I've gone through most of most of my life with a broken on/off switch. Even as a child I could lie awake at night for hours (I remember once counting backwards from one thousand to one); by the time morning would come, I never felt rested and getting out of bed was sheer torture.
In the worst of my depressions, I could literally sleep for 24 to 30 hours. But even when I wasn't depressed, I could easily sleep for 12 to 15 hours and was generally terrified of sleeping through the alarm clock.
In recent months, I've made a new discovery: waking up like a "normal" human being after a good night's sleep. Granted, I need about 10 hours of sleep, but after I've gotten my 10 hours, I can now willingly get out of bed and face the day.
For me, this is a revolutionary experience.
There seems to be a combination of factors at work: finally getting on a relatively regular sleep schedule; finding a combination of bipolar meds that work so that depression isn't wrecking havoc with my sleep; avoiding caffeine in the evenings; and, most interestingly, fish oil.
Um...what was that last one? Fish oil. I only mention it because it seems to be helping to balance my moods, improve my sleep, and eliminate PMS. I haven't had PMS symptoms for the past two months, and the extreme fatigue, irritability, pain and cramps I experienced bordered on PMDD because there were times it was severe enough to be debilitating.
Back in December my doctor suggested the fish oil to help boost my 'good' cholesterol. I've been taking 1000 mg/day since then and I'm convinced that it's helping in these other areas as well. That and the pomegranate juice... *grin*
I had a friend back in Michigan who swore eating fresh pineapple worked, too. I'm all in favor of whatever does the trick!
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I take the fish oil and pomegranate too. Don't know whether that helps me sleep, but I like to think it's helping me live longer. LOL
Hmm. Sounds like something I should try. Glad to hear it's working for you!
I used to go to an osteopathic physician who explained that the fish oil helps lubricate your body's communication system.
Well, it made more sense when he explained it. ;-)
I had a script from the doc but the pharmaeceutical prescription was really expensive, so I'm just taking an over-the-counter one from the drugstore and a single 1000/mg capsule a day seem to be making a huge difference. It's interesting because I wasn't anticipating any benefits from it, I only recently made the fish oil/sleep/PMS/mood stability connection. There weren't any other changes in my meds that would've affected my bipolar, sleep, or menstrual symptoms. It's definitely worth a try.
I like the "lubricates the body's communication system" description!
I'm so glad that your sleep patterns have improved O'K. There's nothing worse than having a broken night's sleep and feeling like death warmed up the next day.
As for fish oil, I take it for my respiratory system as well as cholesterol. I'm sure it has other benefits as well and if it works for you, too, that's wonderful.
Good luck and I hope the good sleeps continue.
I was like you when depressed I could stay in bed and sleep forever. Since 4 years I am feeling good and have no sleeping problems anymore. I sleep like a baby in one shot through, but my body changed the hours. Now I go to bed at 10, read a little and then I fall asleep, but between 5 and 6 am my night is over and I am jumping out of my bed, ready to attack the day ! I don't recognize myself !
Your cat pictures leave me with my mouth open, I had to yawn !!
So glad to hear you're finally feeling more rested in the AM and that that you've been free of the PMS misery for the past few months. Cheers for finding a winning combination!! The omega 3 fatty acids in fish are believed to have lots of good effects.
Mom
Hooray for good sleep. I found I don't sleep well when I'm stressed out so I use lavender based sprays to help relax me.
I'm going to have to try that. I've been attacked by insomnia lately. Gah.
And LOL at your Demetri Martin encounter! It's o wonder celebrities are so jaded, eh? I couldn't believe how old he actually is.
AND: you saw Jerry Orbach! I loved him. I am so jealous.
Cool, stuff works for ya! And it wasn't some damn expensive prescription. I've been wanting to try fish oil for some arcane reason I've now forgotten (Memory perhaps?) but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
I gave up caffeine abut six months ago and now I fall asleep on the sofa sitting straight up with my head flopped back. Isn't that how the Elephant Man died? I mean, I do have a giant head...
Love the pictures of the cats they are so cute.
Thanks, Pom!
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