Trouble sleeping

I live in Japan.

I am also autistic.

I also have anxiety disorder.

I can take a nap but I can't sleep at night.

Sometimes I can't sleep even with sleeping pills.

It’s really painful,isn't it?

JuniperFromGallifrey said:

The post I've just spent half hour on disappeared. No medical advice

Without prejudice.  Seems this post has already attracted attention when it was first published and therefore is likely flagged for extra vigilance. 

Personally, I generally only comment on new posts, identified from the home page.  It is now risky to regenerate posts from the 'Related' column as they are seemingly more prone to problems. 

You are absolutely not alone in that experience at the moment - there are ongoing tech team conundrums under active investigation behind the scenes. 

What I have found, if something is important, I draft the text etc. as a draft email first.  Then if a reply post goes bang and you slide into the unintended everything moderated queue - you can retrieve the text from your email and still make an original post with it - even while stuck on the naughty step for any reply activity while awaiting moderation resolution (helpful over the weekend).

The post I've just spent half hour on disappeared. No medical advice. And if someone decides there's an incorrect word? No email, no red-line, nothing. Everything I wrote - into the void. :( 

I'm not suggesting anyone post anything which there isn't evidence of. Sleep deprivation is deadly. What I would love to know is where they draw the line, because I've posted some things lately and it's not even as if I get a red lined mark-up, like a lawyer would do. And the information I usually post should be common knowledge by now. 

Blue light affects the circadian rhythm. Is it medical advice to suggest to change out lightbulbs at night? I don't spend any more money with halogens. Sleep deprivation can happen with the wrong SSRIs or anti-depressants, it's right there on the precautions. I had several discussions with someone who's undiagnosed, but has the medical markers of Autism & had been on one, slowly becoming more sleep deprived until he was dreaming while awake. He hadn't put 2 & 2 together to recognise he needed something which did the opposite & boosted GABA rather than depleted it. This can be found in all journals. You still have to speak with your GP, but there's the KEY issue of not being believed, being autistic and using language different.

Technically, anything one could say which affects the biology would be some kind of advice along these lines even if I'm merely stating what I do, like a topical only magnesium and minding to  not take chlorella or other supplements at night which provide energy. 

It's far from any sort of med. advice to add papers on hormone balance and sleep. Bee pollen/honey can boost testosterone, while mint, oestrogen. Stuff you can buy at Tesco. Melatonin can mess with your heart rate and should be minded but if you don't ask a GP to check, no one will ask it for you.

Now I get it. There are parents out there harming their children with silver or other things which they don't know how to administer. But I'm a bit irritated that no one is HELPING teach how to word things just ghosting responses when careful thought has been taken.

I found when I dropped of printed research from published journals, I managed to get further with the GP than without. 

JuniperFromGallifrey said:

at some point we need to start arming this community with the growing body of research so we can all get the help we need.

I think this is outside the scope of what the NAS directors will allow to be topics of discussion since it can be a slippery slope to work out what is legitimate medical research and what is either fake or less ethical "research".

There was another autism forum setup by someone here I believe as a result of the limits placed on our discussions - maybe that would be a better place to have this nature of discussion so we can point people to it if they ask - hopefully that won't break any rules here.

From a biological standpoint, there's research that the immune system, hormone balance and GABA supposedly all work together in some way which helps regulate our body. Since the mods here don't quite recognise the difference between discussion on the science of how things work vs med advice, would suggest you hunt down research in peer reviewed journals on how this works and ways to find balance. Many new discoveries are being made largely due to Covid offsetting the gut-microbiota which triggers this triad to go off balance. Some of this research is helping take a new look at Au/ADHD'rs and why we might be different. 

I've found wholistic ways to keep something of a balance... if interested in talking about garden herbs, fungi, sea-creatures and such. 

You mods realise the medical community is completely out of touch with the all the medical research on this right?? Sure, we can't give advice, but at some point we need to start arming this community with the growing body of research so we can all get the help we need. This is the only way to make change. 

I find I struggle to stay asleep, the most, during the most noticeable changing daylight hours around Spring and Autumn.

This year I bought a blackout sleep mask to try.

Time will tell.

Snowdrop said:

more help than I deserve

No such thing.  It's a (collective) pleasure.  Wishing you luck. 

Sorry to hear you had to deal with all that. I hate these extra problems they make so much more hassle than anyone needs or wants. I'm going back to the GP, only had about 4 hrs sleep last night and I'm sick of it. 

Thanks again you guys been more help than I deserve.

Thanks Berrybuny. I'm sorry so many of us struggle with sleeping but its comforting to know I'm not the only one. I'll be going back to my GP soon. I had another rubbish night last night.

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't heard of it but I'll ask my GP about it. I need something for sure, the problem still exists.

It isn't just you who suffers this way! Believe me on that!

If I were you I would have a chat with your GP, he/she may be able to suggest some helpful tips on what might help you get a good nights sleep.

As you can see, we're not allowed to give medical advice unfortunately.

Hope things improve for you!

Snowdrop said:

Have you found ways to manage your pain?

It is difficult for everyone, and I guess it boils down to finding a collection of things that gel together to make life bearable.  I cannot take certain painkillers because I have asthma, & I've had other reactions to other ones, so I have to rely on my wits to a certain extent.  I guess awareness comes into it - the more you research into your situation & ailments, the better equipped you can be in dealing with it.  Take care. 

We would like to remind you of rule 6: 

Rule 6: No medical or legal advice. Do not offer medical or legal advice. Always seek professional help for these matters. Treat any medical or legal information shared as the opinion of the user who posted it and meant for general discussion purposes only

Kind Regards,
Rosie Mod

Trazodone - 50mg taken at night.

I have spent my life unable to sleep. I just could not sleep. My GP gave me this and it finally fixed it. I take it and 30mins later I am asleep guaranteed.

[content removed by Moderator due to breaches of the online community rules and guidelines]

Thanks for the link. I read a helpful tip of keeping a sleep diary, this will be useful not just for me but it's something I could show my GP when I can see them next.

I'm sure it's mostly down to anxiety as it's got a bit more severe but I'll be checking with the GP anyway.

Sorry to hear you have sleep difficulties. Have you found ways to manage your pain? I suffer from painful fingers and have cooling gel I put on them. This ironically doesn't affect my sleeping but it helps me deal with pain (inflammation) during the day.

Mine probably isn't the most interesting first post ever. However I thank you for your help.

The NAS has produced information which may help you in this section

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/sleep

Snowdrop said:

Maybe just to know it isn't only me like this? Or some help? I don't know. Sorry, this isn't a good first post.

There's no such thing as a good - or a bad first post.   Actually, ones that are different are easier to answer.  People who say something unusual make replying more interesting too!  

We can't give specific medical advise on this forum, and there are many things that could be affecting your sleep.  I'd suggest you speak to your GP if you are having trouble, and run through some of them at the surgery. 

I never used to have sleep difficulties myself, but developed some as I got older - In my case I had some injuries causing pain & suffer with various mental health issues, so it was a combination of problems - it is always best to get checked out. 

I wish you well, and you are certainly NOT the only one.