[poetrymom]

Ok, here goes.

First, I want to say my energy is coming back in really good waves. I've had almost a week of just nice, amazing, good, even energy. I don't need my afternoon naps anymore. WoW. I can walk 3-5 miles, go to church, help mow our yard on a riding mower (with ear protection) and do other thinking tasks. I won't say I am healed, but I will say I am much better.

The problem I have now is sleep and some real difficulties staying asleep and getting to sleep.

For sleep I've been taking liquid valerian (20) and liquid melatonin drops (5).
At night I also take 5-htp, Gabba, L-theanine and Magnesium chloride.

I think, but am not sure, but I think most of my insomnia now probably comes from being in the perio menopause state of life, but I am also still healing from my concussion.

So, I think I might be in the cross hairs of both PCS and perio menopause.

I think that I have more insomnia near and with my period right now, but i've been random about keeping a good journal.

This month during my period, it was difficult for sleep. First, I couldn't get to sleep one night -- but finally got 4 hours of sleep. I also wake up too early. I probably average 4-5 hours of sleep (maybe less) during this time.

I am wondering about an over the counter sleep aid for just these times of the month when I really need it. Any suggestions as to what is best to use with a still healing, yet really doing well, PCS brain??

Thanks so much for your replies.

poetrymom

[berkeleybrain]

I just spoke to my neurologist about whether my insomnia is pcs/ or periomenopause.

If you are taking the right supplements/amino acids, etc., perhaps it is a matter of sleep hygiene (no electronics/ipads in bed; bed only for sleeping; go to sleep around same time, etc)?

If this still doesn't work, my neurologist's reply was to reframe the experience.

Whatever the cause, if you control most of what you can, you are still awake. Take 10-20 minutes to do simple tasks (clean out your purse, clean off the desk, go through mail vs. junk mail, etc.). Expect to be awake.

I did this for a couple of nights, and he was right. I wasn't so upset. And since I added gardening to my routine, I've been sleeping longer and sounder.

Just my 2 cents-I hope you find some solace!

[Mark in Idaho]

poetrymom,

What do you do to prepare for going to sleep besides the supplements ? You likely need to start preparing for bed 2 to 4 hours before bed time. I need a complex carb to maintain my blood sugar when I sleep or I wake up during the night. Some do well with a protein snack before bed.

I recommend you swap the 5-HTP for L-Tryptophan. L-Tryptophan is regulated by the body before becoming 5-HTP. This means your body will have a better chance to avoid too much serotonin.

Melatonin is know to have a short effect allowing one to wake up. Some use it in an extended release form.

If you switch to L-Tryptophan and take an evening dose a few hours before bed, you may find you can sleep better. The L-Tryptophan will metabolize to 5-HTP then to serotonin, melatonin and another essential amino acid. It may help to try going without the melatonin. Anything you take to get you to sleep will eventually wear off. Trying to get your system into a normal state (without assistance) will hopefully allow you to sleep, not make you sleep.

I know the struggles of insomnia. Been dealing with insomnia for a decade. Learning to let your mind sleep is easier than trying to make your mind sleep.

btw, I can not leave any tasks unfinished. If I have unfinished tasks, I need to make written notes of the next steps so I do not ruminate on the next steps. Sometimes, I will get out of bed to resolve a task so I have completion. I find that taking 30 minutes to resolve a task allows me to get to sleep. Trying to get to sleep with the unfinished task in my mind may eat up an hour or more trying to get to sleep.

Hope you can get some sleep.

My best to you.

[poetrymom]

This is all very helpful and I am going to see what I can do.

I've been down this road too with insomnia, and not always so succsessfully.

Mark, I will give that supplement a try.

I've come to the conclusion before that I just might have times in life where I have less sleep. The big questions is -- how much less sleep can I really abide and heal my brain?

Anyhow, thank you for your replies.

pm