compsports: Introduction

[basildev]

Sorry to hear that CS,

 

Being sleep deprived is the worst. I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink with one of those sleep devices in my mouth, much less a CPAP machine.

 

My heart goes out to you.

[compsports]

I have a question for you CS; are your sleeping problems due to apnea?

Because mine are not.I wake up because of high cortisol.I don't have any breathing issues;for now.

Very scary anyway...

Hi Alex,

 

Yes. Even when I alot of hours as I did last night off of the machine, I feel like cr-p.

[compsports]

Sorry to hear that CS,

 

Being sleep deprived is the worst. I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink with one of those sleep devices in my mouth, much less a CPAP machine.

 

My heart goes out to you.

Thanks Basildev.

 

I am going to try a new strategy which is to not worry about any sleeping rules. In other words, if I feel like falling asleep in the afternoon, I am no longer going to worry whether it will ruin my sleep for the night. However, everytime I lay down, whether or not I am sleepy, the mask must come on.

 

Yesterday, I took a nap with the mask in the afternoon initially but took it off. Anyway, by not worrying about any sleeping rules, I ended up sleeping alot of hours off of the mask. So my reasoning is if this can work off of the mask, it should be able to work if I put the mask on.

 

I am also going to order a mask that is alot lighter to see if that helps.  I can return it for a full refund if it doesn't.

 

I have no idea if my plan will work or not. But what I am doing isn't working and it is such a relief to no longer have to worry about whether I need to stay awake or not. Maybe my plan will be the "anti sleep hygiene program to cure cpap induced insomnia".

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

 

I am going to try a new strategy which is to not worry about any sleeping rules.

 

That is exactly what I did and I did it soon after I CT'd all meds and was experiencing all the horrid physical stuff (before I found SA).

 

It worked for me. Thank God, it worked for me. I started with one of the basic helps for insomnia: pick a time, go to bed. If you are still awake after 1/2 hour, get out of bed, do something boring, for maybe 1/2 hour (and don't worry if it is something you are NOT supposed to do). Go back to bed, try again, at half hour intervals. Keep doing it until the clock says the time you have set for your waking time comes around, then get out of bed and do your day. If you need a nap, take a nap and don't worry about it. Above all, don't worry about ANY of it.

 

Now? I fall asleep soon after I hit the rack. I average 6 to 8 hours a night. Rare naps. 'Life is Good' (like it says on the t-shirts). I am so blessed, but I WORKED at it. I see that now when I look back on it.

[compsports]

 

 

I am going to try a new strategy which is to not worry about any sleeping rules.

 

That is exactly what I did and I did it soon after I CT'd all meds and was experiencing all the horrid physical stuff (before I found SA).

 

It worked for me. Thank God, it worked for me. I started with one of the basic helps for insomnia: pick a time, go to bed. If you are still awake after 1/2 hour, get out of bed, do something boring, for maybe 1/2 hour (and don't worry if it is something you are NOT supposed to do). Go back to bed, try again, at half hour intervals. Keep doing it until the clock says the time you have set for your waking time comes around, then get out of bed and do your day. If you need a nap, take a nap and don't worry about it. Above all, don't worry about ANY of it.

 

Now? I fall asleep soon after I hit the rack. I average 6 to 8 hours a night. Rare naps. 'Life is Good' (like it says on the t-shirts). I am so blessed, but I WORKED at it. I see that now when I look back on it.

 

I am so glad your plan worked for you cymbaltawithdrawal5600. However, I have decided not to pick any time to go to bed.  I am sleepy at 8pm, that is when I will go.  If it is 10pm, that will be my time.

 

Now I will get out of bed and take off the mask if I determine I was wrong about being sleepy.  And usually, I can tell pretty quickly. And I will sleep until I am awake unless I need to be somewhere at a specific time.

 

So for me, other than having to sleep with the mask, I will have zero rules.   So far, the effect is in spite of being sleep deprived, I feel like I am smiling more than I have in months. I literally feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

 

CS

 

[Altostrata]

So good to hear, CS.

[Baxter]

Hey, CS - glad you're experimenting and getting some sleep. 

[compsports]

Well, my experiment in letting myself sleep whenever I wanted with the mask turned out to be a complete disaster as many times, I would wake up with sleep inertia which a greatly diminished cognitive capacity which would lead to more sleeping without the mask.  If I didn't go back to sleep, my functioning was just as bad as prior to taking a nap.

