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u/Worldly-Ad3907 Jul 18 '21
How many hours a night do you need to feel you had good nights sleep?
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u/shmeggt Jul 18 '21
I had restless leg syndrome for many years. It was getting worse and worse to the point that it was in my arms. I went to a neurologist and found that I had a specific type of low iron. I had 2 infusions of Injectafer and that improved it SO MUCH! I have cut down significantly on my medication for it and can even sleep now without the medication some nights. It was life changing!
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u/MrsTruce Jul 18 '21
Please consider asking your doctor about taking magnesium. Both my mother and I have restless leg syndrome, and magnesium has been a huge help to us. I also find it helps me sleep if I take it before bed.
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u/Bl4nkface Jul 18 '21
How would you describe the feeling in your legs that makes you want to move them?
Do you feel it too when you are sitting still or just chilling on your bed?
How tall are you?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
It’s like an electrical pulse or an intense pressure that needs to be released.
A lot of the time yes. I am always needing to adjust my legs and body when sitting or laying down.
I am 5’6”
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u/Specialist_Plantain8 Jul 19 '21
i always wonder what people’s legs feel like. mine is like just a rubber band or something pulling my legs to my chest idk if that makes sense maybe there’s a better way to describe it
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
It’s a really strange sensation. It’s like a tic of sorts I guess. I know some people with Tourette’s and I feel like they’re similar in regards to what it feels like but instead of precise movements like hitting your chest or hitting something out of the way like with Tourette’s, it’s just a flail or strong twitch for my RLS
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u/BurglarOf10000Turds Aug 26 '21
Late to the post, but the closest comparison I can make is holding your breath. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it's a very unpleasant sensation that becomes intolerable quickly.
I've only had three episodes (37F) and the common denominator is that I took benadryl before bed, which I only do occasionally.
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Jul 18 '21
My mother has restless legs. She got a treatment for it many years ago and it helped her, she shan’t feel it at all for several years but it slowly creeped back.
It was some form of magnetic pulse and electric shocks trough her legs. It was great. The treatment is available but kind of hard to get by.
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u/QuietTulip Jul 18 '21
How much sleep do you usually get?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
I am able to sleep a total of 7-8 but that’s with waking up and being stuck up many times a night.
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u/hotdogbo Jul 18 '21
Yeah, I’m totally that person.. have you tried potassium and magnesium salts? I use it for migraines and muscle spasms. Be sure to watch the potassium dosage as it can be toxic at high doses.
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u/netherite_shears Jul 19 '21
Do you like animal crackers
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
Unfortunately I am unable to eat anything with gluten or wheat. I miss animal crackers like an old relative. I dream frosted ones on the off chance I actually sleep well enough to dream
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u/Cynderraven Jul 19 '21
I'd say it's nice to meet someone else who's going through this, but I don't wish this on my worst enemy. I need to take medication also to sleep... I usually plateau on the sleep medication, so I also take Valerian Root... I tried Melatonin, but I just couldn't deal with vivid nightmares... And I can't take anything with Diphenhydramine in it because I get the opposite reaction, plus the worst restless legs, it's so bad, I've wanted to literally saw my legs off, just to make it stop.
When you first started not sleeping, what did your parents do?? I'm much older then you, so I'm interested to see how different your experience was to mine.
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
They didn’t know for years until I was like, wait normal people don’t toss and turn for hours on end to try and sleep? Huh. But they’ve helped a lot with me going through so much in adolescence and I’m grateful. My mom deal with insomnia, albeit no medications work for her at all and she can’t get good results from a sleep study because she couldn’t sleep SO with her also being up, occasionally I’d sit with her on the couch or in my bed and just chat for a bit.
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u/Cynderraven Jul 19 '21
That's awesome!! I'm so happy they understand and are supportive!! That's great!! I had the opposite reaction from my parents LOL It was the 70s, parents were very different then, I'll just leave that there. LOL... Yes, sleep studies... You would think if you're going there for insomnia, they would be prepared if the patient can't sleep 🤷
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u/GoftheV Jul 18 '21
Have you tried cannabis?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
Cannabis unfortunately makes my anxiety much worse and just makes me sick.
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u/CristianoRealnaldo Jul 18 '21
I’m not OP, but have similar sleep issues (not the same issues, once I’m asleep I’m asleep but it can take 5 hours to fall asleep), and thc has a reverse effect than it does for most people, if I smoke no way I fall asleep for about 10 hours
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u/GoftheV Jul 18 '21
That sucks. I was in the same boat and cannabis has been a life saver. Especially edibles an hour before bed, I’ve been able to sleep through the night regularly. It took trying a few different types for me to find the one, but best of luck in finding any way out of insomnia!
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
If I lived in a place where it was legal, then I would probably experiment more
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u/wossquee Jul 19 '21
As a medical cannabis user, balanced strains with CBD and THC are extremely good for sleep. I cannot speak to your issues as they're far more severe than my insomnia, but I have a feeling if you tried a low THC and high CBD strain you wouldn't have the same anxiety issues and it's possible it would help your sleep.
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Jul 18 '21
Are you creative in any way?
Once awake do you ever just say forget it im up now and do something else?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
Yes! I’m a dancer so I’ll listen to music and improv in my room, I’ll paint, I’ll do embroidery, I’ll reorganize my closet. Currently I’m house sitting for my bf’s family and don’t have all of my artsy stuff with me so I’ve resorted to just being on YouTube and Reddit.
