The New Isolated Blurt BDSM Thread

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

F's and S's??

That reminded me of this - I mentioned this show to MWY on his 'laughs' thread.....

Hah! Before I even got there, I knew this was going to be that clip from Vicar... Alice and Jim were my favourite characters

 

[midwestyankee]

F's and S's??

That reminded me of this - I mentioned this show to MWY on his 'laughs' thread.....

Delightful. Thanks for this.

 

[Stella_Omega]

My sister came over and showed me her sketchbook, with her scribbled notes in it; "Can you figure out what this word is supposed to be?"

It took us the longest time... She is dyslexic, AND has a hard time remembering how to spell.

 

[midwestyankee]

My sister came over and showed me her sketchbook, with her scribbled notes in it; "Can you figure out what this word is supposed to be?"

It took us the longest time... She is dyslexic, AND has a hard time remembering how to spell.

Geez, and I thought I sometimes had trouble with my hand notes. Glad you got it figured out.

 

[MeekMe]

Why? Why didn't I go on a run this morning?! It's in the 80s right now and I just don't want to go out... …>_<… I need to go...

 

[BiBunny]

I've been up for almost 24 hours because what is a sleep schedule?

I've officially hit the "full-body shakes" stage of sleep deprivation and now look like an old drunk with the DTs.

Thanks, brain!

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

I've been up for almost 24 hours because what is a sleep schedule?

I've officially hit the "full-body shakes" stage of sleep deprivation and now look like an old drunk with the DTs.

Thanks, brain!

Oh no! Sleep deprivation is bad, bad...
Can you power nap?
Perhaps walloping yourself in the head might help both problems

 

[midwestyankee]

I've been up for almost 24 hours because what is a sleep schedule?

I've officially hit the "full-body shakes" stage of sleep deprivation and now look like an old drunk with the DTs.

Thanks, brain!

Bunny, don't make me pack my implements of pain and drive all the way down to your wretched weather to smack you around. You can fix this yourself.

 

[BiBunny]

Oh no! Sleep deprivation is bad, bad...
Can you power nap?
Perhaps walloping yourself in the head might help both problems

I'm so bad at sleep. I love it when I get it, but I'm about 99% certain that I don't run on 24-hour sleep/wake cycles like normal people. Every couple of months, I have to skip a day's sleep to reset. Annoying, but you'd think I'd be used to it by now.

Bunny, don't make me pack my implements of pain and drive all the way down to your wretched weather to smack you around. You can fix this yourself.

....You know that's probably not much of a deterrent, yes?

This would absolutely not be an issue if my doctor hadn't stopped writing prescriptions for the ONE sleep med that actually works for me. Blech.

 

[IrisAlthea]

I'm so bad at sleep. I love it when I get it, but I'm about 99% certain that I don't run on 24-hour sleep/wake cycles like normal people. Every couple of months, I have to skip a day's sleep to reset. Annoying, but you'd think I'd be used to it by now.



....You know that's probably not much of a deterrent, yes?

This would absolutely not be an issue if my doctor hadn't stopped writing prescriptions for the ONE sleep med that actually works for me. Blech.

Most people don't run on a 24- hour sleep/wake circle, I think.
Is it trouble actually falling asleep or is it trouble getting in bed on time, that makes it difficult for you?

 

[midwestyankee]

I'm so bad at sleep. I love it when I get it, but I'm about 99% certain that I don't run on 24-hour sleep/wake cycles like normal people. Every couple of months, I have to skip a day's sleep to reset. Annoying, but you'd think I'd be used to it by now.



....You know that's probably not much of a deterrent, yes?

This would absolutely not be an issue if my doctor hadn't stopped writing prescriptions for the ONE sleep med that actually works for me. Blech.

I hear you. I despise two things: prescriptions that don't work and people offering suggestions from their own lives that don't have good goddamn to do with your life. That said, I have had some trouble with insomnia for much of my adult life, and it has been quite bad at times. Many years ago I got my doc to prescribe something for sleep such that he'd be comfortable if I used it for years. And it worked a good bit of the time. Now, when I started chemo I got kicked in the ass. The poisons were draining every ounce of energy, but one of the side drugs - a steroid, I think - was known to be a sleep inhibitor. Lucky me, right? So I got the oncologist and the general guy to talk and they came up with a combination that did work. Eventually I was so tired that I could have slept onstage at a Who concert, but at first I was really grateful for teh drugs.

In January I decided to give up all the drugs I was taking that had any connection with the cancer because I wanted to be DONE with that shit. So I gave up the meds for my sore-ass feet as well as the sleep meds. I can deal with the sore feet, but I started getting insomnia again. Still, I was determined to stay off drugs as much as I could.

Then I read that St. John's Wort might mitigate some of the sore feet syndrome so I bought some. My feet haven't improved much, but my sleep has. YMMV, of course, and you've probably tried SJW before, but it does come with the Curious_in_California seal of approval. And she really knows her hippie shit.

 

[BiBunny]

Most people don't run on a 24- hour sleep/wake circle, I think.
Is it trouble actually falling asleep or is it trouble getting in bed on time, that makes it difficult for you?

Falling asleep is the problem. I don't have any trouble staying asleep (usually) once I actually fall asleep. It takes me upwards of an hour of lying in bed to get to sleep on the best days. I laid there for...4 hours today, I think, before I just gave up and called it a reset day.

 

[BiBunny]

I hear you. I despise two things: prescriptions that don't work and people offering suggestions from their own lives that don't have good goddamn to do with your life. That said, I have had some trouble with insomnia for much of my adult life, and it has been quite bad at times. Many years ago I got my doc to prescribe something for sleep such that he'd be comfortable if I used it for years. And it worked a good bit of the time. Now, when I started chemo I got kicked in the ass. The poisons were draining every ounce of energy, but one of the side drugs - a steroid, I think - was known to be a sleep inhibitor. Lucky me, right? So I got the oncologist and the general guy to talk and they came up with a combination that did work. Eventually I was so tired that I could have slept onstage at a Who concert, but at first I was really grateful for teh drugs.

In January I decided to give up all the drugs I was taking that had any connection with the cancer because I wanted to be DONE with that shit. So I gave up the meds for my sore-ass feet as well as the sleep meds. I can deal with the sore feet, but I started getting insomnia again. Still, I was determined to stay off drugs as much as I could.

Then I read that St. John's Wort might mitigate some of the sore feet syndrome so I bought some. My feet haven't improved much, but my sleep has. YMMV, of course, and you've probably tried SJW before, but it does come with the Curious_in_California seal of approval. And she really knows her hippie shit.

Gah, yes, everybody has suggestions. My mother's is always "Go to bed earlier." Because, you know, I've never tried that before.

I'm glad your sleep's gotten better again! It's miserable to be tired but not be able to fall asleep.

I've never tried St. John's Wort, believe it or not. I've thought about it, but it's known to have wonky effects on people who are complete nutters (like yours truly), so I haven't been brave enough to try it. I have tried melatonin, though, and it was completely useless.

Sometimes, over-the-counter first-generation antihistamines will help--Benadryl or the sleep drug in Nyquil (minus the cold/flu meds in the Nyquil). But they're not reliable. I might get to sleep in an hour after taking them, or it may take five hours, or it might not work at all.

Ambien is the only thing I've ever tried that has ever worked, but my doctor is no longer writing prescriptions for it for any of her patients. *Sigh*

 

[midwestyankee]

Gah, yes, everybody has suggestions. My mother's is always "Go to bed earlier." Because, you know, I've never tried that before.

I'm glad your sleep's gotten better again! It's miserable to be tired but not be able to fall asleep.

I've never tried St. John's Wort, believe it or not. I've thought about it, but it's known to have wonky effects on people who are complete nutters (like yours truly), so I haven't been brave enough to try it. I have tried melatonin, though, and it was completely useless.

Sometimes, over-the-counter first-generation antihistamines will help--Benadryl or the sleep drug in Nyquil (minus the cold/flu meds in the Nyquil). But they're not reliable. I might get to sleep in an hour after taking them, or it may take five hours, or it might not work at all.

Ambien is the only thing I've ever tried that has ever worked, but my doctor is no longer writing prescriptions for it for any of her patients. *Sigh*

You should hear the stories people will tell you when they first hear you have cancer. Holy mother of god! "My Aunt Sophie once had breast cancer on three of her bunions and they had to drain the pus out of her ears twelve times a week just so she could take the chemo. Can you imagine?" No, lady, and I'm trying really fucking hard NOT to.

I have also tried the Benadryl thing with inconsistent results (says the guy with a Costco-sized bottle of the stuff), but the combination of one Benadryl (I like to call them bennies just for old time's 60's shit sake) and two SJW has me asleep in 20 minutes tops these days. And I've heard that it's best to get your SJW from a reliably hippie-ish source so you know you're getting the best Colombian shit (sorry, another 60s joke) instead of the who-knows-what's-in-there stuff from your local Wally World.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Falling asleep is the problem. I don't have any trouble staying asleep (usually) once I actually fall asleep. It takes me upwards of an hour of lying in bed to get to sleep on the best days. I laid there for...4 hours today, I think, before I just gave up and called it a reset day.

That's a long time to wait to fall asleep, yes.
Hope the reset works as planned then, so you can get some decent sleep.

 

[BiBunny]

You should hear the stories people will tell you when they first hear you have cancer. Holy mother of god! "My Aunt Sophie once had breast cancer on three of her bunions and they had to drain the pus out of her ears twelve times a week just so she could take the chemo. Can you imagine?" No, lady, and I'm trying really fucking hard NOT to.

*Snort* That does not surprise me at all. It's definitely obnoxious but not at all surprising.

I have also tried the Benadryl thing with inconsistent results (says the guy with a Costco-sized bottle of the stuff), but the combination of one Benadryl (I like to call them bennies just for old time's 60's shit sake) and two SJW has me asleep in 20 minutes tops these days. And I've heard that it's best to get your SJW from a reliably hippie-ish source so you know you're getting the best Colombian shit (sorry, another 60s joke) instead of the who-knows-what's-in-there stuff from your local Wally World.

The doctor gave me a different med for sleep the last time I saw her, and it doesn't help at all. I may call the office and ask if it's ok if I try SJW. (You know, so I don't accidentally screw myself over somehow.) If it works, great, and if not, I can go back on the med-go-round the next time I go back for refills.

That's a long time to wait to fall asleep, yes.
Hope the reset works as planned then, so you can get some decent sleep.

Thank you!

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

For the record I'm no doctor or expert of any sort. I'm a student of the body and health and I have learned much and love sharing what I know because empowering yourself with information can be renewing when health stuffs are more a marathon than a sprint. Feel free to ignore everything here.

I have had my insomnia dragon a very long time. I too have struggled to find the answers to what my version of that looks like. Each persons solution can look wildly different depending on the root cause and especially so when it comes from many sources.

That said, what I do know is that while most medications can be amazing and life supporting for the symptoms and struggles that are most life limiting, they can also solve for one thing and concurrently cause or intensify an imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed concurrently or needs to be addressed as soon as it's possible.

What I know about SJW is that it is known for it's ability to help support the body to clean itself. This makes sense for it being successful supporting recovering from chemo because it is essentially a poison in the body. If the core of the insomnia is an imbalance caused by it being too toxic to cycle the sleep process then something that helps detox would make sense. I'm so happy to hear that it ended up being a help for you, MWY. It's so important to be your own advocate in your healing and health and I'm a big believer in people following the ideas that they are most drawn too. Keep on keeping on!

