I have insomnia bouts too, also where sleeping pills do nothing. I think it is either related with me to mercury detox, eating some kind of preservative, or lyme acting up. Anyway, saunas work the best out of everything. An hour just sweating it out, replacing the water I lose and minerals during that time. SSKI seems to knock me out most days, so that is something that helps on the extreme insomnia days. Also, taking an antihistamine sometimes helps. And lately zinc has been relaxing me.

My doctor calls it an overactive nervous system due to the things I mentioned, or bad stomach bugs.Sorry that the beer doesn't work for you...that is one of my favorite remedies. Usually my insomnia bouts are also accompanied by migraines and anxiety, and tension. Sometimes body aches.

I've got an ideopathic sleep disorder, so I've tried about everything. Been through 3 sleep studies. Done tons of personal research. Insomnia isn't typically my problem, but when I do have it, here's a few things that have worked for me that are outside the typical things that most everyone else would suggest (they'd suggest alterations to your sleep environment, relaxation techniques, glass of wine, warm milk, supplements, etc. ... I'll leave that to them unless none of them respond):

1) Better than counting sheep, and this one is free: This one is the simplest, works for a lot of insomniacs, just doesn't work every time for me. Count backward from 100 (not out loud). This tricks your mind into NOT dwelling on the things that keep you from falling asleep. The average person will fall asleep within 5 minutes IF their mind is not preoccupied. Whenever your mind starts to think about something other than counting backward, start the counting all over again. Since you are so tired, this might very well get you to sleep the first time, though you still may want to consider the below things for long term fixing your problem.

2) Brainwave entrainment using binaural beats: This usually works for me, but it may take you a little while to "train" the first few times. There are various CDs and entrainment programs out there, but I do recommend Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's Delta Sleep System, or his Brainwave Journey set (mainly for sleep you'd want Journey of the Body and Journey of the Mind, though Journey of the Heart would be good for dealing with some of the emotional/stressful issues that might be keeping you from sleep. You can google or do a search on Amazon.com for these. You want Delta or Theta brainwaves for sleep. I suspect you have too much Beta going on (Beta is a high alert state), or more Alpha (Alpha is alert, but relaxed). Theta is drowsy, light or dream state. Delta is deep sleep. You will need stereo headphones (this is a MUST for for binaural beats).

Despite Alpha usually being for awake, it IS needed to help go to sleep. While Alpha lessens through most of the brain when you go to sleep, it is supposed to INCREASE at the occipital part of the brain (that's the area at the back of your head) when your eyes close. It's something that cues the brain to relax. I'm an oddity in that my eyes-closed occipital Alpha does the opposite of what it should and increases. That may be what's happening with you.

3) Meditation: I always fall asleep before I can finish an entire session of Jon Kabat-Zinn's Body Scan Meditation CD. It's a guided meditation which has you simply noticing the body, what it's feeling, but not dwelling on any thoughts. This is basically shutting off your active mind, which is what #1 above is to do also (the counting backward). But I think this works much better for me. It's an excellent CD. I probably don't get the full benefit of the meditation because I always fall asleep, but I'm quite happy at my failure to get through a session because I need the sleep.

If you need some of the more typical sleep solutions, let me know. However, as tired as you are, I wouldn't suggest you take a relaxing bath because you might fall asleep in it. Save those for when you're not so sleep deprived.

You poor thing..there is much you can still do... you need a NERVINE HERBAL TONIC to help take your nervous system down into proper relaxation.

When I had severe adrenal exhaustion, every time I tried to sleep I had a panic attack. The NERVINE HERBAL TONIC was a godsend..need to take for about 3 to 6 months.

You can find a good medical herbalist to make you one up..or probably find a good one on line. needs valerian..vervain..and there are other nerve herbs ..

There is a book I think everyone should buy..this energy work hugely supports trying to regain your health..no matter what the issue..

