I'm an only son and I've been taking care of my mom for 2 years now. She'said bed ridden and has no clue who I am although sometimes she smiles at me and every now and then she kisses me when I beg for them.
I have aid 2 days a week (for 2 and a half hours per day ), but it's tough. I've been through depression phases but managed to get out of them.
However, I get to sleep around 9 (I'm tired) , but I wake up every 2 hrs on the clock, very out of control , and I am getting really getting upset.
Any suggestions, please!
What helps me is to take Benadryl allergy medicine, but first check with your doctor so that it doesn't interfere with other medicines you might be taking. What I like about Benadryl is that it isn't habit forming compared to some prescription sleep aids.
Also, I need to get off the computer by a certain time of night, otherwise my brain is still active. Same with those who use SmartPhones or Kindle type devices... it's something about the background light that keeps some people awake.
And no caffeine after 7pm, and that includes any chocolate.
Hope you get the much needed sleep you need.
Bach's night remedy
Eat healthy
Exercise or yoga or a walk or dance during the time your aid is there away from the house and preferably outside.
Good luck, I feel your pain.
With all the demands and pressures you are experiencing, anyone in your position would suffer from degrees of depression. Can the home health aid days and/or hours be increased? You need respite time to take care of yourself and reconnect with others.
It's wonderful that you are reaching out for ideas on this board. Using OTC medications and supplements may alleviate some of the symptoms temporarily, though I suspect this runs deeper. You won't believe how much better you will feel once your condition is treated!
Are you working or have you needed to stop working to care for your mother? How is your current financial situation? What money does your mother have coming in and what are her assets that could be used to help pay for outside help for her care?
You really need to see a therapist about your depression and anxiety.
Something about your mother's care must change because you cannot humanly keep up this pace.
I listen to Steve Halpren's music made to help you go to sleep. Also I put my computer on the itunes radio station Sleep Radio. or use Pandora.com and create your own new age station playing Deuter and others. Very soft and soothing music. Make sure computer is not in your room though.
Lots of choices in herbal teas: Celestial Seasonings has Tension Tamer Tea, Sleepy Time, and Sleepy Time Extra. Special herb teas without caffeine can be found in supermarkets or health stores.
Taking time to have happy thoughts before you go to bed is good. Or write down a list of things to do that are on your mind and then dismiss them. They will be there on your pad tomorrow. Let go and trust.
Don't eat before bed. This one is hard for me to do! But some foods are worse than others. If your tummy is busy trying to digest food on top of all the other work it does while you sleep, you will feel agitated.
Peace!
I'll bet you get up and check her when you wake.
You've unconciously set your "internal clock" to wake you.My advice (works for me) is that I "cat nap" at any opportunity.
Short sessions of sleep will work just as well as a good solid night's rest and keep you healthy without sleep aides.
The trick is to find the time when you know your mother is settled and comfortable for an hour or two.Set an alarm to wake you so you won't worry that you'll sleep through a crisis.
You will relieve mind of worry, thus dozing off quickly and deeply for that stolen hour.
Also consider are unduly attentive to needs that may not exist?
Make a mental list of everytime you check on her and ask yourself was that really necessary ?
You'd be surprised how easy it is to turn ourselves into dotting mother hens.
Keep well.Sleep well.