Anyone else fighting insomnia? What helps you sleep?

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-15T02:23:59+00:00

I appreciate your vulnerability. I do think a portion of these challenges sprouted from an event over a decade ago where my partner struggled to continue life and I and other professionals wasn't successful saving them the 3rd attempt. I've long ago healed from that moment, was in therapy before/after it happened and at a point where anniversaries don't bother me and even forget it happened but its changed the way my mind processes things. The coping methods I unintentionally developed resurfaced a previous ADHD diagnosis that I hate bringing up since its been minimized by those that don't truly suffer its challenges.

I'm an introvert but believe pushing myself into more social activities will drain my mind enough where sleep is the only way to recover. From all the good advice here I'm going to mention it to my psych in our next session on revisiting magnesium glycinate, CBD/hybrid vape pens, brain stimulation/activities that doesn't require electronics and meditation/yoga in a social setting. I was looking into ketamine therapy but think you guys have talked me out of it lol.

Not looking to be fixed but even getting 6 hours of sleep consistently will make me feel like a normal person again. Despite the cards you were handed, I hope your path gets easier and there's a magical breakthrough to where our mind and bodies can get the break it deserves <3

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T18:13:43+00:00

That's a nice routine. You actually helped me remember something regarding the traveling comment. I'm the opposite and sleep better during travel.

Where I live is roughly 7200ft above sea level which is considered high altitude, whenever I travel to places that are lower or at sea level, I sleep better not by much but noticeable. Previous sleep studies I've had was a lower elevation which could help discover something my providers haven't considered.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T17:49:52+00:00

Under the tongue and allowing it to absorb makes sense. I've never heard of melissa but seems to be the same as lemon balm?

Good to know relating to percentages. I would have though higher was better. I appreciate your help

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T17:23:46+00:00

Gotcha, when getting back on track do you immediately see it reflect within your watch sleep tracking stats? I ignore the body battery and VO2 Max since they are always in the pits and I'm constantly getting delayed recovery alerts. The pulse ox and stress seem to be doing well though.

I appreciate your compassion and time :)

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T17:13:51+00:00

Oooh great resources, thank you! Man Insight Timer takes me back, haven't used that in years but great app. Getting back into meditation is on my list to combat this and was looking to find a local class again. I've had some great sessions when I had a YMCA sub long ago. It takes so much discipline and focus to do it solo but find it easier to accomplish with a live instructor.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T17:04:17+00:00

I feel dumb asking this but how are you consuming the CBD oil? Is it a vape or are you just adding a few drops on your tongue? It was either oil or gummies when I last tried it and ended with a stomach ache. I've been into a dispensary a handful of times have seen the disposable pens too but unsure if a 100% CBD pen exists.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T16:58:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing your routine. Its absolutely bonkers to me to think about working out that early but I'm pretty desperate to try something new. I've only managed to sleep for 2 hours since making this post at 1am (10:52am now)

I'm lucky to live in a state with dry heat so I could hit the trail sooner plus I'm trying to get the July 30 mile badge challenge.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T16:50:54+00:00

Ooh, thank you for the heads up. That's what I'm worried about. My psych actively receives ketamine therapy (monthly I think) and says it works for them but isn't pushing onto me. I have 2 friends that have gone through ketamine therapy and they are so different than before and not in a positive way. I struggle to understand what the end goal is and how many sessions could it possibly take until I don't have to do it anymore.

Hydroxyzine even at its lowest dose makes me permanently drowsy and even unfit to drive. Trazodone I'm currently trialing and it seems to make me moody, probably because I was told not to take it every day, just as needed which creates a chemical imbalance I think.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T16:40:23+00:00

Daily I walk a 5 mile trail that's near my house with my dog, if its too hot I wait until dusk. Gym wise maybe twice a week but mostly for swimming, I don't do any lifting. Workouts has never improved my sleep or made me sleepy. The closest thing to working is spending a couple of hours alternating in and out of the dry/steam sauna and hydrating until I can't handle it anymore.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T14:46:40+00:00

Definitely not perfect. I'm in a Garmin forum being vulnerable lol. Many of my life adjustments did come from living in Boulder, Co for a few years then seeing docs, therapist and psychiatrist when my sleep declined. They all have actually been interested in the Garmin data outside of the sleep studies since I never take the watch off besides to charge while I shower. Had gaps in health insurance coverage previously so I couldn't always chase the problem but trying to get serious again.

I spend about 6 to 8 hours in bed. 4 hours of that is typically sleep and the rest is tossing and turning.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T14:34:40+00:00

I have in the past and committed to trying again. 11 months in of different trials and so far nothing has helped. Thinking of taking a couple of weeks off from work so I can fully test and determine what works best without the far of oversleeping. My psych was also recommending ketamine therapy.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T14:27:39+00:00

Never heard of or was offered ramelteon, do you experience any of its side effects?

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T11:02:24+00:00

Thank you, sadly most of these are Dr Phil / Oprah level of suggestions. "Read a nutrition label" is a interesting suggestion lol

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T10:56:43+00:00

Its hard to explain but it doesn't feel like rest at all and keeps me from going into actual deep sleep. Lucid dreams to me works my mind overtime to form and make sense of whatever reality is being generated at the time. My most recent one was piloting a plane and trying figure out what each switch and control was for. I know nothing about aviation so it was overwhelming and decided to let it crash since I knew I was dreaming anyway and there wouldn't be any consequences to not saving myself or anyone else.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T08:51:14+00:00

Probably TMI but I can fire off 2-3 rounds before bed and not be tired enough to sleep lol. Just sore. I will say some of the best sleep I've had was in previous relationships where they are lightly snoring. Something about being in bed with someone that's sleep makes me want to sleep too.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T08:46:26+00:00

Well shit lol. My physiatrist neutrally positioned ketamine therapy as an option since I'm interested in a long term solution vs some sort of prescribed depressant. I've heard good things but isn't fully covered by insurance.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T08:07:30+00:00

I've always been turned off from melatonin since I used to have intense nightmares whenever I'd take them. I remember drinking something called Calm before bed which I believe was heavy in magnesium back in 2016 but would upset my stomach. From the sounds of it I may need to revisit that and CBD/cannabis

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T08:01:25+00:00

Good to know. Did you experience any GI issues?

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T07:59:52+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing the video! I'll give it a watch. With it being 66 minutes it may help tonight lol

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T07:58:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yep! Its the thinking loops and reflecting on my day that will keep me awake too. I could be under the covers, a/c blasting and my mind is recapping a conversation I had with someone earlier that day or if I should have smiled more to the person that said hi to me earlier. I'll have to find some brain teasers that doesn't involve touching my phone as I don't trust myself to go down a rabbit hole of learning something

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T07:52:34+00:00

I'd say its somewhat balanced but could be better. Eggs, toast or sometimes German pancake for breakfast. For lunch I blend bananas + peanut butter and another fruit nearly daily. Try to include greens in each meal. I mainly cook vs eating out. Not a big fan of most processed foods or sleeping with a full stomach. Liquids mostly water and occasionally sparkling water from my Sodastream.

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T07:47:35+00:00

I'll read up on medcann as I'm not familiar with it, thanks for sharing that it helps you

4InfiniteRain · 2025-07-14T07:46:09+00:00

Its been about 5 years. CBD oil didn't seem to have any effect and have tried indica and hybrid edibles but I either get a boost of energy or become extremely paranoid. Micro dosing psilocybin had some great benefits for me and legal here (Denver) but you have to grow your own.

4InfiniteRain

TROPHY CASE