It’s 3AM and the Parkinson’s I can’t sleep blues are here again. I tried. I really tried. I’ve been up and down, in and out of bed so many times that I could do it in my sleep if I only could sleep. To make it worse I’ve got a toothache. People don’t understand but if my nights are this bad and I get so little sleep how can my days be any better. May as well log on and see who is awake and what is happening in my online Parkinson’s group.
There are a lot of PWP logged on and a fair amount of activity at 3AM. There are three types of comments: positive messages of support for those suffering with PD, what to do when you can’t sleep, and a general discussion of all things Parkinson’s. Positive support messages are popular: prayer, trust in god, meditate, never give up, and that we are Parkinson’s warriors. This really is an important set of messages because the constant battle with PD’s punishing symptoms can cause stress, depression, and anxiety which may result in cognitive impairment. Having a positive attitude and exercising may be the two best things you can do to combat the disease. Life is 25% what happens to you and 75% how you react.
What to do when you can’t sleep is another constant topic of the 3AM club. This takes two forms: how to get back to sleep and activities people do when they can’t sleep. Taking drugs to help sleep is popular: prescription sleeping pills, melatonin, and various marijuana products. Other popular ways to get back to sleep are to move to a couch or recliner then back to bed, eat food, read, play with the computer or watch TV, do a little house work, take four pistachio nut kernels which contain a lot of melatonin, and meditate or use positive imagery to picture yourself in a favorite peaceful place.
Another set of posts comes from the don’t worry be happy PWP who have adapted to not being able to sleep and say things like: Play some ambient music and don’t sweat it. - Don’t worry or stress about not sleeping. You will sleep when you sleep. - I am no longer bound by a day or night schedule and sleep when I am tired whether it is light or dark and am sometimes active in the AM and sometimes in the PM. - I don’t even try to go to sleep before 3AM - My favorite comment is: I see not sleeping as an opportunity to get up and have a nice cup of hot cocoa with a lot of little marshmallows.
What it coms down to is there are many people with Parkinson’s just like me, sitting in the 3AM dark before the glow of a computer screen, hoping for the light of a brighter better morning.
This post was written at 3AM on nights I couldn’t sleep.