 

Anyway, I have long been frustrated that that there didn't seem to be any good answers about my issue of wanting to fall asleep after meals. This had continued to be a problem in spite of going to a paleo type diet.

 

But to today, I found this great site that offers diet advice geared towards people with narcolepsy. Even though I feel my untreated apnea is causing the narcoleptic like symptoms, this advice seems quite applicable. Eat certain high protein foods during the day without carbs.  Eat dinner pretty late with a carb.  Exercise before meals.  If you wake up, try eating a banana and or oatmeal to get back to sleep.

 

I am really excited about giving this a shot although following it precisely will be a challenge. But whatever I can do to improve things will certainly help.

 

By the way, it talks about circadian rythms being completely destroyed which I feel is what has happened to me starting with the psych meds. Anyone else have that experience?

 

Anyway, here is the link in case in anyone wants to try it.

 

http://www.wakeupdiet.com/

 

CS

 

PS - I also like the fact that the site owner has great concern about long term use of psych and sleeping meds that are typically used for this disorder.

[Barbarannamated]

CS,

 

I'm sorry that you continue to struggle with this.

 

For many years, I've had trouble staying awake after eating, especially if I eat breakfast. I assumed it was a blood sugar issue but happens regardless of what i eat. I spoke with a woman at a pharmacy whose main symptom of POTS was excessive sleepiness after eating. I don't know if this is a bogus diagnosis, but thought I'd mention. I THINK it's a form of dysautonomia.

[compsports]

Thanks Barb.  Unfortunately, my chances of finding a doctor to accurately diagnose it are slim and none. I mean, they'll just blame garden variety insomnia, push a med and be done with me. Sorry for my negativity but I am obviously very frustrated with this situation.

 

What does POTS stand for?

 

CS

[compsports]

Well after 4 sleep doctors and 1 ENT, unless a miracle happens that enables me to stay asleep on the pap machine, I am definitely going to have my deviated septum corrected (apparently a major culprit in pap therapy intolerance) and a turbinate reduction.   Still in the process of getting questions answered and I plan to seek a 2nd and possibly 3rd opinion.

 

I realize nothing is guaranteed and of course no surgery is ever risk free.  But I am out of options, plain and simple.

 

ENT to his credit suggested trying nasal steroids but after he heard about some medical issues I had, didn't think they were a good idea.   And they have also caused insomnia in the past even when I took them in the morning.

 

Tried nasal irrigation on Friday and had the exact same problems I previously had.   Felt great for about 30 minutes afterwards and then got progessively worse during the day.  But I might try an electric machine to see if there is any difference.  If not, I can return it.

 

I so sick of this as I just want my bleeping health back.

 

Stay tuned.

[Meimeiquest]

Given the complexity of your situation, that might be a great idea. I so hope it helps!

[compsports]

Thanks, I sure hope so.

[compsports]

I know I had mentioned that I was leaning heavily towards having a septoplasty/turbinate reduction in the hope this would help with my pap therapy tolerance.   But when my functioning started to get worse, I decided against the surgery out of concern that I would be hit hard by anesthesia side effects without any guarantee of improved sleep

 

Since that time, I have found a comfortable mask that works and settings I am satisfied with.   Unfortunately, I continue to get 3.x hours of sleep on the machine no matter what I do.

 

I am now thinking my issues may be due to hypoglycemia as I have gotten some low blood sugar readings during the day.  Last night, when I woke up prematurely, I took a reading and it was 73.   Anything below 70 is considered to be low.

 

I know I need to do more testing but I have a very frustrating machine.   Sometimes, I go through 5 strips before I get a reading without an error and other times, I get it correct right away.   So I may need to simply bite the bullet and buy another machine.

 

Have an appointment with a sleep doctor next week.   I was going to cancel because I didn't see how he could help me with my issues but interestingly, the patient care coordinator said he has had patients who had metabolic issues.   I am still skeptical but since my co-payment isn't that high, I figured I had nothing to lose by keeping the appointment.  

 

Maybe this guy truly is a sleep specialist who covers all issues that affect sleep.   That would be something if he really was.   Stay tuned.

 

If my issues are really due to hypoglycemia, this could explain why meds and OTC remedies have resulted in zero improvement in time on the machine and in many cases, have led to worse sleep.  

