Caffeine question

[moonlight]

I'm having major problem falling asleep for the past 2 nights. I am totally off diet cokes for a couple months now, but I still have ice tea during the day along with a ice coffee when I feel like I'm really tired or run down. Maybe I'm consuming too much caffeine and that's why I can't sleep? I'm dog tired by 9 pm but then can't sleep when I go to bed around midnight. Last night was so bad. I was up to 4:30.

[HouseofWool]

I'm having major problem falling asleep for the past 2 nights. I am totally off diet cokes for a couple months now, but I still have ice tea during the day along with a ice coffee when I feel like I'm really tired or run down. Maybe I'm consuming too much caffeine and that's why I can't sleep? I'm dog tired by 9 pm but then can't sleep when I go to bed around midnight. Last night was so bad. I was up to 4:30.

I would try not drinking any caffeine after noon and see if that helps. I know it is killer when the afternoon slump rolls around, but my guess is that is what is keeping you up at night.

[Michele]

I would say you are going to bed too late. If you are tired at 9 why are you staying up until midnight?

[moonlight]

I would say you are going to bed too late. If you are tired at 9 why are you staying up until midnight?

Because I'm giving my kid a bath at 9. We are on a little bit of a later schedule. She doesn't wake up in the morning until 9am. She's starting preschool this fall and we'll be up a little earlier.

[weeniegeniewife]

Try taking melatonin 1/2 hr before you want to fall asleep. Also, I agree with the others that you should cut out caffeine after 12pm, and if you're tired at 9pm, definitely go to bed then! Can you bathe your DD a little earlier? Insomnia sucks, I deal with it every night.

[moonlight]

I'm sipping my iced coffee right now. I'm going to finish it off and only have decaf for the rest of the day and see how it goes. I forgot to mention two nights a week (thurs and friday) I work until 8 and 9pm. Tonight I'm working until 9pm. If I can be asleep by midnight I would be very happy.

[poky]

There are a TON of things that can keep you awake at night (or make you wake up and stay awake). Usually sleeplessness doesn't have a single cause, but an additive accumulation of multiple things. Taking care of just one of them might not get you back down under the sleep threshold, but the more things you do to help yourself sleep, the more likely it is that you'll be able to. No afternoon caffeine is a good start, and WGW's melatonin suggestion is good; maybe a warm bath right before bed, or some meditation? Stress and worry are typically big contributors, so whatever you can do to de-stress will probably help, too.
I wish you luck. Insomnia does suck.

[ladymoreta]

It's worth a try. You might also try avoiding electronics with backlighting, like your phone or laptop for about 30-45 minutes before bed. (Says the girl who's playing on her phone all night...) The light, especially of you're in a dark room, can make your brain think its daylight.

[Curegirl]

Try taking melatonin 1/2 hr before you want to fall asleep. Also, I agree with the others that you should cut out caffeine after 12pm, and if you're tired at 9pm, definitely go to bed then! Can you bathe your DD a little earlier? Insomnia sucks, I deal with it every night.

I second the melatonin. It's saved me a few times now but I have trouble staying asleep. The last few weeks I've gotten maybe 3 hours of sleep a night...maybe this is what a resident feels like!

[Momo]

Cut out the caffeine, try melatonin & read this http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-0...nked-loss.html (gasp!)

[moonlight]

There are a TON of things that can keep you awake at night (or make you wake up and stay awake). Usually sleeplessness doesn't have a single cause, but an additive accumulation of multiple things. Taking care of just one of them might not get you back down under the sleep threshold, but the more things you do to help yourself sleep, the more likely it is that you'll be able to. No afternoon caffeine is a good start, and WGW's melatonin suggestion is good; maybe a warm bath right before bed, or some meditation? Stress and worry are typically big contributors, so whatever you can do to de-stress will probably help, too.
I wish you luck. Insomnia does suck.

Let's see what other factors might be causing my sleep issues...
stress- CHECK
watching iPod at in bed- CHECK
hormones wacky week- CHECK
can't stop thinking about tomorrow's schedule- CHECK

Hummm.

[weeniegeniewife]

Have you ever tried melatonin?

[moonlight]

Have you ever tried melatonin?

No, does it really work? how long does it take to work? how much should I take?

[Thirteen]

I heart melatonin. I also highly recommend Cal Mag (calcium magnesium) - about 500mg, 30 minutes prior to bedtime.

I struggle with "turning my brain off" at bedtime. Stress and playing on my phone are two big factors for me.

[weeniegeniewife]

No, does it really work? how long does it take to work? how much should I take?

Start off with 1mg 1/2 hr before you want to BE asleep. It will gently shut your brain down and you'll drift off. Some people need higher doses, some (like me), need the smallest dose, which is .5mg chewables from Trader Joes. Yes, melatonin really does work. Try it!