You would think that with having MS, I'd at least have enough fatigue that I could fall asleep before 5am every night/and or morning.

I'm tired. I really want to go to sleep. I'm pretty sure this insomnia has nothing to do with my dad being sick...I've been insomniac for part of november, and all of december.

I really do not want to start taking sedatives to sleep. I did that once, and it took forever to stop using them. (and I kinda had a problem using cold medicine pills to sleep too, which I was able to quit doing during September of 2001)

I do have some sedative that my doctor gave me in november. I never used them.

I'm half tempted to go take a walk, but since my big brave protector of a dog is no longer living I think I'll stick around the house instead.

I guess this is just furthering my opinion that MS just really sucks and is extremely annoying in the insomnia department. (my neuro told me that occasional insomnia with MS is common...he didnt tell me that it can last for months and months)

I guess I'll lay back down and continue watching the 3rd season of Boston Legal on DVD.

It's so annoying, isn't it, Erin? Whipped all day, then it's like the brain goes into overdrive when it's time to sleep. Oy! I went on regular diaphenhydramine (OTC generic Unisom) several years ago. My neuro had suggested a Rx one but I asked about the plain OTC and she said it's fine. It works well for me and doesn't make me wake feeling like I was hit by a truck (unless I don't allow enough time for sleeping). The only caveat is that you have to go to bed and not fight it.

I agree with AMN (did I say that?)

I have trouble sleeping too and DO have an RX for sleeping pills. But I can't get them all the time b/c my insurance company (the one I just fired) says I don't need them! Ha! So I take benadryl OTC to help on advice of my doc. Stuff knocks me out and it's a lot cheaper.

Fatigue is my #1 complaint, right behind pain so I hear you. I just lay there...wide awake.

I never heard of benedryl for sleeping. Is it habit forming? Any bad side effects?

I usually don't have trouble sleeping, but since I went from Paxil to Prozac, I don't sleep as well. I never sleep through the night, anymore.

Thanks..

You're welcome Miz Sal!

It's what's in Tylenol PM or Simply Sleep.

In my experience, I've not had any problems with it. I don't need the extra tylenol so I choose to use the Simply Sleep product. My doc recommended it. He said I could take up to 75mg daily with no problems. Each tab has 25mg.

I've never tried Unisom, but it probably works the same way.

Unisom is really a pretty shade of blue and it's gel, so it's transparent. I also like it for plant pebbles and sun catchers.

ROFL, Cindy. I wouldn't put any in my fishtank, if I were you.

Thanks much, Cheryl.

Yes, I know Benadryl as a sleep aide very well...this would be one of the cold medicines that I was taking for insomnia...It quit working for me as a sleep aide.

After 5 episodes of Boston Legal, I finally fell asleep around 530am.

I just woke up about 5 minutes ago. (it's 1245pm)

At least I managed to stay asleep for the most part, and had some seriously bizzaro dreams. Weird...and I didnt even take anything. Where the heck do the weird dreams come from?

Too much Boston Legal, Maybe.. I love that show.

I'm glad you, at least, got some sleep..

It sounds more like your internal clock needs adjusting then you are lacking sleep. Ultimately you pulled off 7 hrs of sleep.

Although this may be inconvenient (and is definitely worth trying to change!), you are not currently working and have no children . . . so this sleep schedule probably isn't as disruptive as it is for people who are/do. I know lots of people who have to work 3rd shift because they are "night people" . . . but this schedule CAN be adjusted, with time and perseverance.

Are you getting exercise and tiring yourself out in the daytime? Could you take up yoga or learn how to hypnotize yourself in order to relax? You could try brain-challenging exercises (learning new & complicated things in the early evening) so that you are tiring your mind out . . .

The first thing you could do though, is to NOT sleep at 5:30 am, or at least to only sleep for a few hours when you do. Chances are you would be much more tired in the evening.

Cherie