so tell us what you learned. My DIL has problems sleeping. She was tested for apnea but did not have it. But she has difficulty sleeping.

Interesting. You must have suffered a lot to need a year to get things right for yourself. Congratulations, and I wish you many years of lovely, restful nights.

Can't beat a good nights sleep!

Congratulations, I'm sure it will make life in general much easier for you, I'm so glad you stuck it out. I don't have sleep issues but a very few nights a year, but both my sister and my brother do. In fact, my brother and his wife both do, to the point they will often even sleep in other bedrooms, if one of them is having a good night chances are the other is not and they covet sleep so much of the time they don't want to disturb the other.

The CPAP has mostly resolved my sisters issues, my brother hasn't gotten one. Or his wife. And when they are running short on sleep, it very much shows. In their faces, their concentration, productivity, enjoyment.

Congratulations not only on graduating, but on deciding in the first place that you were going to conquer the problem, and on spending a year doing so.

I think that iis great!!!!!!! I think for a graduation present to myself it would be a new pair of silky pajamas, and possibly new bedding, sorta out with the old and in with the new!!!!

Congratulations !!!!! I don't think I have ever met anyone that has graduated from a shrink...Sure wish all my problems would go away.

How wonderful! Do tell us how this worked for you.

Congratulations! Many pleasant dreams to come.

Thanks, all! :-)

Most of us have no earthly idea of the terrible consequences of chronic lack of sleep. In addition to the problems we all know about, insufficient sleep can cause problems (serious) with your heart function, blood pressure, nervous system, brain function, etc. It can cause adema, strokes, weight gain, etc. I was a walking disaster.

The CPAP machine helps with my blood oxygen levels, so important to good health. But gaining solid control of the insomnia took a combination of things.

One simple change was to eliminate, to the best of my ability, naps. A challenge for me, since I was only getting a restless couple of hours of sleep a night.

Then, I was encouraged to go to bed later than my usual 8:00. That took awhile, too, as you can imagine.

I bought a delicious new mattress (remember?) which has made a huge difference in my comfort level.

The biggest single thing, though, was learning that I had the ability to lower my heart rate in just a few minutes, at will. I was amazed the first time I was able to do it sitting in a chair in his office! I can't quite explain what I do nor what is happening when I enter that "zone", but it puts me in a very very good state of well being.

That proved to be the key that enabled all of the other parts of the puzzle to come together. HUGE! I felt like I was in control of my mind and body in a big way. No....I AM in control!

I've really simplified it but those are the highlights. We even managed to get rid of anxiety producing recurring nightmares. It's been a journey, that's for sure.

Rhizo, that is amazing and monumental!! Besides finally getting a good night's sleep, I'm guessing you can use these tools and apply them to other things in life!!!

As others have said, good for you for doing something about a problem that you had! Congratulations on your graduation!

Congratulations! As a poor sleeper myself (although not to the extent that you described), I salute you for conquering it.

What is the mattress you bought? I'm in the market for a delicious new mattress, myself.

Suzieque

What an amazing journey! Congratulations for making it through! I had some sleep issues for a while and can attest to the terrible toll that lack of sleep takes on your body and your mental state. I applaud you for getting help and getting better!

That is wonderful! Congratulations! You are worth it, and your hard work has paid off! :)

Good for you--I'm very happy for you! My dh has similar problems and I KNOW the toll it takes. Thanks for explaining what worked for you--I'm going to show him your post.

Gosh, you are all so sweet. This was a twelve year battle for me. I've sought medical help in the past but most doctors know very little about sleep disorders. Lots of perscribed drugs...the easy way out.

I didn't find this extremely intuitive specialist until about a year ago. Lots of trial and error along the way, but I can pin point the factors that proved to be helpful to me.

Suzieque, the mattress is a Beautyrest (Kenmore) firm extra plush pillow top. If took me a few days to love it....my body was used to a lumpy, saggy, thin mattress! Oh my, what a difference.

Sjerin, be sure to email me directly if I can answer any questions.

congratulations, Blessings for your further adventures.