Comment by Tallgirl on March 16, 2011 at 12:46am

No TV, computer or lights on at bedtime, drink 2 adult beverages with a heavy meal at 7 and you'll be asleep by 8. Fantasize loving moments, real or imaginary, while trying to doze off. I used to hear when I was about 10 that a drop of pleasing perfume on a pillow will give you sweet dreams...try it!

Comment by Reginia S. on March 16, 2011 at 4:40am

My thoughts are similar to those of Holychild. You have to get your frustrations and fears out during your waking hours to sleep better. At the beginning of my AU journey I turned to intense exercise, increased spirituality, counseling and some good medication to get thru those nights of fitfull sleep. It helped. I don't usually remember my dreams either. But one night as things were getting better and I was becoming more accepting of my new reflection, I had a dream where I saw myself. Not my old self but me with no hair and I was driving my favorite car. And I was wearing my favorite clothes. And I was laughing. That was a great dream. I don't take any meds for my anxiety anymore. I dont go to counseling anymore. I still beat the hell out of a heavy bag and lift 5 days a week. Which why I'm up at 4:30am. I have a 5:30am workout to get to. as for the her you mention, talk to her. Don't shut her out. Ask her if she would rather have you toss and turn next to her or leave the bed. She's with you on this journey. Don't shut her out.

Comment by George Ortiz on March 16, 2011 at 5:42pm

i also would have trouble sleeping prior to the onset of alopecia areata ,i dont dont know if its related to AU or not though. I would find my self more nights than not having bad nightmares ,grinding of teeth while asleep and prior to falling a sleep racing thoughts, it was real depressing times. Just a thought you may want to think about the possibilty of possible digestive problems, digestion problems can cause irritability, nightmares ,nervousness, try not eating heavy meals like meats or starches, prior to bed time. Small intestinal bad bacteria if in excess within small intestine feeds at night if present in large quantities within small intestine and can compete with good flora and bacteria that aids your system with digestion. Bad digestion appears to manifest itself in many different ways at least in me it does ,irritability, gas, diarhea, constipation, nervousness, mood swings as examples. hope in some way this helps you out.

Comment by Reginia S. on March 16, 2011 at 9:22pm

Ahhh Stuck a 45lb iron for 20 minutes sounds exactly like my idea of fun. Here's another good one, 1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats rear to medicine ball followed by a 1 mile run. I always sleep like a baby and I never ever think about Alopecia during a good workout. The iron doesn't give a flying flip if I have Alopecia or not. And a 1 mile run after 300 squats is the great equalizer.

Comment by liselle on March 16, 2011 at 11:58pm

aw, Pat. My heart breaks for you. I was where you are, 4 years ago. So, I can relate to all your posts. ( All wonderfully written if I may say that too :) )
I didn't have a computer back then, suffered completely alone. Disappeared off the face of the earth, self medicated. Had a complete nervous breakdown.
Looking back now, I would have coped better having an outlet and support forum like AW.
No cup of cammomile tea, or a lavender bath will do anything when you are in the place you are in. Can relate there too:(
I suggest, reaching out to people here, other guys too especially. Don't feel silly, or like you are moaning all the time.
A LOT of people don't post comments, but I assure you they are feeling COMPLETELY the same.
'Touching base' with people here, sharing a joke, or just letting your feelings out will give you at least a small feeling of 'relief'. Like when you leave a psychologists office after a session....things do not seem as bad, you have let off some weight off your shoulders, you feel a bit unburdened even. They will type back "yes, I get it", or "yes, this DOES suck a$$", that's all I really wanted, was for someone to say they UNDERSTAND. I felt like I was in this weird bizzaro world just wandering around! wondering what the f$%!! to do?

Or leave a nice comment for someone else. That always maks me feel good :)

What is the main source of your anxiety? the not coping, or do you hate yourself? I really hope that is not the case :(
Fear causes anxiety... fear of the future. eg... "How am I going to live my life like this?" " Will I always be this ugly?.... they are thoughts that cause my anxiety.
I'm pretty sure that is why you aren't sleeping. Your mind is in constant turmoil, trying to work all this out.
I don't care if you hate me for saying this, but Pat, you need to learn to love yourself again. Stop hating yourself. Stop being so damn hard on yourself.
See yourself how We see you.
Good looking..... YES. I said good looking. I don't crap on.
Intelligent. Honest. Creative. Great physique :) I'm sure all your friends think you're wonderful.
And your family. And your girlfriend. Your dog:)
YOU ARE PERFECTLY FINE JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. :)
Start believing in yourself.
Now.
We do :)
And yes, we all hate this 'shit' too lol. We get it.
And I also know that it may take years....

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