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avik
128 Posts |
 Posted - 03/24/2012 : 11:06:57
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Recovering TMSer here... and recovering Insomniac!
I have "beaten" insomnia numerous times but for some reason this last bout, has got me.
I DO understand where my fear/anxiety is coming from when I hop into bed. Most recovering insomniacs say "whats the worst that can happen, so youll be tired the next day. You will sleep when your body needs to sleep". I accept that and realize that "trying" to sleep is my biggest enemy.
BUT-when I am tired the next day it dampens my ability to work and, prevents me from going out b/c I become anti-social. I am jittery, not clear-minded and just dont want to talk to people.
The above are what I FEAR! They are legitimate concerns to me and I worry at night that I will not be able to "perform" the following. This is what makes me nervous..."missing out" on the next day.
Also, my body (for some reason) experiences anxiety in bed, as pins and needles in my legs. Its horrible. The moment I get out of bed, the pins and needles cease. Its really amazing...but that along with mental anxiety make it very difficult to deal with all of this.
Lastly, does it matter WHEN you go to sleep? I dont think I have fallen asleep before 1:30am in over 3 years...
ANY help or advice is appreciated. Thanks! |
Edited by - avik on 03/24/2012 11:10:28 |
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tmsjptc
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 12:24:02
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| Avik, I am writing simply because I was just telling someone at work that suffers from imsomnia that I thought this was another symptom of TMS although I dont remember this being something Dr. Sarno wrote about. Based on when he has sleeping problems, I could tell that they were related to tension causing events at work. He accepted the idea. I think primarily because he has gone through all of the doctor tests and they couldnt figure out the reason. I recommended he read a recent Sarno book and he said he would. This may not help you much but at least you can know other people out there are dealing with it too. |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 13:21:54
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How can you be able to sleep well if you keep feeding your mind so many negative thoughts. If you can make up your mind and refuse to FEAR whatever you're fearing, sleep will come naturally. You will be tired, you will be anti sociallise,... for a few days, so what. When the fear thoughts end, good sleep is guarantee.
Stop the fear. |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 15:28:48
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quote:
Originally posted by balto
How can you be able to sleep well if you keep feeding your mind so many negative thoughts. If you can make up your mind and refuse to FEAR whatever you're fearing, sleep will come naturally. You will be tired, you will be anti sociallise,... for a few days, so what. When the fear thoughts end, good sleep is guarantee.
Stop the fear.
Well said and I hear you but easier said than done!
I have been dealing with BASELESS fear my whole life.
I grew up in abusive household where I lived in CONSTANT fear and I have taken it into my adulthood, even though the cause of fear no longer exists.
I will work on this...thanks! |
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forkstale
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 15:34:54
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| I too have bouts of insomnia. I felt tempted to react because the pins and needles sound VERY familiar. I can never sleep when I HAVE to sleep. This knowledge / fear puts enormous pressure on every night. |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 15:59:33
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Dear Avik,
Let go of your past. Don't allow it to control you. Take back control of your life and your thought. We all know it is easier said than done, but you have to do it. You have only 2 choices here: continue to suffer or take back control of your life. Fear is a habit, a bad habits. You need to sit down and have a serious talk to your brain. Tell it you're going to be the captain now. You understand that most of your problems is causes by fear and you're not going to be fearful anymore. NO MORE FEAR. That is your goal, that is your new year resolution, that is what you will aim for and will not retreat until you get back your peace of mind.
You have to set goal, plan the steps you need to take to achieve that goal, and stick to it. Watch out for any negative thought that enter your mind. Ask yourself if that thought is helpful and real then dismiss it, then go on with life.
Practice make perfect. You need to replace your habit of fear with a habit of hope, enthusias, and compassionate for yourself. I've done it and countless of other people have done it and you will too. It is a little hard to achieve but it can be done and we all deserve a happy life.
Goodluck Avik.
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Marlawantstohike
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 16:05:36
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Avik I had the same childhood filled with fear and have dealt with fear issues all my life because of it. I had a counselor tell me once it was like the war was over but I still had all my armor on and a sword in hand to fight it. My body was a constant flight or fight experience. I am better now that I am semi-retired and living in peaceful mountain area but I still have time of bad sleep like you. This past month since having a pain issue sleep has been bad. The last two nights were better as I am finally calming down. I still am not able to sleep without anything. I will take one benedryl or a tylenol pm for the past month. Even with that was falling asleep at 3am till last two days 12:30am. I know your not supposed to but I turn tv on to a law and order or CSI they are both reruns and boring and I set timer and it distracts my mind from thoughts and i fall asleep.
Until I get better control over thoughts that is what I am doing. I am also in the progress of doing some counseling again because sometimes doing it on your own isn't enough. |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 17:16:05
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Fork, Balto, Marla-thank you for your responses.
I have been working on this fear thing for 20 yrs and it only mildly affects my everyday life. 18 yrs of therapy has really helped me...
That said, this sleep thing is so incredibly annoying because its almost a paradox: with fear during "waking hours" i "look it in the face" and "power through it", proving to myself that I had nothing to fear int he first place.
With insomnia..you can "power through" you have to do the opposite...which is NOT try anything. This part I get...I will lay in bed and just wait for sleep to come. Counting, breathing...all that other stuff just makes me more focused on TRYING to sleep.