What many people don't know about Bendryl is that the diphenhydramine acts on your adrenals to work well, if you are operating on no sleep, you are tugging on your adrenals to keep you going. Short term, Benedryl can work for many people to help zonk out but for long term insomnia it's not able to be so helpful.

In your case BiBunny, the fact that you are on long term medications might actually be contributing to your sleep troubles. The way that many of them work in the body disrupt the natural flow (which they should as they are addressing an issue that your body actually has) can over time depelete the body of certain nutrients more quickly than your body normally would. This can create a side effect of things like bad sleep as you suddenly have a body without the right fuel to cycle the sleep process. Does that make sense?

If you have insurance, you can ask your doc to do some nutrient testing to see if you are deficient in nutrients and minerals. Mineral deficiencies can aggravate mood stuffs like anxiety as they seem to be grounding to the body and the idea that you can't seem to ease into the sleeps pace well sounds similar. You can read more about the mood effects of deficiencies like potassium and magnesium and see if it rings any bells for you. I know there are also resources that have explored the relationship of certain deficiencies that are common with all sorts of long term use medications that so many of us are taking. It's kind of surprising (and disappointing) to me that these supporting supplements aren't more standard suggestions when prescriptions are given as they can really compliment treatments and ease side effects. The more I'm learning the more I'm seeing these patterns in why so many drugs have such intense and sometimes scary lists of potential side effects.

Magnesium is a big one for people who struggle with sleep and is a much more common deficiency than you might guess. Sometimes (unfortunately quite often actually) deficiency tests outside of iron are not covered by insurance though which make them too costly for most of us to access. I think the test I ended up needing was in the $200-300 range. I paid for it because I had been diagnosed with a genetic enzyme mutation that was known for causing deficiencies and I didn't want to waste money taking broad ranges of supplements that I didn't need to. I am able to take just what I need and in the long run, it saved me a lot of money and headache.

In the case that you can't afford testing, you can also just discuss the deficiency idea with your doctor to explore what safe amounts of supplement minerals might be if it is something that resonates with you. Magnesium is actually a fairly inexpensive one to take, but opting for a liquid form vs a powdered caplet has been tested to be more absorbable if you have a choice. Or if supplements are not something that will work, you can google for lists of foods to boost minerals through your diet. Magnesium is also one that you can absorb through your skin and there are actually oils you can apply or you can use epsom salt baths as well.

Deficiencies aside, one product that I also use And recommend to friends when stressed is Bach Rescue Remedy sleep formula. It doesn't seem to have any drug interactions that I have heard about , but of course asking your doctor if there is a reason this would not work for you is just good common sense.

I will also share that for the last hour before bed I live by candle light and removed all screens and electronics from my sleeping space. It has helped me as well to physically and emotionally create a space to sleep in that is held sacred to the act of sleeping and what all of that means to me. It's easy to get caught up in doing things while you wait out the hours to falling asleep and I would often suddenly realize how crowded my bed space would get with "other things" and it totally perpetuated the problem.

Wow that was a lot of words. Insomnia sucks and sleep is so critical to good health and longevity. I hope you find a solution that helps you soon, Bibunny.

 

[midwestyankee]

Ah, my friend C_in_C, you're a treasure.

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

Ah, my friend C_in_C, you're a treasure.

Aren't we all?

 

[BiBunny]

For the record I'm no doctor or expert of any sort. I'm a student of the body and health and I have learned much and love sharing what I know because empowering yourself with information can be renewing when health stuffs are more a marathon than a sprint. Feel free to ignore everything here.

I have had my insomnia dragon a very long time. I too have struggled to find the answers to what my version of that looks like. Each persons solution can look wildly different depending on the root cause and especially so when it comes from many sources.

That said, what I do know is that while most medications can be amazing and life supporting for the symptoms and struggles that are most life limiting, they can also solve for one thing and concurrently cause or intensify an imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed concurrently or needs to be addressed as soon as it's possible.

What I know about SJW is that it is known for it's ability to help support the body to clean itself. This makes sense for it being successful supporting recovering from chemo because it is essentially a poison in the body. If the core of the insomnia is an imbalance caused by it being too toxic to cycle the sleep process then something that helps detox would make sense. I'm so happy to hear that it ended up being a help for you, MWY. It's so important to be your own advocate in your healing and health and I'm a big believer in people following the ideas that they are most drawn too. Keep on keeping on!

What many people don't know about Bendryl is that the diphenhydramine acts on your adrenals to work well, if you are operating on no sleep, you are tugging on your adrenals to keep you going. Short term, Benedryl can work for many people to help zonk out but for long term insomnia it's not able to be so helpful.

In your case BiBunny, the fact that you are on long term medications might actually be contributing to your sleep troubles. The way that many of them work in the body disrupt the natural flow (which they should as they are addressing an issue that your body actually has) can over time depelete the body of certain nutrients more quickly than your body normally would. This can create a side effect of things like bad sleep as you suddenly have a body without the right fuel to cycle the sleep process. Does that make sense?

If you have insurance, you can ask your doc to do some nutrient testing to see if you are deficient in nutrients and minerals. Mineral deficiencies can aggravate mood stuffs like anxiety as they seem to be grounding to the body and the idea that you can't seem to ease into the sleeps pace well sounds similar. You can read more about the mood effects of deficiencies like potassium and magnesium and see if it rings any bells for you. I know there are also resources that have explored the relationship of certain deficiencies that are common with all sorts of long term use medications that so many of us are taking. It's kind of surprising (and disappointing) to me that these supporting supplements aren't more standard suggestions when prescriptions are given as they can really compliment treatments and ease side effects. The more I'm learning the more I'm seeing these patterns in why so many drugs have such intense and sometimes scary lists of potential side effects.

Magnesium is a big one for people who struggle with sleep and is a much more common deficiency than you might guess. Sometimes (unfortunately quite often actually) deficiency tests outside of iron are not covered by insurance though which make them too costly for most of us to access. I think the test I ended up needing was in the $200-300 range. I paid for it because I had been diagnosed with a genetic enzyme mutation that was known for causing deficiencies and I didn't want to waste money taking broad ranges of supplements that I didn't need to. I am able to take just what I need and in the long run, it saved me a lot of money and headache.

In the case that you can't afford testing, you can also just discuss the deficiency idea with your doctor to explore what safe amounts of supplement minerals might be if it is something that resonates with you. Magnesium is actually a fairly inexpensive one to take, but opting for a liquid form vs a powdered caplet has been tested to be more absorbable if you have a choice. Or if supplements are not something that will work, you can google for lists of foods to boost minerals through your diet. Magnesium is also one that you can absorb through your skin and there are actually oils you can apply or you can use epsom salt baths as well.

Deficiencies aside, one product that I also use And recommend to friends when stressed is Bach Rescue Remedy sleep formula. It doesn't seem to have any drug interactions that I have heard about , but of course asking your doctor if there is a reason this would not work for you is just good common sense.

I will also share that for the last hour before bed I live by candle light and removed all screens and electronics from my sleeping space. It has helped me as well to physically and emotionally create a space to sleep in that is held sacred to the act of sleeping and what all of that means to me. It's easy to get caught up in doing things while you wait out the hours to falling asleep and I would often suddenly realize how crowded my bed space would get with "other things" and it totally perpetuated the problem.

Wow that was a lot of words. Insomnia sucks and sleep is so critical to good health and longevity. I hope you find a solution that helps you soon, Bibunny.

Bless you, my dear.

