feeling so darn low :(

Ginee, you poor thing, sounds like its a bit of a tough time. I've had sleep problems for a few years, sometimes worse than others, and it literally can drive you to distraction. I was on prescription meds for it for a time, but I now use Valerian Root, you can get it in all good chemists and I'm pretty sure even some of the supermarkets - Spinneys etc. One doesn't work for me, but two usually do the trick after about half a hour.... Hope this helps.

Lots of lovely ladies have posted some very good advice for you, but I'd also like to mention Melatonin as a natural sleep aid. Have a read up on it and if its not avalilable in Dubai then let me know and I'll get some to you within the next few days. Of course you'd have to check it was ok to take with anything else you may be on. :) hth Thanks DR, that's so kind. No you cant get it here anymore, but I worry about you bringing it in, im not sure if it's banned or not. I've been wanting to try it for ages. I'm hoping I can get to a Dr soon and get this all sorted out as I think I really need a re-evaluation of my chemical balance. Hoping hubby will get a job soon so I can see a dr. The ladies here have overwhelmed me with their kindness, it's been really heart-warming awww :) Good luck with it--I'm sure you'll work it out! I didn't know Melatonin was banned here? I was just testing a formula the other day, to consider for adding to our product line. YIKES. such weird and catastrophic dreams, for me! Not like, "Oh no, I am in the middle of the mall in my underpants...how?" Or, "oh no I lost my hamster..when did I get a hamster? Oh there it is, in the fridge, and looks pretty happy!" No. I am talking about tsunamis, meteors, second coming type stuff!!!!! I went back to listening to "This week in Africa" podcasts from iTunes...or Coast to Coast radio shows on Alien Abduction. Try 'em out if you have a iPod! zzzzzz

Lots of lovely ladies have posted some very good advice for you, but I'd also like to mention Melatonin as a natural sleep aid. Have a read up on it and if its not avalilable in Dubai then let me know and I'll get some to you within the next few days. Of course you'd have to check it was ok to take with anything else you may be on. :) hth

Will pray 4 u..a big hug Ginnee x

Ginnee, that's great when you can take a step back and look at your emotions/feelings objectively. difficult! Stress can totally mask itself as depression, anxiety, all kinds of stuff. The only way I can control it is to really take the emotion out of things. Or jump to the worst case scenario of whatever it is I am worrying about, and accept that it could indeed pass, and move on. Hope you get to sleeping regularly!

Ginnie--reading your post, my heart goes out to you. Since I don't have children to care for, suffered these losses, or some of your symptoms--I almost hesitated to post anything. That said, I'll share: I suffered from a horrible depressy-thing when I first moved here for a few months. I had some minor bouts in my early 20's, a few months on anti-depressants, but nothing like what I experienced last year. I either couldn't sleep or I would sleep all day, tingling in my arms and legs--crying, lots..and I am not a "crier." Pains, aches--I didn't know where the mind problems stopped, and the body problems began! One day, I wound up on youtube and was watching uplifting things--and my demeanor started to change a bit. Might sound real silly, but I found by listening to some of these fascinating lecturers, about topics that were interesting to me (not self help stuff), and losing myself in this stuff, it made my world a little bigger than it was. Part of my issue was feeling like my world was so small compared to what I came from. Not a solution, but something to help pass the time until you figure it out? I swear that this put me on the right track... I especially love listening to Graham Hancock--I think he is a brilliant and interesting man that puts the listener in sort of a global mindset. I am sure any time to yourself to 'zone out' or get your mind of things has to be nearly impossible with young ones. But I hope you feel better, and find a window of opportunity where you can try and find the calm and peace in your life. Take Care

