Okay, So I've been back from the sandbox for just over two years, and sleep just isn't happening like it should (I slept better in Baghdad). When I do sleep for 5 to 6 hours or so, I'm always dreaming that I'm either right back at work, or I'm in some school/selection that never ends. I consider this ironic in that I have never attended SFAS, Ranger School, or any other hooah school. It IS my plan to complete SFAS, and all that follows afterwards, but these nighttime episodes are having an effect on my psyche, as that I am PT'ing religiously, (running, I freaking don't like it, but I do it because I must) But I DO think that somethingA inside me is spurring me on and cannot explain it. Did I mention that running sucks? But recently it's almost getting to be enjoyable in a sick kind of way. Sorry to be all over the place with this post, but I am looking for some kind of happy medium where I can continue training myself up to enter the pipeline and yet still get quality rest at night without dreaming I'm in the midst of field problem or right back in the restaurant at which I currently work. Feel like I'm trying to live two completely different lives. Anyone else out there overcome anything like this?
Thanks,
Chris
PS please move if this is more suitable for a different area
Eagle5US
05-05-2006, 07:47
Two years without solid rest is a long time. You MAY be experienceing a type of PTSD->manifesting itself in your rest cycle. It is significant in that you have a realization of this. If your mind thinks that your deployment and loss of restful sleep are related, then they will forever be connected until you are otld otherwise by a professional.
As far as PT'ing in your sleep...I went through a bunch of pre-scuba course before it was figured out why I kept "falling asleep" on the bottom of the pool. During train-up, and each of these back to back courses-I was doing PT like a friggin wildman. Forever in the pool, on the road, on the ropes etc.....I would get to bed exhausted-actually fell asleep during dinner a couple of times...but when I woke up from sleep, I was ALSO exhausted. I would PT all night in my sleep, or be in Pre-scuba in my dreams.
Bottom line, my mind was focused and unable to "relax". That little switch in my brain, like yours, was stuck in the "on" position.
Keep a sleep diary for one month, Go see your primary care doctor. Explain your situation, interview sessions or short term medications may help you break your cycle.
Good luck in your endeavors.
Eagle
Eagle,
Thank you for your advice. I will start the sleep diary and see my doctor to try to break this vicious cycle.
Much appreciated,
Chris
NousDefionsDoc
05-05-2006, 15:03
Get drunk, get laid, beat the hell out of a hippie, get a massage. Turn the TV and computer off and read a book. Deep breathing and meditation. Take a hot shower about 2 hours before you need to be asleep. Watch what you eat in the evenings. Watch that you aren't PTing too close to bedtime as well.
I have had insomnia for years. I sleep fine, just not at the right times. The bad people come when it is dark. I sleep like a baby from daylight to about noon. Still have to do stand to.;)
NDD,
Thanks for your advice as well. PT'ing late is not usually a problem, as I work in a restaurant in the evenings. I usually PT in the mid-morning and early afternoons before work. As for getting drunk, well that works too well, and hinders PT a little the next day.;) Reading helps sometimes, but my fiance is about beat my ass about leaving the light on at night. Anyways, thanks for the consideration.
Chris
jessipo1
07-10-2006, 03:46
Hi, Chris
I can certainly relate. I also think that Eagle may have a valid point: PTSD really affects sleep. I kept the sleep diary which really does help in and of itself. Then I saw a sleep doctor who sent me into a sleep lab overnight (of course, I couldn't sleep and they really want you too, so I did what I used to do, take a butt-load of downers and hope one of the horse sedatives actually knocks me out--yep that bad). Well, that freaked them out, too, but I guess it's cuz I doped myself up so much that I actually stopped breathing in my sleep. (Scary.) I told her, "You can't have it both ways, Doc." *sigh*
Anyway, they really were able to help me and much to my delight, sans drugs. It was fantastic! And it worked up until about 5 months ago when I started triggering real hard and now my sleep is messed up again. Oy. But, I know I just have to go back to doing the Plan they gave me to get back on track. It's just that I don't want to sleep right now, because when I do, the nightmares are so real, I'm afraid I'll kill my dh in his sleep! A couple days ago, I almost did. lol Poor guy. And, more to the point, being totally honest here, I would rather stay awake and be exhausted than relive the damn event every single night. It was bad enough going through it the first time IRL, know what I mean? So, yeah, I can relate to both the not getting enough sleep and the nightmares. It sux, but there are ways to deal with both.
