Dear Dr. Gott: I am an 87-year-old male in good health for my age. My main problem is sleep, or rather, a lack of it. I get the most sleep in a La-Z-Boy chair because when I get into bed, I can't stay more than a few minutes most times. I get up to go to my chair, get two or three hours sleep, wake up, go to bed, and ultimately get a couple of hours sleep.
My doctor can't say what is wrong.
Dear Reader: There are countless reasons for an interruption in sleep. Do you eat your dinner later in the evening and finish with a piece of chocolate, cup of coffee or caffeine-containing products? Is your bedroom dark and quiet, or do you tend to sleep with a television or radio on? Do you use the time when you get into bed to problem-solve or go over issues of the day? Are you on any medications that could have an effect on your sleep patterns? Is there something in the bedroom that you find distracting that makes your recliner more comforting? Do you go to bed at the same time each evening, or does the schedule vary? You may not be ready to fall asleep and stay asleep, preferring quiet activity such as reading for a short time before calling it a night. Review your activities to determine whether a pattern develops that might provide an answer.
Perhaps you have restless legs syndrome, an annoying condition that interrupts sleep and literally forces a person to move his or her legs when in bed. Perhaps the elevation of the foot of the recliner allows your legs to relax. If this is the case, a wedge placed at the foot of the bed to prop your legs up might do the trick.
There are countless sleep aids available over the counter; however, speak with your physician first and seek an opinion regarding melatonin. This sleep aid appears safe when taken according to the manufacturer's directions.
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