[Blindtlk] An Update...

Wed Mar 2 23:39:27 UTC 2016

Hi Kerrie,

My initial reaction to your email was that you are too sedentary. I see
Ericka thinks the same thing. Also, when are you drinking all of that Coke?
It is full of caffeine which will keep you awake. It is also full of sugar,
which will give you a rush, then you will eventually crash. You call it
exhaustion. If you are drinking while you are awake at night, then you are
sitting around watching TV or listening to music day after day, you might
just be bored. Dance around while you listen to the music. Ride that
exercise bike while watching TV or listening to a book or your music. Take
a walk. Get that blood flowing through your body. Are you drinking enough
water? If not, that could cause that sluggish feeling. Do not be ashamed.
We are here to help when possible. You have received a lot of great
suggestions here. However, if a lifestyle change (more movement, less
sugar, etc) does not work, please see a doctor.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, Ericka via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Kerri-
>
> I have been thinking more about your situation. If I read your plans for
> the day correctly, there is very little exercise or movement in there. Sit
> and watch this or sit and listen to such and such. Can't you take your
> things with you – your radio podcast? I can't remember who suggested the
> walks but from someone who lives in Wisconsin please go out and do that.
> Even three days a week is better than nothing. I sleep better when I have
> been out and about. I don't know what kind of apartment building your in
> but  on bad weather days you can walk the stairs from your floor to the
> front door and back as exercise. My boyfriend tries to do that and he lives
> on the fifth floor. Try to see if there's a volunteer thing you can do
> nearby. Even listening to kids read will help keep your body and mind
> moving. And giving back will give you a sense of optimism. Even if you
> start doing active chores in the afternoon like laundry and dishes that
> will keep you awake. You can still listen to books etc. Even reading
> braille rather than listening to a story will keep you going.  Maybe you
> could practice writing out Brielle sports stories to keep up your writing
> skills. It seems like if I get more activity in the day I don't sleep.
> I've learned that if I don't keep my mind busy and my hands busy I'm prone
> to curling up with the cat and falling asleep. I don't have a job either
> and it is pretty depressing I'll have to admit. Perhaps the melatonin
> you're taking isn't strong enough. Take two about an hour before you plan
> to go to bed. It will take a couple weeks to get enough in your system so
> be patient.
>
> Ericka Short
> "What is right is not always popular; what is popular is not always right."
>
>  from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 2, 2016, at 11:36 AM, Cindy Ray via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >
> > I think the bike would be good when you begin to feel sleepy. I have done
> > that before. You may be onto something about the medication. Take it
> around
> > 9:00 9:30 and go to bed 10:00-10:30. I have a sleep issue, so I try not
> to
> > have caffeine much after 6:00. My problem is not the same as yours
> though.
> > Bundle up and get out for some even short walks. I know in cold weather
> you
> > aren't going to spend hours out there, but do some fresh air exercise.
> > Afternoons is a good time. Youu could do as little as a couple of fifteen
> > minute segments.
> > Cindy Lou Ray
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org <javascript:;>] On
> Behalf Of Kerri
> > Kosten via blindtlk
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 8:59 AM
> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org <javascript:;>>
> > Cc: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com <javascript:;>>
> > Subject: [Blindtlk] An Update...
> >
> > Hi All:
> > First, I just wanted to thank everyone for all your messages and great
> > advice! I really appreciate it!
> > And, thanks also for helping me to not feel so ashamed. I really needed
> > that!
> > I wanted to give everyone an update and to ask questions about some of
> the
> > wonderful advice I was given!
> > First, Arielle, I would say this has been going on since childhood.
> > But, it wasn't as severe back then.
> > I always stayed up late. I can remember often being up in the middle of
> the
> > night when my dad would come home. I remember often having a lot more
> > trouble than others getting tired or falling asleep at night.
> > But, I don't think it was as noticeable as a child.
> > The time I remember it really
> > becoming bad is when I was a senior in high school. I would stay up all
> > night, go to school, be exhausted during the day (but was in school so
> > couldn't sleep) and come home and pass out. I think I've had trouble
> since
> > then.
> > As for the melatonin, I actually have some. I bought a bottle a couple of
> > years ago. I bought the over the counter 10 MG kind.
> > Here is the thing though. When I tried taking it, it didn't seem to
> work. I
> > would still be awake for hours after taking it, then fall asleep and
> wake up
> > groggy making me want to sleep even more.
> > Now, I haven't tried actually truly fighting and staying up all day, then
> > trying to take it an hour before I want to go to bed. That approach might
> > work.
> > I don't want to confuse anyone but I notice there are two different
> times I
> > am really becoming exhausted and falling asleep. If I lay down about
> noon, I
> > will fall asleep at 1 and wake up about 8:30 or 9 PM.
> > If I sit upright and listen to the radio, move around and make lunch, and
> > really attempt to stay up the entire day, then I don't become exhausted
> > until around 5 PM and will sleep until like 10 or 11 PM.
> > If I lay down at about noon and sleep until 8 or 9 I find I am a lot more
> > depressed.
> > If I at least try to stay up all day, even if I end up falling asleep at
> 5 I
> > am still upset but where I at least attempted to stay up I feel a little
> > better.
> > Now, here are my questions on the advice given.
> > In terms of exercise, I try to move around, make lunch, take the trash
> out,
> > pace a little, that sort of thing.
> > I also have an exercise bike.
> > Is it better to really exercise when I really begin to feel tired at 5
> PM or
> > before I get tired at 1 or so?
> > I have a similar question with the caffine. I unfortunately am a big Coke
> > drinker so try especially when I am fighting this and am trying to stay
> > awake all day to always have some throughout the day before I get tired.
> > But, how does caffine work?
> > Should I not drink any while I am awake and then really drink some when I
> > begin to get exhausted at 5 PM?
> > In terms of sunlight, I live in a wintry area. When there is sun I can
> feel
> > the sunlight coming through my kitchen windows.
> > When it's nice out I will try to sit outside but I admit I haven't really
> > done that since last summer.
> > Here is the sort of unofficial schedule I have set up in my head for
> today:
> > 10-1 PM sit on the floor and listen to the Dan LeBatard show on ESPN
> Radio
> > 1 PM Turn on First Take on ESPN 2 in the living room make lunch/wipe off
> the
> > counter eat lunch Sit on the couch and Watch First Take until it ends at
> 3
> > PM
> > 3 PM Call my friend Jennifer who will usually talk to me for a couple of
> > hours When we finish talking (this will be when it gets hard) either get
> my
> > headset radio out and play the top 40 station or sit on the couch and
> get on
> > Periscope and watch peoples broadcasts
> > 7 PM walk to my favorite restaurant/bar next door and listen to the
> > Basketball game Stay there until 10 or 11 and then go to bed Okay, now
> that
> > sounds easy when I am awake but at about 5 PM the exhaustion will really
> hit
> > me hard and that is when I have trouble.
> > Five PM is still six hours away from 11 PM when I would love to go to bed
> > and so the exhaustion becomes overwhelming and I end up falling asleep.
> > Or, what often what happens is I will begin to really get tired and I
> will
> > think Okay it's 5 Pm I'll turn the TV on and just lay down for a
> > minute...it's 5 PM and at 7 (two hours from 5) I can get dinner at the
> > restaurant I'll just lay here for an hour or two...the TV is on surely
> > that'll keep me awake...then I end up falling asleep and not knowing I
> even
> > fell asleep until I wake up at 10 or 11 PM.
> > It's when the exhaustion gets really bad when I have trouble.
> > Just wanted to give an update.
> > Thanks again for the great advice and making me feel better about this.
> > Kerri
> >
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