How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?

[SL200__]

When I wake up in the morning, Im still very tired. Been this way for decades, as long as I can remember.

How do most people feel when they wake up? The term 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' has never described me. I presume when you wake up, most people feel refreshed but not me.

Doesn't matter how much sleep I get, I still wake up feeling tired.

I've been told I have moderate-severe sleep apnea and am using a CPAP machine which brings my sleep interruptions down to an ok level, but it hasn't improved the way I feel when I wake up. Normally CPAP is a miracle cure but for me it has made no difference. I also suffer from bad insomnia which means I don't get to sleep easily. Am also on high dose of Aropax for anxiety/depression.

Anyone have any comments or Suggestions?

 

[AlmondMilk]

When I wake up, I just want to go back to sleep, but I do feel refreshed if I get a decent amount of sleep.

Do you exercise regularly? That might help the depression. Even if it's something like zumba, or something at home, that might help the depression. Not sure if it'll help you get more sleep. Have you asked your doctor?

 

[SL200__]

Thx for your reply. I don't exercise every day, but even when I do it doesn't help either getting to sleep or be refreshing sleep. I've seen numerous doctors, sleep specialists and psychologists but I keep getting put in the 'too hard' basket.

 

[chrisw87]

Like yourself, I often wake up not feeling refreshed and it takes a while for me to click into gear. How are you in the rest of your day? I suffered and still do a little bit from chronic fatigue and found that diet and exercise routines really improved how I felt. Sleep routines did help greatly as well.

You said that you have visited sleep specialists? have you gone in for one of those overnight trips where they assess you?

I mainly ask because snoring and sleep apnoea can cause havoc with your energy levels and general health.

Apart from this, maybe try to find a book at your local library. One that helped me vastly was the following;
Amazon.com: From Fatigued to Fantastic!: A Proven Program to Regain Vibrant Health, Based on a New Scientific Study Showing Effective Treatment for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia (9781583330975): Jacob Teitelbaum: Books

Honestly, I am not sure if the information in the book is medically correct, but it did seem to help.

edit: Also, ask your doctor if Circadin (slow release 2mg Melatonin) is possible. When I took Circadin, it did not initiate sleep faster, however I had no restless leg syndrome, no broken sleep and woke up feeling well rested. Drugs such as doxylamine (restavit)/phenergan/dozile will get me to sleep quickly however massive amounts of broken sleep and occasional sleep and occasional sleep apnoea will happen. They don't leave me groggy in the morning, but it is not uncommon if you are taking them.

 

[SL200__]

Thanks, I'll look at that book.

Yes, I've done 3 overnight sleep tests and the most recent one indicated I had moderate to severe sleep apnea. I've been using a CPAP machine for 5 months and while the machine says i am sleeping better I don't notice any improvement in my symptoms.

Restavit doesnt help me get to sleep or sleep better but it makes me very groggy the next day. I've tried numerous other drugs but the only one that helps is Stilnox (though it doesn't work all the time).

I've never in my life woken up feeling fully rested so I don't know what that feels like or if that's how most people wake up. My fatigue and insomnia have worsened in the last 12 months with no identifiable cause.

Currently seeing a psychologist and working on correcting my "sleep phase shift" but all it's succeeding in is sleeping for less hours.

 

[Yngbldhwk]

SL200__: I have fibromyalgia, one of the symptoms of which is unrestful, unrefreshing sleep, so I feel your pain. The last night of really restful sleep I can recall was in 1996.

Here are several things you might want to investigate and try.

* Try taking Melatonin in amounts of up to 10 or 20 mg before bed. In the US, Melatonin is typically sold in amounts ranging from 1 mg to 10 mg capsules. If you find it doesn't help, taper off taking it rather than stopping it completely.

* Some people find 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytrytophan) helps them sleep more soundly. It's often sold as 50 mg capsules. Tryptophan was temporarily pulled from the market several years ago, not because the supplement itself is dangerous but due to contamination as a result of the manufacturing process.

* 2 to 4 grams of the amino acid Ornithine before bed helps some people sleep. Unfortunately, it's rather expensive and seems to be harder to find at this time. Avoid any brands that also contain Arginine, an amino acid that some people find to be stimulating.

* I find white noise or ear plugs, along with a sleep mask to block out ambient room light, helps promote deeper sleep.

* If your mattress isn't comfortable, consider replacing it with a foam pressure-relieving mattress. The most popular brand is Tempur-Pedic. They're expensive, but they last for 20 years and, for many people, are a Godsend.

* Ask the neurologist that prescribed your CPAP machine about possibly taking the anti-depressant Remeron or Mirtazapine.

* Although alcohol can feel sedating, it actually disrupts normal sleep patterns, so if you drink, try to avoid doing so before bedtime. Avoid eating before bedtime also.

 

[datnjboynva]

Question. Do you drink alcohol, smoke (cigarettes)?
I understand both of these habits can cause lack of sleep. I Quit both 8 years ago and living a healthy lifestyle. Only a cup of coffee in the AM, and just water and gator-ade the rest of the day. I never was a junk-food eater. Exercising at least 4 times a week cardio/lifting weights either at home or at the gym, I sleep like a baby.
Every now and then something happens, be it overtime at work or something personal to interrupt my work-out routine and I literally see every hour on the hour while I try to sleep. I also recently, and this sounds stupid, had to stop drinking so much water at night, I would take 3 bottles to bed with me, because frequent urination was keeping me running all night.