I'm 30. I've never had high blood pressure, and I don't now. But lately I've had several migraines (as I type) and days upon days of insomnia. When I do sleep, it's way too long (12 hours) and I seem to not sleep again for over 20 hours or more from that point. I've tried the "make myself stay awake until next bedtime" approach, as well as the "make myself go to bed" approach. The stay awake approach wears me out to the point of restless sleep, that doesn't seem to help the problem. The go to bed approach just leads to looking at the dark, with my mind racing 90 to nothing. I have been stressed out lately, but I been through this kind of "load" before. Is it a common thing to hit this "wall" at 30 to 31 years old, where suddenly it seems things begin to dictate overall sleep patterns that use to not effect me? I have a great marriage, two wonderful kids ages (almost) 4 years and 20 months, paid rent, paid bills, paid off car... no outstanding debt. So what's up? Advil works on the migraines (at about 1000 mgs) but I'd rather not burn up my stomach lining and cause kidney failure... Sometimes it's a must though. I tried cutting out the caffiene. It was okay for about a month, still had some headaches. But then when I came back to it, there was no real change for better of worse. As for the insomnia... go figure. I don't know sometimes how I make it through the following day on nights I've not seen a wink of sleep. I do know this has to stop. My wife is worried about it. My toddler and preschooler ask "Daddy, will you come to bed and go night-night?" I'm at a loss. I see stuff about sleep aids and wonder if I should even mess with all that. I'm positive the migraines are a result of the insomnia... and equally vice versa. It's like a viscious cycle. Going nowhere... must get help... Suggestions???
See a doctor. I had a similiar problem and he gave me a pill called Maxalt Everytime I feel a migraine coming on I take one and it goes away. I haven't had a bad migraine since
I do not have migraines but I do have frequent bouts of insomnia. I`m sure it`s not the best thing, but I take 2.5 tylenol PM`s when I feel I am going to have a hard time sleeping. They do trick and I am not groggy when I wake up. I have also taken sominex which works just as well but without the achedamidifin {sp?}
My mother has been taking a Benadryl (SP?) for years to help her go to sleep. You might try that. I think her doctor put her on to them. They're not addictive... just habit-forming!
Thanks. No med insurance = no doctor visit... yet. May try the sominex... I use Benadryl for allergies (since the 80's) and it doesn't make me drowsy any more. Since initial post (btw) I started guzzling water, and I may have been dehydrated... I seem to have slept quite a bit better last night. I do know dehydration can cause migraines...
do you drink/eat a lot of dairy products? A friend of mine had a lot of migraines and his doctor told him to stop eating/drinking dairy for a while. i have no idea why it would help, but just a suggestion
You can read my Cell Biology book. If that doesn't work, nothing will. see if webmd has anything good for you.
That sucks, dude. I know what you're going through. I haven't slept in two days myself. No headaches, thankfully.
I don't know, but perhaps doing some really strenuous exercise could help make you tired enough. I know that if I play four or five hours of tennis or if I have done a lot of sports, I will usually be very tired and sleep well.
Maybe you're not getting enough of something (no, I'm not referring to sex). Do you take a multi-vitamin? I read in the Chronicle's herbal pharmacy blurb awhile back that magnesium has been shown to help with migraines. Most standard multi-vitamins have the RDA of magnesium.
My mother has both Migraines and & Insomnia. She tried all sorts of pills as perscribed by the doctors over the years. She lost a few jobs over the years due to not being able to wake after taking the sleeping pills. Someone suggested she try pot for both situations. She has never taken another pill. If she has a migraine or can't sleep she takes a couple hits off a joint and 30 mins later her head is fine and/or she is sound asleep. I almost died when she told me, then she appoligized for giving me such hell about smoking in college. My how times change.
Good luck, IROC. You have a wife, two great kids and no health insurance. I'm older, but otherwise we are in a very similar home situation. We're lucky enough to have a PPO that, while the state has made everything far more expensive, still provides what I honestly have to say is excellent coverage. You are an example of what's wrong with this country, if you don't mind my saying so. In Canada, you and the family would be covered. We have no safety net here for those in your situation. I hope you're able to get coverage through your job soon, or you might want to look for something else. What a hell of a thing. Good luck, IROC. Yes, I probably shouldn't have posted that here. Sorry.
Just delete my post, guys, if I got away from the Hangout rules. This stuff really bothers me. I'd edit it if that were available.
I know this is a bump from years ago... Just an update of sorts. The insomnia is back. I was put on some low dose bp meds in 2008. I'm now nearly 37.... weight the same... too much. Anyway, I think (as it was then) it is mostly stress related for me. The migraines are gone though!
The worst thing you can do, IMO, is pop more pills. That seems to be the American solution for everything, and it's the easy way out that eventually catches up to you. It's all about your diet and lifestyle. Do you have any food allergies? When you're awake do you keep mentally and physically busy? Do you take any stimulants (such as caffeine) during the day? When it comes to health issues that aren't life threatening but are life altering, it's best to micromanage your lifestyle to find out the root cause. I also recommend looking into some herbal teas.
Do you work out or play any sports? Also maybe you need a new matress or pillow? I guess you've already considered these two as possible issues, hope it gets better for you. I had migranes when I was in university, it was mostly due to eating and sleeping pattern issues, keeping a regular routine is important.
I have never dealt with migraines, but I have dealt with insomnia. Drink lots of water and begin an exercise regimen. It can be as simple or complex as you can manage. Push ups, sit ups etc, or lifting weights and going to the gym. If you are lying in bed and can’t get to sleep go for a walk/jog/run; don’t wear headphones or listen to music. The “quite time” during the exercise can give your mind time to wonder/clear it self out subconsciously. It worked for me. I had insomnia during a very stressful time and it lasted many months, maybe not as bad as yours but this worked for me and its simple enough to try.