 

I know I need to work in improving my diet which of course, is a bleeping struggle when  there is severe sleep deprevation.   I am also going to experiment with various foods to eat before bedtime to see if anything make a difference.  Last night, I ate a handful of pumpkin seeds and celery.   Tonight, I will try oatmeal to see if that improves things.

 

CS

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

CS,

 

This is thrilling news. I truly hope you can get to the bottom of all of this.

 

About the hypoglycemia thing. I remember reading about 'glial' cells way back when I first got here. They are the ones that react to the dip in blood sugar we get just before it is time to wake up. They wake us up so we can eat because the body needs energy. Could be why you wake prematurely. Alto suggests whey protein isolate before bed and when waking during the night. There is a thread in Symptoms about it: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2643-whey-protein-isolate/

 

When my cat was diabetic I got a bs meter from CVS. The meters are cheap, the strips are pricey. When those ran out, I bought one from Target, worked just as well and much cheaper.

[compsports]

CS,

 

This is thrilling news. I truly hope you can get to the bottom of all of this.

 

About the hypoglycemia thing. I remember reading about 'glial' cells way back when I first got here. They are the ones that react to the dip in blood sugar we get just before it is time to wake up. They wake us up so we can eat because the body needs energy. Could be why you wake prematurely. Alto suggests whey protein isolate before bed and when waking during the night. There is a thread in Symptoms about it: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2643-whey-protein-isolate/

 

When my cat was diabetic I got a bs meter from CVS. The meters are cheap, the strips are pricey. When those ran out, I bought one from Target, worked just as well and much cheaper.

Thanks CW, I will check out the Target BS meter.  Is it the Target generic brand?

 

I think I may may have an tolerance to whey protein but I need to go back and find some old posts so I can recall exactly what they are.   But it is a good suggestion.

 

I think it is going to be trial and error to see what works since there doesn't seem to be a consensus as to what the best diet is for this type of condition.  But all of us are used to that, right?

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

This is the one I have: http://www.target.com/p/up-up-8482-blood-glucose-meter-monitoring-system/-/A-13099401#prodSlot=medium_1_3    It's their up and up brand.

 

And you do know you have to match the strips to the meter. If the strips are available from your local Target, I'll send this one to you if you want as I do not need it anymore. (There are some strips left that I haven't used. It seemed easier to use the Target brand one and get enough blood than the first one I got at CVS. It might have been the One Touch. Some of the strips need more blood than others.) Just PM me with an addy if you'd like it.

 

Bedtime snacks: a few slices of apple, some cheese and a bit of milk. Tryptophan is the key.

[compsports]

This is the one I have: http://www.target.com/p/up-up-8482-blood-glucose-meter-monitoring-system/-/A-13099401#prodSlot=medium_1_3    It's their up and up brand.

 

And you do know you have to match the strips to the meter. If the strips are available from your local Target, I'll send this one to you if you want as I do not need it anymore. (There are some strips left that I haven't used. It seemed easier to use the Target brand one and get enough blood than the first one I got at CVS. It might have been the One Touch. Some of the strips need more blood than others.) Just PM me with an addy if you'd like it.

 

Bedtime snacks: a few slices of apple, some cheese and a bit of milk. Tryptophan is the key.

Thanks CW for your kind offer.   Unfortunately, the strips are only sold in the stores and that wouldn't work for me due to the fact that I rarely drive because of my sleep issues.   

 

Regarding bedtime snacks, I have found if I eat more dairy than the 1ounce of cheese I eat in the morning, my nose gets very clogged.   But the apple is worth a shot.

 

Interestingly, some people with hypglycemia have suggested that if you stabalize the blood sugar during the day that a bedtime snack is not necessary.  Not sure I am buying that but I might experiment one day just to see what happens.   

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Ok, if you're sure. I'm not using it and there are strips left. Do you have anyone that goes shopping for you?

 

Ok, then. Other sources of tryptophan (non dairy) woould be turkey and maybe this list would help you find something: http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000079000000000000000.html

 

A knotty problem for sure, but I have high hopes you can solve it.

[Meimeiquest]

I am so, so glad for you to have some movement on this! Wouldn't a good doctor be wonderful!

