I am finding myself sleeping almost 12 hours every day, and I am having trouble getting out of bed to start a life. For some reason, dealing with the tinnitus, roaring, hearing distortions, and dizziness is easier in bed. Also, when I get up, I feel terrible, like I have a case of the flu. I was put on Zoloft every day to help me with this, but it doesn't seem to help. I am retired and don't need to get up, but sleeping until 2 and 3 pm doesn't feel that good and is not good for partner relations. I am really dizzy after sleeping this long. What do you all do to get up and get going? I can't keep sleeping this much...I think that my mind keeps me in bed so that I don't deal with this disease. I do not think this is healthy. I usually eat nothing until 3 or 4 pm. Any ideas to get back on a more regular schedule?
Jimmy A, Let me preface this with, "I am not a doctor". I have dealt with the sleep issues for quite some time. MM really does drain the batteries. Your brain is using a lot of energy just keeping you on your feet. I goes through long spells with no energy. I call them "couch days". I just can't get my butt off the couch. When I feel good, I don't have too much trouble getting up, but those "couch days" can last a while. I've missed 20 days of work so far this calendar year. That also starts a cycle of bad feeling. It doesn't seem to end. I think I remember reading that you are a musician. Were you used to late nights in the past? I am a traditional night owl. I do some of my best work after midnight. Before I lost my medical certification at work, I would work straight midnight shifts (10:00pm-6:00am). That just worked better for me. I would stay up all night, go home, kick everyone out of the house and then sleep for 6-7 hours. Some peoples bodies just work better that way. It worked in my relationship because my wife got used to sleeping without me in the house. (We have a very big dog.) We wouldn't see each other during the day anyway, so we didn't lose any time together. I'm not sure what your significant other does for a living, but this system may work for you. If you sleep better during the day, staying up all night might give you more energy when you wake up. Over my 26 years of shift work, I've found that consistency is the key. When I did have to work days and get up early all week, I would set a strict bedtime (kind of like a toddler). If I didn't have to work, I would make appointments for early in the morning for things that I couldn't, or didn't want to, miss. That kind of kept me on schedule. A consistent sleep schedule is the key. If you want to stay up all night, go for it. With today's technology, you can always find something to do. Like read my long posts. Sorry, I ramble. Hope this helped. Take care of yourself. Mike
I had horrible fatigue also and getting out of bed in the morning to come to work was a hurculean task. Brain fog - ugh -- But I started seeing a naturopath about a month ago and aside from accupuncture she also started me on supplements --Yellow Indian Clay which I just finished - Adrenal Desiccated, Cataplex F and Cataplex A-C-P. Beginning last week I noticed I have had more energy than I have had in years.... I can get up in the morning... I went to a concert last weekend and I stayed up until 3 am and got up at 9 am -- I haven't done that in years either..... We go to ALOT of concerts and I always have to either use vaca time to take the next day off or a half day if it is during the week or leave early if I have alot going on at work. I do wear an earplug that my ENT made for me in my right ear. The ringing and fullness in my ear has also decreased quite a bit and I haven't had to take a valium in over 3 weeks..... so I am going to stick with this for awhile - this is the best I have felt in ages - I even lost 4 lbs. I am still sticking to my low sodium diet and trying to get enough sleep every night ( which is difficult with chronic insomnia) but I have been sleeping through the night for the first time in over 8 years. I do hope you find something that works for you. This disease sucks.
Now that I'm on Trazadone I usually sleep well but some days I like to lie in the rack. I try not to beat myself up as I have for many years; frequently about not being productive enough. now on the days that I feel that every step takes effort i too do a lot of couch time. I find it hard to stick to a regular bed time and arising time even tho. i do believe that a routine is better for health. Jimmy, do you still walk? I fell off my biking routine while traveling. :-[
I did not do well with sleep until after i found relief from MM. Now i exercise quite a lot, lost about 45 pounds, and sleep like a baby. I don't know if the exercise would have worked before i found relief, but it's worth a try. I do about 1 hour a day of cardio and lifting. I did find that melatonin helped me a lot to get to sleep. But you have to take the right dose. Most people take way too much. 0.3 - 0.5 milligram is the optimal dose for men and it should be sublingual. Most pills have 1-5 mg in them. Just get the 1 mg tabs and break them in half. Don't take it right when you need to sleep. Take it about 30 minutes before you need to sleep. http://news.mit.edu/2001/melatonin-1017
Marie, I haven't walked in two weeks due to an upper respiratory and sinus infection. I am probably being hard on myself. I used to be a workaholic and an earlier riser--this disease has forged new paradigms for me. This is probably making my sleeping issues worse. My doctor put me on Trazadone too as a sleep aid, and it was horrible for me, as I was in a fog the next day after taking it. Then he told me to take it earlier in the day. Xanax does not have this effect on me but I won't use it as a sleep aid. I only use it when things get bad. Marie, please promise me that you will go back to biking and I will go back to walking. Scott Tom, I think it was you who told me getting over this infection would be difficult since I have been on steroids for so long. You were so right, and know what you are talking about. I was told by my allergist yesterday that I have too much liquid in both ears. Coach Betz thanks for your advice. I use to sing in a music group, but now can't hear much music. I still try too listen but it is difficult and sounds so horrible. I hope that one day I can get my music back....it hurts my soul to loose this.
I really got a lot of energy back when I got on the anti-virals. I can't remember if you've tried them yet. If not, I hope you can soon, they might give you a lot of relief.