I have trouble sleeping, am I alone and if not, what has helped you?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 05:55:24 -0400

Understand it is somewhat tough to admit a weakness so I am reaching out here.

I often have trouble getting and staying asleep and I've tried many changes. I do follow the typical recommendations like not drinking caffeine after 1800 (I rarely drink any caffeine anyway), I have a double set of curtains in the room, sealed the windows and doors so no light can creep in, have no TV (r radio) in the room and try to get to bed at the same time everyday (by 2330). Typically get up at the same time every day (0500) but many night I wake up or simply cannot sleep more than about 10-12 minutes at a time - I don't remember most dreams and don't wake up in a sweat much anymore. I am on the second very expensive mattress set now.

Has anyone else experienced any of these challenges? Have you been successful doing anything to help combat this and get some quality rest?

I feel it taking a toll on my body - would appreciate you sharing what might have helped you. Thanks. Hooah, MJU.

Response by PO1 Stephen Caldonetti made Mar 13 at 2015 6:03 AM

PO1 Stephen Caldonetti — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 06:03:24 -0400

Have you been screened for sleep apnea? It could be the problem. As for techniques to fall asleep, well taking deep breaths, inhaling for 5seconds and exhaling for 5seconds for about Two minutes before you go to sleep helps because it relaxes the body. Good luck and I hope you can get some rest soon

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 6:20 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 06:20:30 -0400

Jack Daniels brother, that's what I use, works like a charm.

Seriously though, go do a sleep study and get checked for Apnea. If you are tired when you wake up and don't have energy throughout the day it may mean that you are not getting into full REM sleep. They will give you one of those cool Darth Vader machines and you will sleep like a baby.

Now, if it is bad dreams or PTSD type stuff, go talk to somebody and get it off your chest.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 6:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 06:51:19 -0400

CSM I totally understand what you are talking about. My case may be slightly different but some of what you describe sounds the same.
I have not figured t out yet. I have recently started going to the TBI Clinic but the lady there keeps giving me different types of medications. I am not a fan of that course.
I had a sleep study in 2010 but they said I just snore. The issue is my Wife who is a nurse believes I have sleep apnea and so I am trying to get another sleep study.

This week in particular I have been extremely sleepy. I am not sure what is going on. I am not going to sleep but passing out in my chair; then I wake up and rotate to the bed so I end up with broken sleep.

I also cannot sleep more than four hours at a clip.

Maybe some day I will be able to figure it out but currently and unfortunately I do not have a solution.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Mar 13 at 2015 6:58 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 06:58:36 -0400

I take Melatonin, it works very well for me.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 10:40 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 10:40:03 -0400

I use Melatonin when I'm having a hard time getting to sleep (usually when the restlessness is becoming a trend) and it's worked really well for me. I've heard that it gives some people night terrors and I don't know if there's any science to behind it, but I've personally never had an issue with it. I like it because unlike some of the other night meds, I don't feel groggy in the morning. Sometimes some deep, slow breathing exercises (when my mind won't stop) helps as well. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 8:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 20:22:47 -0400

I use a fan to help me relax and stay cool at night. I have also found using water or thunderstorm noises help me relax and sleep. On those nights I can't sleep I usually get a warm shower to help me. Good luck!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 11:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 23:29:19 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig Yes I do too. I have to find a way to wind down reading books or checking out RP posts, not drinking coffee late (Ha I laugh at myself, I just had a cup), changing to an app called f.lux which limits the amount of blue light (same light wave length as sunlight).

Response by CPL Doug Criss made Sep 5 at 2019 7:14 AM

CPL Doug Criss — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 07:14:30 -0400

Actually, lack of sleep will destroy you. It is very hard on your heart and you may kill yourself or someone else falling asleep driving.
I can tell you a couple of things that have helped me. Read before you fall asleep. Reading tires our mind. Most of the time I can’t read over 5 minutes. It doesn’t have to be a good book, just read something that continues, not a short article, but hopefully a good book.
Secondly, when you wake up early, simply tell yourself you need more sleep and try to relax and fall back to sleep. If there are no stressors remember it is a good time to relax and sleep. God bless, good luck.

Response by SPC Holly Monroe made Sep 5 at 2019 10:02 AM

SPC Holly Monroe — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:02:25 -0400

Greetings CSM Uhlig,
What helps me sleep is listening to the music on youtube. They have soothing sound videos of waves and winds. It not necessarily meditation, but I guess it can kind of be a form of it.

Response by SSgt Dee O'Connor made Sep 6 at 2019 1:43 AM

SSgt Dee O'Connor — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 01:43:14 -0400

Nothing has helped me. I cant relax and fall asleep.

