Welcome Justsometimes. One name it can have is too much caffeine. Do you drink a lot of it and perhaps overstimulate your nervous system? There caffeine in some pop too. Just a thought.

I also wake up with a jerk/spasm just after falling asleep. My wife says I often "twitch" during sleep. Is this a symptom of anxiety? Does this have a name?

Morning everybody! It's 06:50 am over here and I've been awake for the past three hours worrying about going on holiday for a few days (yawn). Anyway, Weary, I was wondering, are you overweight or do you eat your last meal late at night? Some years ago I had exactly the same problem you describe. I'd go drowsy and start falling asleep, not a worry on my mind, then I'd wake up with a jerk, adrenalin rushing, heart pounding, etc. It wasn't a panic attack, I know what they feel like. I was about two stone overweight at the time and a doctor told me I had sleep apnoea, ie you stop breathing for a few seconds. Loads of people have it, and after losing the extra weight and not eating late at night I'm fine now. Also, many people have this sudden shudder, a bit like an electric shock, as they fall asleep. I always thought I had some weird disorder, but since then I've shared a room with quite a few people who have it. Nighty night. Marianne

I've an idea...take a small shotof warm brandy and take your sleeping bag onto the porch and start counting the stars. While at camp, I stayd awake just to look at the stars, so I bought some plastic flourescent ones andput them on the ceiling of the 5th wheel. Fell right to sleep after the brandy and had the best sleep in the world. Later, I didn't need the brandy...just the stars. Even with my meds, I thought I couldn't have anything to drink, but my shrink said, it won't hurt you...just give you a cheap drunk,,LOL...have a good sleep tonight and tell us how many stars you were able to count before dozing off...LUV, SUZY.

I've just finished my christmas list, do you want to hear it? Two good night's sleeps, in a ROW! I want to sleep through the night, wake up rested, no dreams, nothing. Just be pleasantly unconscious for 8-10 hours. I hope i was good enough this year to get it! Beth

Weary..you also mentioned something about AA meetings and that is not your problem. i don't think that was the intention, but AA and NA and Alanon meetings are open to anyone, and you can get a lot of information from them because ppeople discuss thier feelings and are open to anyone. Its a chance to meet others that have one problem or another, and can help with many types of problems. Not just drugs or alcohol. Sometimes you can learn a lot of coping skills for yourself thru these meetings even if that is not your specific situation. I think that was the jist of the post. LUV, SUZY.

Weary..Hi.You have a name like mine...weary...I find it very difficult going to sleep at night to the point that my days and nights are backwards most of the time.I would feel so tired. Somedtimes just from boredom and not doing much all day, or doing TOO much and getting overtired. For some time I would take a book and started reading. Never got thru the 2nd paragraph before I fell asleep. Because my mind was absorbed on the reading and not wondering aWHY I couldn't sleep. Now if I feel really tired, but can't sleep, I go and sit outside on the porch for awhile and the fresh air helps me to get drowsy enough to sleep. Since I've understood my PA's and lived with them for some years now, whn they hapen, I just let go and let them work thier way thru. Leaves you worn out, but then you sleep. I know what is meant by someone who has a partner that can go to sleep as soon as thier heads hit the pillow, and my huband is like that. I just chalk it up to a clear conscience. Mine is never cler. Alays have to worry about something. The kids, a friend, what I have to do the next day..the list goes on and on. But I've come to terms with it, and slowly over the last few months, I hve been able to go to bed and actually sleep. I think you have to have an undertanding of how ;you are, and not be afraid of it. Accept it, and things seem to fall into place. Of course, I'm on meds, but have a good balance. For years, I couldn't say no to anything or anyone, but now I speak for MYSELF, and NO is sometimes a good word. It means that you are taking control of your own life, and with that, your true feelings. I've also learned that if something is bothering me, I speak right up about it; something I was never able to do as a younster or even a young adult. Msaybe the years have taught me tha at age 60, you say what you mean and do what you please. WighI hd learned that many years ago. My life would be so different now. We don't have that much time in this phase of our being, so we have to learn as well as teach.Laarning by listening and feeling, and teaching by what we have known to happen and deal with. Many of us are told that we are the strong ones; but its not because we are stong, its because something has to be done, and we do it. Not really OUR choice. When you reach the st

Hi Beth!! Thank's so much for the response. I do exactly what you suggested, I always switch positions when I feel that "weird feeling" wash over me. It help's, but usually happen's a few times before my mind finally decides to sleep. Even when I'm sleeping, my mind is thinking though, I'm always remembering my dreamn, and they say that mean's a person is waking up to soon, R.E.M. I remember my dreams as if i were awake during them, like , it wasn't even a dream or something. We'll figure it out. :) To everyone else out there.... ( you too Beth ) Some of you have suggested A.A., and meetings and stuff, but alcaholism isn't my problem, I NEVER had a problem with alcahol, I did drink to drown myself occasionally though. I haven't touched any drugs or alcahol, or pain pills, NOTHING, in almost 5 months. I quit coffee too!:| I also took up vitamins , LOTS of them too.... LOL Vitamin B Complex, Multiple, Calcium, Vitamin C, You name it. I take a total of 9 pills every 24 hours faithfully. It's a start right? Anywhow, thanyou all who read this. Gos Bless. Sasha This message was edited by am on 8-8-02 @ 10:28 PM

Hi Sasha, I definitely know what you mean. Since when should sleeping be harder than staying awake? Have you ever slept beside one of those people who literally drop off as soon as their head hits the pillow? Its ridiculous, why can't i do that? I WANT to sleep more than them! I think that may be part of the problem though, for both you and i. The fact that we're focusing on falling asleep means that some part of our brain is activated and keeping busy. Therefore, this probably makes it harder to sleep. Just a thought, but maybe try changing positions or something when you have that feeling of yours, or something other than thinking about it. Your concentration and effort are commendable! Just try letting your mind relax. Although you're not overthinking, you are still thinking! (I've often thought that people who can fall asleep right away have to be either the most peaceful and content people on earth, or the most stupid). I don't know if this advice is worth anything, lord knows i haven't found anything to help me fall asleep! Let me know if you find anything nonmedical that works!

Hi!! I hope all of you are getting good sleep? I think we all have a difficul ttime of it. *sigh* Well, here's the deal with me. I have an extremely hard time falling asleep. I mean, I am tired, I'm not over thinking, I achieve the dozing part, but my whole body goes through this change, I can feel it. Like there's this weird adrenaline rush when I start to drift and it wakes me up with a jerk sometimes. It's NOT a panic attack either, I just can't figure it out. :confuse: Does anybody in here hae this problem? I feel this ..... SOMETHING wash over my whole being and it ruins my sleep and I have to start all over with a few deep breaths, it's so frustraring.. :mad: I am trying, day by day to overcome this, It's hatd, I am not on med's or seeing a doc. i think I can do it though, only because I'm so determined though. i hae a sister who had this when she was my age, and it was drug related also, she did it, SO CAN I!! :| I think it's gonna take a LOT of willpower, faith on Him, and patience. I think we all will get through this. To Beth, I read all your posts, and I feel liek we have a lot in common. Keep going gf!1 God Bless....Luv Sasha