Hi Ginnee, I really feel for you! I agree with previous posters that the sensation in your chest sounds like anxiety. I also get a funny taste in my mouth when I don't get enough sleep. I've tried to explain it to people before but the bleach example is a good one. I think you're talking about the same thing. Contact Lifeworks Counselling in Dubai. They work with families financially and never turn anyone away because of money. They have loads of counsellors there and I have heard wonderful, wonderful things about them. http://www.counsellingdubai.com/ It sounds like chatting to someone might really be helpful for you. I would also say that finding something to help you quiet your mind during the day would be great for you. Something that you love to do that you can take some time out just for you to do it. I love yoga or reading, my sister loves to cook... anything that you can do for yourself where you can take time and refocus and enjoy being you. It sounds like you really have your hands full with your girls also. Do you get the chance to get out to the park often? Do you make sure that you get outside with them? Giving them a chance to run around while you sit in the shade and read your book might be really good. Are there moms groups that you can join and attend? Are you apart of the Multiplied UAE group? http://www.multiplieduae.com/multiplieduae.com/Home.html I use Bach Flower Remedies quite a bit and find that they really work wonders. Plus, they are all natural. Here's what they recommend for anxiety: http://bachflower.com/blog/2011/02/03/what-is-anxiety-what-causes-anxiety/ It sounds like you might benefit from the Elm remedy. [i'>Edited to add that I buy my Bachs remedies from iHerb.com. They aren't very expensive and they ship over here quickly.[/i'> Finally, I think that diet and exercise are so, so important in our overall mental and physical well being. How is your diet? Are you getting a lot of whole foods or are you eating a lot of processed meals? I know with children and when you are exhausted it's easier said than done but focusing on your diet and water intake could very well make a world of difference. Making sure that you are getting enough Omega 3s is very important in helping with depression. Here are some links to diet and anxiety or depression: http://www.naturalnews.com/020611.html http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsatod/a/Depression1.htm http://www.anxietynomore.co.uk/food_and_anxiety.html Exercise is also really important. Even just a short 20 or 30 minutes a day or 3 to 5 days a week can make a world of difference. It's hard at first setting up a routine but once you get in the groove it gets easier and easier. Here are links for exercise and anxiety or depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043 http://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/anxiety-and-exercise.aspx Goodness. I really feel for you. I hope that you are able to find some information and help that works really well for you. Hugs to you. xx <em>edited by SweetLily on 17/01/2012</em>

Twins must keep you busy! I only have one 7 month old at the moment and she is enough to cope with so I can't imagine what two would be like!! Is there anyone that could take/look after the twins for you (friend), say once a week for even an hour? That way you could get some 'me' time and give you a break? If you would like to meet up at some stage, I'm more than happy too (and maybe, if you are comfortable with it, I wouldn't mind looking after your twins while you have a break). I know that could seem rather random - a stranger who has just offered to look after your children??!! I like what CABear has said 'sometimes just some adult conversation is really helpful!' And in my opinion, husbands just don't get how we are feeling all the time! I'm going back to NZ tomorrow for 2 weeks but will be back at the beginning of Feb, so if you would like to catch up please let me know.

Hi Ginnee, I don't have any advice to offer but if I can help in any way with your girls, let me know. Perhaps we could meet at a park and see how everyone gets along! I have 2 boys, 4 and 1. You were kind enough to offer to meet up with me when I was feeling pretty low, I never took you up on it, but the offer meant a lot. I have lots of free time and I find that sometimes just some adult conversation is really helpful!! cherylabear at gmail dot com.

One step at a time, we have to work with what we have right? Is this how your chest feels? FROM THE WEB. "Anxiety chest pain usually turns out to be nothing more than muscle pain, indigestion and sometimes nerve pain, ALL caused by the underlying anxiety disorder. Anxiety chest pain can be sharp, dull, in the center, to the side or all round the chest. It can extend into the neck and shoulders, round the back of the head and down into the stomach area. Anxiety chest pain can come and go, come and stay or twinge occasionally. I have heard possibly every description and variation of anxiety related chest pain there is. I experienced anxiety chest pain too; first dull and deep... this turned out to be anxious indigestion and then later it became sharper and the pain extended into my throat and down my left arm. Then my arm would go numb or tingly! I was rushed to hospital and guess what... They found NOTHING except anxiety chest pain! Anxiety chest pains are evident in probably 80% of anxiety sufferers at some time during their disorder. Obsessing about your anxiety chest pains creates anxiety, anxiety creates the chest pain and the cycle continues." Do you have any of the above mentioned symptoms