I had a psychologist for awhile who was really helpful. She diagnosed me with PTSD. Thank God. I thought I was losing it--probably would've without her help. So, it's time well spent and with as much combat as you've probably seen, I'd recommend trying that out if it won't interfere with your goals. The one thing about PTSD is that at some point all that pissed offedness, insomnia, that feeling of being uber-alert 24/7 and unable to ever relax, because the enemy is out there and you're the only one who is capable of defending or protecting your domain/territory/loved ones,etc., does end up eventually messing with your goals and from what I've read about it, the sooner you seek therapy, the better the results are from it. *shrugs* jmho and this is most certainly a case of do as I say and not as I do, cuz I'm not seeing anyone right now, but I wish I was (can't afford it, ya know how it is).
Here are just a couple of tips that I can remember without looking at the sheet, but they do give you a worksheet with all the guidelines of what to do on it and there's alot:
Don't stay out doors past 2pm and if you have to be outside,wear a hat and long sleeved shirt--basically you want to cover your skin so the sun isn't telling your body to stay awake (sorry it's so simplistic. I make my doc's talk to me like I'm in 2nd grade sometimes so they don't go all Latin on me).
No physical exertion past 1pm (that was hard for me, because working out is my way of destressing after a long day, ya know? So, I just added extra onto my morning routine and that had to be enough, Plus, on nights when I couldn't work and felt like the boogie man was real close, I'd go workout thinking it would wear me out and I'd be exhausted enough to sleep. Well, it actually just energizes you, so it's not as logical as it might seem.)
Use your alarm clock and try sleeping just three hours a night for the first few nights and then add a half hour every couple nights after that. I can't remember that one real well, maybe someone else will?
Shower 2 hours before bed.
No TV/Computer at least 1 hour before bed.
Keep the same physical routine before bed every night and don't vary it.
Go to bed at the same time or within 1/2 hour of bedtime every night. At first, you always want it to be at the exact same time.
You mentioned that you get 5-6 hours of sleep right now? So you're not that far off the mark. They like adults to get between 6-7 hours of sleep at night.
No eating after 7 pm (but that's a good one to follow for keeping your weight off, too, so it's just a good all around rule, I think) This includes dessert
they'll want you to stay away from alcohol at first, too. So, if you like to drink in the evenings, I'd just follow the same rule as above and not drink anythin after 7 pm, and not have more than a glass of .... whatever. But, that's jmho
Wear light bedclothes. Because, after your shower, you want your body temp to drop real low. Basically, you're going to give yourself hypothermia to induce sleepiness. So, you know, t-shirt and boxers, that kind of thing, or birthday suit, whatever floats yer boat. Just stay away from flannel and stuff like that, even in the winter (which sux imo)
Only use your bedroom (not just your bed, but the whole room) for sleeping and sex. No tv, reading in bed, snacking/breaky in bed, arguing with the wife, etc. Just sleep and sex and that's it.
No napping during the day.
Stay away from chocolate (has cafeeing in it and something to do with dopamine or somehting like that. lol I'm so scientific tonight. oy)
No taking any uppers, stimulants, steroids, caffeine, smoking, during the day either. All those things make you stay awake. (I was also in violation of this rule, I mean, you gotta figure, if it takes a horse sedative, [well, my doc said it was equal to an elephant tranquilizer but we won't go there] anyway, if it took that to put me out, then to wake up would obviously need some kind of stimulation, right? Just makes sense, what goes up must come down and vv) So, all I have to say is, if I can quit the junk (all prescription and legal, I mean, *everyone* was trying to help me sleep! They just weren't doing it the best way), then you can quit the caffeine and smokes if that's all you're using during the day, ya know? Piece of cake.
Now, here's the hardest thing. Be patient! This process can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. It took me almost an entire year, but I was sleeping better and better the whole time. [Geez, I've almost talked myself into getting back on my program again. :)] Anyway, be patient, it does work if you do it naturally. I was the biggest skeptic. I mean, if all the junk I was taking wasn't putting me out for more than a couple hours a night, then why in the world would they think doing it sans drugs was going to work? But, I just did it anyway, cuz I wanted more than anything to be chemical free. It was really messing up my game and I didn't like it.
So, I hope these tips help and I'd definitely push for Natural remedy, rather than chemical, because a) it's cheaper! and b) you sleep much better and it worlks longer.
Good luck, Chris.
JP
edited to take out a swear word, sorry. If I missed any, just let me know and I'll go back and edit them, too. :/