Oh no, sirree. Sleep continues to elude me. I am this close to going to the doctor for the sleep meds, but I just don't want to have to medicate myself to sleep... but, I am taking Benadryl every night, so I guess what's the difference? I already take meds for my face (have acne prone skin), meds for my acid reflux (attempted to ween myself off this summer, total fail), and meds for my allergies (seasonally). If I get another prescription, I feel like I am going to need a days of the week pill box. Which basically makes me a senior citizen.
If anyone has some fabulous natural ideas to get me to fall asleep more easily, I am all ears!
Anyways, enough whining. It's Friday! I have a busy weekend ahead of me with plenty of fun things! Here's a list of what I've got planned for the weekend, bullet point style:
- Tonight I am going out to dinner and then heading to an Oktoberfest celebration at a local German bar (weather permitting, it's an outdoor event). I'm a German girl so I feel it's my duty to attend this celebration each year... I can't drink beer (most have gluten) but even if I could, I wouldn't because I have never liked it. So I will be the outcast drinking a Vodka Tonic.
- Tomorrow morning I will probably work... we are swamped and they are offering Visa Gift Cards based on the number of files I review and it's just too good to pass up. I figure the Visa Gift Cards will come in handy when I am traveling next month!
- Saturday afternoon I am shopping with my best friend! I am hoping to find some fall boots, a pair of jeans, and a pair of fun flats.
- Saturday evening I have a date with 2 boys... My nephews, of course! I can't wait to hang out with them for the evening! I hope they are excited to see me as I am to see them!
- Sunday Morning I will do my last LONG run of the training cycle! Hal calls for me to do 20, but I think back-to-back 20s would be too hard on my body, and I don't want to risk an injury so I am planning on doing 16-18 miles. Then the taper begins!! Woot woot!
So there you have it! Saturday is a little bit packed, but Sunday should be a low key day. I might actually cook something for the first time in like 4 weeks. We'll see. I have pretty much been living on baked potatoes and microwavable Amy's GF meals. Fancy, huh? That's what happens when you get home at 8 pm and are exhausted. Those are nights where I'd like to hire a husband that likes to cook. Ha.
What do you have planned for the weekend?
26 comments:
What a great weekend planned!! I'm sure that there will be others at Oktoberfest not drinking beer :) I won't pass up a nice vodka tonic!!
Hi Lis- I'd reconsider the Benadryl. We used to have little kids/adults come to the crisis home where I worked, and since they'd be up all night, mom & dad would dish out some benadryl. But, the kid couldn't sleep... sometimes Benadryl can actually make things worse. Not to pry and please don't be offended! Eeks! I also suffer from some crazy bouts of insomnia, but it's usually something where I fall asleep okay, but then wake up at like 1am (and I'm ready for the next day), or repeatedly wake up at 2am, 3am, 4am, etc. OR, I just can't seem to fall asleep at all. I wish I had some helpful hints...
Enjoy Oktoberfest, that sounds like lots of fun! Have a great weekend; sounds like you have a lot to look forward to !
Don't work too hard! Have a great weekend!
You have had a busy week! A German Fest tonight sounds like a lot of fun, as do the rest of your weekend plans. Enjoy them all and good luck on your run Sunday!
Our pediatrician recommended melatonin for helping our oldest fall asleep. It's a natural supplement that is available in the vitamin section of most grocery stores in liquid or pill form. Not habit forming and according to my doctor, safe for long term use. I've found it works best if you use it about 30 - 45 minutes before you want to fall asleep. You'll start feeling really sleepy, but you have to lay down and try to go to sleep then because it does seem to wear off. I've used it and it does seem to work. Good luck!
One thing that does help me sometimes when I need to fall asleep is either some hot chocolate (not sure if you can drink that or not?) or caffeine free tea. I also find that if I shower before bed that wakes me up rather than relaxes me so I try to shower post-workout immediately rather than closer to bed.
Maybe changing your room around would help? Or spraying some lavender on your bed sheets? Sounds odd but I have been spritzing my room with a relaxing lavender scent the last few weeks and 4 out of 5 times I feel more relaxed and can fall asleep easier.
Anyway- I hope you have a fabulous weekend. I'm sure we will chat !
Haha, Ben has a "day of the week" pill box and LOVES it - I always give him grief because I tell him he's 80!
Sounds like a great weekend - hope the Oktoberfest doesn't interfere with the long run! :)
I have a fun birthday weekend planned including dinner with my parents, massages and mani/pedis with my bestie, drinks with the girls, and PLENTY of time relaxing and doing whatever I feel like!
I would kill for some fall boots right now..and gloves. hahah.. this weeekend.. tonight probably going to the store and grabbing some food/drinks and hanging out under covers.. maybe going out to eat.. tomorrow headed to east lansing for tailgating for the msu v nd game.. that will be the entire day pretty much.. sunday probably dead on the couch. maybe shopping for some warm clothes haha.
Wow your weekend sounds fantastic. I'd try melatonin. You cant take it right at bedtime though, it needs like an hour to work. It helps some people and is pretty benign drug. Pretty sure its OTC. I bet patina has some pretty cute pill cases!
Sounds like you have a full life, Lisa ... that's not such a bad thing. =)
I can't imagine what it's like not to be able to sleep ... but, I've had friends who have taken melatonin, which is a natural sleep aid. Maybe it's worth a try.
