Sleep

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137Alice

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Anyone with sleeping problem? Mine started when i was a teenager and only 40 years later when i became epileptic it got better (ha-ha). It is still there but as i am much less nervous in general (surprise surprise with all my meds) so my sleep is better. I still smtime have to take a sleeping pill, but was wondering if somebody found a better remedy.
 
Hi Alice --

Have you ever had an overnight Sleep Study done? That might help diagnose which part of your sleep is problematic, and point to a particular remedy.

Do you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both?
 
Hi Alice,

Nakamova is correct if you haven't had a sleep study done you should have one. I didn't realize it until I had a sleep study along with an e.e.g. and e.k.g that I was having seizures in my sleep 1-2 hrs. before I would get up each day. My Dr. put me on vimpat and the seizures stopped. I have been told by my Dr. whose a neuro and sleep specialist that sleep apnea can sometimes cause a person to have seizures. You may want to ask to have a sleep study done. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue
 
I third the recommendation for a sleep study. I did one a few months ago as referred by my psychiatrist (it was actually my idea). They found that I have moderate sleep apnea. I'm now on a CPAP machine which I really like. My bipolar symptoms shine through and I still sleep 12 hours a day but at least I feel refreshed when I wake up in the morning.
 
Thanks to all, and yes, i did have a sleep study that only showed my sleep is more or less normal. The problem is it is difficult to fall asleep. not possible to sleep in a new place, even at my childrens´, on holidays, etc. It had always been like this, even long time before i had epilepsy.
 
The problem is it is difficult to fall asleep.
Some things to try (if you haven't already):
1. Progressive relaxation. It's basically a process of regularized breathing and a systematic tightening and relaxing all the muscle groups in your body, working up from your toes. See http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/muscle-relaxation-for-stress-insomnia
2. Relaxing CDs. Some folks have had luck with the Delta Sleep System. See http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/delta-sleep-system-jeffrey-d-thompson/408879
3. A magnesium supplement or a supplement such as Super Snooze. Check with your doctor first to make there are no contraindications.
 
I go to YouTube they got ton of stuff help talking through it different ways .It did work very well and I was a kip before it finish now not so good.Nother way listening to one boring voice wittering on about crap but there voice got remain on one tone.That how the stage psychologist DArren brown dose it.not having great deal luck with that one but can see science behind it
I tried acupuncture agin yesterday but had head ache all night.I don't expect to sleep tonight hubs and me going funeral tomorrow of greatly loved sister inlaw and I never said happy birthday to daughter
 
I've always had terrible sleep. I finally had a sleep study and had terrible Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, no wonder I was tired all the time! Unfortunately there is no treatment apart from benzo's for this problem which I can't take long term, so I just have to live with it.

I have found some lifestyle changes helped, the usual ones such as cutting out caffeine and any stimulants high sugar foods, avoid eating before bed etc and generally good 'sleep hygiene'. I never realised how important your sleep environment is before. My No 1 tip though: AVOID SCREENS BEFORE BED lol. If however you are like me and just can't help yourself, apps such as flux for your computer or Twilight for your mobile are really helpful they adjust the wavelength of light emitted so it doesn't keep you awake. This has helped tremendously with my sleeping patterns.

I was falling asleep much quicker in no time, before i was lying there for an hour or more. These are all quite strict options so probs not for everyone but they worked for me! ( I also had CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) to help but that's a whole other story ;) )
 
Hi Alice,

Flux is a program that runs on your laptop or PC that changes the wavelength of light that your screen emits in keeping with the time of day (you can manually adjust it yourself too) screens emit blue light which signals the brain to stay awake. Flux gradually changes this to red throughout the day, which encourages sleep. So you become less disrupted. I work on computers all day and sometimes at night. Due to my sleep issues i find it wonderful. You can find it here https://justgetflux.com i hope i can post links? Is that ok?
 
I usually go to bed around 11pm or 12pm and I'll have trouble falling asleep at times or I'll wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time falling back asleep. I try to say away from caffeine in the evening, I know this has caused the problem a good bit. If one of the cats isn't in bed with me I'll have trouble too. I think it's just because it's normal to have one of them laying on me. When things aren't normal in bed, not having the right pillows is another example which I won't if I'm in a hotel, I have problems.

