Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Does anyone else struggle with staying asleep? (self.Blind)
submitted by RJHand
Its happened on and off with me for several years now. Born blind and 19 now, but basically I'll go to sleep at say 11, and wake up at 4, and not go back to sleep no matter what I try.
The time Varys, sometimes I get 3 hours, sometimes 5, sometimes its fine for periods of time and I get 7 or 8 + hours. But this is happening again and its quite annoying when it does as it leaves me quite tired throughout the day.
I have not yet tried melatonin' though I actually just got some, perhaps that'll work?
I've heard from a lot of other blind folks about not being able to fall asleep but I haven't talked to anyone so far it seems who also has the issue I'm having.
Any suggestions?
The time Varys, sometimes I get 3 hours, sometimes 5, sometimes its fine for periods of time and I get 7 or 8 + hours. But this is happening again and its quite annoying when it does as it leaves me quite tired throughout the day.
I have not yet tried melatonin' though I actually just got some, perhaps that'll work?
I've heard from a lot of other blind folks about not being able to fall asleep but I haven't talked to anyone so far it seems who also has the issue I'm having.
Any suggestions?
[deleted] 4 points 3y ago
[deleted]
coarsing_batch 2 points 3y ago
Good call. Also as annoying as this sounds, actually getting daily exercise will really help with that as well.
WarriorPrincess31 3 points 3y ago
Yeah.
There's a thing that is not very well known, but something like 80 to 90% of blind people have this. It's called non24's. If you like, I can get you more information about it.
There's also a medicine that is used to treat this condition.
Basically what it does is it regulates your internal clock for lack of a better term.
You take it one hour before you wanna go to sleep and it helps you maintain a sleep schedule.
There's an information hotline you can call, and if you think you might want more information, I can get you the number.
There's a thing that is not very well known, but something like 80 to 90% of blind people have this. It's called non24's. If you like, I can get you more information about it.
There's also a medicine that is used to treat this condition.
Basically what it does is it regulates your internal clock for lack of a better term.
You take it one hour before you wanna go to sleep and it helps you maintain a sleep schedule.
There's an information hotline you can call, and if you think you might want more information, I can get you the number.
bjayernaeiy 1 points 3y ago
Could you link me please? I'm interested to know more.
RJHand [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Would this be considered non24 though? I always thought that was like your sleep pattern shifts an hour or 2 later all the time but maybe I'm wrong. Always sa it as people were having trouble going to sleep but maybe it Varys person to person?
WarriorPrincess31 2 points 3y ago
Nah, non-24's is when you struggle to keep a sleep pattern. The way I understand it, and I could totally be wrong, but you stay up most of the night, and you get tired and just randomly sleep through the day. I'm sure I'm simplifying it, and am probably very very wrong, but that's how the guy from the hotline explained it. I could give you the number. I am thinking of getting checked out to see if I have this, cuz everything you're describing in your original post, also happens to me. And sadly, melatonin did not help me.
RJHand [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Well thats unfortunate about melatonin....
FantasticGlove 3 points 3y ago
Hey dude. I can help you if you want. I'm a totally blind person and I have had problems getting to sleep. I'd be happy to help you out.
coarsing_batch 2 points 3y ago
I have the same problem as you. I can fall asleep no problem. But unless I take melatonin and cannabis oil, I’m not staying asleep. So definitely try the melatonin. Hopefully it works. If not though, and for a lot of people it doesn’t, you could use CBD or things like that depending on what’s legal where you are. I use straight up THC oil, and it’s brilliant. That +5 mg of melatonin gets me a great nights sleep. Good luck.
grinchnight14 2 points 3y ago
It all depends if I'm tired. If I'm tired, I'm out like a light like that as soon as I lay down. If I'm not, I might only sleep for 4 hours at most
TheBlindBookLover 2 points 3y ago
Hi. Definitely try the regular things like not going on your phone before bed, eating healthy, exercising, and etc. If the traditional methods don’t work, I would strongly suggest doing a sleep study after the COVID-19 stuff settles down.
In addition to the traditional methods, I found sleeping with a weighted blanket and playing relaxing music to be helpful. I always play the same playlist right before and during sleep. The first song acts a sort of reverse alarm clock telling my body to go to sleep. I keep the music playing throughout the night so that random sounds during the night don’t wake me up.
I hope that this helps.
In addition to the traditional methods, I found sleeping with a weighted blanket and playing relaxing music to be helpful. I always play the same playlist right before and during sleep. The first song acts a sort of reverse alarm clock telling my body to go to sleep. I keep the music playing throughout the night so that random sounds during the night don’t wake me up.
I hope that this helps.
bscross32 2 points 3y ago
If you take melatonin, take only 300µg or 0.3mg because otherwise, it's too much.
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I sometimes have this but it is a period that comes once, maybe twice a year.
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I sometimes have this but it is a period that comes once, maybe twice a year.
RJHand [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Out of curiosity what happens if you end up taking too much?
bscross32 2 points 3y ago
It doesn't hurt you, but it doesn't really help either, and you'll just go to sleep but won't stay asleep. There are a lot of those tablets with really high doses but you want 0.3mg or 300µg
Flyaway-Rainbow16 2 points 3y ago
Hey. I'm 19 too.
I just wanted to say that my most effective solution to this is to quietly play a book I'm familiar with in the background.
Try putting your phone on Do Not Disturb or even putting it slightly out of reach. You won't necessarily be tempted to pick it up and the book might, if it's quiet enough or familiar enough, lull you back to sleep on it's own.
That being said, I know how annoying this can be. I hope this works.
I just wanted to say that my most effective solution to this is to quietly play a book I'm familiar with in the background.
Try putting your phone on Do Not Disturb or even putting it slightly out of reach. You won't necessarily be tempted to pick it up and the book might, if it's quiet enough or familiar enough, lull you back to sleep on it's own.
That being said, I know how annoying this can be. I hope this works.
RJHand [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh yeah could try that.
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 3y ago
I had endless problems sleeping years ago, but that was more to do with it feeling like I was being forced to stare into bright lights all the time. It diminished over time and isn't usually a problem now, though sometimes it flares up. What you're describing sounds more like you just need to eat properly and get some exercise. Do you drink a lot of caffiene?
RJHand [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yeah I do have coffee fairly regularly. Perhaps thats part of it.
Flyaway-Rainbow16 2 points 3y ago
I wouldn't immediately jump to this conclusion. Remember that your body can develop a cafeine intollerence, where it may just not effect you as much.
Not only that, but honestly, I do think this is more of a blindness related thing.
Anyway, you know what works for you and stuff, so this is just my experience talking.
Not only that, but honestly, I do think this is more of a blindness related thing.
Anyway, you know what works for you and stuff, so this is just my experience talking.
bradley22 1 points 3y ago
I don’t have any suggestions but I hope the melitonin helps.
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