You do have a very busy weekend! But all full of fun things!
I think that you are having the most trouble sleeping on the nights when you KNOW you have to get up at 5 the next morning. That seems to be the pattern doesn't it? So maybe JUST on those nights take Benadryl or some of the other things people have suggested in the comments. I also find that drinking tea before bed helps make me sleepy.
I am doing my 18-22 miler on Sunday. So far I'm leaning towards 20-22 miles because I feel so good but we'll see! Other then that my weekend is low-key :-)
Sounds like a fabulous and busy weekend!
In my hometown, they have a HUGE week long celebration for Oktoberfest. It's crazy! Hope you have fun at yours :)
Why, thanks for asking your friendly pharmacist! :)
First off, it might be time to start letting the benadryl go. Besides numerous side effects from long term use, diphenhydramine disrupts your natural sleep cycle. You start to depend on it for sleep, but it suppresses your normal circadian rhythm. Also as Miss Anthrope said, some people (usually kids, elderly) have a paradoxical wakefulness with benedryl.
Plus...you're doubling up on antihistamine use if you're taking one for allergies too.
So what CAN you try?
1. No caffeine after morning coffee.
2. Absolutely start some melatonin, I recommend 2 to 3mg nightly. Take it after 9 pm; about an hour before sleep.If you find yourself awakening at around 2 am youmay need to take a time-release form. Give it time. It can take a few weeks to readjust your circadian rhythm.
3. A cup of chamomile tea, hops, or Moon Drops (homeopathic) are all natural sleep aids; the Moon Drops contain small amounts of belladonna, though.
4. If you have difficulty getting off the benadryl successfully, you can try replacing it with valerian root. Usually valerian is used for anxiety, but it encourages sleep as well. I would only use it as-needed, though.
If there's anything I can help you with let me know; although herbals aren't stressed in pharmacy school I used to work in a health food and supplement store so I pursued some independent study. Hope some of these tips work for you and you're sleeping soundly soon!
Have a great weekend!
Gracie
Melatonin is supposed to be really good, Ive only heard positive things about it. Also, I saw a natural version of Simply Sleep (tylenol I think...) but I would try melatonin first.
Not sure what to tell you about not being able to sleep. Running definitely helps me fall right to sleep each night. Maybe you are just staying wired from all the work stress?
Awesome weekend plans! Tonight's Oktoberfest event sounds fun. I think we might do another bike date out to dinner or something. Hope the LR goes well! Yes, woot woot to the taper.
What do you put with the baked potato? That sounds like a nice easy meal haha, I need them too.
PS. my sleeping is TERRIBLE too. I am glad to know I am not the only one with a bit of an addiction to Benedryl! I try to stop taking it like every single week and then I don't sleep for like 2 nights straight and I'm like I NEED IT AGAIN. terrible. Also, I had a days of the week box for pills last year when I was taking stomach meds (which I'm considering taking again because they helped me sleep- didn't do a thing for my stomach though) haha. AH!
Melatonin works wonders. It's the hormone/chemical that oue bodies naturally produce to help us fall asleep, so it's completely safe.
One thing I don't have trouble with is sleep - just getting enough! I've been averaging 5 hours a night this week, with 12-15 hour days. So I've been a bit of a crab, lately. :)
You have such a busy, but FUN, weekend planned! Have a great weekend!
I know how you feel about taking a ton of pills. I'd love to stop taking any of mine, but I just don't see it happening.
Your weekend sounds wonderful. Mine is going to consist of attempting sleep on Friday, failing a 5K on Saturday morning, and doing homework for the rest of the weekend. Oh the joys of grad school. ;)
I would generally say go for a walk before bed, but saying that to you, marathon girl, seems feeble!
Your weekend sounds lovely! I am also in search of boots, I got so sick of having soggy jeans at work last year, this year it's boots,tights and skirts all the way!
That is one packed weekend. I would def work for gift cards. That is a great plan. I have to work most of this weekend, but I don't get gift cards.
I would suggest reading a few chapters of a fiction book before bed. I find that I fall asleep more quickly if I read fiction as it helps to turn my mind off from real life :-)
Tonight the hubby and I are going to our friend's house for a vegetarian dinner.
Hope you've have a great weekend!!!! I've had my own sleeping problems....and I usually just take some tylenol PM or Benadryl to help me get some sleep. My pharmacist friend swears it's not habit forming at all and safe. The key is I have to take it early enough in the evening so I can get a good night's sleep and not wake up feeling groggy or lethargic. I've tried melatonin--as it was suggested as a natural supplement---but it gave me CRAZY dreams/nightmares and I had to stop. However, I've had other friends use it with no problems...so maybe that will work for you too :)
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I've had sleeping problems for as long as I can remember - though my problem isn't in falling, it's in STAYING asleep. I've tried so many things, from white noise machines to hot milk and brandy, but I've found the ONLY thing that works is medical. I've found there are two types of pills - the typical sleeping pill they usually only prescribe short term because you can get addicted, and they're great for knocking you out, but wear off after a few hours. I am on something which isn't technically a sleeping pill, but extreme drowsiness is the biggest side effect, so it tends to keep me out for most of the night. Good luck!!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. Hoping your long run went well this weekend. My tip for going to sleep: wine.
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