When I get in bed I'll read for a while, this helps me fall asleep. And this might sound odd but I'll count myself to sleep going from 1 to 100 and doing it over and over. I'll fall asleep with in one of the reputations. I was watching something on tv about it t and surprisingly it works for me.
 
newbie to site :)

I have no problem going to sleep but I am not sure I am getting any! I used to have epilepsy as a child and was on Tegratol(prob not spelt right!) but when I stopped having the big fits and came off it at 5 the extremely vivid dreams took over and because I wasn't sleeping properly I took fibromyalgia, as muscles couldn't rest. It felt oppressive. All my body and senses were alive at night. I sensed evil and felt I was being seperated from the life I knew. I also took chronic psoriasis which still is covering me, I supposedly didn't have epilepsy from 5 - 21 but I took it again in a different form when pregnant with my son although I think I had short absences as teachers always called me a daydreamer! When pregnant I would collapse but hear what everyone was saying and I would shut down in order as in my eyes would go blind, mouth wouldn't work, hands couldn't move to reach out for help then I would know my legs would buckle and I'd pass out but when I came too I was paralysed but could hear. Then finally it would come back in the same order. I once heard a little girl tell her mum" look that lady is dead." I thought I had fallen asleep by closing my eyes for 2 mins in the sun, A nurse said she was shaking me hard for 20 mins! I nearly drowned in the bath in the hospital, But I didn't say anything for a long time as I thought I was literally insane! Then I was scared my kids would be taken off me. Finally they noticed in hospital (I was in with my psoriasis) I did the video monitoring and was told I was taking 200 a night. I thought they were joking! I have had some injuries during the night that I don't remember doing so i must either pass out or sleep lol. At the mo my toe is strapped up as I dislocated it probably on the bar at the bottom of the bed which will now be removed! I have whacked my head of the bed side table and headboard but mainly wake feeling like I have ran a marathon! and my bed clothes look like I have been wrestling all night long! Sorry but I've wanted to tell that to someone for a long time, I'm 41! I am on Lamictal and keppra at mo.:e:
 
Problems Can Occur During Sleep!

angellou,
You need to have a sleep study done at the same time as an EEG is being done. This would show your doctors how the seizures you are having during your sleeping time are affecting your sleep.
I found out that I had a severe case of Sleep Apnea and I sleep much better and felt much better after I started using a CPAP machine.
There have been other members of CWE who have found things out by having a sleep study done at the same time as an EEG.
There have been cases where people have had E and their E was being caused by the big amount of sleep they were missing because of their Sleep Apnea.
Not getting enough sleep can be a big contributor to a person's E being worse so it is very important for a person to get any problems they be having during their sleep found out and solved!:ponder:

WELCOME TO CWE!

acshuman
 
I am not sure my neurologist even thinks I have epilepsy but he has to believe the results of the EEG and video monitoring. He says he has never heard of fits lasting 2 hours and finds me having that many fits at night strange too! He isn't very supportive and our 2 min review every 9 months are a waste of a journey for me. I always felt my sleep and vivid sensory dreams and epilepsy
:noevil::e:were something that made me look and feel insane so I try not to show it or tell about it. I used to think I was being tortured phsyically mentally and spiritually. I tried twice to kill myself but I am glad I didn't succeed!
 
angellou -- sounds like it may be time to find a different neurologist. Getting a second or a third opinion can't hurt. And I second the recommendation for a sleep study...
 
I am on an immunesupressant prescribed by my dr to try to control my conditions as the mayo clinic suggests but it seems to be making them worse! I'm on my 2nd type of injections and on chemotherapy for my skin. Not sure there is much more I can take medicine wise!
 
He is top of his field in Belfast. The list to see other dr's are too long! And it's nearly impossible to get dr's here to do anything that isn't an emmergency. So phychiatric and sleep clinics are for patients with major complications. It took 9 months for me to get an endescope!
 
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