Mind is so busy I can't sleep

[Wanttosleep]

Happy New Year everyone! I hope we all enjoy a healthy, prosperous and restful 2011.

I've actively read the posts on this site and have learned tons about CPAP and the fact that many of my experiences are shared with others. I haven't seen anything regarding trouble sleeping because your mind is so busy.

I just finished 1 week on Ambien 10mg. I can only describe it as closing my eyes when I hit the pillow and not opening them again for 7 to 8 hours. I don't think it was a really restful sleep though because I'm still tired. I don't think I ever hit a good REM sleep.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I'm not a big fan of using drugs on a continuos basis so last night I made sure I was tired when I went to bed and didn't take the Ambien. My eyes were so heavy but my mind was just whirling. I can't even remember what I was thinking about but I clearly remember that I tried hard to wish myself to stop thinking. This had happened to me several times before I ever took the Ambien so I'm not positive that was the cause but thought I'd ask if anyone else has experienced this following use of Ambien. Could it be that the CPAP machine livens my brain up?

[robysue]

Anyway, the point of this post is that I'm not a big fan of using drugs on a continuos basis so last night I made sure I was tired when I went to bed and didn't take the Ambien. My eyes were so heavy but my mind was just whirling. I can't even remember what I was thinking about but I clearly remember that I tried hard to wish myself to stop thinking.

This feeling of not being able to shut my brain up has happened to me throughout my entire life.

I have only taken one 5mg Ambien ever---on Dec. 31, 2010. You can read more about my experience if you want to here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58596&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30 (around page 3) and here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58705&p=552623#p552623 if you're really interested in it.

This had happened to me several times before I ever took the Ambien so I'm not positive that was the cause but thought I'd ask if anyone else has experienced this following use of Ambien. Could it be that the CPAP machine livens my brain up?

It could well be that adjusting to CPAP is currently stimulating your brain into thinking it is time to WAKE UP instead of time to go to sleep. There is a tremendous amount of new stuff that you are adjusting to both physically in terms of what it feels like to fall asleep breathing with the machine and in terms of what it mentally requires you to think about in terms of dealing with the equipment: Cleaning the equipment, assembling the equipment, washing your face, using Lasinoh (if you are doing that), taping your mouth (if you are doing that), putting on and adjusting the mask, fiddling to make sure the leaks are taken care of, etc. All of that IS mental stimulation.

And for me, it triggered some pretty profound insomnia issues. I found simply trying to put the mask on was waking me up every single night for a very long time. You can search for posts by me if you want to read some of my stories of learning to cope with CPAP. There are a lot of good suggestions from many forum members on how to cope. Some of them weren't for me, but your mileage may vary.

I did find that if I got everything I could put together far in advance of bedtime that helped. I still do that. I even wash my face an hour or more before I go to bed most nights because that tends to wake me up.

And it's critical to pay attention to ALL aspects of your sleep hygiene while getting used to the CPAP equipment. Don't be tempted to lie in the bed with your mask on for hours on end fighting for sleep. If you aren't asleep in 30 minutes, take the mask off, get out of bed, do something quiet and relaxing in another room until you are sleepy and then go back to bed, put the mask back on, and make another attempt at trying to get some sleep.

I'm still facing insomnia. But these days, the issue is more complicated than mere CPAP-adjustment. The insomnia monster broke free from his chains around Thanksgiving when I wasn't looking, and when I probably wasn't being vigilant enough about my sleep hygiene. And my insomnia problem these days is really that the INSOMNMIA is now interfering with my sleep (and hence my BiPAP therapy) rather than my BiPAP inducing the insomnia at this point.

Good luck.

[-SWS]

I recently placed these links in robysue's thread, Wanttosleep. Some or none of those may be your cup of tea:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58596&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p551651

Good luck!

[Janknitz]

I download podcasts to my iPod and plug myself in (one earbud only). When I'm listening to a podcast I'm not obsessing about anything and everything. I fall asleep quickly and for the most part podcasts are talking so they act as "white noise" (watch out for "Car Talk", though--the music always wakes me). You could do the same with relaxing sounds or music, if that's your preference.

I used to have an inexpensive iPOD shuffle. It would play continuously and just run through whatever was loaded up on it. The battery was great--I could get about 3 nights before recharging.

My family bought me a new generation Nano for my b-day. I think it's a bit overpriced (IMHO), but unless I set up playlists it plays only one podcast at a time. I'm usually asleep well before the first podcast runs, so it doesn't go all night. Good thing, because this needs constant recharging. If I wake in the middle of the night and start ruminating, I just choose a podcast (often the same one I started with since I missed most of it) and in a minute or two I'm out.

It's drug free, and it calms my crazy mind.

[DocWeezy]

I've had this problem throughout my life, and it has continued into my cpap use. One thing that has usually worked for me is like Janknitz's technique--listen to something. I'm fond of using recorded books on a topic that bores me a bit or that I'm not really interested in. For some reason, listening to the words helps my brain to NOT obsess on other things and I find that I tend to fall asleep in about 15 to 20 minutes. For me, the trick has been to find a voice that lulls me....I don't really care what is being read. Doesn't always work...but it works most of the time except for those nights when NOTHING help (thank heavens those are becoming less frequent now).

Weezy

[Rogue Uvula]

I think this is one of the better compilations on how to manage insomnia I have seen:

http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/topic ... sleep.html

I find the List "Gotta Do's" suggestion works for me when I am in the situation you describe.

One thing not on the list that I think belongs is meditation!

[Wanttosleep]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have some audio books on my computer and can put one on my iPod tonight to give this a try. It sounds like a good idea and hopefully the sound of the voice will lull me into a quiet mind.

[Emilia]

An all natural product that I love is Formula 303.... it is wonderful natural relaxant that helps you to sleep, too. http://www.formula303.com/ You can also get via Amazon. I've used it off and on for years. I have been using it recently to help with some pain from clenching my teeth. It is a great anti-anxiety helper or stress reliever, too.

[Muse-Inc]

Check out the EmWave trainer from the HeartMath Institute. Remarkably successful at teaching you via biofeedback how to break that too wired to sleep behavior...you simply cannot cannot continue to be in those fast beta brain waves when you work/practice with this trainer. Version for the PC and a handheld unit with an earclip. I highly recommend it. Also reduces heart rate and blood pressure.