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Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 9:31 AM
If you suffer from sleep paralysis and have any tips/tricks for how to deal with this, please share. I haven't been sleeping more than three hours or so for a couple of weeks now, and I know that this is causing me to experience sleep paralysis more frequently. I wake up and just can't seem to go back to sleep. I almost always have sleep paralysis when I take a nap, dang it, so naps are out of the question. I also have cycles of nightmares and, unfortunately, I'm in one of those now, too. That makes the sleep paralysis really fun! Any advice appreciated!!

Prashun Patel
07-22-2010, 9:38 AM
My THEORY is that could be diet related.

A few years back I had bouts of sleeplessness - less serious than yours - I experimented with omitting foods, and concluded that sweets close to sleep time (particularly mangos, and milky desersts like ice cream or cereal) caused me to have nightmares and to sweat.

That's not medical advice, but if you are truly at your wits' end, you might try eliminating certain foods from yr diet for a little while and seeing what happens.

Also, do you consume a lot of caffein? They say that eliminating that helps. I drink a cup or two of coffee a day for comfort reasons, but I do notice that on days I don't drink it, my energy level is much more even in the pm, and I do sleep better. But that's just me.

Good luck. I feel yr pain. If you can't sleep well, nothing else seems to matter.

John Pratt
07-22-2010, 10:42 AM
I am not a doctor, have never played one on TV, and haven't been to a Holiday Inn Express in a while, but when I experienced the same thing it was stress. I had to evaluate how many things (stressors) were going on in my life at that moment and eliminate the stress they causing/I learned to deal with them.

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 11:10 AM
Stress is the most likely culprit. Right now, other than changing every aspect of my life, I'm not sure what do to about the stress.

Prashun Patel
07-22-2010, 11:18 AM
In that case, you might want to do the exact opposite of my advice:


Eat MORE ice cream.

Wayne Watling
07-22-2010, 11:20 AM
Regular exercise at a gym, like an hour a night 5 nights a week is not only good for the body it can help with sleeping problems.

Best,
Wayne

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 11:40 AM
In that case, you might want to do the exact opposite of my advice:


Eat MORE ice cream.

Maybe that's my problem, Shawn, I don't eat ice cream at all! I don't really eat any sweets.


Regular exercise at a gym, like an hour a night 5 nights a week is not only good for the body it can help with sleeping problems.

Best,
Wayne

I try to get in three to four days/nights a week at the gym. My body gets really tired, my brain just won't shut down.

Norberto Coutinho
07-22-2010, 11:57 AM
Here in Brazil people use to drink a juice of a fruit named maracuja. Very good for sleep.
Take more information =
http://www.google.com.br/images?hl=pt-BR&q=maracuja&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=WWdITM2aAoe0uAer18C2DQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDUQsAQwAw
. Some fothos are from english language sites.
.
Maracuja is also Passion Fruit ( in english )
.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_edulis#Uses
.
Maybe you can find this fruit in States. Or the concetrate juice. I hope that help you

Jim Rimmer
07-22-2010, 1:55 PM
Lots of good advice - exercise, less caffeine, diet change. I would add, talk to your doctor. I wanted to quit drinking Irish whiskey to put my brain to sleep so I talked to my doc. I told him I didn't want a sedative because if I was going to drug myself out I would stick with the whiskey since I liked it. He put me on Rozarem, a melatonin exciter. It worked - got off the whiskey (except when I just want some) and eventually got off the Rozarem. I don't know how it would work for waking up in the middle of the night or the nightmares but it helps with getting to sleep initially.

Jim Koepke
07-22-2010, 2:03 PM
Stress is the most likely culprit. Right now, other than changing every aspect of my life, I'm not sure what do to about the stress.

Back when my life was more stressful one thing that helped was a tea from Celestial Seasonings called Sleepy Time tea. I would drink this then go to bed immediately upon finishing the cup. No sugar or sweeteners were used.

It is a blend of calming herbs.

That is one of my side interest, the use of common culinary and medicinal herbs.

