Korean Job Discussion Forums

[venus]

Well. First thing I tried was exercise. Even after a six K run with sprints and then an hour of vigorous weightlifting I still couldn't sleep.

So I tried that and melatonin. Nothing. Tried over the counter herbal sleeping pills. nothing. Tried those and melatonin together with warm milk etc. Nothing. Sleep hygeine, quitting coffee and booze. Nothing.

Doc prescribed me Ambien (Stilnox.) Not a thing, really no effect. Took two. Same. Tried Ambien and lots of beer after heavy exercise. That worked the first day I tried it but hangover almost not worth it. Next day I tried that - nothing.

Am now on a coctail (the website wont let me write the correct spelling) of Ambien; BuSpar 5mg (a benzodiapene) and Xanax 3.75mg (aplrazolam - another benzo.) Been on it for seven days.

Now this is a great coctail. Out like a light ten minues after laying down and wake around 6am wondering where the night went. Face looks younger, feel happier and rested.

But either the Xanax or the BuSpar makes me feel a bit down occasionally, this can be a side effect of Xanax. Also if you drink after having these drugs in your system you can get out of control as both lower your inhibitions in the same manner that alchohol does.

Doc advised to try it without the Xanax so I did. The Ambien and Buspar alone didn't do a thing. Added the Xanax and pow - full nights sleep.

Now I can learn to live with these symptoms of course, but don't want to be on drugs for ever.

Ran out of the pills last night but had some Xanax left over from the night I tried the coctail minus the xanax. It alone had no effect.

I'm not depressed and had it before I came to Korea.

Main problem is I just can't seem to switch off, even though I feel sleepy and relaxed / okay about life etc... Sometimes I lay there and I'm happy emotionally and feel sleepy but either I can't switch off or my heart is racing like a wild beast. Really, pounding like a bloody drum, palpitations the lot. It's not emotional anxiety, it just does it of it's own accord and I have to lay there incredulous that this is happening and wanting it to calm down. Deep breathing has little to no effect.

So seriously - anyone know any effective techniques / natural remedies for insomnia, please let me know.

[maryb]

If you can feel your heart racing when you are trying to sleep it maybe something with your adrenal gland. I would have that checked.

Xanax does leave you feeling down the next day. When I was on it, I would be in a fog for most of the next morning.

The only other thing I would suggest is to start meditating. Easier said than done, I know. When your mind is racing, it can be very difficult to quiet. Start slowly, a few minutes at a time and just try to clear your mind and push all thoughts aside until it is quiet. There are a ton of books out there on how to meditate and Im sure you can find some great info on the web as well.

good luck!!

[venus]

Hmmm, thanks maryb. Will talk to my doctor about the possibility of the adrenal problem. That could also expain my innability to take the heat of summer and sweat or feel irritated in even mild heat... or could just be a general non specific anxiety problem I guess... But will definately discuss both those things with my doctor, thank you.

[ella]

Dump the drugs and alcohol and other junk foods. Drink a gallon of water per day. Try Hatha yoga, meditation, prayer - any of those will help you learn to calm and direct your mind. Learning how to use a candle or other focus point can help. Find a good physical therapist to teach you some exercises and stretching and spend the hour before bedtime doing them - do them in the morning, too, if you can. Valerian root worked wonderfully for me for several months. Sometimes sleeping with my head at the other end of the bed can break a bout of insomnia (don't know why). I take Benadryl as a last resort. There are always air filters or other white noise machines, sometimes you can incorporate that background noise into your meditation. Good luck.

[endofthewor1d]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/search.php?search_author=Rteacher

sweet dreams.

[PaperTiger]

I'm tellin ya...you've got the same thing I had...you get all stressed because you're worried you won't get any sleep.

Are you drinking coffee or green tea? Are you taking anything that might act as a stimulant?

[wowser]

...or a thyroid problem? Are you skinny/ have trouble gaining weight, anxious, sweaty, racing heart, have hairloss???? Hyperthyroidism was the problem behind my insomnia.
As others have suggested, have some blood tests done, first.

Then, try acupuncture/ Chinese medicine. Acupuncture has a 90% success rate for insomnia...It certainly put me out like a light! With insurance, a visit to the Chinese doc. for acup. costs 2,000 won.

[venus]

Papertiger - I cut out caffeine, no effect either way.

Wowser. Just been to the docs actually and had an ecg because of the racing pulse. He said all was fine with the ticker, so that's good.

Yes, I am skinny, anxious not usually sweaty in the cooloer months, but the summer is tough, not just here, in any country I've been to including home (England.) My Mum used to get hot flushes too and found out she had a hormone problem years ago, though she once had womb cancer and needed hormone implants, so probably unrelated to me. My hair has receeded at the front over the years, but not drastically. And yes sometimes, but not everyday or even week, my heart races and palpitates for no good reason at all. I swear I've been fully relaxed physically and emotionally, just chilling on the sofa, watching a movie etc but my heart will have a life of it's own and go nutso, irregular and very strong, but I don't feel anxious or anything.

The doctor gave me a blood test today actually, as he said people with thyroid problems can have all the symptoms I've had in the past, so that might bring up something. Either that or maybe genralised anxiety I suppose... then I'll go to a therapist... Well we'll see

[venus]

It's a bit more serious than that mate. If you read my original post, you'll see I've tried more drastic measures than listening to boring reports etc. I intended this as a serious post, so no jokey replies please....

[Dazed and Confused]

I've had similar problems to yours and the doc said they were medical not emotional. I understand your sleeping problems totally. I had to take many of the same medications you are taking but my body stabilizes itself and then I am fine. I hope you can find out what is causing your insomnia and get things back in order.
There are a ton of websites with natural methods for insomnia cures. Some are silly and others work. Do you want the name of my doc??? Sorry that I cannot offer anymore help.

[Bibbitybop]

My post was taken off, so I'll post it again. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

My friend who has insomnia goes to the BBC website, UK version. She finds the shipping report, listens to it and falls asleep very quickly now. This is her alternative to drugs. It works for her. Please don't remove my post again, it may help someone.

[Octavius Hite]

Survivors of Testicular Cancer, every Wednesday night at Our Latima of Fatima meeting hall.

But really, warm milk and a glass or two of great whiskey.

[Son Deureo!]

Being sure to wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends, can help.

[Mashimaro]

[tfunk]

Don't try to sleep!

Maybe you only need four hours of sleep (like Napoleon) and need to nap a few times during the day.