 

I don't have hypoglycemia, but I am beginning to suspect that I just overreact to any change in blood sugar, even if it is still normal. I guess that's why it is called reactive hypoglycemia. I am doing too many other changes right now, but when I tried six meals/day, all with protein, fats, and complex carbs, it seemed to be stabilizing. Eggs and nuts are easy things that work well in this.

 

Wishing you good luck with this!

[compsports]

Ok, if you're sure. I'm not using it and there are strips left. Do you have anyone that goes shopping for you?

 

Ok, then. Other sources of tryptophan (non dairy) woould be turkey and maybe this list would help you find something: http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000079000000000000000.html

 

A knotty problem for sure, but I have high hopes you can solve it.

CW, unfortunately, I don't have anyone who goes shopping for me.   But if you're not using it, let me give it a try to make sure mine is accurate.  I just got a 53 reading after having a sleep attack.   Interestingly, this happen after exercising.

 

There is a place near a metro that allegedly sells them which I will check out on Wednesday.

 

I will PM you, thanks.

 

CS

[compsports]

I am so, so glad for you to have some movement on this! Wouldn't a good doctor be wonderful!

 

I don't have hypoglycemia, but I am beginning to suspect that I just overreact to any change in blood sugar, even if it is still normal. I guess that's why it is called reactive hypoglycemia. I am doing too many other changes right now, but when I tried six meals/day, all with protein, fats, and complex carbs, it seemed to be stabilizing. Eggs and nuts are easy things that work well in this.

 

Wishing you good luck with this!

Thanks Meimequest.   I hope I can resolve this too.

[compsports]

Well, I found an old blood pressure monitor that used to be my moms's and have taken several readings.   They keep coming up normal.

 

If I get another high reading at my sleep doctor appointment on Wednesday, i will ask my primary care physician to provide me a 24 hour monitor so this can be settled once and for all.

 

CS

[compsports]

Well, essentially, nothing has changed regarding my ability to stay asleep on the pap machine.   As a result, I will be consulting with a sleep doctor out of my area in a few weeks to see what he says,    My first choice did not work out for various reasons.

 

The guy I am going to see has been highly recommended on another board I hang out at.   So we'll see.

 

I am prepared to ask some very tough questions in respectful manner to make sure he doesn't just focus on insomnia as being the reason as the other sleep doctors have wanted to do.   For example, my questions would be, if insomnia was the reason, wouldn't at least one remedy (prescription or OTC) have given me improved sleep on the machine?   Everything I have taken has not.

 

Couldn't there also be a structural reasons why I am not tolerating pap therapy such as nasal obstruction issues?   And for those of you who wondered why I didn't have the septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery, to be honest, I was scared shitless of anesthesthesia and for other reasons I can't get into here.   But if this guy were to say that is was definitely an issue I need to check out, obviously, I am going to have to be able to deal with this.

 

Unfortunately, having a septoplasty without anesthesia is not an option as I have researched this extensively.   I did try nasal rinsing again and had the same result of feeling considerably worse, particularly on the side where the deviated septum is.   A nasal steroid has been marginally effective after three weeks.

 

The other issue that has plagued me big time since I got off of meds, is feeling drugged after dinner to the point where I had to lay down yesterday.   That has severely messed up my sleep cycle.

 

I did have blood work with indicated a normal A1c, glucose, and thyroid results.  However, in testing various foods on the glucometer, I get severe spikes on high carb foods.   Just ordered 100 strips so I can do some serious testing and see what the problem areas are.

 

Interesting, one day when I didn't eat any carbs (meaning stuff like crackers, etc.), I didn't have problems with falling asleep prematurely.   Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well for other reasons but I am going to give this another shot.   Even when I have eaten limited carbs, I still seem to get sleepy afterwards.

 

Needless to say, this is very disheartening and exhausting. 

 

CS

[tgirl]

Compspots,

How are you doing?

[compsports]

I thought I would update my thread since alot of new people have joined the site.   For those you who don't know, I used to post as Palm on PP but when Alto created this site, pretty much joined ship even though I still posted on PP occasionally.  But SA was where my heart definitely was..

 

Due to continuing sleep difficulties after finishing my taper in 2010, I decided to see a sleep specialist in 2011 because of a strong family history of apnea.  I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea via a home study test and thought this was the key to all my problems.   Little did I realize how wrong I was.