I will PM you their page with information.

jim

Cliff Rohrabacher
07-22-2010, 2:11 PM
your Brain is waking up from REM and your body is not awake with the brain so it remains paralyzed?
Mostly it's a stress thing from what I've learned.
If I recall correctly, you've had your share of stress in the last few years. Maybe its catching up to you.
Consult your MD and see if you need a referral to a psych.
It may also be something that a xanax can fix too so you really ought to be looking to your doctor.

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 2:18 PM
Thanks all. My only caffeine intake is two cups of half caf/half decaf before work in the morning, so I've eliminated excess caffeine as the cause. I take melatonin about once a week and that helps. I don't really like to take anything to keep me asleep because there is not much worse than not being able to wake from a nightmare. (I wonder if one is eaten by a bear in a dream if one really dies.) I guess I'm going to have to give my doc a call as several of you have suggested.



That is one of my side interest, the use of common culinary and medicinal herbs.
jim

On a side note Jim, I went on a guided nature walk a couple of years ago. The subject of the walk was native medicinal wild flowers. It was fascinating.

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 2:23 PM
your Brain is waking up from REM and your body is not awake with the brain so it remains paralyzed?


Yep, that sums it up. I also get hypnic jerks. When I'm falling asleep I have the sensation that I am falling and my whole body jerks and I wake. Yesterday morning I had sleep paralysis. When this happens everything seems very, very real. I could hear someone walking very quietly across the carpet. I knew someone was in the room and that I absolutely had to wake up. Then I heard this voice in my ear, literally it sounded like someone was talking inside my head, and I felt the sheet tightening around my legs, then my hips and moving upward. I tried to scream and couldn't and I couldn't move. I finally woke up, screaming. Of course there was no one in the room. No wonder no one ever invited me to a slumber party when I was growing up. :rolleyes:

David Weaver
07-22-2010, 2:42 PM
I still get hypnic jerks (never saw them actually defined) but no longer much sleep paralysis. I had the "monster" on my chest sleep paralysis when I was young, as well as multi-level dreams (one where you wake up from a dream, but you've woken into another, and by the time you really wake up for real, you're not sure that you've peeled enough layers off the onion to really wake up).

The sleep paralysis went away on its own, so I don't have any suggestion. Still have the multi-level dreams, though, fairly often.

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 2:56 PM
I still get hypnic jerks (never saw them actually defined) but no longer much sleep paralysis. I had the "monster" dreams when I was a kid, and sleep paralysis, as well as multi-level dreams (one where you wake up from a dream, but you've woken into another, and by the time you really wake up for real, you're not sure that you've peeled enough layers off the onion to really wake up).

The sleep paralysis went away on its own, so I don't have any suggestion. Still have the multi-level dreams, though, fairly often.

Interesting David. I have multi-level dreams as well but never thought of them as that. All of these things must components of a larger sleep disorder. I've always blamed the hypnic jerks on things that happened in childhood (don't we all) and being afraid to let myself fall asleep. Can you think yourself into a dream? For instance, if you are imagining yourself on a sandy beach do you dream of that when you fall asleep?

As I said before, this must all be related to stress, compounded by lack of sleep - sort of a vicious cycle. When I am getting adequate sleep I rarely have the sleep paralysis unless I take a nap on the sofa.

Mike Cruz
07-22-2010, 3:06 PM
Stress is most likely factor causing your issue, but you already know that...

Here's an idea, drink yourself into a drunken stooper...ya know, til ya pass out. You'll sleep like a log...probably til noon! :D

Disclaimer: Consult your physician. If one dose does not "do the trick", repeat process. Do not repeat process for more than directed by your physician. Long term side effects may include, but are not limited to dry mouth, headaches, nausea, vomiting, bloodshot eyes, memory loss, frequent urination, sudden gold ring on third finger on left hand, snoring, loss of job, loss of house, loss of everything... Enjoy!