Hi,feeling sorry for ya.But there is one thing which does not cost you.that is Barley water. Barley water is the best remedy to take the stress out from your head and heart. you can get Whole barley and wash it .then throw it in a cooking pan add 10 times water to it and let it cook on medium flame.in 25 minutes it will be ready. just remove from the heat let it come to the tempraure youwant to consume. drink it (best with honey added)1 cup in the morning and 1 in the eve. it also take the infections out of the body. you will feel much better from the very first day. its anti stress and anti depression. try it you will feel the diffrence. Best of luck for job hunting. hope he will find something good soon. dont worry too much its life and people see the ups and downs. the hardships comes and goes. try to keep ypur self engage in some healthy activity. lovely ladies on the forum will help you to find something wich can help you to stay busy and not to think too much about the problems. hope you will find the suggestions useful.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way. It is horrible when you can't sleep. It affects everything you do and how you feel (especially if it's continuous). I can sympathise with you as I have have times of insommia and a tendency towards depression (but of course can never fully understand just how you are feeling). I was even referred to the sleeping clinc at American Hospital once where it came back that I 'worry' before I sleep and was handed anti-depressants. I agreed that I am a worrier (especially when I have to operate a 14 hour flight when I hadn't slept in 5 days, yes I do worry! I was a cabincrew and I'm sure I wasn't very nice or positive to my now DH at that time) The dr even prescribed sleeping tablets for me but hey only worked the first night, then never again after that! I think that your feeling in your chest is due to anxiety (like others have said) It sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment. Take some time out to do something relaxing for yourself. I found hot baths and camomile tea (and others that help sleep) helped and also going for a walk. I think from what you have said about your husband's work situation, that you also have to allow yourself to have low moments (without going too low if that makes sense, you have every right!) Talking to someone that is a good listener is essential. I've had to teach myself that I can't do it all on my own (as I tried to in the beginning). But just getting how I'm feeling out into the open about a situation is good for me. Are you taking anti-histamines to try help you sleep? Several drs have told me to avoid taking them near bed time as they can actually keep you awake (even though some do make you feel drowsy). I also recommend that when you are able to (when you have medical insurance), get a full bloodwork done to see if there are any areas which you are lacking in incase they are also causing the insommia and fatigue (from my experience this does make a big difference). I hope this helps and that you manage to get some sleep soon

I am so sorry to see you are going through so much, some meds can lower your *** drive but there are various combos you can try and a good Dr should be able to sort that out for you. Chronic  depression, is like diabetes or hypertension you can never be totally med free, as it will have a domino effect. I know you don't have insurance to see a dr right now, if you like I can ask around my local pharmacy maybe she can recommend some over the counter meds that will help ease your anxiety and allow you to sleep in turn manage your days better, the fact that you are asking shows you are a caring, loving mom. Hope this helps.

I'm not a great sleeper but when it gets really bad I take the Panadol night - someone on here recommended them and they are great for a couple of night to kick start a better sleep pattern - available in all the pharmacies. Hope you feel better soon xxxx

Ginee - sounds like a case of depression/anxiety (especially the feeling in your chest - this sounds like a milkd anxity attack). Often insomnia is a symptom of depression and/or anxiety. Then the resulting tiredness worsens it. I would really recommend looking into seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. It may be something circumstantial that you can talk through (often we don't realize how much something affects us until we talk it through). Some people also just have chemical imbalances naturally, and which can be successfully treated with the right prescription (if your family has a history, then this would be very likely). It is important to treat the cause of the insomnia, and not just the insomnia itself. If you are depressed and anxious - sleeping aids will not cure it. Do not feel alone - this is much more common than people usually realize. Its not something we small-talk about - so we assume that everyone else must be doing ok. But it is really, really common. The hardest part is motivating yourself to take the step. But it is such an important step to take. Anxity and depression is cyclical - even if you overcome this cycle, there will be another later. It is important to have a psych - they will help you arrange a plan as to how to deal with this - meds, support networks etc. Anything you need just ask xx Thanks SK for this. I don't have any medical support here psychologically and wouldn't know where to start. I was actually diagnosed with chronic depression about 15 years ago and had it under control for a long time. I even managed to come off the anti-depressants (which I had been on for 20 years) about 3 months ago. so far it's been ok I've been coping. but maybe as you say the feeling in the chest is from anxiety. I only ever notice it if I havn't had enough sleep. You think that could be anxiety? does anyone have recommendations for a good psyche here? It takes several weeks to months for antidepressant medication to leave your system. You might find that this is the cause or a contributing factor to your recent mood and sleep. Often people will be doing well and assume this means its a good time to cease their medication. oFten what it actually means is the medication was doing it's job in stabilizing you - and when you go off it you spiral downwards again. as the drugs are still in your system for some time afterwards - you may not link the cessation with when your mood or sleep changes occur. I used to volunteer on a mental health hotline at home, and we would get calls so often from people who stopped meds when they thought they had overcome the problem, only to slide backm into it again. Many people find they will always need to be on at least a low dose - particulary for those that have chemical imbalances naturally. I would really recommend going back on the antidepressants that you were on previously.. As it would have left your system now, depending on the type, you may need to start back on low doses and work your way back up. I'm not sure if you remember you doses when you first started - if not, that would need to be done in consultation with a psychiatrist. I cannot help with a referral to a good psych, as I haven't been here long. Hopefully there is someone here who can recommend.