As I sit here on the computer at 2:15am, I'm wondering how many of you suffer from insomnia?

I have had sleeping issues for years. It's what I call "broken sleep" where I wake up at least 10 times a night but I'm usually able to turn over and go right back to sleep. However, now that I'm on Parkinson's medication my broken sleep has turned into full fledged insomnia.

I go to bed at a decent hour (usually between 9pm and 10pm) and have no trouble falling asleep. After about 4 hours I wake up and am wide awake. I tend to get up for a while, watch a little tv, check email, etc. and then go back to bed. This pattern is making it difficult for me to get more than 5 or 6 hours of sleep since I have to get up early for work.

My neurologist has prescribed a sleeping aid but I don't take it every night as I usually feel a little groggy in the morning. Tonight I took half a tablet but was still wide awake after 4 hours of sleep.

How often do you suffer from insomnia, and what do you do to try to fight it?

Lora

Dear BrownEyedGirl:
What worked for me is 3 mg Melatonin (slow release) and 300mg Magnesium.
I read that tolerance develops for melatonin over time so I skip some days taking Valerian root instead.
I suggest you discuss with your doctor these more natural remedies.
wish you better sleep.

Lora I have battled with insomnia for a long time and yes its worse now with the P.D. I seem to have the same routine as you, waking up after 3 or 4 hrs of sleep, get up for an hour or two and go back for another few hours. Sometimes I take 1/2 of a Lorazepam and it seems to help. I have come to accept it as part of my life now. My computer has become my best friend in the night when everyone else is sleeping. Although, unlike you I don't have to get up to go to work anymore. That makes it easier to deal with, you must be feeling exhausted. I know what it was like when I was working, it was very stressful living with P.D. and trying to hold down a full time job. I hope you don't have to manage both for too long if its at all possible.

Lora..I dont have a problem with insomnia, but Ive heard more than one person say that a Sinemet CR before bed helps..I was sleeping 6 hours per night on the average, and after I switched to CR Ive been able to sleep a couple of extra hours per night when I need the rest