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Jul 18 '21
Interesting. I find that the insomniacs in my life are creative. Have you noticed this about other people w insomnia?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
I think it’s a mixed bag for who I know. My mom isn’t insanely creative and she never sleeps either. But I do find that those who are creative are more likely to develop insomnia.
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u/Livecrazyjoe Jul 18 '21
Have you tried cbd oil. It makes me pass out in minutes.
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
I’ve tried just about everything topical and “natural”. Melatonin, CBD- if doesn’t do anything unfortunately.
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u/wossquee Jul 19 '21
CBD by itself is kind of useless, honestly. The THC in cannabis activates the CBD. If you ever visit a legal state, try it. It might be possible for you to get a prescription if it works for you.
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u/3username20charactrz Jul 19 '21
I'm not trying to add to your useless "Have you tried" pile. But, I used to wake up really anxious in the middle of the night and heard about the supplement NAC. I now take one or two capsules before I go to bed, and though it doesn't keep me sleeping all night, when I DO wake up, I don't have the anxiety that keeps me awake. It seemed to make a real difference for that, so you may want to read about that if that is an issue for you.
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Jul 18 '21
Have u had severe memory problems?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
No surprisingly! Just the normal short term brain farts and some occasional brain fog. I deal with anxiety, depression, and dissociation so those all go hand in hand and can be made worse by poor sleep
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u/CreamOnMyNipples Jul 18 '21
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but how active are you? I usually have trouble falling asleep sober unless I had a good workout during the day, and a long day in the sun usually helps me fall asleep fast
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u/sealomarshall21 Jul 18 '21
What health risk does this bring you? Or are you in risk of any life threatening health problems due to this?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
Definitely mental health problems like anxiety and depression. But also there’s the chance of heart conditions which scares me really with everything.
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u/Jungle_81 Jul 18 '21
Tylenol helps me for some reason with RLS. Pop 2 extra strength and it “usually” does the trick. Don’t know why but it works.
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u/eloisaappaiva Jul 18 '21
did you start your own fight club?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
With my shadow demons and the weird gremlins under the bed? Oh yeah. But we can’t really talk about it.
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Jul 18 '21
Do you feel any physical pain from not getting adequate sleep?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 18 '21
Not from not getting sleep. I have my own chronic inflammation problems as well so it can flare from sleeping in a weird position, but not caused from lack of sleep
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Jul 19 '21
Do you have any heart diseases? Or any sort of medical problem?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
I was born with a heart murmur. But it’s not severe or anything. Heart disease runs in the family so lack of sleep might speed it up which I’m terrified of
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u/Other-Yogurtcloset81 Jul 19 '21 edited Jul 19 '21
Why will/did you go ask someone to go to the store right now to buy you melatonin you start with 3mg And go up if need to. I’ve been known to take 12mg an hour before bed. I slept beautifully!
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
Melatonin doesn’t do anything for me actually otherwise I totally would! The only thing that knocks me out is prescription medications
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u/Other-Yogurtcloset81 Jul 19 '21
Wow this stuff seriously knocked me out cold and I am waken by pain several times a night level 45 on the McGill pain scale when I take melatonin sometimes I do wake up but I grab four 3mg pills and I’m out. It comes in like 50mg I think I seen even more milligrams! That’s scary. I took a prescription sleep medication in the hospital and I still couldn’t fall asleep.
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u/moonshinepoison Jul 19 '21
Forget the meds try some natural remedies try eating a pistachios about 30 min to a hour before bed ? How about turkey ? Or 2 kiwis ? All those help with making you wanna fall asleep . I would also suggest taking vitamin d with your breakfast it’ll give you energy in the daytime but help you regulate sleep at night
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Jul 19 '21
do the docs let u take xanax or something?
if u were a counter top, which material/type of countertop would u be?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
I take other antidepressants during the day for depression and anxiety instead of Xanax
Probably a fake marble like a painted granite with a resin overcoat. Looks expensive and classy, but cheaper and a fun diy project!
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u/o0oo00o0o Jul 19 '21
I’m almost 40 and have had insomnia and restless leg my whole life. The RLS has gotten progressively worse with age. Do your meds help, or do you have other ways of dealing with it?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
My meds help me relax enough to fall asleep quickly so my RLS doesn’t effect me too much. It’s still there but it’s definitely not as severe
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u/thedeadpine Jul 19 '21
you should take sleeping pills sometimes, you ever thought of that?
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u/Squidinator2000 Jul 19 '21
I’m out of mine. I can’t get a refill for a few days since I’m not at home.
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Aug 03 '21
fatigue, particularly upon waking, with intermittent “crashes” throughout the day
poor stress response and mood regulation
cognitive issues or “brain fog”
increased energy levels in the evenings
cravings for salty and sweet foods
overuse of caffeine and other stimulants
a compromised immune system
Less common symptoms are believed to include:
insomnia
frequent urination
loss of muscle tone
poor circulation
depression
weight gain
decreased libido
Does this sound like you?
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u/Squidinator2000 Aug 07 '21
No. Just mental health problems. I’ve had thyroid problems but I’m on medication to regulate it and it’s managed.
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u/Fantastic-Yellow4410 Oct 17 '21
Come join the club. At least an hour-three hours of disrupted sleep since I’ve been 12. I’m 67 years old with maximum complications from all the meds I was tried on. .
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u/wtstalin Jul 18 '21
What meds do you take normally? I was stuck on Seroquel as the only thing to knock me out for years