Comments on: Sleep Resistance, Anyone? http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/ Reports from Life on the Spectrum Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:52:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Taylor Selseth http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-68927 Taylor Selseth Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:35:19 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-68927 Wow, the radio things is so much like me it's scary. I have a hard time falling asleep and have the BBC World Service on Public Radio playing while I try to fall asleep. Wow, the radio things is so much like me it’s scary. I have a hard time falling asleep and have the BBC World Service on Public Radio playing while I try to fall asleep.

]]> By: Craig Liley http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-40298 Craig Liley Tue, 12 May 2009 00:49:37 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-40298 I've had sleep issues off and on all through my life. It was worst in middle and high school, but I've noticed that it's often directly related to my stress levels, so the school related stress might have had more to do with it than age. I frequently just lay there stubbornly refusing to let my eyes close. I've been curious about Kava for a while now. Let us know how that goes, please? I’ve had sleep issues off and on all through my life. It was worst in middle and high school, but I’ve noticed that it’s often directly related to my stress levels, so the school related stress might have had more to do with it than age. I frequently just lay there stubbornly refusing to let my eyes close.

I’ve been curious about Kava for a while now. Let us know how that goes, please?

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20741 Jennifer Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:19:35 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20741 This post is probably the most appropriate time for me to ask. Has anyone out there ever tried Kava? NOT the extract but the ground root? My husband, an aspie, is a biochemist and ran across a correlation between Kava root and Aspergers. He decided to be his own test subject. I can't explain it for him but the Kava has had a positive effect on his insomnia and concentration issues. It has also helped in his fearful areas. Apparently, it is from Hawaii and is used as a social drink much like alcohol. To some degree it has an intoxicating effect but functional unlike alcohol. Hawaiians have drank it for decades. Anyway, I was curious to see if anyone else has ever heard of it or tried it. If yes, I am interested in the feedback as it has made a world of difference in my husbands life and mine. =) This post is probably the most appropriate time for me to ask. Has anyone out there ever tried Kava? NOT the extract but the ground root? My husband, an aspie, is a biochemist and ran across a correlation between Kava root and Aspergers. He decided to be his own test subject. I can’t explain it for him but the Kava has had a positive effect on his insomnia and concentration issues. It has also helped in his fearful areas. Apparently, it is from Hawaii and is used as a social drink much like alcohol. To some degree it has an intoxicating effect but functional unlike alcohol. Hawaiians have drank it for decades. Anyway, I was curious to see if anyone else has ever heard of it or tried it. If yes, I am interested in the feedback as it has made a world of difference in my husbands life and mine. =)

]]> By: Ben http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20701 Ben Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:07:51 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20701 except for a few years after university, and bad experiences with a roommate, i haven't had sleep issues. there is the occasional insomnia, but i look forward to sleep, even when it's not refreshing, like now. allergy season starts early for me, and i find it's my biggest block to a good night's sleep. this is one of the few posts where i don't see myself in some way, but hope you find a way through it. BTW, my partner has sleep issues, mostly revolving around fibromyalgia/tissue pain, feeling that he's bored by sleep, and feels he's missing out on stuff when he's not awake ;) i look forward to cool sheets and dreams, or oblivion. except for a few years after university, and bad experiences with a roommate, i haven’t had sleep issues.
there is the occasional insomnia, but i look forward to sleep, even when it’s not refreshing, like now. allergy season starts early for me, and i find it’s my biggest block to a good night’s sleep.
this is one of the few posts where i don’t see myself in some way, but hope you find a way through it.
BTW, my partner has sleep issues, mostly revolving around fibromyalgia/tissue pain, feeling that he’s bored by sleep, and feels he’s missing out on stuff when he’s not awake ;)
i look forward to cool sheets and dreams, or oblivion.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20700 Rachel Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:34:41 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20700 Thank you, everyone, for your caring and insightful comments. So much to think about! I'll follow up with another post in the next few days. Thank you, everyone, for your caring and insightful comments. So much to think about! I’ll follow up with another post in the next few days.

]]> By: John Dale Lyons http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20677 John Dale Lyons Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:55:11 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20677 As a child, I didn't sleep. As an adolescent/young adult, no major problems. Now, as a middle ager, it's coming back. In addition, I have always had a problem with a recurring foggy, dazy feeling that is not quite drowsiness. I was prescribed Provigil recently and that took care of it. My psychiatrist explained that I probably have atypical brain waves, like delta and theta, during wakefulness. That happens to ADD/AS people. Also, I take a small dose of Xanax when needed if I am too ruminative to get to sleep. Better living through chemistry. As a child, I didn’t sleep. As an adolescent/young adult, no major problems. Now, as a middle ager, it’s coming back. In addition, I have always had a problem with a recurring foggy, dazy feeling that is not quite drowsiness. I was prescribed Provigil recently and that took care of it. My psychiatrist explained that I probably have atypical brain waves, like delta and theta, during wakefulness. That happens to ADD/AS people. Also, I take a small dose of Xanax when needed if I am too ruminative to get to sleep. Better living through chemistry.

