Restless leg syndrome has its clutch on me every night! So I get out of bed--usually that non-stop urge to move my legs goes away when I sit on the couch or my special chair or at the computer. But I'd much rather be sawing logs in bed. Seems like the only time I can sleep sitting up is in the daytime. So I read and snack on bread sticks or mess about with the computer. I've ordered lots of books and lots of yarn at 3 o'clock in the morning. And played card games. On several nights I've been up all night. That's when I leave the light off and sneak ice cream bars to eat. Have to be sneaky or the cat shows up and demands plenty of ice cream be left on the stick for her to lick.
I have asked the doctor about pills to relieve the problem, but he has been reluctant to order any because of all the blood pressure stuff and the water pills and the colesteral stuff and the thyroid junk that he has me taking. But yesterday I begged again via telephone (via Sandy doing the calling), and he agreed. I got the pills; I looked them up on the computer; and I got up again last night instead of sleeping. No way do I want to have depression, see monsters that aren't really there, lose muscular control--I'm wobbly enough already--fall asleep while I'm walking around, have trouble breathing, and a load of other unpleasant side effects.
I forgot about the Monday Memory idea Luana suggested. Here's a short Thursday Memory though. When Rick was newborn he discovered the joy of thumb sucking and he was still enjoying it when he was 3 years old. He also had developed a "thing" about big dogs by then. So I worked on breaking the sucking by letting him know "Big dogs don't suck their thumbs." Thumb out of his mouth. "Little dogs do." Thumb back in.
I have asked the doctor about pills to relieve the problem, but he has been reluctant to order any because of all the blood pressure stuff and the water pills and the colesteral stuff and the thyroid junk that he has me taking. But yesterday I begged again via telephone (via Sandy doing the calling), and he agreed. I got the pills; I looked them up on the computer; and I got up again last night instead of sleeping. No way do I want to have depression, see monsters that aren't really there, lose muscular control--I'm wobbly enough already--fall asleep while I'm walking around, have trouble breathing, and a load of other unpleasant side effects.
I forgot about the Monday Memory idea Luana suggested. Here's a short Thursday Memory though. When Rick was newborn he discovered the joy of thumb sucking and he was still enjoying it when he was 3 years old. He also had developed a "thing" about big dogs by then. So I worked on breaking the sucking by letting him know "Big dogs don't suck their thumbs." Thumb out of his mouth. "Little dogs do." Thumb back in.
4 comments:
Alright Grandmother, you are being silly. I understand your fears but coming from a family that has been on so many meds. including this one for my son Josh, you need to try before you let fear take over. It only takes one person to list something as a side effect. This medication is used to treat people with panic disorder etc. That one person may have been the one to have delusions or depression. There are many things you can do to help yourself at night. It's frustrating but you have got yourself into a bad routine. Go to bed at the same time every night. Make sure your room is cool, under no cerucumstances(prob misspelled)should you ever wake up at night and read, get on computer, or watch tv. and stay the heck away from sugar. Water only. This medication will help you, if after trying this med you decide the side effects are worse then what you feel at night, then you stop taking the med. and you go back to the way you were. I know allot about sleep deprivation and what things happen to your body so you should listen to me even though I'm younger. I know lots you know.
There are also some natural things you could try without the use of meds.....
1.Eating foods which are rich in tryptophan would help to improve sleep. Tyrotophan, an essential amino acid promotes production of melatonin a sleep-inducing hormone. Dairy products such as cheese and milk, poultry, whole grains, soy products such as tofu, soy bean milk, nuts such as peanuts and hazelnuts and eggs are all rich in tryptophan.
2.Foods high in carbohydrates are great sleepers. They prepare your body to enter into sleep faster. Honey, jam, spaghetti, pasta, chocolate, cakes, cereals and milk are all great sources of carbohydrates. But do remember to eat in moderation. For those who are more health conscious, peas and beans, vegetables and fruits are also good substitutes.
Herbs such as chamomile, mugwort, passion flower, valerian root, lemon balm, Siberian ginseng, spearmint, thyme and linden have been used as natural treatments for insomnia.
3.Exclude all forms of caffeine.
Include foods rich in potassium, such as dried apricots, bananas, avocados, potatoes.
Include more calcium from milk products, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, sardines, almonds and Brazil nuts.
Include more magnesium, which is found in many fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lentils and brown rice.
I know it's hard for you to walk, but try to walk more in the house and sit less. You can also rub your legs or ask you children to do it for you during the day, this will help to relax the muscles
Hello, may I speak to Nurse Smellissa? Holy Moly Cow Smelly, that was one ginormous dissertation you gave grandma. Maybe you could come over to my house, sit in the chair while I lay on the couch and divulge all my deep dark secrets, and then give me your professional prognosis. However, I can tell you that grandma most likely will not give up caffeine. She likes her coffee too much. Of course I guess she could go to decaff.
Melissa is right mom. You should try the medication and if it bothers you, then you can stop using it. Otherwise, I guess you will just have to do daytime chair sleeping.
Ricky sucks his thummmmb. Ricky sucks his thummmmmb.
I feel like I need a PHD to comment! Who knew the family was so medically inclined?
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