Parkinson's: Sleeping-NOT
Today I am saying “Fuck” a lot. Not at anyone, just in my head. It's not something I used to say. I've decided the Snark has a potty mouth. Another night of little sleep does not make me a happy girl.
What wakes you up or keeps you up? I have a whole plethora (I love that word!) of things that do. My bug-a-boos are: leg cramps, restless legs, internal temperature changes-hot, cold, hot, cold, blankets on, blankets off, need to pee, need to pee, need to pee, aches, can’t stop thinking, etc.
After my last blog about not sleeping, my friend Ara emailed “Here's a tip from my Japanese, Elf, yoga instructor-If you grip your toes (crunch down towards your soles) and release 99 times you will be asleep.” She added “Either that or you will have leg cramps.” She went on to give a great tip to help with cramping legs-she uses magnesium gel that she keeps on her night stand. Thank you Ara, I plan on getting some.
I get a lot of leg cramps during the night too and in the past have used a homeopathic cramp remedy which worked well. At least I thought so. After the first cramp I'd take it and wouldn't have another cramp for the rest of the night. I should try it again.
Ara made me smile when she finished her note about using the magnesium gel with “too bad, I have to get up to wash my hands, now I'm wide awake once more, ready to start crunching again.”
I tried 400 crunches last night. Nope didn't sleep. But also, didn't get a leg cramp. I'm
wondering....
What do you do for leg cramps in the night?
Nancy and her potty mouth side kick the Snark.
Cramps are soooo painful! I don't have a remedy. It's a challenge. I agree with all you said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHI Nancy -- Debra Williamson here. Leg cramps can be remedied with Hylands Homeopathic Leg Cramp Relief -- used it for years and is rather quick acting. Another good remedy if I have none of that is a few gulps of Gatorade that restores the electrolyte balance in your body (as someone else already mentioned you need to drink more water.) Even a half banana, rich is potassium, can give you some relief.
ReplyDeleteAs for the got to pee, got to pee, well I know that situation very well too. After spending a couple months this summer in pelvic floor physical therapy, I learned some very good techniques for stretching & relaxing the pelvic floor, better approaches to hydrating myself throughout the day and to avoiding foods or drinks that can exacerbate the urge to pee, and breathing exercises to calm me down. Doing daily. stretches do help maintain the muscles in the pelvic floor helps me so much. Filling an entire pitcher with 64 ounces of water and slowly drinking it throughout the day helps me keep track of and manage my intake. Caffeinated beverages can play havoc with your bladder as can many other foods such as chocolate or spices. I've had to keep a food dairy over the last year to help me understand what causes problems so that I can avoid them. Breathing is likely the most important aspect -- and by that I mean deep, diaphragmatic breathing. Learning a simple breathing practice can help you focus and get started in the morning and also calm you down while you're lying in bed with your head, overthinking, overthinking, overthinking. I'd also add meditation that helps you learn to see thoughts for what they are, thoughts, no you, not yours, not something you have to think about into the night. But thinking, labelled as such, breathed through, and let go.
Let me know if there's anything that needs more clarity or a direction I can point you in away from misery. Much love Nancy. (Debra Williamson)
Thank you Debra, they are great suggestions, I will be rereading this and using it.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Potty mouth Snarky, eh? Is it possible there is a wee bit of anger wanting to be expressed? Conscious or subconscious, it may be trying to get your attention. I have had a lot of that lately. Turns out mine is related to very old issues with my mother. (I learned this by putting pen to paper, well, fingers to keyboard, and just seeing what came out.) I have also found that my leg cramps are related to unprocessed emotional issues. But then that is me. And that may not be the only cause. Although I did come across a quote yesterday that sort of floored me, that I'd like to share:
ReplyDelete"The truth about our childhood is stored up in our body, and although we can repress it, we can never alter it. Our intellect can be deceived, our feelings manipulated, our perceptions confused, and our body tricked with medication. But someday the body will present its bill, for it is as incorruptible as a child who, still whole in spirit, will accept no compromises or excuses, and it will not stop tormenting us until we stop evading the truth." Alice Miller
Whoa. Not saying that is true for anyone else, but I have found it to be true for me. If you want Lisbeth's phone number, you know where I am. And the acupuncture offer still holds. Blessings. Hope you find relief, one way or t'other. Thanks for sharing your journey! Love.