My problem is that I will be relaxed and just when I am starting to fall asleep, I get a surge of anxiety. I feel the pins and needles in my legs and arms, my heart races and im TERRIFIED. Of what? I have no clue. This surge WAKES ME UP and I have to relax and wait again to get to the point of falling asleep only for it to happen again!
So, what can I do to prevent that surge? How ironic that now I FEAR being FEARFUL!
Side note: I have ZERO anxiety during the day. |
Edited by - avik on 03/24/2012 17:23:54 |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 21:17:37
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quote:
Originally posted by avik
F
I have been working on this fear thing for 20 yrs and it only mildly affects my everyday life. 18 yrs of therapy has really helped me...
What has your therapist suggested to do? Have you been seeing the same one all this time? |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2012 : 23:22:29
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quote:
Originally posted by tennis tom
quote:
Originally posted by avik
F
I have been working on this fear thing for 20 yrs and it only mildly affects my everyday life. 18 yrs of therapy has really helped me...
What has your therapist suggested to do? Have you been seeing the same one all this time?
Stopped seeing her about a year ago when I finally beat my TMS.
Need to go back and find a new one to tackle some new issues but currently am not seeing anyone.
It will go away like it always does but its frustrating to say the least, in the interim. |
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Darko
Australia
387 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 05:33:12
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Avik,
I have certainly had my sleep issues, and it's always something I keep an eye on. I found a holistic approach works for me, meditation has been one of the best things I could have done for my sleep. I do it morning and night, exercise also helps me get out any stress that is in my body......magnesium with a very strong chamomile is like taking drugs....I feel so relaxed and generally have a really good sleep.
The pins and needles makes me think you still have some circulation issues related to tension in the lower back or pelvis....if I have loads of tension I have trouble sleeping, usually a good sign for me.
Good luck
D |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 09:28:49
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If I may suggest, if you are going to get a new therapist, try a TMS knowledgeable one. If there's none near you phone consults can work too. Check in my sig below for TMS practitioners, g'luck:
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TMS PRACTITIONERS:
John Sarno, MD
400 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-6035
Here's the TMS practitioners list from the TMS Help Forum:
http://www.tmshelp.com/links.htm
Here's a list of TMS practitioners from the TMS Wiki:
http://tmswiki.org/ppd/Find_a_TMS_Doctor_or_Therapist
Here's a map of TMS practitioners from the old Tarpit Yoga site, (click on the map by state for listings).:
http://www.tarpityoga.com/2007_08_01_archive.html |
Edited by - tennis tom on 03/25/2012 09:30:06 |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 10:36:05
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Darko-
I have been meaning to start meditating for years now! Im am however, the classic procrastinator...
Where do i even begin? Is there a CD/DVD/Book that I can buy that will teach me the basics?
As for the legs...I am positive it is parasthesia caused by TMS/oxygen deprivation and not a circulatory issue. It ONLY coincides with tensions/stress and it ONLY happens in bed because I now EXPECT it to happen then.
Tom-
I will look into it but, really didnt want my therapy moving forward to focus on TMS. The insomnia is a problem but I have eliminated virtually everything else. I think id like to try CBT now for some negative core beliefs that I have been carrying around since childhood. A TMS therapist who does CBT would be intriguing... |
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Darko
Australia
387 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 15:15:12
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You misunderstood me, circulation issues are oxygen dep. They are the same thing as the muscles don't get the blood which carries the oxygen. Blood vessels are restricted.
Caused by TMS/Tension
D |
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avik
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 21:42:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Darko
You misunderstood me, circulation issues are oxygen dep. They are the same thing as the muscles don't get the blood which carries the oxygen. Blood vessels are restricted.
Caused by TMS/Tension
D
Understood.
Can you tell me a bit more about your holistic regimen?
How did you learn how to meditate?
How are you getting you mag and chamomile? |
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Darko
Australia
387 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 06:09:26
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Not allowing negative, worrying thoughts to consume me. Meditation morning and night....even if only for a few mins. It's the habit that is the most important thing. Exercise!
I take a magnesium tablet at night....not every night, and just chamomile tea.
Try a few things, but this works well for me....plus the obvious of connecting to my emotions.
I also have a very good task app...so anything that's on my mind is entered into my phone....so my mind is free
Also a big one is actually tackling the things in my life that need addressing.....taking action is a great way to give you peace of mind.
D
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 06:57:10
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| Read "Say Goodnight to Insomnia" |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 08:10:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Darko
...Not allowing negative, worrying thoughts to consume me.
...I also have a very good task app...so anything that's on my mind is entered into my phone....so my mind is free
...Also a big one is actually tackling the things in my life that need addressing.....taking action is a great way to give you peace of mind.
Good ideas Darko! BTW, what is the task app you're using. My Palm Treo died recently and being an anarchist/Luddite, I'm having trouble adjusting to this Android HTC Incrdible II thingy. My life is bits of paper stuffed into my right pocket for reminders.
Cheers |
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Darko
Australia
387 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 04:00:20
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Hey TT,
I use an app called Toodledo....its the best thing since sliced bread. I created 4 folder
-today
-now
-soon
-later
The bottom three contain my tasks...and anything I need to work on today goes into the today folder
D |
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Specific issue related to Insomnia:
