Am I a caffeine addict or do I have insomnia?

[MrrrrrNiceGuy]

I seem to have no control whatsoever over my sleep schedule. I sleep at odd hours and I am awake at odd hours. My energy is level is constantly up and down throughout each day. I cannot seem to control when I am awake and alert and when I feel "dog-tired" and cannot help but crawl into bed and sleep for a while. I also sleep too much. I don't know, but I think I sleep more each day than stay awake, or I sleep at least half the day (12 hours).

I know I take in a lot of caffeine each day, often without even acknowledging it or thinking about what I am doing. I do not drink coffee at all. I am sure that most of the caffeine I am getting is from sodas, which I tend to drink continuously throughout each day. Some days though, there are no sodas in the house, and no money to buy any. On these days I experience caffeine withdrawal and I sleep even more than I do on days when I have access to caffeine. I also tend to experience annoying headaches on days I go without any caffeine. Once I start getting caffeine again, though, these symptoms tend to lessen or go away completely.

I am thinking that my problem is most likely the high caffeine intake I am getting each day, which is causing me to have insomnia-like symptoms, not insomnia itself. I am thinking that the best thing for me is to first try to attack the caffeine addiction by cutting way back on my intake, while finding ways to keep the withdrawal symptoms down to a minimum. If that does not work, then perhaps it might just be insomnia or some other sleep disorder. In fact, I do know that a caffeine addiction can even cause insomnia.

But where should I turn to for help first? Obviously, it cannot be on Christian Forums, so I just need some direction to somewhere where I can actually get some professional help. I live in Middle Tennessee, in the city of Fairview (10 miles west of Nashville), if that helps any. And by the way, I currently do not have any health insurance either.

This could be a real serious issue for me soon, because I will be starting a work-at-home job soon (in about 2 weeks or less) and I will need to be awake and be able to stay awake while I am busy working. Please pray for me.

 

[sinneD]

Definitely get rid of the sodas.. even if it isn't the cause, you have no idea what all that sugar is doing to you...

At one time I also drank a lot of sodas, but a number of years ago I switched to water.. now, water is 99% of all that I drink (I do have a cup of black coffee or tea in the morning).

Now, when my wife and I are out running around, she'll want me to stop at the drive through and get her a coke. I'll take just a small sip, and almost gag. The sugar taste is so strong I can't even drink it.

As for the sleep issue - as one who was suffering from a sleep disorder and didn't even know it, I can tell you first hand that you cannot take sleep for granted. I wasn't sleeping well during the night (intermittently waking up briefly and then falling back to sleep). The result was that I never actually got into that "REM" stage of deep sleep. I was always at that "almost awake" stage of sleep.

It wasn't until I was at the doctor's office for a routine that he began to think I should have an overnight sleep study done, and did that ever make a difference. Now I sleep REALLY deep and wake up better refreshed and alert than I had in years. I just never even knew I wasn't getting a good night's sleep.

The problem for you is the lack of insurance. Any type of sleep study can cost a fair amount. You might check with a sleep clinic in your area. Sometimes they have research studies being performed and need volunteers.

If not, check to see about any local social aid.. many major cities have some type of clinic available for those who can't afford medical treatment.

 

[saraharms1]

I don't think you should just jump right off the soda. Just slowly bring it down. Start by setting a rule for youself of so many soda's a day. Each week lessen that amount. When it comes to sleeping even though you have no real sleep schedual right now try and get your body used to one. An adult needs at least 8 hours of sleep to be healthy. So actually set yourself a "bed-time" and then set an alarm clock for 8 hours later. Even if you don't go to sleep at your "bed-time" thats okay. Still wake up when your alarm goes off to get your body in the habit of getting up when it goes off.

Without health insurrance this is all I can give you... If this is still a major issue after you've tried to cut down the sugar in take and tried to get a sleeping rutine down then make an appointment with a doctor to get checked. They can be pricey without innsurance (I know cuz I don't have any right now and need to for my JRA: Juvinelle Rhemetoid Arthritis) but it'll still be worth knowing if its extremly serious or not.

When you do manage to get health innsurance tho your doctor can perscribe you a sleeping pill if he/she thinks that would work. Also there are pills to help you wake up in the morning after taking the sleeping pills if you need them too. Only if its that serious tho.



Hope I was of some help...


~:~Sarah~:~

 

[UnitynLove]

For those things that cause temptation run away from it. Get away from the things that may cause you to fall.

 

[Anti Existance]

The best thing is to replace the soda with fruit drinks or water, you need to throw out all the caffeine based drinks and replace them with balanced drinks.

 

[Alive again]

start by weaning one or two drinks a day, I've been where you are and you can change this habit. Start with substituting with non caffeine containing sodas if you have to, but anytime you can substitute water you will be better off. If you have to mix your non caffeine sodas with fruit juice 50/50 for awhile. For me it was withdrawing from the caffeine and the taste of carbonation both. I was able to switch to all but one caffeinated soda a day. Some days I allow myself a non caffeinated soda in the pm as well. But those are not routine. I use only cans now, not the 44 ounces I used to drink 8-12 of a day to stay on my feet.

Over indulgence in caffeine can actually fatigue and stress your adrenals which control you day/night rhythms (circadian rhythm) and does really mess up your sleep patterns and quality, so this is indeed a very worthwhile endeavor!

Insomnia is by current research an issue that happens to cause difficulty sleeping, how you cope can perpetrate or fix this issue. I actually had a counselor for my sleep problems who really helped me, so don't hesitate to pm me if going off caffeine alone does not help you sleep better. I was amazed at what simple things helped me to sleep better, and my coping style was not at bad as many of her clients.

Do not hesitate to pm me for support and encouragement. I had many forward and backward steps on this journey, but you can get there with some support and encouragement if you take it one step at a time!!! Cold turkey and caffeine withdrawal can also work, but it is a challenge with the headache for 2 days or so!!! SO If you want to do it quicker just do that and get it over with. Go directly to non caffeinated drink of your choice. Amazingly your body changes what it craves and begins to love water and want water!!!

Blessings and prayers!

 

[Alive again]

And yes, you may be sleepy for a few days, but set a routine bedtime and awakening time and set your alarm, when you get up has more impact on your sleep so get up at the same time 7 days a week until you get your sleep wake cycle stabilized, do not vary by more than thirty minutes in your routine of bedtime and wake time. A twenty minute nap before 2 pm is allowed, but not longer or you will reset your sleep/wake cycle. If you exercise, the best time for sleep stabilization is between 1 and 2 pm, just a few tips from my sleep counselor. Try to limit your sleep to 8 hours of sleep right now and check back with me. Keep a sleep and wake log and awakenings and naps etc as well as amount of caffeine and time it was consumed.

 

[God713]

I can only see one way out of your problem.
Now this may seem a little irrational to start with, but have a good think about it before you make your decision.

I too am a caffine addict and you should join me in my quest towards heaven, where Allah will look after us.
Allah will provide us with our place in heaven and you will recieve many virgins who will cater to your every sexual requirement.

Please P.M me so i cann tell you more of the truth.