So I am slowly getting rid of my twitching eye which I am pretty sure (as some suggested) was stress/fatigue related. It is now occuring on and off instead of constantly so I can ease my anxiety over it a little bit. However, I think that I am not getting very good sleep each night (which may be what triggered all of the twitching in the first place)... I am dreaming all night long and waking up here and there for no real reason (kids are past the waking at night stage). I don't think I am getting to the real deep stage of sleep. I "sleep" for 7-8 hours so it is not the time that is hindered but the quality. I suspect this is from the anxiety I have had lately. My room is totally dark and there are no noises keeping me up... so how can I get better sleep? I have been exercising in the morning... I tried taking a xanax before bed one night but I woke up feeling so groggy that I don't want to so that. I have tried valerian root as well but it made my heart race and seemed to do the opposite of relaxing me. Has anyone tried melatonin or any other herbal relaxation aids? Actual sleeping pills kind of freak me out and I don't want to wake up groggy.
I love sublingual melatonin.
If it were me I would also research and inquire about adrenal fatigue and/or thyroid dysfunction.
Good luck.
Check into 5-HTP, it's natural and works on the saratonen (sp) levels in the brain. It helps with anxeity, insominia, weight loss and a lot of other things. You could also try chamomile tea or mint tea, or a mix. Lavender relaxes you so you could try a lavender bath before bed or using lavender essential oils in an oil burner (2-3 drops in water over a tea candle) the scent will fill your room and help you sleep.
Have you tried meditating, or journaling? Sometimes keeping a gratitude journal helps because you focus on the good things in your life.
You don't say how old you are but this could also be a part of the peri-menapause cycle. It's soooo frustrating, I would be dead asleep then suddenly wake up for less than a minute and back to sleep. But it totally screws up you nights rest and you always feel tired.
melatonin & the celestial seasonings sleeptime tea worked for me pretty good. You can double bag the tea to make it stronger (&drink less so you wont wake to pee) the eye twitching (had that too for the longest time) seems to go away over time, with less stress & anxiety, and try not to pay attention to it. (that drove me nuts, I'd get in the mirror or get DH to try to "SEE", I thought I had something wrong with my eye or brain!) It will pass. Try to talk to someone you trust, counsellor etc, and journal your days, even if it seems like nothing is going on. Remember to eat well, and maybe try eating bananas etc (sleep inducers) before bed. Watch the sleep issue, I have had one for years, and I think at this point (no nightmares etc going on) I just wake every 1-2 hours because my body is trained to do that. I remember the one night where I slept 6 or so hours, thanks to melatonin.. 1 night out of several years, as far back as I can remember. Also, sleep deprivation causes weight gain... good luck.
I know how you feel it's terrible to not get a good nights rest. I use Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea with a spoonful or two of honey. I drink two cups before bed and it keeps me asleep and relaxed all night. It's is $2.96 at Walmart.
I hope it will help you.
Just like kids, sometimes a bedtime routine for us helps too! Try to do one including meditation and relaxation excercises... to avoid all drugs if that's your preference. Glad to hear things are "improving"!
A lot of over the counter sleeping pills are actually just benedryl, diphenhydramine. Id honestly talk to your doctor about it. The stress is definately affecting your sleep, and you are going to find yourself in a horrible cycle of no sleep causing more stress causing worse sleep....Been there!
I have no problems usually falling asleep, but getting into that deep stage of sleep I do. I take a prescribed muscle relaxer for that reason. I have to take it at dinner time so i don't feel groggy in the morning. But it is a Godsend for me.
See what your doctor says, and don't be afraid of needing something to help you get through. It doesn't mean you will need it forever. And even if you do....at least you will be getting a good nights rest.
My husband uses melatonin and LOVES it!!!! He was on medication to help him sleep but had the same groggy feeling when he woke up in the morning. With the melatonin, he wakes up feeling great. There is a pill form and liquid form. He uses the liquid. Not sure if one is better than the other, check with and employee. He gets his at Vitamin World, but i am sure a lot of natural food stores would have them.
My M. used melatonin for a while, and it worked for her (she worked nights and had trouble on her days off getting enough sleep). Also, I've heard yoga helps with relaxation and anxiety, so you could try that. My M. also has been using meditation CDs to help with her anxiety, and she says it really helps to calm her down. Are you on medication for anxiety? If your anxiety is interfering with your sleep, then sleep deprivation could be making your anxiety worse, and it's just a vicious cycle that never gets resolved. It might be something to talk to your doctor about. Good luck, and I really hope you are able to get better sleep.
Melatonin had worked really well for my husband - he takes it almost every night. I take a Tylenol PM on occasion, which helps without the groggy feeling.
My husband sometimes uses melatonin. (He works shift work). It doesn't seem to have any ill effects on him.
Have you considered your bedding? Is your mattress in good shape? A few years ago, I would wake up feeling AWFUL. Even after a good night's sleep (8 hours). I finally realized that it was just that our mattress was worn out. Replaced it, and started sleeping like a baby again.
