Some advice please...

[Chris515]

Hi everyone,

I've been having problems sleeping lately, and I was hoping I could get some suggestions? I have a minor form of obsessive compulsive disorder, and it seems to be the root cause. I didn't sleep well one night, then the next I worry about it and can't sleep. This is continuing to snowball and is getting worse and worse.

It's like I'm laying in bed, either from waking up in the middle of the night or not falling asleep in the first place, and all I can think about it "what will happen if I don't fall asleep? I'll have a seizure tomorrow." I can't seem to relax, and my body just feels tense all over.

It's hard to explain the tense feeling, it just feels like I'm going to start twitching at any time. But I don't feel a seizure coming on. It's almost like the feeling right before you jerk awake in bed, when you feel like you're falling?

I hope this made some sense, I had a partial this morning and I'm not feeling too articulate.

Does anyone else experience this sort of thing? Anyone have problems with OCD?

Thank you in advance for reading everyone... I just want to sleep...

 

[joan]

Hi* It seems to be an ongoing issue for many. My 19 yo son has issues getting to sleeping. What has helped us was making sure he takes his meds before 7pm. Eating well and exercising. He definitely sleeps better if hes had an active day. We also use a mild tablet of melontonin. Sounds like you're stressing a bit so think about looking into breathing exercises for relaxation. Maybe change your going to bed habits. Shut the TV off 30 - 60 mins before you want to sleep and maybe read or write. No caffeine at night (if you use it) Many times these things work for us.

I wish you well and a better nights sleep tonight*

joan*

 

[epileric]

I sometimes have trouble sleeping so I bookmarked this

http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/insomnia.html

 

[Crystal11]

Hello- I have sleeping difficulty too and these are some things I've noticed myself doing that probably are causing the problems.
Having caffine too late in the evening (1 cup of coffee in the morning and 1 soda in the evening), staying up too late chatting on the computer rather than sitting and meditating or relaxing, taking naps in the middle of the day which my neurologist says breaks things up when i sleep. She said for me not to take naps because our bodies wont sleep as long in the night time and this can cause a endless cycle of: lack of sleep, tiredness, higher seizure risk/incodent, bad sleep due to seizures, and back and forth.
Now, I try to use the computer less in the evenings, not have any caffine if i can help it, don't take naps anymore in the middle of the say- and try to limit my sugar as well. Being more active during the day tends to help quite a bit.
Sometimes after a seizure I cannot sleep- almost as if the Keppra is keeping me awake- so I was given Rozeram but it made a heart condition a little worse so I stopped using them altogether.
Sometimes taking a Bynedril might help or asking your doctor for more info as well.
Sometimes drinking some hot tea might help as long as there is no caffine in it.

Rest well, take care-
-CM

 

[hawke86]

Have any of considered you might have sleep apnea. Maybe you need to tested for it.

 

[RobinN]

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/walshMP.htm#Ob

Most OCD patients (both obsessive thoughts AND compulsive actions) exhibit undermethylation and associated low levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Choline is anti-dopaminergic and often makes OCD patients worse. Generally OCD patients respond nicely to methionine, SAMe, calcium, magnesium, B-6, inositol, TMG, and zinc. Most OCD patients get worse if given supplements of DMAE, choline, copper, or folic acid. 500 to 1000 mg/day of inositol will probably be needed to provide good response. (9 Jan, 2003)

I have read that medication and behavior therapy is not very successful with OCD, however this is something that neurofeedback is showing to have success with. Identifying brain patterns and training the brain to work more effectively.

I personally use a method of relaxation, that has me asleep within minutes. You also might try some magnesium as it is a mineral known to relax the body. There is current research proving that the majority of us are deficient.

 

[Chris515]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I've tried most of the insomnia tips, but I still haven't slept well since I posted. I've been laying in bed exhausted and not being able to fall asleep because I'm worried that I can't fall asleep. I know it doesn't make sense and it is the OCD talking, but it seems to be winning in the battle against my logic. Eventually I do fall asleep but I always wake up between 4:30 an 5:30 but manage to fall back asleep.

It's like a self fulfilling prophecy, I worry about it happening and then it happens. Thus I keep worrying more and more and the vicious circle continues. Luckily I haven't had too many seizures since this all started - as worrying about having them is the main reason behind my OCD/sleep problem.

I'm positive that once I get a good nights sleep and break the loop I'll be fine. Then my brain will know that I can be done and thus won't freak out as much...

My neurologist prescribed Lorazapan for these kind of events... I've held back but I'm willing to try anything right about now.

Does anyone have experience with sleep aids?

Thanks for the link to the article RobinN. I think I will try some magnesium, does anyone know how much to take?

Thank you all again!!

Chris

 

[Meetz1064]

Melatonin

is also a wonderful thing.......

 

[TeeTees]

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure that I'd consider it to be an OCD to be honest. I wouldn't really call it obsessive.....compulsive maybe, but not obsessive - it's not as if you WANT for yourself to not be able to sleep, if you see what I mean.

So, I'd rule that area out. It's no different really to when we have sz's, and then expect the same thing to happen us again the following day around that time.