David Weaver
07-22-2010, 3:23 PM
Interesting David. I have multi-level dreams as well but never thought of them as that. All of these things must components of a larger sleep disorder. I've always blamed the hypnic jerks on things that happened in childhood (don't we all) and being afraid to let myself fall asleep. Can you think yourself into a dream? For instance, if you are imagining yourself on a sandy beach do you dream of that when you fall asleep?

As I said before, this must all be related to stress, compounded by lack of sleep - sort of a vicious cycle. When I am getting adequate sleep I rarely have the sleep paralysis unless I take a nap on the sofa.

Not sure about the thinking into a dream. I'm sure there were lots of things I wanted to dream of as a teenage boy but didn't dream about.

My multi-level dreams usually involve getting shot at or falling off of something or stepping into something, waking up into another dream thinking "phew, that was only a dream", to have someone shooting at me again or whatever else. I don't know what my record is for layers, but it's probably at least a half dozen. By the time I wake up for real, i'm pretty wound up and in a semi-stupid state where I think every noise in the house is a reason to pull the covers farther over my head.

I realize I called the sleep paralysis dreams "monster" dreams, poor choice of words - meant wake up with monster on my chest or on my feet, and no ability to move or yell.

paul cottingham
07-22-2010, 3:26 PM
Ever been checked for sleep apnea? This all sounds familiar to me.
Of course this is worth what you paid for it....

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 3:42 PM
Stress is most likely factor causing your issue, but you already know that...

Here's an idea, drink yourself into a drunken stooper...ya know, til ya pass out. You'll sleep like a log...probably til noon! :D

Disclaimer: Consult your physician. If one dose does not "do the trick", repeat process. Do not repeat process for more than directed by your physician. Long term side effects may include, but are not limited to dry mouth, headaches, nausea, vomiting, bloodshot eyes, memory loss, frequent urination, sudden gold ring on third finger on left hand, snoring, loss of job, loss of house, loss of everything... Enjoy!


You mean like this? This is NOT me BTW. She did sleep like a log as I recall.

156435

Mike Cruz
07-22-2010, 4:20 PM
Yeah, that pretty much covers it! What a friend, always there with a camera to document the most important moments of life... Not a TRUE friend though, cause remember...

A good friend will bail you out of jail, a true friend will be right next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!".

Belinda Barfield
07-22-2010, 4:28 PM
Yeah, that pretty much covers it! What a friend, always there with a camera to document the most important moments of life... Not a TRUE friend though, cause remember...

A good friend will bail you out of jail, a true friend will be right next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!".

I never have a camera with me. I'm standing behind her in the photo. The true friend, my best friend, will be the one sitting on the other side of me taking photos of us in jail!

Thanks all for your input and advice.

David G Baker
07-22-2010, 4:29 PM
When I was much younger and going through the stress of a divorce from my first wife I experimented with self hypnosis. It really helped me with the lack of sleep issue and the stress. I still use it when I am experience a medical procedure that I find very uncomfortable or painful, works for me.

Curt Harms
07-23-2010, 9:18 AM
Belinda, I can sympathize with you. I did "back of the clock" work for a while (Start at midnight, finish around 8 a.m.). It SUCKED!!!. Feel like you're hung over and haven't had a drink in a month or more. Would it be worthwhile to talk to these folks?

http://www.savannahsleep.com/home.html

Belinda Barfield
07-23-2010, 9:36 AM
Thanks Curt! I didn't even think of checking out a center locally. I just finished their free online questionnaire.

Charlie Reals
07-23-2010, 11:58 AM
Belinda, I can sympathize with you. I did "back of the clock" work for a while (Start at midnight, finish around 8 a.m.). It SUCKED!!!. Feel like you're hung over and haven't had a drink in a month or more. Would it be worthwhile to talk to these folks?

http://www.savannahsleep.com/home.html
I spent 3 years working rotating shifts, 8-4;30,4-12,12-8 change over every two weeks. Then I did 18 years 4-12 and most nights OT took us till 3 or 4 am. The rotating sucked, the 4-12 was great since all the bosses went home at 5.:D

Carlos Alden
07-23-2010, 12:23 PM
Belinda:
I second the idea of visiting a sleep specialist. It sounds like you are doing all the right things already (good sleep hygiene - lowering caffeine intake, exercise, diet, etc.) but they might suggest something you haven't thought of yet.