WE ARE ALL IN SHOCK BY STEPHANIE MINES... http://www.tara-approach.org


We all have trauma in our lives..well most do..this work so profound but so simple..folks don't ignore your energy bodies..it stores a lot of health issues..


also try magnesium oil..transdermal..dilute at first half and half otherwise it stings! YOU NEED MAGNESIUM TO HELP YOU SLEEP..and we use up so much more nutrients when stressed.

AJD

Get the out-of-print Self-Test Nutrition Guide by Dr. Cass IGRAM--not Ingram; take the adrenal hormone DHEA especially in the Keto-7 form which doesn't change into other hormones; and get on the NO Sugar DIET! NONE! NOT ANY! Detox with a little ascorbic acid, straight Vitamin C. This wipes out allergic reactions that aggravate everything.

I had insomnia after gall bladder surgery. The cortico-steroid anesthetic induced adrenal collapse, and the Antibiotics induced raging Candida. DHEA, taken only as needed please to keep the adrenals functioning as well as possible, will support your ability to relax. Feed the adrenals with mineral salts like kelp and Sea Salt ; and good fats and oils like Borage Seed oil and a good ribeye steak weekly. Lay off the stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and loud music.

The Self-Test Nutrition Guide by Dr. Cass Igram will pinpoint nutritional deficiencies and organ weakness and allergies and syndromes like Candidiasis and offer the best correction. It is a fantastic book, God bless him.

Dr. Lawrence Dorman, D.O., was a fantastic researcher and practitioner. I did 48 hours on his no-sugar diet and whipped the insomnia. This means no sugars, dextrose, maltose, lactose in milk; no fake sugars that trigger the same chemical pathways so no sucralose or aspartame; no sweet vegetables like corn; no sweet fruits like apples (bananas don't count as the Sugar base doesn't feed Candida but stop 'em to be safe) and absolutely NO YEAST BREADS that are full of yeast food. Eat crackers or corn chips, please. As an adjunct, take Caprylic Acid, a cheap and mild antifungal available at health food stores. Candida eats all your magnesium and prevents relaxation.

Now get some Phosphatidyl Choline or simply eat gently-poached organic egg yolk. The choline is what feeds the sleep center of the brain, the Hippocampus. You can get brain damage to this area with prolonged choline deprivation.

Stop thinking. Your prefrontal cortex might be obsessively triggered. This can be induced by poor digestion of proteins leading to high blood ammonia. Take low dose B-6 to wipe out the ammonia and stay hydrated to dilute the blood ammonia. Consider taking digestive enzyme supplements. Get the Foundation of Human Understanding's Observation Meditation, available as a free download at http://www.fhu.com
to wipe out the re-sensing/resentment of obsessive thought.

Lay off foods that block Iodine uptake to the thyroid like raw carrots, beans and that means any soy products. Please pray for miracles of healing for souls trapped in a disease cycle and aggravated by resentment. May the Most High grant us miracles of healing through forgiveness. Blessings!

May I ask you something ? Did something happen to you anywhere in your life that would not considered 'normal' ? Sleep is where we process our emotions. If you've
got something blocked, not dealt with it, will come out at night. Something recently
may have triggered something to the past. Being honest with ourselves and
bringing things to the light is the 1st step to healing. It is perfectly natural though to not want to.. I may off on a completely wrong angle and you would
be best to know but I could't help but post this anyway. In short, if you've
got a trauma unresolved/trapped in your body professional EMDR therapy would help you. It is a proven therapy and I have experience of it's effectiveness. In
just a 3-4 sessions my insomnia/panic was cured. I spent lots of money on naturopaths, etc, supplements (which are good because they keep the body strong but it was not a cure) and lots of time with other therapies previous
to EMDR and nothing helped, and I continued to suffer. My point in posting is to
share my experience to help someone else from needless suffering because it doesn't
have to be.

By the way, I also have a BT7 Biotuner (Bob Beck) which helps balance both
hemispheres of the brain. It is the most reliable home relaxation device used
for anxiety, depression, addictions, focus, and insomnia. It really works, is very
affordable and has been very complementary to my EMDR sessions.

