Why am I so tired and yet I can't sleep?

I recently started tracking my sleep and in two weeks I have yet to sleep more than 5 hours, but I don't feel tired, and even when I could sleep I can't fall or stay asleep. Frustrating, and I sure identify with your post. I've been using yoga nidra, which makes me feel more rested than I would otherwise, and it seems like it's helping with the sleep as well. It isn't traditional yoga, but more like a meditation, and it only takes 15-20 minutes. I found it through Bold Tranquility , which speaks to exhausted women, but I'm sure you could find it on You Tube or elsewhere also.

I found that drastically reducing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) and replacing them with natural fats (butter, natural peanut butter, olive oil, coconut oil) improved my sleep tremendously. I noticed a big difference in 2 weeks.

Sugars and starches are like kindling. Natural fats are like logs. Think of yourself as a wood burning stove. Would you rather sustain yourself with kindling, or with a slow-burning log?

I think your neurologist is wrong. Taking any prescribed drug for sleep every night will change your bodies natural sleep cycle so when you go off of it you are screwed (to put it delicately) Trust me I know. I've been through this myself.

See a sleep specialist.

If you are keeping an ear open for Mom you are probably not falling into deep sleep so you will wake up easily at small disturbances. A sleep aid will help you fall into a deeper sleep but you must talk to a doctor, a sleep specialist might be best.
Sound sleep is very important to good physical and mental health. To go without sound sleep for any period of time can lead to a condition similar to Battle Fatigue, not good. This is what my doctor told me when I had a loved one living with me who was prone to seizures and bouts of delusion. I could not fall into deep sleep because I was anxious something might happen, in time I got very sick. This was not an elder care situation and when my loved one finally stabilized and was able to move to independent living I finally began to sleep again. I wish now I had gotten some help for sleep during the 3 1/2 years he was with us.

Slept pretty well last night except for the 3 "mom help sessions". Now she is sleeping in the chair and I am on the computer as I need to stay awake now as I am expecting an important call soon. I know I slept better, when I slept as I had some dreams, so I must have gotten deeper sleep.

My neurologist saw no problem with me taking ambien every night...I told him that was nuts. I do keep some handy but only use them very sparingly if at all. Back to the melatonin and better sleep routine. Thanks all...

Let me chime in and also caution you about the Ambien. I have a friend who started taking it and ended up "hooked on it" for 8 years. She experienced the sleep walking and towards the end, it didn't really even help her sleep.

Also make sure all lights are turned off at a certain hour, that should help you on your way. I also keep one eye open for my mom, even if she gets through the night completely, I wake up one to three times a night just to check on her.

Thanks for all the ideas. I forgot one other complication is I have one ear that rings all the time and the other does ring (of course at a different frequency) if my neuro system is more out of whack than normal. So I need to cover that noise too ... often with TV or fan on...just to make noise...

Yes I think I am keeping an ear open for mom too.

I guess I need to develop a better set of bedtime routines and will try some of natural routines and other suggestions. I let you know how it goes!

If you can't find natural solutions ask your doctor about trazedone. I have not taken it but I have known a number of people who have, including my son. You do have to taper down and not stop cold turkey when you decide to come off. But I agree with everyone else try the natural stuff first.

My favorite method is breathing exercises. Deep slow breath in - hold - then slow breath out. I do 5 seconds for each part but there are other ones. I use it more for panic attacks but it helps with sleep too.

glasshalffull, I wonder if you can't sleep because you are staying with your mother to help her being she is 90.... are you sleeping with one eye open?

Benedryl will give me a great night sleep, but I found out I can't take that pill during the day for allergies, then another at night to sleep because in the morning things will seem strange, like everything is enhanced... it was pretty weird.

I agree with Gershun, try to avoid ambien. My sig other uses that pill and he said he is fine while taking it, but I think he is in denial about the side effects.

Just very recently I have stopped eating chocolate, oh my gosh that is so hard to do... I have noticed I am now sleeping through the night... maybe just a coincidence, so the jury is still out on that.

Yes, staying up late on the computer or kindle type device will keep one awake. I try to sign off at 9:30p.

I suffer from insomnia and night terrors (so bad that sometimes I faint). I've tried all the medications, and found that none worked. My solution has been listening to guided meditations as I fall asleep, and sounds of water, or waves while I am asleep. You can go to youtube and search for guided meditations. I find that TheHonestGuys have the best ones.

Angel

Yeah zookeeper you are probably right but I would exhaust all natural possibilities before going to prescribed medication cause they are addictive.

Yes, benadryl does give some people an extreme, almost amphetamine-like speed rush, heart palpitations and accelerated heart beat, etc, Others get knocked-out right away. Strange the same drug could have such opposite effects, but that it does! You can't sleep because you are so tired and have probably gone so long without good REM sleep that your system can't adapt and shut down for good sleep. You will probably need to make major changes in your lifestyle and eliminate or at least control the stress in your life. As you know, caregiving makes that almost impossible, so you're probably going to have to use a medication, and be forewarned - you will become dependent upon it, you won't be able to sleep without it, and it will be hell getting off of it. Been there, done that.

Have you tried tart cherry juice? It has a natural ingredient in it that relaxes you. Also there is melatonin. How about the method of tensing and relaxing each muscle group slowly starting at your feet and working your way up.

I personally would avoid ambien. I've heard that people sleep walk when they take it and it is also addictive.

I know what it is like to have trouble sleeping. In my case I can't turn my mind off at night. Anxious thoughts running through my mind. I like to read before I go to bed. It winds me down for the night. GoodLuck!

Benedryl winds you up?? If I take one of those I'm out for the night and half the next day LOL. I take melatonin, that helps me to sleep and I don't get that foggy headed thing in the morning. I've also heard that cherry juice (I know, it sounds kind of gross has melatonin in it and is supposed to help people unwind and get to sleep. So does milk of course. There was one over the counter natural sleep aid that I was taking called MidNight. That works pretty well for me and my Mom. Also, I've tried the thing where you lay in bed and tell yourself you have to stay awake and focus on something. That puts me to sleep as well. Good luck & sweet dreams!!