I would also consider some short-term counseling to help understand and deal with the stressors, whatever they may be. Many times we think we have things under control but some aspects of life like to hide quite deep.

Good luck. I struggled with hypnagogic state issues when I was much younger. They can be quite scary and vivid and make one question their own sanity. For me it was all due to major life events that I was trying to minimize.

Carlos

Stephen Tashiro
07-23-2010, 1:52 PM
I had episodes of sleep paralysis in my earlier years. A typical scenario in college would be that I would pull an "all nighter", drinking lots of coffee. There would be 3 hours left till class, so I would set the alarm and lie down to try to get 2 1/2 hours sleep.

I shrugged off sleep paralysis episodes as bad dreams. They did not cause me to doubt my sanity as much as my purchases of certain woodworking tools.

Chris Padilla
07-23-2010, 6:33 PM
Yep, that sums it up. I also get hypnic jerks. When I'm falling asleep I have the sensation that I am falling and my whole body jerks and I wake. Yesterday morning I had sleep paralysis. When this happens everything seems very, very real. I could hear someone walking very quietly across the carpet. I knew someone was in the room and that I absolutely had to wake up. Then I heard this voice in my ear, literally it sounded like someone was talking inside my head, and I felt the sheet tightening around my legs, then my hips and moving upward. I tried to scream and couldn't and I couldn't move. I finally woke up, screaming. Of course there was no one in the room. No wonder no one ever invited me to a slumber party when I was growing up. :rolleyes:

Interesting. I've suffered from episodes of this my whole life although it doesn't really affect my sleep but it is just bizarre waking up and not being able to move! IMO, those who think they've had close encounters of the 4th kind (abduction) are experiencing sleep paralysis. A show I saw on Discovery many years ago about sleep finally gave me the answers I'd be wondering about regarding this bizarre behavior I had regarding sleep. I was so relieved to have it explained. Ever since then, my episodes have decreased significantly: if I don't think about it, it doesn't happen. I have never been able to tie to anything in particular (other than thinking about it) but on the now rare occasion when it hits me and it continues, I simply turn a light on in my room and somehow that works for me.

One thing I noticed growing up: it NEVER happened anywhere but in my own bed at home so slumber parties were great!! :D

How are your legs in bed? (ok, that could be taken wrong! LOL) Do you ever fidget from restless legs...like they kind of ache or you cannot find a comfortable position with them? I get that off and on: restless leg syndrome they call it. That keeps me awake when it happens...I just gotta get up and pace about for it to go away.

Jon Grider
07-23-2010, 8:56 PM
I'm not saying this is the solution for everyone, and it may not address the root cause of your sleep disorder, but it sure works for me. Take a generic benadryl, the diphenhydramine pills for allergy relief about half hour before bedtime. You'll sleep like a baby. You may feel a little drowsy in the morning, but nothing a cup of joe won't cure.

Leigh Betsch
07-23-2010, 9:23 PM
Buy a dog. A big one. Sleep with him. He'll keep the boogyman away.

Belinda Barfield
07-24-2010, 10:16 AM
How are your legs in bed? (ok, that could be taken wrong! LOL) Do you ever fidget from restless legs...like they kind of ache or you cannot find a comfortable position with them? I get that off and on: restless leg syndrome they call it. That keeps me awake when it happens...I just gotta get up and pace about for it to go away.

As far as I know my legs are fine in bed. LOL No, I don't have restless leg syndrome, although apparently a significant number of people who have sleep paralysis also have RLS.

Belinda Barfield
07-24-2010, 10:18 AM
I'm not saying this is the solution for everyone, and it may not address the root cause of your sleep disorder, but it sure works for me. Take a generic benadryl, the diphenhydramine pills for allergy relief about half hour before bedtime. You'll sleep like a baby. You may feel a little drowsy in the morning, but nothing a cup of joe won't cure.