]]> By: Soph http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20673 Soph Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:52:31 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20673 It used to take me a couple of hours to fall asleep as a kid. I learnt that day dreaming was a good way to pass the time and that I would fall asleep at some point in the story without realising it. These days I usually stay up late and go to bed when I really want to sleep. If I have any problems falling asleep I day dream. It used to take me a couple of hours to fall asleep as a kid. I learnt that day dreaming was a good way to pass the time and that I would fall asleep at some point in the story without realising it. These days I usually stay up late and go to bed when I really want to sleep. If I have any problems falling asleep I day dream.

]]> By: Erin http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20667 Erin Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:22:11 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20667 I used to take Amitriptyline daily for the prevention of migraines. It was great and helped me sleep which was a plus, but it gave me a horrible case of the munchies late at night. I complained to my doc who prescribed Nortriptyline and that worked well for some time. I've used Valarian too, an herb - it's relaxing but it doesn't taste real good. My daughter also has problems sleeping. It takes her a long time to fall asleep...always has. Melatonin helps her get to sleep, but not stay asleep. She still wakes up in the wee hours, and early in the morning. One of these days I'll have to address that, but I'm reluctant to put her on any medication right now. I wish I had an answer for you, but I'm still looking for one too. I used to take Amitriptyline daily for the prevention of migraines. It was great and helped me sleep which was a plus, but it gave me a horrible case of the munchies late at night. I complained to my doc who prescribed Nortriptyline and that worked well for some time. I’ve used Valarian too, an herb – it’s relaxing but it doesn’t taste real good. My daughter also has problems sleeping. It takes her a long time to fall asleep…always has. Melatonin helps her get to sleep, but not stay asleep. She still wakes up in the wee hours, and early in the morning. One of these days I’ll have to address that, but I’m reluctant to put her on any medication right now. I wish I had an answer for you, but I’m still looking for one too.

]]> By: StatMama http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20663 StatMama Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:40:21 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20663 I can definitely relate here. When I was younger, I never had an enforced bedtime, so I suspect that had something to do with the beginning of my sleep issues. For a time in adulthood, I was able to go to sleep and wake at normal times, complicated only by frequent nightmares. Now I am very overstimulated during most of the day, having two young children also on the spectrum and a variety of really inconsiderate neighbors with barking dogs and 4 wheelers. When night comes, the quiet feels so good that I don't want to let it go. Giving in to sleep means morning comes fast, and with it, all of the noise. I can definitely relate here. When I was younger, I never had an enforced bedtime, so I suspect that had something to do with the beginning of my sleep issues. For a time in adulthood, I was able to go to sleep and wake at normal times, complicated only by frequent nightmares. Now I am very overstimulated during most of the day, having two young children also on the spectrum and a variety of really inconsiderate neighbors with barking dogs and 4 wheelers. When night comes, the quiet feels so good that I don’t want to let it go. Giving in to sleep means morning comes fast, and with it, all of the noise.

]]> By: Kate http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/04/12/sleep-resistance-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-20662 Kate Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:08:11 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=1788#comment-20662 Easier said than done, though, about replacing a routine. Perhaps you can set a target for bed time. Start easy. Maybe 11 or 12. Let yourself engage in this routine for an hour but then tell yourself "I only have one hour left then I have to start getting ready for bed." Aftr a few days work down to an hour and so on. Think of something you enjoy and pair it with going to bed. I dont have many problems going to sleep or staying asleep but I DO tend to stay up very late. I sleep late though so it doesn't matter. I definitely do have the worry about what is going to happen the next day and not wanting to stop my "work" as you put it. I say to myself "Well I'm doing okay now, but what will happen tomorrow when I wake up?" I very much do have the same fear. But I have managed to not let it get to me mostlu because I do several hours of relaxing things online before bed so I feel okay about myself and the world, more or less, and then set a time to go to bed and just do it, and give myself a treat just before bed that I can only get if I get ready for bed (usually food). And then I just do it.....I always make sure I have things to look forwardf to the next day no matter how small.... wish I could tell you more and i wish you luck :) Kate Easier said than done, though, about replacing a routine.
Perhaps you can set a target for bed time. Start easy. Maybe 11 or 12. Let yourself engage in this routine for an hour but then tell yourself “I only have one hour left then I have to start getting ready for bed.” Aftr a few days work down to an hour and so on. Think of something you enjoy and pair it with going to bed. I dont have many problems going to sleep or staying asleep but I DO tend to stay up very late. I sleep late though so it doesn’t matter.

I definitely do have the worry about what is going to happen the next day and not wanting to stop my “work” as you put it. I say to myself “Well I’m doing okay now, but what will happen tomorrow when I wake up?” I very much do have the same fear. But I have managed to not let it get to me mostlu because I do several hours of relaxing things online before bed so I feel okay about myself and the world, more or less, and then set a time to go to bed and just do it, and give myself a treat just before bed that I can only get if I get ready for bed (usually food).

And then I just do it…..I always make sure I have things to look forwardf to the next day no matter how small…. wish I could tell you more and i wish you luck :)

Kate

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