Chronic Nightmeres and Insomina-Need Help

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Permalink Reply by Shannon on October 24, 2009 at 8:13pm

What is your diet like? Are you looking for lifestyle change or a quick fix?

I had problems with anxiety/OCD for a really long time and it resulted in a lot of nightmares and insomnia.

My journey to a healthy mind, etc. involved a lot of trial and error but the things that helped me the most were a mostly raw vegan diet, an herbalist and a lot of postiive affirmations (replacement of old negative thoughts).

Every one must travel on their own journey to health and they must decide what is best for them.

At some point it would probably be beneficial to get off medications (with professional help of course and at the right time), therapy in my experience can be somewhat helpful if you just want to talk about stuff but doesn't work so well with "fixing" things....I am not really sure what "emotional regulation" class is so I don't have any recommendations there.

Just my thoughts. :)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Salomon, n/OEF on October 25, 2009 at 7:03pm

Dear Shannon,


Thanks very much for your thoughtful reply! My diet is-I am a lacto-ova vedgatarian. I do not eat meat, fish or seafood. I do take Omega Fish Oil capsales once a day in a special anti-anxiety packet. I have been doing Trudeau's "Weight Loss Cure Prodical", Phrase 1-since I have come back from Irseael, I am having trouble being disciplined enough-to go back completely onto Phrase One. I do take lots of vitinams, digestive enyzines, and the like.

I am interested in both-a temperary sollution and I am absolutely open to additional lifestyle changes.

"Emotional Reguation" is a body of skills which my therapist teaches to those with development disabilities, to help to identify, accept and manage ones emotions. It involves such things as meditation, mindfulness, labeling emotions, radical acceptence, "improve the moment," etc. What do you think?

Part of the problem is that I am trapped and contrained by conventional medicine.

What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by EYES WIDE OPEN INTERNATIONAL on October 26, 2009 at 3:25pm

Hi Daniel,

I'm very sorry to hear your going through what so many are going through these days. One important thing that I might suggest, is to check the side effects of the drugs your on, as many side-effects are one-in-the-same as your conditions, and I would suggest 'trying' to cut down or get off of them...if at all possible, as they might be your problem and they are certainly not a cure. Please find below a file that I pulled fr your conditions. "I've been there"!! Personally, Melatonin works for me and many others. You can also use a combination of several natural sleep remedies also. It's best if you use ''all'' of the techniques below and not ''just'' a pill...natural remedy. I hope it helps! Please let me know...

Natural Remedies for Insomnia
Here are fourteen natural remedies that are used to treat insomnia.

You can go here > http://www.about.com/

1) Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a herb that has been long used as a remedy for insomnia. Today, it is an accepted over-the-counter insomnia remedy in Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.

Exactly how valerian works in the body is still not well understood. Some studies suggest that like conventional sleeping pills, valerian may affect levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

Unlike many other sleep medications, valerian is not believed to be addictive or cause grogginess in the morning. But valerian doesn't work for everyone. And although studies in labs have been encouraging, clinical trials are still inconclusive.

Valerian is usually taken between an hour before bedtime. It takes about two to three weeks to work. It shouldn't be used for more than three months at a time. Side effects of valerian may include mild indigestion, headache, palpitations, and dizziness. Although valerian tea and liquid extracts are available, most people don't like the smell of valerian and prefer taking the capsule form.

Valerian shouldn't be taken with many medications, especially those that depress the central nervous system, such as sedatives and antihistamines. Valerian shouldn't be taken with alcohol, before or after surgery, or by people with liver disease. It should not be taken before driving or operating machinery. Consultation with a qualified health practitioner is recommended. For more information about valerian, read the Valerian Fact Sheet.


2) Melatonin
Melatonin is a popular remedy to help people fall asleep when the sleep/wake cycle has been disturbed, such as in shift workers or people who with jet lag.

Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. The pineal gland in the brain makes serotonin which is then converted into melatonin at night when exposure to light decreases.

Melatonin is typically taken about 30 minutes before the desired bedtime. Some experts caution that melatonin should not be used by people with depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, and other serious illness. Pregnant and nursing women should not use melatonin.

The University of Alberta study examined 17 studies with 651 people and found no significant side effects when used for three months or less. The long-term effect of melatonin supplementation is not known. For more information about melatonin, read Boosting Melatonin Naturally.

Annotation: I use 300 MG of Magnesium Aspartate [Elemental Magnesium] with Melatonin about 15- 30 minutes before bedtime. Does the trick!! Ron G.

3) Kava
Kava is an anti-anxiety herb that may be helpful for anxiety-related insomnia. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to consumers about the potential risk of severe liver injury resulting from the use of dietary supplements containing kava. To date, there have been more than 25 reports of serious adverse effects from kava use in other countries, including four patients who required liver transplants. Learn more: What is kava?


4) Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques are one of the most effective ways to increase sleep time, fall asleep faster, and feel more rested in the morning. They require a minimum of 20 minutes before going to bed. There are many different techniques:


Visualization involves imagining a relaxing scene. You can try it in bed before falling asleep. Involve all your senses. If you're imagining yourself on a tropical island, think of the way the warm breeze feels against your skin. Imagine the sweet scent of the flowers, look at the water and listen the waves--you get the picture. The more vivid the visualization and the more senses you involve, the more effective it will be.


Relaxation Response - A mind/body technique based on the principles of Transcendental Meditation. Learn how to elicit the relaxation response


Mindfulness - A type of meditation that essentially involves focusing on your mind on the present. Learn mindfulness.


Yoga combines deep breathing, meditation, and stretching. A Harvard study found that daily yoga for eight weeks improved total sleep time, the time to fall asleep. If you've never tried yoga before, not to worry. There are many gentle yoga styles to choose from.


Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a promising natural remedy for sleep. If you've never tried a relaxation technique before, this technique is easy to learn and simple to master.


5) Diet
Cut out caffeine
Caffeine can have a pronounced effect on sleep, causing insomnia and restlessness. In addition to coffee, tea, and soft drinks, look for hidden sources of caffeine such as chocolate, cough and cold medicine, and other over-the-counter medicine.


Avoid sweets
Although sugar can give a burst of energy, it's short-lived and can cause uneven blood sugar levels. This can disrupt sleep in the middle of the night as blood sugar levels fall.


Eat foods that help you sleep
Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin. Carbohydrate snacks such whole grain crackers before bedtime may help to promote sleep. Just be sure to stay away from sweets.


Eat magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium is a natural sedative. Deficiency of magnesium can result in difficulty sleeping, constipation, muscle tremors or cramps, anxiety, irritability, and pain. It has also been use for people with restless leg syndrome.

Foods rich in magnesium are legumes and seeds, dark leafy green vegetables, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, and whole grains.

Continued on the next page...

______________________________________________________________________

*Below is a Cognitive Therapy that I've used for many years and for many different conditions...including on myself. Ron G.


Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
Learn about an insomnia treatment that's an effective alternative to sleeping pills.
Insomnia is a widespread condition that's characterized by a difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or getting restful sleep. Like many people who experience insomnia, you may have turned to sleeping pills for relief.

However, new research and sleep studies show that your attitudes about sleep and certain behaviors are often the root cause of insomnia. Changing those attitudes and behaviors can lead to better sleep.

What's so good about a good night's sleep?
Sleep is essential for good physical and mental well-being. Natural sleep restores your body and mind and provides enough dreaming time (REM sleep) to sustain learning, memory and mood.

If you're sleep deprived, you're more likely to develop infections, and have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. You may also be more prone to make mistakes on the job, take longer to recover from stress, have problems with learning and memory, and experience depression and irritability.

Problems with sleeping pills
There are times - such as during periods of pain or grief - when sleeping pills may help those who experience sleep deprivation. In addition, several hypnotics are now approved by the Food and Drug Administration for indefinite use.

However, many sleeping pills shouldn't be taken for more than a few days to a few weeks. Because they can be habit-forming, some people take these drugs far longer. Others may increase their dosage as the pills become less effective over time. Sleeping pills can also:

Mask the real causes of poor sleep, such as depression, heart trouble, asthma and Parkinson's disease, and delay treatment of these disorders
Interact with other medications or alcohol, often with serious, even deadly, results
Cause next-day grogginess or rebound insomnia - an inability to sleep that's worse than the original problem
Lead to high blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, short-term amnesia
Cause bizarre behavior that goes beyond traditional sleepwalking to include "sleep binge eating," "sleep shoplifting" and "sleep driving" - none of which the person remembers
Cognitive behavioral therapy: A tool for treating insomnia

Go here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia-treatment/SL00013




Ron Goodman,

Eyes Wide Open International

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Salomon, n/OEF on November 2, 2009 at 1:40pm

Thanks very much for such a detailed reply.

I have incorporated many of these practices into my daily living, as well as taking benadryl before bedtime whihc my psychrist has recommended, and I am doing much better. I am now sleeping through the night, and my dream life is improving.

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Permalink Reply by Nyota1 on November 2, 2009 at 10:56am

I personally use magnesium supplements for insomnia. I only take it at night, before I go to bed. If I am eating better that day, I don't need it. My suggestion would be to eat foods high in magnesium at dinnertime. Google, foods high in magnesium and you will get a list. It is very good for anxiety also. You mentioned that you take a lot of supplements. What do you take exactly? Are you taking whole food supplements?

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Salomon, n/OEF on November 2, 2009 at 1:37pm

Thanks very much!

I take Magnesium among others, I just started taking magnesium before bedtime, where before I took it in the mourning. I also take B-complex, E, digestive enyzines, Omega, a general nutrional supploment, some herbal stuff, and recently started taking meletonon before going to bed. Some of them are whole food sipplements, some of them are not. One cocktail, I take as a ready-made anti-anxiety formula. What do you think?

Thanks very much!

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Permalink Reply by Nyota1 on November 3, 2009 at 12:32am

You have to be careful with melatonin. That might be what is causing the nightmares. Yes, definitely take magnesium at night. Send me the complete list of what you take, with the brand names, and I will give you my opinion of it. My advice right now is to quit taking the melatonin.

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Permalink Reply by che on November 3, 2009 at 1:45am

Whats wrong with melotonin? Isn't it a natural sleep aid?

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Permalink Reply by Nyota1 on November 4, 2009 at 11:17am

No, melotonin is one of the supplements that needs to be used very carefully. If a person uses too much, their body could stop producing it on it's own. There are much better and safer things for sleeping that that. Just because something is a supplement, doesn't mean that it is safe to use.

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Permalink Reply by che on November 2, 2009 at 10:36pm

Start watching Family Guy. Watch enough of it and it will change your life. Also try Married with children.

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Permalink Reply by DetoxNurse on November 22, 2009 at 7:38am

My website has information on several self treatments that may help your mental state such as EFT.

One company, I highly recommend, has an oil for insomnia. They have lots of testimonials and a money back guarantee. The price is reasonable. You can learn more on my page or my website. I hope it helps.

Erilyn Littlefield RN

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Permalink Reply by Joe on November 22, 2009 at 8:29am

I agree. I was treated for PTSD after seeing my work partner and friend die when struck by a vehicle. I can attest to the benefits of EFT. I have included some links that are worth checking.


http://www.rogercallahan.com/tapping.php

http://www.emofree.com/Newcomer.htm

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