As many of you know, I have been struggling with chronic insomnia for years. One difficulty is that its multifactorial (ie many causes). I've recently addressed a new cause, related to frequent urination. I've had the problem for awhile that water seems to go right through me. I drink a lot of it, but I still often feel mildy dehydrated. Part of this is due to my using caffeine, but it seems like there is more to it. During the day, the solution is easy - drink a lot, and piss a lot. At night, though, its a problem. Its normal for me to get up 5-6 times during the night to pee, particularly towards the morning. I feel myself getting more deyhdrated every time I wake up, and by the time I get up in the morning, I'm always dehydrated. If I drink water, the peeing is worse, if I drink less, the dehydration is worse.
Anyway, rather than going on like an old lady about the details of my medical problems, lets turn to the cool science solution. There is a drug called vasopressin (or its close relative desmopressin) which I'd heard about as a smart drug. It aids memory formation. Well, it turns out that vasopressin is also ADH: Anti-diuretic hormone. That is, its a hormone made by the body which tells the kidneys to keep more water in the system. Its used as a treatment for nocturnal enuresis (aka bedwetting), diabetes insipidus (which could be my problem), and other ailments.
I've been using desmopressin at bedtime for a week or so, and its definitely helped. Yay synthetic hormones!
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patrissimo- Patri Friedman
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http://www.neurosci.pharm.utoledo.edu/M
General insomnia I am working on slowly, as it has lots of different causes. The most central are respiratory and habits, I work on the former by trying to reduce my asthma/allergies, and the latter by trying to have good "sleep hygeine" (consistent bedtimes, don't lie in bed in the morning, etc.)
I just ordered a bunch of anti-allergy vitamins, perhaps they will substitute. Alternatively, I've been trying to get hold of some Xolair, the new, non-antihistamine anti-allergy med.
I sleep badly in the morning sun - but I also can't go to sleep early.
The most helpful thing for clearing my sinuses is the nasal wash with barely salted water, for breathing (asthma) I use my inhaler. When I was sick with a bronchial infection last winter I found a great OTC called Primatene for bronchial asthma at Safeway, it cleared my respitory better than any prescription previously, but the box lists sleeplessness as a side effect. I had a fever while taking it and don't remember the actual side effects.
I also live with cats and dogs even though I am allergic, so I expect to have some allergies. I am well-acclimated to them, and if anything the acclimation has lessened the intensity of my other allergies. However, the lessened allergies could also be the result of my growing older, so the relationship isn't clear. The worst effect on my allergies is indoor (cut & not) flowers and plants, I don't keep any in the house but this may be more difficult in your living situation. Also my allergies are more aggravated when I travel, and it sounds like you've been on the go a lot of late.
Do you see an allergist? My experience as a kid was that the specialist was much more helpful than the general physician, but I've not been in years.
Have you tried a sun-blocking blind? My pregnant friend Liz bought a "blackout shade" (it was blue) for her nursery and I slept there a couple weeks ago right through the morning sun, it was great.
I also noticed I slept much less for the week or two I ate a high protein diet, so maybe that is another contributing factor.
If you want to continue, drop me an email ...