Do any of you guys have some tips to help me sleep???
Been off work now for 8 weeks with a neck problem, I've had my MRI
scan, which wasn't nice, but hey ho ... but the thing that's getting
me down the most is not sleeping   I'm irritable, I feel absolutely
shattered, everything seems to be an effort lately and it's not down
to pain. I've tried changing the time I go to bed, normally I go bout 11ish,
toss and turn a bit but do drop off, but come 1 half 1, ping back downstairs
watching reruns of something or other .. Till bout 5ish, back upstairs, toss and
turn a bit more, then fall off till 7ish ... It's a nightmare.I'm so tired
I only work 18hrs when I am at work, I'm trying to get as much fresh air as possible,
keeping myself busy, not napping through the day, when really I so could!!
Don't drink coffee, don't like milk! Could go to doc and get somethin, but reaslly don't
want to start down that road, what about the herbal aids like Nytol, any those any good ..
I'm really starting to get to the end of my tether .. Any advice greatly appreciated

Poor you! Sleep deprivation is just awful....no wonder it's used as a torture device.
I'd definitely recommend trying something like Good Nytol....ask your pharmacist for advice. But if they don't help you sleep, don't be scared of seeing your GP. You might only need to take something for one or two nights - just enough to break the cycle you're in and get you sleeping again. Other than that, avoid alcohol, exercise and hot baths too late in the evening. A warm bath early evening might help, and the usual milky drink etc. and maybe try some relaxation techniques/meditation. Sex works well but I'd imagine that's the last thing on your mind right now.
Good luck finding something that works for you. xx

I odnt think theres any harm in napping during the day until you get yourself back into a sleep pattern and at least it will ease the utter exaustion you must be feeling.

Absolutely agree with Freds Mum,

If the running of your household allows it, certainly sleep when you become overly tired, I think most of us could do with a siesta and usually between 2-4 is when many of us do feel ready to drop, I know I do sometimes, if your body is saying time to sleep then do what it asks whether day or night. It is often difficult when we have worries and stress to sleep on a nightime as when it is dark you are under pressure that you have to sleep and that is when you should sleep.

Life often gets in the way of doing what our bodies tell us, and really most of us could do with an afternoon nap but never do.

If you are able to, then aswell as the wind down routines to sleep on a night, sleep little and often as much as you can.

First of all it isn't only coffe that contains caffeine. I had about 3 years of waking in the middle of the nigght unable to get back to sleep, and when i went on a diet that said no caffeine (no tea, no coca-cola, no coffee) for 4 weeks, i  found after a week or so i was sleeping better, and now i sleep most nights without waking too often, and when i wake i can go back to sleep. I never knew the caffeine was causing problems because i hardly ever drank coffee, but i did drink 3-4 cups of tea a day, not much for most people but it clearly tipped the balance for me.
The other things i had already done/ been doing before cutting out all caffeine for a few months were to make sure i didn't lie on my bed to read in the day, or really use the bedroom for anything other than going to sleep, as this gets your brain into the habit of thinking bedroom equals sleeptime. I had also got a new mattress. I also set up a regular routine, so I watch the news, have a cup of camomile tea then go to bed, every night. All these things may help, but the caffeine one was dramatic in its impact, and also helped my sister in law, who was not sleeping and she only used to drink one or two cups of tea a day before. I think some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Best of luck, it really is horrible when you aren't sleeping, you feel so grumpy all day.

If pain is a factor I can highly recommend the orthopaedic pillows. They take presure off and help keep your neck supported. I got mine from the shop at the hospital that sells disabled type things, it was a bit pricy but its still going strong 5 yrs later so well worth the price tag. Not sure if the cheaper ones from places such as Argos are as good coz not tried them.