I really hope you get better soon ( : P-E-A-C-E

there is an acupuncture point called "an mian" or "peaceful sleep". it is located behind the ears at the top/head of the SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscle. i would try using some pressure/massage in this area. in martial arts, this is a knockout point, if you hit it, the enemy will lose consciousness.
best of luck
-rob

Well, I am not as expert as 99.9999% of the people on this board, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

My first impressions is yeast/ammonia issues. You mentioned you think you already have candida and you are dealing with that. Forgive me if I suggest some potent probiotics.. and perhaps some fermented foods. Also, cleaning it up with some enzymes will help. Thorne Researchers have an excellent product, Formula SF722 that is fairly inexpensive and very helpful for candida.. Also try to make sure you are as alkaline as possible.

As suggested, you will not get the magnesium you so terribly need if yeast is a problem. So I suggest Magnesium oil, so it can bypass the yeast issue. Baths are great with epsoms and some magnesium oil if you can swing it.. if not, just use the epsom.
(even better if it is filtered water)

To deal with the ammonia, I use Orthinine.. it has helped me sleep like a baby.. I know it is usually just used in flushes.. thats why I bought it, but I decided to try one one night to see (prior to flushing) just to see what it would do, and it helped a lot (and confirmed the candida for me.. although i really didn't need confirmation ;P)

I am sure you are familiar with the following.. but still good advice, parasites can keep you up as well as a toxic colon.. I would say a colon/ parasite cleanse could help immensely.

And since we are in the adrenal forum, I am sure you are taking care of your adrenals.. but I find that Dr. Wilsons Herbal Adrenal Support is great for dealing with sleep issues.


Good Luck :)

Check into "Ask moreless forum", lately it show a lot of post on the adrenal subjet with clear relation between mineral and PH balance.
My best friend had a tumor on the adrenals, please read "Mineral problem" by 7871I wrote 1 year ago, to report the tragic disease that killed my best friend.
Love from South America
See //www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1058986

Dear Sleep Deprived,

I have great empathy for you as I know what it is for my body to not allow me to sleep no matter how very tired I am. I know what it is to have tried all manner of natural and prescription sleep aids and for them not to work. I know what anguish prolonged sleep deprivation is and the living torment of it.
I have known for some time that severe adrenal fatigue with cortisol deficiency, low aldsoterone and hypothyroidism as well as serotonin deficiency were some of the issues causing this as my body has been fueled and trying to survive thru pumping out adrenalin, but even with knowing ,it is a battle to find a MD with experience to help. who can help. I am just now seeking the help of Dr. Lam.
I believe I have been mis-diagnosed for a long time and reflecting back, I believe my cortisol, serotonin and other levels have been low since my youth.
You didn't mention if you had had any saliva testing of your adrenal functioning done or not.
I would not be surprised if if many of the things labeled as ADHD, anxiety and Depression and insomnia have not been caused by issues with your endocrine system, particularly your adrenals. Everything from metabolism of proteins & fats, emotions, circadian rhythm, fluid and electrolyte balance, sodium and potassium levels, food cravings, cholesterol & triglycerides levels and on and on are impacted by the adrenal glands and their interaction with other glands in our endocrine system. I pray you find a good MD as I know what additional stress it is to endure financial hardship seeking relief of sleep deprivation. In my case I also had low serotonin and the Depression responded to 5 HTP and it also helped to block some of the excitatory activity however it really didn't help the sleep deprivation. I can only get sleep with the aid of sleeping meds and some magnesium glycinate and other things but right now I have to take it when I take my highest dose of Cortisol in the morning.....again I am just getting started with Dr. Lam but I do recommend finding some one with vast experience dealing with the adrenals and the intricate endocrine system.

I have the same problem. Its been a year and a half. Currently taking mirtazapine and passionflower. I listen to Kelly Howell subliminal cd's for sleep. Recently started praying for sleep. That has worked for me. God bless your soul. Insomnia is to me the worst ailment I have ever endeared.

hey...Im going through the same thing only worse...I have not slept in over 9 months at all...I'm a recovering heroin addict 36 years old with 3 years clean....like you i dont know how im alive... please get back to me...