 

In a nutshell, my adjustment to pap therapy has been h-ll and unfortunately, sleep doctors' only solution is to offer meds without checking other issues.   By the way, I am not against meds for sleep if someone is severely struggling as you will find out when you read my post further..   But I do have a problem when that is the one size fits all solution.

 

Recently, I had a full scale study and was diagnosed with mild apnea but with a moderate RDI index which suggests an UARS profile even though I wasn't officially diagnosed with that condition.   For those of you not familiar with UARS, it is sleep breathing disorder in which the breathing restrictions don't officially quality for sleep apnea but they definitely impact sleep.   Unfortunately, the diagnosis is still greatly minimized with most sleep doctors.

 

Anyway, due to suspecting that nasal obstruction issues are a factor, I plan to see an ENT in January.   I had scheduled a septoplasty and turbinate reduction earlier this year but chickened out.  I now may not have a choice since the usual remedies such as nasal rinsing and nasal sprays make my condition worse.

 

Regarding taking sleep meds, I hope the lemon balm that should arrive today will help.   But if it doesn't, I am going to have take something for sleep because I have reached my limit.   I don't want to go into details but trust me when I say this as someone who greatly fears the impact of meds.   Please understand I am not advocating this generally and I realize this site is for getting off drugs which I totally support.

 

The other issue I have to think about is if I am going to have surgery, not sleeping would greatly increase the risk of complications in my opinion.  Of course, taking a med could effect things but at least, I feel the risk of sleeping with a med wouldn't be as great.

 

Anyway, what greatly disappoints me is I so badly wanted to write a success story and right now, I can't.   But for newbies reading this post, I do know people who were on multiple drugs for years but were able to get off of them and are doing fine.

[Wildflower0214]

Greetings from someone else awake in the night!

 

So sorry you are still struggling.

[compsports]

I am sorry you are struggling also.   I did finally take a Temazepam last night and slept 5 hours which is decent for me.   Still trying to work off the grogginess but am definitely starting to feel somewhat more functional.

[Junior]

So sorry to hear of your struggle with sleep apnea.  I knew your sleep was badly affected but I didn't know the extent. Thank you for taking the time to post your update.

 

As you know, I am only too aware of how hard insomnia can be.  I will be following your updates with great interest. Esp seeing as hubby was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea!  (He has never taken a psych med).

[Wildflower0214]

I am stuck in the Ativan situation. I actually felt the best I have in months after my cut, but then took an OTC med, and now back to awful.

 

For me I know the Ativan is causing it now, but getting off is always risky, but I have no choice.

[compsports]

So sorry to hear of your struggle with sleep apnea.  I knew your sleep was badly affected but I didn't know the extent. Thank you for taking the time to post your update.

 

As you know, I am only too aware of how hard insomnia can be.  I will be following your updates with great interest. Esp seeing as hubby was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea!  (He has never taken a psych med).

Thanks Junior.  It has been horrible.

 

As an FYI, a great site for your husband to visit is www.cpaptalk.com.   Everything I have learned has been through that site as unfortunately, the sleep doctors have not been helpful.   The downside is it is unmoderated but if your husband can ignore the troublesome posters, there is alot of great information. 

 

I wish him luck as well as you with your insomnia which I know has been a great struggle for you.

 

CS

[compsports]

I am stuck in the Ativan situation. I actually felt the best I have in months after my cut, but then took an OTC med, and now back to awful.

 

For me I know the Ativan is causing it now, but getting off is always risky, but I have no choice.

JDM,

 

Unfortunately, in many cases, it is an issue of choosing the best option among horrible choices which sounds like you have done.   Hang in there.

 

CS

[Junior]

 

So sorry to hear of your struggle with sleep apnea.  I knew your sleep was badly affected but I didn't know the extent. Thank you for taking the time to post your update.

 

As you know, I am only too aware of how hard insomnia can be.  I will be following your updates with great interest. Esp seeing as hubby was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea!  (He has never taken a psych med).

Thanks Junior.  It has been horrible.

 

As an FYI, a great site for your husband to visit is www.cpaptalk.com.   Everything I have learned has been through that site as unfortunately, the sleep doctors have not been helpful.   The downside is it is unmoderated but if your husband can ignore the troublesome posters, there is alot of great information. 

 

I wish him luck as well as you with your insomnia which I know has been a great struggle for you.

