A Personal Note

[Leon]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I really appreciate it.

I would regularly stay awake for 36 - 48 hours at a stretch to leave myself dog tired enough to fall asleep at an "appropriate" time. Then be out of kilter for days after.

Yeah, I do the same from time to time to try and kick things back towards normal.  As you say though, it takes a while to feel 'normal' again.

After one very hectic job, my body wouldn't stop producing adrenaline, so I was signed off for a week to try and allow my body to get back to normal, which it eventually did. All the best!

Oof, that doesn't sound fun at all!

As melatonin is available in tablet form, I'm kind of surprised that the the last bit hasn't been able to be tested?

I'd imagine doctors have explored melotonin tablets.

I venture that a trial would eliminate the "Don't know whether I respond to melatonin" question.

I should have mentioned that too, they've tried me with both tablet and liquid form melatonin but it didn't make any difference at all.  They've tried about half a dozen other meds too, but no luck so far.

I wouldn't be surprised if you put it to half the workforce, they would be similar. Opening the offices for a 3pm-11pm or 3am-11am shift or whatever might actually prove popular.

We kinda do in a way, in that all of the staff are free to choose whatever hours they'd prefer to work.  Ironically though, they're all morning people, so some of the casting guys are in there at 7-7:30am and then done by 3pm! 

I am being treated for parasomnia which is basically all sorts of sleep disturbances.

My main symptoms are hallucinations, nightmares and sleep walking each of which are increasingly disruptive.

Thanks Jim and I hope you can find some resolution to those symptoms, as that sounds awful.

Look at it this way; you are part of the reason for the survival of humanity: you would be awake and guarding the sleeping tribe.

That's true!  Although I'm convinced that my neighbours think I'm crazy, as I'll often be 'guarding' the garden at 3am with my torch, looking for hedgehogs...!

I completely understand as I have similar issues.  It's a vicious cycle - takes hours to get to sleep, wake up with little sleep, feel tired all day. But the when it's time to sleep, you can't.  This goes on for weeks until your body just can't go on anymore and just crashes for a few days. If you find a remedy, please let us know.

I'm sorry to hear that, it's so frustrating.  I spent 20+ years presenting at the GP with the same symptoms, and it took 17 years before they even referred me to a Sleep specialist, and that was only after I asked if such a thing existed. 

They've played around with my thyroxin meds, given me various anti-depressants, and tried me on melatonin.  I've had actiwatches, oximeters, and even a CPAP machine for a month or so (which was awful!).  They did want me to do an in-patient overnight sleep study, but apparently the Sleep Department couldn't work around my offset sleep pattern... which seemed ridiculous.  I'm back there in Dec to see what the next option might be.

I've not been diagnosed for anything yet around the sleep patterns (I wonder if there is such a thing for what I have).

I'd definitely recommend trying to see a specialist at your local hospital if possible, just to get some answers.  It can be a long road but it might help alleviate some of those issues.



Thanks again for all of your well-wishes.

[Enfield53]

I'm glad they came to a diagnosis, but sounds like a real slog in the meantime.  Best wishes that you'll get some relief and thank you for the years and continued years of great products and customer service.  Cheers.

[DHautpol]

Really sorry to hear about your sleep issues, it sounds exhausting.  Also sorry to hear that other Forum members are suffering sleep problems too.

It only goes to emphasise just how fortunate the rest of us are when you read of the havoc and disruption that's being caused.

[Ithoriel]

I had a similar issue with sleep patterns (really for as long as I can remember), the "fix" for me was strangely leaving the lights on, having an audiobook playing all night, and lastly drinking a coffee before bed. All the things that are supposed to stop you falling asleep seem to work in reverse for me. For me trying to fall asleep in a dark room with no noise is an exercise in frustration (plus a craving for coffee). I've not been diagnosed for anything yet around the sleep patterns (I wonder if there is such a thing for what I have).

I have never understood why humanity decided to sleep when it's cold, dark, silent and scary rather than during the day when it's warm bright and (sometimes even in Scotland) sunny.

Put me in a moving vehicle when it's warm and bright and I can doze off in moments. Make me lie down in a cold dark room (no matter how warm and cosy the bed) and my brain runs at a million miles an hour.

Couple that with my body want to fall asleep at the most inconvenient times it's no wonder I'm mad as a box of frogs! 

[fred.]

I have never understood why humanity decided to sleep when it's cold, dark, silent and scary rather than during the day when it's warm bright and (sometimes even in Scotland) sunny.

Perhaps because we can see during the day and can do things?

Informative to see how widespread sleep problems are. I wonder how many more people I know suffer sleep problems without ever mentioning it due to the need to turn up for work. 

[Roy]

Yep. I'm another +1 who occasionally suffers sleep issues, but only indirectly (IBS. Mental health. years ago it was insomnia) so can somewhat appreciate what it is like to suffer the stresses and issues due to such. Not sleeping right, over a period of months made my immune system suffer - which created vicious circles.

[Not sure if what I've written is what I'm trying to get across, but I hope it reads like what I'm thinking.]

Take care everyone.

[Szymon]

Hi Leon,

Marijuana has recently been legalized in Germany. I know it may sound a bit unusual, but I think talking with your doctor about it should definitely be on the table in your situation. Cannabis is sometimes used to help with sleep — many people find it makes them drowsy and helps them fall asleep faster. It can cause a "high," since THC is the active ingredient, but for patients using it specifically for sleep, the effect often feels more like sedation than euphoria. That said, it doesn't work the same for everyone, and long-term use can affect sleep quality, which is why getting medical guidance is important.

Anyway, I'm really glad you're talking to professionals about your situation — that's an important step toward improving your life.

[Leon]

...I'm mad as a box of frogs!

I thought that was compulsory to be a member here...?! 

I wonder how many more people I know suffer sleep problems without ever mentioning it due to the need to turn up for work.

Potentially quite a few I'd guess.  I was late for school, college and Uni, plus several jobs.  I used to work in the office of a haulage company, doing 8:30am to 5pm.  After I was continuously late for the first two months, they just told me to get there for 9am instead. 

It's also probably why a lot of people with sleep issues gravitate towards hospitality, as I did, as it fits better with our natural schedules. 

Not sleeping right, over a period of months made my immune system suffer - which created vicious circles.

I can sympathise with that, after a run of early mornings or shows various little niggly symptoms appear, things like mouth ulcers, sniffles, aches, etc.  Aging doesn't help alleviate those either!

Marijuana has recently been legalized in Germany. I know it may sound a bit unusual, but I think talking with your doctor about it should definitely be on the table in your situation.

Thanks Szymon, it's something that's been suggested by friends but the doctors have never mentioned it.  The THC component is illegal in the UK but you can buy the CBD versions over the counter now.

[Norm]

Hi Leon, good shout to have a year without the show calendar setting your pace, you will be missed, but frankly the combination of viability and health, plus freeing up time makes your choice a good fit.

By the way - I like those MDF terrain bases you are doing .... My postie is amused that I get bits of wood through the post!

[Orcs]

By the way - I like those MDF terrain bases you are doing .... My postie is amused that I get bits of wood through the post!

Our postie used to be the wife of another member of the club. She used to hand packets to my wife with comments like "Smells like MDF bases to me" or " I think these are 15mm  figures from Essex miniatures"

No chance of a sneaky order