Friday, September 18, 2009

Insomnia

This problem is one of the worst there is. Unfortunately, I have been suffering from it for a few years. I can be exhausted and not sleep. It's an incredibly lonely feeling being up when you know everyone else is asleep. Try as I might I cannot get my brain to shut up. No matter what I do during the day to try to wear myself out, I toss and turn for hours before drifting off into an often restless sleep. On days when I am achy I take a Tylenol PM, but I cannot get dependant on them. So I often just toss and turn. Unfortunately for my roommate my bed squeaks this year...

I don't think it has much to do with my lupus, but I can't be sure. Fatigue is a symptom of lupus I have, but more of the just-sit-in-bed-and-do-nothing fatigue, not the sleep for hours fatigue. It's more of a no matter how hard I try I can't get the energy to move type of fatigue. I am desperate to be able to fall asleep easily.

Anyone have any suggestions. It drives me crazy. How do you shut off your brain?

3 comments:

HaraTakumi said...

hey there....I'm a lupus patient too and I'm studying in college as well...you ought to try to take a hot bath or shower before going to bed..It worked for me! :)

Shaista said...

Isn't it the oddest feeling, to be wide awake when others seem so comfortably snuggled in sleep? Particularly ironic as we need sleep more than the average person.
I have had Lupus since my college years too - I think it is a great idea you are blogging through it. I felt very alone and isolated when I was at university. Much much better to be writing the reality as you live it xx

Melanie said...

HaraTakumi---thank your for your response. I normally take a hot shower before I fall asleep. I would love to take a bath, but being in the dorms makes that almost impossible. I think I am going to try to add tea to my routine.

Shaista---thank you for your comment. Getting enough sleep is particularly concerning since I have lupus. I think I might have some new tricks to help myself fall asleep.