Chronic Epstein-Barr Support Group

Hello there!!

What are your routines? Do you have any? Do you feel out of whack if you don't follow your routine? I have a few daily rituals but if I miss, forget or don't feel like doing something I am usually okay with it. If there is one thing I have become it is consistently inconsistent....oh how I thank my ever present Brain Fog for that, lol.

Anyhow, there are some things I have to do to relax at night. One of the things is finding nice lavender scented things that I could tolerate. It seems lavender/vanilla & lavender/jasmine works for me. I use the shower gel, lotion, pulse point oil, room scent, laundry detergents & even calming makeup remover wipes even though I no longer wear makeup. I just wipe my face with the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Night Calming wipes before I go to bed. Why is all this calming/relaxing stuff necessary for me? Because my sleep is verrrrryyyy disturbed. Once I get into bed I cannot stay still, fall asleep quickly or peacefully or remain that way for very long if I actually do fall asleep. Makes sense? I repeat...sleep and night time in general are just very disturbed for me and I have anxiety issues too. So in recent months I have discovered that these items help. The problem is that once I start making night time progress, well, I get lax. This is where my inconsistency comes in but oh well. I am tired over beating myself up about things so I don't. Have a couple of other routines....will share later. I would love to hear yours.

Hugs,

ills

I have also been lax in my routines just because some days I can do more than others. One thing that I do, is stick to a regular sleep schedule. It occurs to me that sleep seems to be a problem for many of us. I have more trouble sleeping some nights than other nights. Mizliz, have you ever asked your doctor about sleeping pills? My doctor prescribes Ambien to me. I am directed to take it for 3 day cycles when needed. This way, it works and you don't get addicted or immune to it. It seems to really help. If you want to opt for the natural way, I found Valerian Root effective. It comes in pill form or teas. I have taken the maximum does and never experienced any side effects. I also suffer from anxiety which I think has been induced from the CEBV/CFS, so sleeping pills help me to sleep. Another thing that relaxes me is Kava tea. It has a unique spicy test and smells so good and soothes and relaxes you. I can't exercise a whole lot, but walking helps and so does yoga. It does not take a lot of energy to do yoga and it keeps you somewhat fit and helps your breathing, which is another thing that can help anxiety. I am currently seeing a counselor to help me deal with depression and anxiety that has come as a result from CEBV. I think that sometimes we can't help ourselves and we need people to help us cope. She has suggested that getting a pet helps too, and my landlord finally gave me her blessing for a little dog ...so I am may be getting a little friend.

Ohhhhh I hope you get that little friend. How sweet will that be? Let me tell you Kate my dogs are my total mental therapy. Completely help me calm down and bring my blood pressure down. Pets are the best thing ever! As far as I am concerned PETS RULE! Guess now you know how I feel about that one, lol.

I have a script for Ambien too. Problem is that I had to stop taking a full dose (so I cut it in half when I take it) because I am afraid to fall asleep too deeply due to some really bad choking episodes I have had in my sleep. I have to schedule a sleep study because of that problem....uhg...so many appointments do annoy me already. I feel overwhelmed sometimes. I feel like going to doctor's offices is my second full time job.

I will have to give that tea and valerian root a try though. The tea sounds good so thanks for that info. Had heard of valerian but never got info from anyone that tried it so thanks again. BTW what brands do you recommend for both?

Also, I am sorry that your illness has led to anxiety & depression but I am glad that you are seeing a counselor. Take care hon.

Oh my, you sound exactly like my friend who has sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, she actually quits breathing when she is sleeping (something with the windpipe) and she wakes up cause she needs a breath, Her doctors did a sleep study to confirm. Sleep apnea causes her not to get a lot of sleep so she is always tired.

As far as brand for Valerian root go, I have used several different things. I used this supplement that my doc from the fibromyalgia and fatigue center gave me called rest and restore (pretty much valerian root and camomile). That worked the best, but it was so expensive. I have also drank bed time tea, by Yogi teas (my favorite herbal teas) and I have also used Sleep Pretty in Pink which is in this ridiculous pink box shaped like a purse. (you can get this at the drug store) It has other things in it like meletonin and L-tryptophan (SP?) that's what's in your turkey dinner and makes you tired. I am pretty sure it has Valerian root in it too. It works ok, I think I needed to take more. When I worked retail, this one lady swore by it that it worked. When taking Valerian root, I always start off with the minimum does so I know how I react and how much I need to help me sleep.

About the teas....Yogi teas are special because they are really good herbal teas. I love their Kava, anti-oxident berry tea, their bed time tea and the echinacea tea. I swear by the echinacea tea. I take it along with vitamin C when I feel like I am coming down with something and it cuts down the sick time or lessens the severity. You have to be careful with echinacea. Although it works great and is good for you, you should not take it for more than a week or two at a time. I am not sure exactly what it does to you if you take it for a long period of time, but it's not to good.

Here is the website for the yogi teas. They are really hard to find in stores. I get mine at a health food store, but you can purchase them online and if you sign up, you can get free samples and coupons from time to time. They also have lots of info on the teas and about the herbs in them and the health benefits. http://www.yogiproducts.com/

Sleep Apnea is what my p-doc suspects. Also my GERD can act up really bad if I am laying flat instead of elevated so that has contributed to choking because I will have bile rise or something. It is disgusting and it is scary to be choking or aspirating something in one's sleep.

Thanks for all of the info you gave me...I will be going to check out the yogi teas.