I took one of the over the counter sleep aids last night and just woke up. I slept 12 straight hours. WOO HOO!


Buy a dog. A big one. Sleep with him. He'll keep the boogyman away.

I don't think the cat that sleeps with me would like a big dog. The cat does a pretty good job of keeping the boogeyman away when she decides to grace me with her presence. :)

Marko Markovich Jr
07-26-2010, 9:12 PM
I have had insomnia for 12 years, stress, thinking, wondering, etc. My doctor prescibed me Ambien , works like a charm, Im probably addicted but who cares, I get my sleep, thats all that matters. And to kick in in a little better, Aglass of red wine about an hour before bedtime really makes it good. Marko

Chris Kennedy
07-26-2010, 9:33 PM
I have had insomnia for 12 years, stress, thinking, wondering, etc. My doctor prescibed me Ambien , works like a charm, Im probably addicted but who cares, I get my sleep, thats all that matters. And to kick in in a little better, Aglass of red wine about an hour before bedtime really makes it good. Marko

I've dealt with serious insomnia from time to time, and it was usually the same thing -- I was physically tired (or even exhausted after a few nights), but my brain would not shut down. I have been on Ambien a couple of times in my life, and I swear by it. It has been the best sleep I have ever had. You aren't just knocked out -- you go through REM cycles, which is important for good sleep. Most of the times I have had these problems, I have been going through INCREDIBLY stressful times. And these are precisely the times when medical intervention is warranted. The stressors won't disappear overnight, but the fact of the matter is that you need good sleep. This will help deal with the stressors.

Good luck,

Chris

Marko Markovich Jr
07-26-2010, 9:36 PM
[QUOTE=Chris Kennedy;1476488]I've dealt with serious insomnia from time to time, and it was usually the same thing -- I was physically tired (or even exhausted after a few nights), but my brain would not shut down. I have been on Ambien a couple of times in my life, and I swear by it. It has been the best sleep I have ever had. You aren't just knocked out -- you go through REM cycles, which is important for good sleep. Most of the times I have had these problems, I have been going through INCREDIBLY stressful times. And these are precisely the times when medical intervention is warranted. The stressors won't disappear overnight, but the fact of the matter is that you need good sleep. This will help deal with the stressors.

Good luck,

Chris[/QUOT

Thanks for the good vote, I'd figured that i would be considered a doper, but you know what, I get my sleep , and i dont care what anyone thinks, you have to have a good night sleep , its a matter of health, get it however you can, Thanks Marko

Rick Potter
07-27-2010, 3:02 AM
Like the old Chicken Soup remedies, I find that a glass of milk and a few cookies really does help. Lactic acid and carbohydrates. Take some and call me in the morning. Take about one hour before bedtime.

What do you have to lose?

Rick Potter

Belinda Barfield
07-27-2010, 6:34 AM
Like the old Chicken Soup remedies, I find that a glass of milk and a few cookies really does help. Lactic acid and carbohydrates. Take some and call me in the morning. Take about one hour before bedtime.

What do you have to lose?

Rick Potter

Thanks again all. Still haven't heard back from the sleep center, thought I wuold have by now.

Rick, with the milk and cookies it's not what I have to lose, but what I have to gain! I'll give it a try after I head to the grocery store next weekend (I don't keep milk and cookies in the house), but it won't be something I can do every night. Moment on the lips, forever on the hips! LOL.

Wayne Hendrix
07-27-2010, 4:20 PM
I have to agree with Jim, try the Sleepy Time tea. I have had a lot of trouble sleeping lately due to stress and the tea right before bedtime helps.

