night -- often for several hours. This awake time was used for though processing, relaxation, sex or whatever.
The misconception that there is something wrong with this pattern, according to the theory, has caused unnecessary stress and in itself has created insomnia, as people worry about being awake in the middle of the night, because they mistakenly believe there is something wrong with it.
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Edited by - alexis on 04/02/2007 08:11:47 |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2007 : 09:39:37
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Hi Suz,
You are more then welcome and I hope things turn around for you very soon..:)) Makes sense that if we try to hard to 'cure' the insomnia it will grow stronger...It's that whole concept of 'what you resist persists..' I have dealt w/ it on and off for years...The calcium magnesium b4 bed has pretty much become a ritual...I also do my best to do deep breathing and shut off my mind, if possible...to sort of delay my worrying to another time of day..
Hugs,
Karen
Thanx Alexis! This was very helpful as I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night for several hours and it was worrying me...Appreciate this info very much...:)) |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2007 : 09:57:53
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Back when I was doing marathons, I racall research on pre-race night insomnia. Many marathoners are too nervous to sleep very well before a race, and usually have to wake up in the wee hours to get to the start line.
The research showed NO loss of performance due to pre-race insomnia. I found that fact very reasuring and stopped loseing sleep over loseing sleep.
When your body decides it needs sleep, you will sleep. If you are not getting exercise, then you will have a lot of pent-up energy that needs to be expended somehow. If you don't use the energy up bodily, then it will come out of your mind in the form of anxiety and keep you awake worrying. I find if I swim, the combination of the exercise and the water irritateing my eyes slightly, is enough to make me close them, and then fall asleep easier.
some of my favorite excerpts from 'TDM' : http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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Still Insomnia/sleep problems
