Sleeping Woes

For the past few months I have had trouble falling asleep. It doesn't happen every night, but I would say it happens, on average, 2 to 3 times a week. I hate to say it, but I have troubled sleep patterns.

OK, so what? Everyone has a little trouble sleeping right? Right? So what if I have a small, minuscule, teeny, tiny bout of MILD insomnia.

No big deal.

So I do what any American would do and consult my doctor, Dr. Webmd. I like checking in (logging in) with Dr. Webmd, because he (or she) really puts things into perspective. Dr. Webmd likes to make you think you are on the verge of death. The grim reaper is sweeping your doorstep, waiting to ring your doorbell. Yes, Dr. Webmd will make you think there is something seriously wrong with you. He (or she) likes to scare people with the big guns. No small diagnosis here. According to Dr.W, my sleepless nights mean I have bipolar disorder, severe depression, restless leg syndrome, REM sleep disorder, narcolepsy, and/or periodic limb movement disorder.

Although Dr.MD  gave me alot of insight as to why I can't sleep, I decided to consult someone else...myself.

I don't want to go into the whole psychological reasons as to "why" I can't sleep. Frankly, I don't have time for that. I just need a plan--A treatment plan.

Fortunately, I don't dish out harsh diagnosis. I am old school. My treatment plan: 1. tough it out. 2. if that doesn't work take some Benedryl ( I prefer 50 mg). 3. when it gets really bad, I take my medication I'm prescribed for migraines (Phenergan) which has a lovely side effect: sedation.

I typically utilize #1 and #2 and hardly ever use #3's treatment plan.

But when it comes down to it, I can't fall asleep, and that is OK. Insomnia isn't as bad as it is cracked up to be. Insomnia is the friend who will not leave after everyone else calls it a night. Sure he can be annoying at times, but hey, you still have fun together. UNLESS that friend comes over every night, then my dear friend, you are now an annoyance. When my friend won't leave we find activities to do together. We watch movies, write on our blog, stare at the wall, have meltdowns (typically only throughout nursing school), sometimes we even color (see post on 10/21/2010).

Insomnia is my quiet friend that keeps me up at night. He never engages in conversations. He just stares at me and  nudges me before I drift into dreamland.

Sometimes I wish my friend would leave--Go home!

My insomnia is a blessing. Why you ask? I have been praying for some "me" time, and I think God is playing a little joke on me. I can't complain.... or sleep for that matter.