Response by SGT Bonnie B. made Sep 6 at 2019 1:45 AM

SGT Bonnie B. — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 01:45:03 -0400

you are not alone. there are Mary of us out here like that.

Response by SSgt Dee O'Connor made Sep 6 at 2019 3:12 AM

SSgt Dee O'Connor — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 03:12:37 -0400

I do go to counseling 4 years now. It doesn't help. Starting group therapy next week, it's not about sleep. I lay down about 230 am, fall asleep about 4 or 5, wake up at 2 pm. I try my best, but I dont know how to fall asleep.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Sep 6 at 2019 3:19 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 03:19:06 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig sleep? That's a foreign thing to me. Seems I am quite behind on lots of posts. I haven't slept since.... as long as I can remember. So we drug my body into rest. I was just working around the clock. Until I collapsed.

I have a service dog that reminds me its time to go to bed. He reminds me I must takes meds several times a day. I have a backup dog who checks the perimeter. I don't need a big dog. Just one that will hear something first. My service dog also can smell metabolic acidosis. He won't leave my side if I am off.

So my nighttime routing is let the dogs out, let the dogs in. Check all the locks. Sort my pills. 5 am thyroid meds. Etc. I take each bottle out of my case, and set up my pills for the next day. Choke the night pills down. They are a mix, ambien. Xanax. Cyproheptadine, hydroxizone, acetazolimide, valcyclovir, potassium sodium bicarbonate B 12 and a few more.

I have an iPad that I keep at a night brightness setting.

I check my Facebook.

I check the news. I play a repetitive game called Pearls Perils. I have played for the last decade Words with someone from across the country, we play mindless Word. As in and "A" fits there. Huh, I didn't know that was a word. No competitive Words. These activities seem to slow my brain enough to let the meds kick in.

I give my problems to God. Turn off my iPad and Roll over and close my eyes, I rarely dream. I pray for all. I pray for you,

Response by SFC Larry Jacobs made Sep 6 at 2019 9:44 AM

SFC Larry Jacobs — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 09:44:53 -0400

I have the same problem as well as many of my fellow veteran friends. I have had two sleep studies and have a CPAP machine, which i cannot stand because it makes me feel confined. So I can not sleep very long with it on. I have tried medication but it takes long periods of time for the medication to ware off, and I have a 24/7 which prohibits me from making clear decision. On an average night I get about 4 hours of sleep, I get very tired and sleep during the day and often fall asleep on the job and nod while driving to work or on my way home. On weekends I nap during the day and at night but con Monday mornings I am still tired. I have tried all sorts of methods but I still don't get a full night of rest.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 10 at 2019 6:27 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:27:44 -0400

Vitamin D supplement, and 5 mg of Melatonan.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Sep 10 at 2019 11:52 AM

LTC Ken Connolly — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 11:52:19 -0400

Suggest 2 things. Keep a diary of your activities before bedtime. You may be doing something that makes sleeping difficult, such as using your computer. Second and most important, see your doctor you may have a medical condition that you are not aware of.

Response by TSgt Gerald Wilson made Sep 10 at 2019 10:01 PM

TSgt Gerald Wilson — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 22:01:57 -0400

Not weakness. The strong just have a different problem set sometimes Sergeant Major. I can recommend Buspar and Atavan; as anti-anxiety drugs. (They don't screw up your Testosterone like the standard SSRI's.) Helps me sleep. anyway. FYSA: The VA rated me at 70% for basically what you're describing. It takes a huge toll. With you 100%. Hooah.

PS: Sleep apnea is super common although I don't have it myself. Get checked.

Response by CPL James S. made Sep 10 at 2019 10:41 PM

CPL James S. — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 22:41:33 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig - I don't know if you've gotten assistance with this yet or not. I am going to give a reply nonetheless as I've just seen it and I'm sitting up this fine night still having the same problem you describe above, except I have managed to get some sleep on occasion.

The first thing I would suggest is being tested for sleep apnea. I have no experience to share in that area but I recommend seeing a DR.

If there are other reasons, such as PTSD, then I recommend seeking counselling at the local VA. One of the best things you can do is seek therapy through the VA or similar programs that deal with PTSD. The earlier you catch it the better off you will be

Also remember: You're not alone in this.

Response by CAPT Kent Norton made Sep 13 at 2019 2:18 PM

CAPT Kent Norton — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:18:34 -0400

Insightimer.Com free pick some music or guided meditation

Response by Ofra Dar made Oct 24 at 2021 7:42 AM

Ofra Dar — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 07:42:43 -0400

many people may have trouble sleeping

Response by Kiorroy Roy made Oct 25 at 2021 1:44 AM

Kiorroy Roy — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 01:44:59 -0400

Hi! I sleep much better after I bought Latex Mattress