Belinda Barfield
07-28-2010, 7:11 PM
I believe this might be the main cause of my problems. I just walked in the door from work. At 5:30 I got a call from a customer notifying me that a deadline for completion of a project had been moved up from 08/09/10 to 07/30/10 with delivery prior to 8 a.m. I will get up at 2:30 in the morning, be at work by 4 and work straight through until Friday morning to complete the project. I have to keep the office open on Friday and hopefully will be able to leave at lunch, if I'm lucky. Geez, I'm tired already just thinking about it and I know I shouldn't think about it! Until I can make some life changes I don't think the problem is going to resolve. Ambien is a wonder but I can't take it on only 5 or so hours of sleep.

Marko Markovich Jr
07-28-2010, 7:42 PM
I believe this might be the main cause of my problems. I just walked in the door from work. At 5:30 I got a call from a customer notifying me that a deadline for completion of a project had been moved up from 08/09/10 to 07/30/10 with delivery prior to 8 a.m. I will get up at 2:30 in the morning, be at work by 4 and work straight through until Friday morning to complete the project. I have to keep the office open on Friday and hopefully will be able to leave at lunch, if I'm lucky. Geez, I'm tired already just thinking about it and I know I shouldn't think about it! Until I can make some life changes I don't think the problem is going to resolve. Ambien is a wonder but I can't take it on only 5 or so hours of sleep.

Belinda, you are absolutly right about Abien and 5 hrs. 7-8 hrs minium or you will wake up feeling drowsy and disoriented. I can also tell you some of the side effects are sleepwalking and eating in the middle of the night and you never remember it, I didnt beleive it myself till my wife took vidieo of me making a sandwich , eating it and going back to bed, I never recalled doing that, Just my .02

Nancy Laird
07-28-2010, 7:49 PM
Belinda,

"a customer notifying me that a deadline for completion of a project had been moved up from 08/09/10 to 07/30/10 with delivery prior to 8 a.m."

I would have told him that my work schedule was already set and that I had a job with priority over his...he might not get his job until Monday or Tuesday. A crisis on his part does not equate to an emergency on your part.

Learn to say no.

Mike Cruz
07-28-2010, 8:58 PM
There is an old saying that I've had to use all too often:

Lack of prior planning on your part does not consitute an emergency on mine.

Use it, Belinda. Your health is not worth any client, customer, or deadline.

Another saying, btw, is one that I was forced to use one plenty more than one occasion:

I'm not saying you're stupid, but when you do stupid things, I can't tell the difference.

If you are looking to fire someone try this...works like a charm:

Either you aren't working hard enough, or this job just isn't for you...which do you think it is?

Rob Wachala Jr
07-29-2010, 2:27 AM
Exercise & meditation helped my sleep problems. Though I must admit the exercise portion of my routine has taken a back seat for awhile now :)

Belinda Barfield
07-29-2010, 5:48 AM
Belinda,

"a customer notifying me that a deadline for completion of a project had been moved up from 08/09/10 to 07/30/10 with delivery prior to 8 a.m."

I would have told him that my work schedule was already set and that I had a job with priority over his...he might not get his job until Monday or Tuesday. A crisis on his part does not equate to an emergency on your part.

Learn to say no.


There is an old saying that I've had to use all too often:

Lack of prior planning on your part does not consitute an emergency on mine.

Use it, Belinda. Your health is not worth any client, customer, or deadline.


Saying no to this customer is not an option. This is a very large company and we get a LOT of business from them. Their customer, who just spent tens of millions of dollars on a item has demanded delivery of that item on 08/06/10. As they say, stuff trickles downhill.

This is one of those situations where the customer has multiple vendors to choose from, and they are not shy about saying so. It's a "privilege" to work for them. I didn't want to accept the job in the first place because I had a feeling this was how things were going to play out, but I got voted down.

Joe Mioux
07-29-2010, 6:36 AM
as i read this thread, it reminded me of my life for the past 20 years.

For years and years as I was growing the business, I would wake up in the middle the night worrying about the work load I had. This was most prominent in the Spring and Fall (planting seasons for the greenhouses).

It was all stress related. I have been waking up around 3 am almost every night since the mid 90's.

Once we got a computer and an internet connection, I would go online for an hour or so, then finally get sleepy enough to go back to bed.

