(D)evolving nature of my experience
 

When I found and jouned neurotalk it was borne out of endless battles with insomnia. Now I had been waging a battle with it for a long while as I worked overnights for quite some time. When I was tired enough from that I slept.

Not so with my neuropathy. So I adapted. Zombie by the Cranberries may well have been a portend into me during this period. The answer to her query in the song? Not much.

Sometime after shingles, weaning off Lyrica and lowering my coffee intake my sleep improved. I have been much more fatigued. I am certain that has played in, as has the reduced caffiene intake, I shoot for none after 11 AM if I can help it.

My gut tells me it is mostly my decreasing stamina. I am working ever so slowly to build back all that was lost following my shingles experience. At the time I thought I was floundering. I chuckle to myself at that now, though modestly, knowing in a year I may shake my head at such chuckling.

My neurologist seemed surprised my sleep was better. I am really questioning it too much, save the above thoughts. It is a good thing. I still get up a few times a night, though I am able to settle back down. I have bad nights, though less of them. I get up at 3:30-4:00 AM just to be able to be prepared to get my kids ready at 6.

I wish I could point to something directly and say do this, but I hope that anyone who is having sleep issues might be able to pick something out of this to help them.

If all else fails pick up The Natural History of Selborne. It should have you to sleep in no time.

Jon

Jon, are you taking a serotonin type antidepressant? Or Tramadol? If NOT, you might try SAMe (OTC)...I find it quite energizing and have used it over a decade now. 400mg in the morning on an empty stomach.

But people using antidepressants cannot use SAMe since SAMe increases neurotransmitter synthesis.

I buy mine, NatureMade brand, at Costco.

I need TIVO
 

then I could tape or record golf games. Something magic about the hushed tones used and the snails pace of the action. I am in a process of weaning off Ambien and have cut dosage in half. Also waking up WAY too early. Sounds like tou are fighting the good fight. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

I take tramadol. It is the only thing really helping to cut the pain in an appreciable way on a daily basis. Some days are better than others.

I have to get my kids up at 6, just after my wife leaves for work. In order to contend witg the not quite 4 year okd I have to be limber and as cogent as possible. So I get up early to make all that possible.

I could go without tramadol for a week to try out the SAMe I suppose. I don't take it the same time daily, though I usually am compelled to take it on a daily basis.

This is better than not sleeping, but fatigue is positively brutal. I took my daughter shopping today. We were out for a few hours, witg designs to drive elsewhere. Once I sat in the car I knew it was grocery store, then home. Muscle rebellion.