I haven’t worked as a paramedic for at least ten years, but my sleep problems started during that time period. I worked nights for years, then came the back injury, fusions, etc. I have used a cpap machine for probably six or seven years as well. Pain is a big part of my sleep issues. Not fun I’m afraid.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Here I am at 0130, still awake.

I understand your dislike of this shit.


With respect to your headaches, those sound more like cluster headaches, not migraines. A completely different cause, with very different treatments. I have cluster headaches myself and they come in groups of 3-5 nights, usually around equinox and solstice. They are merciless and murderously painful.

The more I think and deal with symptoms the more I think you're on to something. Right now I'm at the end of a Botox cycle and hating sunlight, which is sad because I'm in Germany on vacation. I am going to broach the subject with my neurologist when I see him in September. I'm also going to speak with the nurse practitioner at the pain clinic when I go for the next Botox treatment. She specializes in migraines; perhaps she has some insight past "lay down and pray."

I've never had a problem falling asleep. Sometimes I can be in a conversation late at night with my wife and start snoring while she's talking. I always told her that it is because I have a clear conscience. Well that has all changed in the last 6 months or so. About the time I hit 63 I have had times where it's just hard to fall asleep naturally.

I was interested in my 'macros' so I started tracking everything I eat in an app. There is a lot of variability and I often can't enter all foods exactly but the app suggested I don't get enough magnesium. I started on a magnesium supplement and my sleep quality improved markedly.

I have occasional bouts of insomnia too. Sometimes I just can't get to sleep and I'll lay awake or go out to the living room and watch movies or read or whatever, and finally drift off to sleep at like 4 AM. Which really sucked when my alarm went off at 5:30. By noon I'd be a complete zombie and get nothing much accomplished all day. More than once I fell asleep at my desk in the afternoon.

The best thing I've ever done was to retire last fall. I sleep better, my HBP is down some, and I just feel better all around. Best of all, the damned alarm clock got retired too. Melatonin seems to help noticeably with the sleep issues, as does white noise. I've been hearing just lately about "green noise", which supposedly is even better than white noise. I need to look into that.