About a year ago, I stopped alcohol consumption and my sleep improved. I still wake up but not as frequently. A side benefit was no more restless leg syndrome or aching legs.

I have also down self-hypnosis and that works and years ago I drank a bit of warm milk. (i hate the taste, but its good with a shot, :eek: jk)

sleep paralysis? I never knew that was a medical issue, I don't get it often but like the feeling. Think of it as an adventure. ;)

Paul Brinkmeyer
07-29-2010, 11:42 AM
I have sleep problems too, but found that if I elevated the head end of my bed I slept a whole lot better. I even use to sleep in a recliner at times when it was real bad. I now sleep on one of the adjustable beds and keep my head up just a little and it works wonders.
I know people that have just put blocks of wood, or stone in your case, to raise the head end a few inches. Easy and cheap to try.

Jon Grider
07-30-2010, 5:08 PM
Belinda,

"a customer notifying me that a deadline for completion of a project had been moved up from 08/09/10 to 07/30/10 with delivery prior to 8 a.m."

I would have told him that my work schedule was already set and that I had a job with priority over his...he might not get his job until Monday or Tuesday. A crisis on his part does not equate to an emergency on your part.

Learn to say no.


I'm thinking many of us are not in a position to just say "no" to a customer. That is if keeping the job is important, and where I live, there are hundreds if not thousands of unemployed people ready to tell the customer "yes" if they had the opportunity to go back to work. Not trying to be argumentative, Nancy, but sometimes things are not all black or white.

Belinda Barfield
07-31-2010, 10:47 AM
Not trying to be argumentative, Nancy, but sometimes things are not all black or white.

This is true Jon. If our business was just mom and pop things would be different, but I have employees that really need a paycheck each week.

We worked really, really hard to get an opportunity to provide products to the company in question. One of our competitors is just waiting to step in if we fail. There is a tremendous amount of butt kissing done each and every day. Yes, they have us over a barrel, but around here we take what we can get.

I've just slowed down enough to post, but we didn't pull an all nighter. I called the purchaser, my point of contact with the company, late Thursday afternoon and he went to bat for us and bought us some time. We now have until Monday. That means working this afternoon and tomorrow, but that's okay.

John alder
07-31-2010, 5:25 PM
Gee I don't feel so lonely anymore thinking I was the only one.30 + years before retirement I had a one man distribution business in that I did everything required to operated the business.Ordering,driving,fixing truck myself if possible,yada,yada.All my accounts were up for grabs if I did not deliver.Now 10 years later and retired I have bad dreams related to work and sleepless nights.??? I will be following this tread/topic with interest.My wood working/scroll saw hobby has been keeping me some what sane.John

Belinda Barfield
07-31-2010, 5:51 PM
Gee I don't feel so lonely anymore thinking I was the only one.30 + years before retirement I had a one man distribution business in that I did everything required to operated the business.Ordering,driving,fixing truck myself if possible,yada,yada.All my accounts were up for grabs if I did not deliver.Now 10 years later and retired I have bad dreams related to work and sleepless nights.??? I will be following this tread/topic with interest.My wood working/scroll saw hobby has been keeping me some what sane.John

John, when I have the hours to sleep melatonin works pretty well. It just leaves me somewhat groggy in the morning if I don't have seven or so hours to sleep. Unisom over the counter works great but I will sleep until 9 or 10 the next morning if I take that. I'm concerned about becoming dependent on something. I haven't been able to find the time for the gym for a couple of weeks, plus when I work in the heat most of the day I can't seem to muster the enthusiasm to go sweat more. A friend recommended meditation but I've never been able to master that. My brain is just too overactive I guess.

Richard Coers
08-02-2010, 12:30 PM
Kinda late to this subject, but my holistic doc tells me to take a hot soaking bath with Epsom Salts each night. The magnesium is supposed to be good for the muscles, the heat relaxes. Also supposed to be cleansing. I find it difficult to dedicate the time, but I tried it a few times, but no marked results. Might be worth a try for you.