 

CS

 

Thanks CS.  Hubby is not into interacting with people online the way I do but I will bookmark that site for future info.

[dalsaan]

 Anyway, what greatly disappoints me is I so badly wanted to write a success story and right now, I can't.   But for newbies reading this post, I do know people who were on multiple drugs for years but were able to get off of them and are doing fine.

CS, what symptoms do you have now? I've heard you talk about insomnia and relate that to sleep apnea but I'm not sure what else is happening for you. Also, how did you go in the lemon balm

 

D

[Wildflower0214]

Hey there!! Dropping by to see how the Lemon Balm worked out, and to let you know I think of you often.

 

I HOPE you sleep! Good greif, this just gets ridiculous at some point. Over it! I'm sure u are too.

 

(hug) hang in there

[JanCarol]

It's 2 am, I just finished reading your story CS.

 

As someone with 30 years of yoga (and 40 years of allergies!) under my ample belt, saline rinses should help - but they have to be done daily, and you start to see results after a couple of weeks.  Steroids and flonase tend to have rebound effects - you get great results at first, but then they cause the problem they are trying to cure - like psych meds, I find my sinuses swell and get irritated with even the gentlest steroid sprays.

 

My doc pointed me to a compressed saline spray that I really like.  It takes some getting used to but it has compressed air that shoots the saline farther into your sinuses than a neti pot or pump spray, and it tends to loosen any clogs pretty quickly.  

 

Something I use all the time - I keep it by my bedside (along with the Ipatropium bromide spray, for when I'm desperate to breathe), and another thing I use all the time - daily - is Olbas inhaler.  In the US you can get it at a health food store or online.  It is a drug free aromatic inhaler which opens the nasal passages.  Sometimes it;s intense and hard to do, but I always get improvement with it.

 

Yoga pays a lot of attention to breathing.  In the daytime you could do an exercise called "alternate nostril breathing" which could help, and it's low maintenance - 5 min a day.  Calming, good for mood, vagus nerve, and is part of a yogic sleep apnoea prescription:  alternate nostril combined with ujayi breath.  But that latter one helps to have a teacher the first time you do it.

 

Yoga has positions for inducing sleep.  Works best when you sleep alone because it takes up space, I go from corner to corner on the bed.  First lie on your left side.  Place your right arm behind your back and tuck your hand under your waist.  Your left arm is stretched out over your head, and you rest your head on it (no pillows).  Your right knee is bent so that the knee touches the mattress.  Lay on that side for 15 minutes.  Repeat on the other side.  If you want more instruction, I can look for a picture in a book somewhere.

 

Additionally, yoga would ask you to pay attention to which nostril is blocked.  In yoga, you always put the "clear side" down, and the blocked side up.  So if my left nostril is clogged, I lie on my right side.  Gravity will gradually move the clog to the other side, the "down" side, and then it's time to turn over.  This works best when you are doing regular saline rinses.

 

If you cannot find a compressed air saline rinse, but still want to give the saline rinse another go, you need to make notes and experiment with the salinity of the water.  I take mine fairly strong:  1 teaspoon per cup of water.  When I do a proper neti pot (rarely these days), my water is lukewarm, closer to my body temperature and not as shocking as a cool sinus rinse.

 

I'm struggling with insomnia right now, too, as is hubby.  He's got the CPAP and is going through new rounds of adjustments.  They feel to me like new sales scams (a new mask, pressure adjustment, "use this company," new studies, etc. etc.) but he's having apnoeas and I want him to wake up in the morning (He has a stroke from a sleep apnoea).  So he's trying again.  I've been told I have apnoea, but I'm just doing the yogic thing for now.  I don't think I could face the mask and machine.

 

One of the things i do on a sleepless night is I wear an eye mask, so that my eyes have no choice, and it settles down all the eye movement, relaxes that part of my face & brain.  In that dark space, my brain naturally "sees" things.  I try to find a path through a woods, or a river, or a road, or  a hallway - some tunnel of sorts that I can follow down into Theta.  Some times this is easier than others.  Sometimes I lay there and cannot find the path, or it won't come.  But usually when it does come, it means I've relaxed enough to follow it into sleep.

 

Just a few insomnia notes for you to check up on.  The yoga stuff is really different - you won't hear it anywhere else, it's pretty esoteric.

 

I wish us all a good night's sleep!