As to sleeping, I find a bath before bedtime then reading for a while, nothing taxing just an easy read quiet book (no thrillers oe horrors ) helps, also taking pain relief an hour before bed can help to relax the aches. make sure the bedroom is not stuffy, have a window open a while before bed let some fresh air in, if a warm enough night leave the window ajar. If a partner keeps you awake then try for a couple of nights sleeping alone, at least until you manage some sleep.

Hope you manage a good nights rest soon.

My sympathies, it's truly awful when you just cannot sleep properly especially when it goes on for days.  I'm a pretty rubbish sleeper but I have found that if I avoid a meal after 6pm and do not eat anything chocolatie, especially dark choc and take a pain killer 1/2 hour before bedtime that this usually does the trick.  I also use Boots lavender gel, its one of their aromatherapy range and it's also good if you get too hot, another good one is Origins 'Peace of Mind' but it costs twice the price but this also is very soothing and relaxing.  Try to avoid a hot bath just before bedtime too, because I have found that contrary to popular belief, it actually livens me up! 

If none of this works, then do not toss and turn, get up and make your a comfort drink or something light and hot but comforting to eat - porridge is good - if you like it.  Then go back to bed and try again.  Nothing worse than lying there just tossing and turning, it just seems to accentuate all the aches and pains. 

Good luck!

I find if I eat before bed it makes sleeping hard I toss especially if I eat oranges...

Do watching movies or reading a book make you tired? If so try that, works for me- best of luck and I hope you can get some sleep soon

Try counting from 1000 backwards. I've never managed to get down to zero. I do this when (rarely) i am struggling to sleep. Not sure whether it works because its boring or because it takes your mind off the thoughts that are keeping you awake but it certainly does the trick.

I find that when I read a book, or have a bath, I'm wide awake I have to finish the book, even if it's something like war and peace I actually lie down and write a book in my head to get my mind off everything that has happened during the day. I don't think I've ever finished chapter one! If I have, I can never remember it afterwards......

I have terrible problems with sleep deprivation, have done for years.  One of the things that I would recommend is Valerian tablets - I get them mail order from Woods Supplements in Jersey.  Not expensive either.  I do get far more sleep when I'm on them.  And handling pain is so much easier when you're not totally trashed from lack of sleep.

Thank you .. as usual you guys are always so helpful
I did buy some Nytol today and have taken two about twenty mins ago .. Feel like
I'm sitting here just waiting on them to take effect !! lol
I'll take all your advice on board and I'll allow myself to nap if I need to .. Have just
bought the new bed and got the ortho pillows .. The beds fab but the pillows were
on special offer and they're awful and they're so much smaller, my pillowcase looks
like the pillows missing
My poor hubby's went to Italy today for the football tomorrow .. he'll be glad to see the back of
me for a wee while   I've been such a grumpy mare ...
Thanks again, I really appreciate having somewhere to let off some steam,

pecial offer and they're awful and they're so much smaller

Mine is not that much smaller than a regular pillow, but try the pillow anyway, just to see! Just the one mind, the curve of them is what helps keep your neck in place. I hope you are sleeping

So...how did you sleep last night?

> I did buy some Nytol today

Be careful with things like this...with some people it seems to have an effect the next day!!!  by making you feel quite 'groggy' and of course not having the desired effect at night time...a delayed reaction so to speak

Also sometimes if you feel hungry, being on a diet or just haven't eaten enough that day can keep you awake too!
Often i have had to get up in the wee hours to eat something after tossing and turning , then have fallen straight to sleep after. Also, if you feel  too cold it can affect your sleep.

I always have a nap in the afternoon, sometimes just for 30 mins. I usually get a headache or neck tension pain if I don't...

Also, if you feel  too cold it can affect your sleep

You are right, i also always use hot water bottles, anything to feel comfortable, and ready for sleep.
Some people use lavendar oil in a burner or dabbed on their pillow, too.

I'm also a hot water bottle fan.  Love them!  It seems a more natural heat somehow.  I've tried electric blankets, but find I sweat with them, but not with a hot water bottle.  Maybe I'm just weird!!