As compulsive is when you do an act without thinking about the negative aspects of it, I'm not sure whether you'd qualify for that either.

I have been in your position MANY a time, and I know it is a real PIG to get over.....it's that constant spinning wheel that starts to rotate about a hour before you go to bed "Oh I hope I get a good night's sleep tonight", and then the "How do I feel ?" questions.....eventually leading to you getting into bed, either feeling awake due to your mind having so much activity, or worrying about the effect that the lack of sleep could have, ie. sz's.

So, the first thing you need to do is eliminate the problems. Start by trying to relax yourself in that hour before going to bed......have a cup of hot-chocolate (non-sugar/caffeine) at that time. When you get into bed, start by lying on your back, and focus on relaxing each individual muscle in your body, starting from the toes and feet, all the way up to your facial muscles. Practice taking in a few deep breaths into your chest region first, then a few into your abdominal region, and then the two areas combined.

Completely clear your mind during this process by only focusing on the areas of your body mentioned, and your breathing.

Imagine yourself in a quiet, surreal place.....make it your own place....where do you feel most at ease ?......is it the beach ?.....a waterfall ?......a lake ?......the countryside ?.....listen to what's around you in your area you have chosen.

When you feel at ease, simply roll over and go to sleep. DO NOT THINK ANY MORE - just drop off to sleep.

That's what works for me - I hope it works for you too

 

[skillefer]

Well, I take 1000 mg. a day of Magnesium...I'm 5'3" and about 160lbs. Try 250mg twice a day..if that doesn't work, up it to another 250 mg, and if that's not enough add another250mg. You'll know when you've taken too much because you will have a veery loose stool.

 

[Dutch mom]

Melatonin is also a wonderful thing.......

My son gets 6 mg melatonin 15 min. before going to bed, works perfect. We've started on melatonin when we weaned of clobazam, wich made him very hyperactive, especially at night.

Melatonin used to help especially for sleeping in.

New: Circadin: http://www.circadin.com/Default.aspx

Circadin, prolonged-release melatonin, is a new sleep medication and first in a new class of melatonin agents approved for use in the European Union (EU).
Because of its novel formulation, Circadin mimics the natural melatonin profile by releasing melatonin gradually over 8-10 hours. This results in the re-setting of natural circadian rhythms and the encouragement of natural, restorative sleep.

Worth a try.

 

[kilowattfun]

sleep suggestions

I found that I white noise machine helped. I think becuase it activated my brain on some levels. I think I may have even gone into a deeper sleep. Does anybody have any thought about menopause and changes in ES?

 

[RobinN]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Does anyone have experience with sleep aids?

Thanks for the link to the article RobinN. I think I will try some magnesium, does anyone know how much to take?

Thank you all again!!

Chris

You might take a look at Rebecca's Story here
I just posted some information on seizure activity at night.
She takes 1000 mg a day of magnesium. and she weighs about 120 lbs. She is extremely active as a competitive figure skater.
I take between 500-1000mg / day


You also might want to read our discussion on what I termed "thought sequencing" or cyclical thoughts:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/epilepsy-linked-creative-ability-3734/#post34092

 

[drarvindr]

Chris,
You've hit the nail on the head - you freak o0ut too much. The freaking out causes your body to release adrenaline which in turn promotes wakefulness. You need to find ways to relax. Take a bath (shampoo your head). it usually works. You should also put all of your lights out before going to bed so your body feels it's time to sleep . we have receptors that promote wakefulness that are regulated by the amount of ambient light - even with your eyes closed (you know how you can see red if you stare at the sun with your eyes closed ? it's the same principle). Do not get into bed untill you are dog tired and will fall asleep standing if you don't lie down. go to sleep at the same time every day. this will condition your body to feel tired at the same time and regularise your sleep cycle.
Hope i've been of help,
arvind

 

[Ann T.]

Hello, Chris

This message is along the line of kilowattfun & the white noise machine...my yr old nephew has a 'frog in the rainforest'[as I like to call it]white noise machine. The frog ribbitts & there's stream/creek sounds in the background. It's sooo veeery relaxing...try follow drarvindr's suggestions, too.

 

[Chris515]

Thanks again everyone!

I've started on magnesium and melatonin. But last night I had the worst night yet, I'm at work now functioning on 2 hours sleep.

drarvindr, you are right, I freak out too much and thus I can't relax. I know it is silly but I keep doing it, no matter how much my logic tells me that I should relax and just go to sleep.

The white noise machine sounds like a great idea. I am certainly going to look into that one.

I'm still taking lorazapan (sp?) most days, I got fed up at 4:00 in the morning and took one, soon after I was asleep. I'm afraid to get addicted to them though. Does anyone know if I can take lorazapan while taking magnesium and melatonin supplements?

But years ago my mom took them every day before work and she had no problems going off them. I wonder if it is just different for every person.

TeeTees - you may be right, it's not just connected to OCD. It may just be a case of worrying and stressing too much. I have OCD in other parts of my life and I guess I just connected it.

Although I don't wish this on anyone it is comforting to know that other people have had the same problem.

Thank you everyone for all the advice, I'm sure it will all help me. I feel very at home here, you guys are all awesome!