I do know that at least one (probably more) of my meds changes sleep architecture and leaches folate and possibly B-12 from the body. I take a B-complex vitamin when I can afford it (which isn't often, TBH). I would not be surprised if there were other things that that med (or the other ones) screwed up, too.

I don't have insurance right now, buuuut...my doctor is really good about helping me with that. I will most definitely mention the above concerns when I go back for refills again.

I will do some more research when my brain's a little less scattered. Thank you so much!

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

Bless you, my dear.

I do know that at least one (probably more) of my meds changes sleep architecture and leaches folate and possibly B-12 from the body. I take a B-complex vitamin when I can afford it (which isn't often, TBH). I would not be surprised if there were other things that that med (or the other ones) screwed up, too.

I don't have insurance right now, buuuut...my doctor is really good about helping me with that. I will most definitely mention the above concerns when I go back for refills again.

I will do some more research when my brain's a little less scattered. Thank you so much!

My PM box is open to you and I'm happy to help should you want it. For personal and many other reasons, I totally geek out on discussing nutrition and health stuffs.

Sometimes the most cost effective thing to do is find the foods that are higher in the nutrients you need need and figure out how to add them to your diet. If you have an extra $5 here and there, just add food instead of supplements because the $ will carry much further there and so many popular supplements sold at reasonable prices are synthetic (not whole food based) and really just make for expensive pee. Over time, food can be such strong medicine if you can sort out your gaps and eat to fill them. Sites like this make it really easy to really look at what you can eat.

Also, please consider talking to your doctor about your digestion because the good ones really understand, encourage, and are not the least bit awkward about poop talk. For many who say eating well doesn't change how they feel often have digestion problems that prevent break down or absorbtion of the food they ARE eating so it's another thing to either support or rule out.

Hug!

 

[desertslave]

First, a brief hymn to the awesome properties of SJW. It can be a mood adjustor, cleanse, and mild pain-reliever. It's also a really cool fiber dye and will give multiple colors depending on what binders (mordants) are used, the type of fiber, and length of 'cooking.' And the flowers are pretty! One caution...if you are facing possible surgery, be SURE to let your anesthesiologist know, because SJW can interact and do some weird stuff.

Second, MWY, I wish you success in your endeavors to find a new, less-medicated normal. I envy you.

Third, I'm happy and excited because Master and I are heading out of town for the weekend, all by ourselves. With two semi-adult boys in the house with weird schedules and weird sleep patterns we haven't had a lot of playtime lately. I've honestly been climbing the walls.

We're also going to do a little very premature house-browsing in an area we've been kicking around for a new-to-us home. Gods help me, I found a beauty yesterday that is sooooo "us!" But we can't actually move for at least a year so it's purely fantasy right now. And we've been kicking around the idea of buying land and building our real dream house. At our ages we're probably nuts, but it's a lot of fun to talk about.

Saturday we're taking a few hours out of the roaming so I can attend a fiber group meeting we do 3 times a year. Master is coming along and will finally meet some of my good friends (they're SCA and he doesn't play, that way).

The area is beautiful, there's a good chance of seeing snow on the peaks and new wildflowers all at the same time.

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

I want to second a few things Curious said, simplified quite a bit...

I was having trouble sleeping and then I started taking a daily multi vitamin. Nothing more complex than that, and now I sleep much, much better, not to mention sine other improvements I have noticed in general mood and concentration abilities.
Also, I *try* to keep my bed sacred to sleeping. I no longer watch TV in bed, though I do still use electronics. But just the elimination of TV has done wonders.
I know sleep is important to overall health, so I hope you can get sorted out! We evidently have a sleep "bank", and if we don't keep it full, we pay a price. So... sweet dreams

 

[IrisAlthea]

One of the things that SJW interacts with is birth control pills, so it could actually cause sleep problems for years if you are not careful.
As DS said there are other important drug interactions to consider too.

 

[midwestyankee]

@desertslave, it sounds like you're going to have a great weekend. Enjoy!