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Post by veryblessedmom on Apr 23, 2009 11:27:06 GMT -5
I'm beginning to think my insomnia is a spiritual attack. It comes when I'm being obedient and not falling for the stuff that usually trips me up. I guess I'm on track if I'm worth targeting. The place to attack is where your enemy is actively working--right? Just pray for grumpy tired me and my three, loud, energetic boys.
If this makes no sense. I'm sorry. I've not slept in 3 or 4 nights. I've lost count.
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Post by morganlbusse on Apr 23, 2009 12:30:05 GMT -5
Here are some things I do to help me sleep (I have those insomnia moments too): find something to wind down before bed (read something light... watch a pointless tv program). If that doesn't work, I make myself lie down for a set period of time. And if it reaches midnight, then I take one benedryl (benedryl tends to knock most people out but its not addictive). I also restrict my caffeine intake after 3-4pm to make sure all the caffeine I have taken in is out by bedtime.
I definitely feel for you and will pray for you... I have 4 energetic kids, 3 who are home with me all day and set on proving entropy is alive and well in our house (my daughter tried burning down our house a week ago after discovering my hidden stash of matches for lighting candles... she and my twins also ate a whole bottle of vitamins a few days later... then my daughter decided to play next to the highway... I have now detected some gray in my hair!!!)
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Post by veryblessedmom on Apr 23, 2009 13:10:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips. When I have these spells, benedryl does nothing. I took a prescription sleep aid last night--nothing.
My second born had me calling poison control so often, then remembered me when I called. I was afraid they might report me, thinking I neglected him. He just ate everything he could fit in his mouth.
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Post by torainfor on Apr 23, 2009 14:59:25 GMT -5
Some things have happened around us in the last few years that make me take insomnia very seriously. I've been going through John Eldredge's "Walking With God," and he talks about his own struggles with it. He and his wife started revamping their daily prayer, customizing it for nighttime. When they pray this, they usually sleep through the night, unless a more specific attack comes along. Not that it's a charm. I think it just helps sometimes to be reminded what we're fighting against. Here's the prayer: www.ransomedheart.com/goingdeeper/prayers-bedtime.aspx
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Post by Christian Soldier on Apr 23, 2009 19:11:29 GMT -5
Prayers away!
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Post by Divides the Waters on Apr 23, 2009 20:17:09 GMT -5
Allow me to recommend Sleepytime Tea, by Celestial Seasonings. There are two versions, one a "high octane" version and the other regular, but both have been effective. My wife, who suffers greatly from insomnia and is somehow immune to sleeping pills, has found this the only thing that helps.
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Post by metalikhan on Apr 24, 2009 4:09:17 GMT -5
Another one here with sleep challenges.
Rows and rows of single crochet are repetitive enough to make me drowsy if I'm almost tired enough to sleep.
Hyland makes two homeopathic products I've used. One is called Calms Forte and the other is called Insomnia. I found out about them when I tried one of their other products for poison ivy which worked very well.
Praying for you.
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Post by veryblessedmom on Apr 24, 2009 7:07:47 GMT -5
Thank you all for your prayers. I slept so well, I almost didn't get my 5 year old ready for school it time.
I thank Jesus for you.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Apr 24, 2009 17:41:58 GMT -5
*Laughs* For some reason, such is always the best sleep: when you over sleep just a little.
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Post by veryblessedmom on May 15, 2009 18:16:48 GMT -5
It's back. I've tried praying, Bible study, OTC, herbal, and prescription. My Dr. just called in something stronger. Please pray that it works. I need sleep. I almost wrecked with my kids in the car today. I know my wits are not about me after a week of no sleep.
My husband pointed out that my insomnia started when I started my WIP.
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Post by Teskas on May 15, 2009 19:00:34 GMT -5
Your husband may be on to something. When I am writing in flow, I find my sleep disrupted. Usually my head is buzzing with ideas for a scene and it is hard to fall asleep. Then about three or four in the morning, I'm awake and ready to write. If that is what is happening, I recommend getting up and putting some of the ideas into words, then go back to bed.
Also, you may well have three energetic boys, but, no matter how young, they can learn to be considerate of you and your health needs. Talk to them as though they were small adults, and enlist their cooperation for you to get some rest. You want to raise Christian gentlemen, and this is their big opportunity to learn that particular virtue.
I'll be praying for you.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on May 18, 2009 7:00:53 GMT -5
While I would usually never be one to tell someone to put aside a novel, in this case I might do so.
Just as an experiment, and if nothing else is working, consider telling yourself you're not going to work on it for three days. You have to really mean it. See if you sleep during those days--well, those nights...
The very last Tip at my Fiction Writing Tip of the Week column is "Know when to take a break." God takes us through seasons of writing and not writing, I believe. Maybe right now you need to lay it aside for a time. Until school is out for the summer, perhaps. Maybe until all the kids are in middle school?
If you're choosing between advancing a novel and crashing with your children, I'd say there's no decision.
Don't know, but you also might change your screen name. Psychologically you might be reinforcing the problem if people know you only by this one attribute. How about SweetDreamingMom?
Jeff
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Post by veryblessedmom on May 18, 2009 8:18:12 GMT -5
There are a lot of factors with my insomnia. *It's Hormonal. I suffered with insomnia with each pregnancy. Now I have it for a week to a week and a half monthly. *If my mind is wired with an idea, I cannot sleep. *My husband works nights, so we never have that safe Daddy's home feeling. I'm not taking a full break from my book, but I am limiting my mind and work to 1 night a week. Not working or even allowing myself to think of what happens next has helped. I'm reordering my priorities. God first, my husband and kids, my health, and then my ministries and writing. Life and home run more smoothly when things are as they should be Thank you all for your advice and prayers. I'm well rested from the weekend. Missy
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Post by morganlbusse on May 18, 2009 10:32:30 GMT -5
Hey, just wanted to let you know God placed you on my heart and so I've been praying for you, especially this weekend.
Its a hard thing to be a mom: many hours of thankless work with hardly any view that you're actually making a difference. I always steal the Peace Corp logo "The toughest job you'll ever love" (and sometimes you have to remind yourself you really do love those rapscallions racing through the house ;P)
And sometimes being a mom means giving up other things (like writing for a season, I know, been there and done that, and sometimes still putting aside my writing in order to give to my family).
But if I can encourage you, being a mom has also brought me closer to God. I talk to him all day, thanking him for my kids, then suddenly asking for patience when I find they have destroyed all the rooms I had cleaned that morning. I've even been known to joke with God and ask him where I can turn in my resignation because I don't know if I can carry on any longer. But then he gives me grace and strength (actually, I think God just sort of picks me up and carries me because I am so exhausted) and refills my heart for my kids.
I also feel for you with your hubby gone at nights. That is so hard. I know the reason I sleep so hard at night is because I know my husband will take care of anything that happens during the night so subconsciously I turn off my "mommy radar" and recharge. When my hubby is gone, I can't sleep and thus don't recharge.
I wish I could grant you the gift of sleep (sadly, I don't have any pixie dust ;P) but I can let you know I'll continue to pray for you. And as one mom to another, I'll be your cheerleader!
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Post by veryblessedmom on May 18, 2009 12:00:08 GMT -5
Hey, just wanted to let you know God placed you on my heart and so I've been praying for you, especially this weekend. "Thank you all for your advice and prayers. I'm well rested from the weekend." Again thank you Morwena. I am blessed to have such awesome prayer warriors in my life.
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