Parkinson's: Hunting for a Good Night's Sleep

 

Snarky Parky & me

A Journey Into Parkinson's with Nancy Mellon

Coordinated by Corrine Bayraktaroglu

 

Are You Sleeping?

You haven't lived until you hear me play

 “Are You Sleeping” on the Harmonica

 

Yesterday I went to have a hypnotherapy session, to help with my sleeping. 

My son, Kelsey had looked up hypnosis and Parkinson's. (I have been pretty blue around the house lately. The lack of sleep has tanked my energy and my sense of humor.)  He sent me a good article about hypnosis.  Hypnosis and Parkinson's    It said that hypnosis is very helpful with rigidity tremor , depression, anxiety, pain, improved memory and sleep quality.  AHA! sleep quality-hence my visit to Mr. Rubin Battino yesterday. 

It was an interesting and relaxing session.  First he asked me some questions.  He talked to me about the importance of words.  About not using the word “tried.”  He suggested other words like tested or checked out.  As in- “I've been checking out meditation for years.” He spoke of  how you don't need to be this or that, you can be anxious and calm. I'm going to chew that one over for awhile.

Before we started the hypnosis part, he asked if in my childhood, I had a soft toy that I took to bed with me?  I don't remember having a particular stuffy. But I do  have a darling soft porcupine that  I keep by my bed.  (He was in the window of  Kismet for 6 months . As I passed he smiled at me.  I finally told  Steven that the little porcupine was  asking to go home with me. And amazingly he did:-) He could  probably be considered a  stuffy. (That is what my grand daughters call their favorite stuffed toys that they need to have to feel secure at night,) Mr. Battino suggested I take my baby porcupine to bed with me to hug.

He next asked if I have an  image of a safe place.  At first, I couldn't think of  any place that I would call a safe place. Then I thought of Wonder Lake. Growing up, my family, and Mr. Leo,  (my parents dear friend and mine) co- owned a small cottage on a lake. I loved it. 

 He asked if I  had a spirit guide?  No, I thought, I don't. He mentioned some ideas.  I decided, I was OK with the term “Healing Spirit.”

Then he had me lean back the comfortable recliner I was in and told me I could close my eyes if I wanted to.  In a slow cadence,  he led me through a breathing exercise and then took me to my safe place. He helped me settle into that calm space. He painted the picture in  my mind and led me through all my senses. I felt the breeze in my hair and the warmth of the sun on my back.   I heard the soft lap of the water on the dock and the distant sounds of music playing on Mr. Leo's record player.  I sat on the warm dock, gazing out at the deep turquoise of the water, and the soft blue of the sky.

My spirit guide showed up and gently touched my head.

When I walked out of Mr. Battino's home, I was not sure I had been hypnotized. But I felt content and calm.

I am a dog in the hunt. (I think I inherited that phrase from Steven.)

Last week, I went to the online Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center- a sleep clinic is part of it.-  I signed up for their “Go To Sleep” zoom course. It uses CBT-I (It stands for Cognitive Behavior Therapy -Insomnia. I am back to the CBT! )   It cost $40.00.  Which I thought for a 6 week course is very reasonable.  This is not an instant fix. But it has great recommendations and science behind it.  In the mornings I log in my sleep  and wake up times for the night before.  I read a page of sleep information. Then I do one of the  relaxation tapes they provide. 

One of the first things they have you do is restrict your sleep. Yep, you get less sleep to begin with and that is very hard. You are not supposed to be in bed except when you are sleeping. So you don' t go to bed before you are nodding your head and can't keep your eyes open. If you wake up during the night, after 15 minutes, get up  and go to another room and do something very soothing  (not having anything to do with screens,) until you cant keep your eyes open. There are no naps allowed.

On Monday,  I had  2 zoom visits with doctors.  The first one was with a sleep specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, she got my background, was pleased I had started the online sleep course and  suggested some things for me to do next, an overnight sleep clinic and having my regular Dr. have blood taken to check on my iron.  She has a follow up visit scheduled.

The second zoom visit was with a Doctor that could provide me with a medical marijuana card. I am trying some cannabis oil at bedtime to help me go to sleep.

OK, so how has all this activity added up? Too soon to know. The night after my hypnosis session was a bust and that was disappointing.  My son said it is not  enough to go to one session and expect it to help.  So I have made an appointment to go back.

I am still 'testing' everything.

Blessings on us all,

Nancy and the Snark

**********************************************

Footnotes from Corrine:  I am watching your sleep info with interest because I seem to be struggling with sleep issues. Have no idea why! The "no screens" advice is going to be a tough one to follow though. Hah! It's midnight and I am on the computer doing this post. I am intrigued with the hypnosis.  Well, I shall finish this and go grab "lost bear" and go back to bed.

Goodnight (yawn)