Everyday Systems

How do you deal with cravings related to overall exhaustion? I am really struggling with sleep deprivation right now. I have a baby who wakes up every 1-2 hours and have to get up at 4 am several days a week for work. Exhaustion makes me want to shovel everything in my mouth and I feel like I am white knuckling between meals even though I am not hungry. Drinking tea or sparkling water helps to some extent but I could use some other ideas. Naps, unfortunately, are not an option. One thing that is working is redundancy in meals. Last week I made a pan of baked oatmeal and a huge pot of soup on Sunday and that was my breakfast/lunch for 4-5 days.

I do not even know how to address your situation without shoveling trite platitudes out of my mouth. I have gone years sleeping poorly. I went to a sleep study. Truly a waste. The nurse who was in charge declared I am known as a bright. People who go days without sleep, and yet function well. I also have multiple limb movement disorder. Let us return to me being a bright, my wife disagreed with the nurse.

Then I discovered Ambien. That was not a win. One Saturday I took one thinking I would nap. I did, I got in my car, drove to my friend's home, and napped in his chair. I do not remember getting there. In my defense, somehow I got clothes on.

I have noticed that when I am not sleeping well I eat more. When I am teaching it seems like I to eat to stay awake. Particularly I eat carbs in that situation. Big Hunks, Pop, Hershey Kisses, etc. And I binge. Then I drag my carcass home and work out.

Possibly, if you have family near, or a very trusted friend, they could spell you a bit? Here and there?

Aside from that, congratulations. I hope your baby is healthy, and I hope you are doing well.

WOW! I have heard enough Ambien horror stories to know that will never be on the table for me. I am planning to start taking Unisom again once my little one is a bit older. It at least helps me fall straight to sleep and stay asleep even if I am not getting a lot of hours at night. I hear you on the binge/workout pattern. No S has really helped me with the "what the heck" effect though. Even if I am not perfectly compliant, I am doing a lot less late evening exhausted eating. I have never heard the "bright" description. Interesting!

I'm posting this on multiple threads, in case people didn't see the post in September, as I didn't until this week.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12589&sid=f78e58541 ... 8b9ac412b4

I have discovered that I (for years and years) eat when I’m tired! I have hypothyroidism, so thats pretty much all the time. I think I got used to the food giving me energy. I’m trying to focus on KNOWING that, and knowing it will also wear off and what I really need is sleep. Drink water, have caffeine if you can when you need to (I have a caffeine intolerance) and try to sleep and nap when you can. This time will pass and you will one day miss it terribly.