Is This Totally Crazy?

[Adelle]

Ok so years ago I had a sleep study done, and the doc called me... "wonky". Yup, I have really irregular sleep cycles (I didn't even hit every stage of sleep and almost none of the time did I reach them in any kind of order...). They sent me on my way without any idea what to do except deal with it (yeah, doctors rule... ).

FFWD 3 years. I've been gluten-free for over 2 years and things are good. I don't sleep well, but we've adjusted to it. About 2 months ago a new local wine shop opened in our teeny town and I've discovered a new love for wine. I took to drinking 1-2 (4oz) glasses of wine just before bed and I slept like a DREAM (I actually did dream regularly for the first time in years!). I slept through the night (something I haven't done my whole life) and felt probably 10X more rested in the morning and I don't even need to nap or rest every single afternoon. So as a little "challenge" this last 4 days I haven't had a drop. Oh man, I'm exhausted. Back to my old sleep habits. So big is this difference that DH has insisted that I take up wine immediately. And that I never do this again.

Am I totally insane? Am I the only one? I kind of think that as long as I'm not overdoing it and getting plastered every night, what's the harm? Oh man, I need a nap! Gah!

[missy'smom]

Many with celiac disease have problems with their adrenal function. From what I understand, one of the things that it does is send out the hormones that tell you when to sleep and when to wake up. I have a family member that has adrenal fatigue. Was diagnosed through a wonen's health center. From what I understand the doctors often don't test enough. Hers dismissed the clear results indicating a problem so she went to the women's center where they helped her. Took special supplements and is now having more normal sleep patterns.

[ShayFL]

Ideally you would "heal" your body instead of just giving it a drug. But believe me, I understand the temptation to just drink. ALL of the studies suggest women shouldnt drink more than 1 little glass of alcohol a day. So if you are going to imbibe, I would keep it to 1 (one) 4 oz glass in the evening and not 2.

Find a good Holistic doctor who can help you heal your adrenals and fix your circadian cycle. Did you ever try Melatonin before bed? GABA? These can help regulate your body and get it back on track. Then you ween off of them.

[Adelle]

the problem is I have tried all of the sleep aids on the market (natural and perscription) and they just make me feel sick. I also suffer from extreme sleep paralysis and they just make that problem happen 5+ times/night instead of once. So those are out. I've also had my adrenals and thyroid extensively tested and I'm all good there. The problem is really that for some reason my body doesn't sleep correctly (I've always been a "bad sleeper" from the day I was born).

I can't afford a holistic doctor, and I'm kind of done with doctors anyway. I'm just so tired of any medical professional, I'm not going to see them anymore.

I just feel like doctors can't help me, so I'm trying to figure out how to help myself you know?

[nasalady]

Ok so years ago I had a sleep study done, and the doc called me... "wonky". Yup, I have really irregular sleep cycles (I didn't even hit every stage of sleep and almost none of the time did I reach them in any kind of order...). They sent me on my way without any idea what to do except deal with it (yeah, doctors rule... ).

FFWD 3 years. I've been gluten-free for over 2 years and things are good. I don't sleep well, but we've adjusted to it. About 2 months ago a new local wine shop opened in our teeny town and I've discovered a new love for wine. I took to drinking 1-2 (4oz) glasses of wine just before bed and I slept like a DREAM (I actually did dream regularly for the first time in years!). I slept through the night (something I haven't done my whole life) and felt probably 10X more rested in the morning and I don't even need to nap or rest every single afternoon. So as a little "challenge" this last 4 days I haven't had a drop. Oh man, I'm exhausted. Back to my old sleep habits. So big is this difference that DH has insisted that I take up wine immediately. And that I never do this again.

Am I totally insane? Am I the only one? I kind of think that as long as I'm not overdoing it and getting plastered every night, what's the harm? Oh man, I need a nap! Gah!

NO! You are NOT insane, nor the only one! I too have developed a habit of drinking a glass or two of wine in the evening to help me sleep better. My sleep problems aren't as extreme as yours, but I don't sleep deeply and I wake up exhausted every morning. This is supposed to be "normal" for people with fibromyalgia though.

The wine does help me sleep more deeply, and I don't wake up as frequently during the night which definitely helps my daytime energy levels.

The problem with wine (for me) is that I have autoimmune hepatitis; my immune system has damaged my liver. So wine every night is not a good answer for me. My hepatologist said I could have wine twice a week, but he would definitely frown on imbibing vino every night. DH is not happy with it either; he's worried about my liver.

I've also read the studies that say that women shouldn't drink more than one small glass of wine per day, if that much. But, of course, because of the liver issues, I have to be careful about taking medications to help me sleep.

I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to reassure you that you are not alone!

Take care,

JoAnn

[Adelle]

I'm glad I'm not alone! I usually stick to 1 small glass unless it's homemade gluhwein which is cut with 1/2 water (and some of the alcohol cooks off) I took a hydrometer reading and it's about 8% alcohol so I'm getting the same amount of booze, but with more flavor and bulk in a warm mug. Mmmm.... Anyway. I do hope you get your health issues worked out. Stay in good health!

[one more mile]

I think one big problem with people that have trouble with sleep is they try to fit on someone else time table. After years of trying to get sleep I finely figured that I do not sleep before 12:30 am and I do not wake up till 9 am. I have had to change my job and life around to make it work but there is no way I can attempt to sleep "normal hours." I have also finely figured out that I do not drive a car before 8 am, unless it is to get away from a fire. I had to many times where I drove some place and do not remember it when I drove before 8 am.

I struggled with sleep for about 12 years before I found what works for me. Please keep trying. You will find it sooner or later.

If there is a history of drinking problems in your family the Wine before sleep may not be a good idea. Needing a drink to sleep is an early stage of the diagnosis of alcoholism. I do not know a thing about normal drinkers though so good for you for asking on this board if it is a good idea or not.

One more mile