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can you sleep after a gig?

#22
PastorofMuppets said:
I always listen to coast to coast AM talk radio on my way home.
They talk about crazy sheet like aliens and monsters being real and other out there crap.

its a nice wind down since I always have at least an hour drive.
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They are real, I have proof, I'll introduce you to my ex she was a bit of both and she sure was one crazy sheet.

But on a serious note, I've even seen a doc about this, we started trying over the counter benadryl (same thing as any over the counter sleep aide but cheaper) It didn't help. Then we tried Valium, first 5 mgs, than 10 mgs. Only taking it on practice or gig nights (once or twice a week) It didn't help and I stopped taking it as I didn't want any unneeded crap in my body. Now we are trying Melatonin, but it isn't helping. Sometimes it is a couple of days before I can sleep, it is truly maddening.
 
#25
troy mcclure said:
I , too, have the same problem...Melatonin does the trick for me
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Thanks man, did it take a few days to kick in and start working? It's good to know there are others out there with the same problem. When you go a few days with little to no sleep you start to fear for your sanity. I've not slept more than 20 minutes at a time for about 40 hours now and I've gone longer in the past which is why I've got a Doctor involved. I have a rule with the Doc, I won't take any medication that hasn't been on the market for at least 10 years with a proven safe track record. Thats why We've stuck to the basics. I would prefer to do this naturally if possible.
 
#27
Essen said:
I'm always full with adrenaline after gigs, but I'm also insanely tired, and that evens things out.
How come you're packed with adrenaline after a just a practice? Maybe you just need to lay of sugar and caffeine?:D
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Maybe its the sugar but sugar and caffeine never bothered me before. I've been a pepsi drinker for years, drink it right up until bed time and never had any problems until I started playing in a band again. There is no tension in the band, all great guys and I am very comfortable playing out and at practice. I love playing live and getting people up and moving.

We played a gig last night where we were not the real band playing, we were invited guests of the main act and we came on stage after they played about 10 songs to a crowd of about 500. The whole time the crowd was there but not into the music even though they are amazing musicians. We got on stage and within seconds of us starting our first song people moved up closer to the band, people started dancing, moving and grooving, such a rush! I think thats what gets the adrenaline really kicked up.
 
#31
Rocks said:
Thanks man, did it take a few days to kick in and start working? It's good to know there are others out there with the same problem. When you go a few days with little to no sleep you start to fear for your sanity. I've not slept more than 20 minutes at a time for about 40 hours now and I've gone longer in the past which is why I've got a Doctor involved. I have a rule with the Doc, I won't take any medication that hasn't been on the market for at least 10 years with a proven safe track record. Thats why We've stuck to the basics. I would prefer to do this naturally if possible.
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I didn't know the severity until you posted this, I apologize, that's quite a problem and IMO not at all safe, you need a break, I've done 48hrs before now a few times, I used to get on my mountain bike at 7.00am after rolling around all night and ride to the forest with an acoustic and try and burn myself out, anything to wear the buzz down, In my mind as far as I consider a chemical has increased it's flow within dopamine uptake....and has kept me up for days as a result, not sooo much now but that's my thing I think. Get checked man, insomnia does not a kind mistress make at all. ;) As other posters have mentioned, try not to feed it with caffeine or sugar IME.

P.S I would take the natural route first IF you can, your right in that IMO.
 
#36
I have the same problem because I am still too pumped up to sleep when I get home. I manage the band's online stuff (website, Facebook, Myspace, etc) so I usually spend some time when I get home uploading pics from the gig and posting updates. I don't drink when I play, so I always have a few beers when I get home too. After an hour or two to wind down, and a couple of beers, I can finally sleep.
 
#38
It's tougher for me to stay awake after a gig - I'm usually exhausted by the time load-out is finished.

The worst part is the drive home after....sometimes up to a couple of hours....at 3:00AM. I've never fallen asleep at the wheel, but that's my greatest fear.

I suggest quitting the Gatorade and going with something more generic like straight water. Your body is metabolizing all that sugar when it needs it least. A few months of that and you'll be all F'ed up.

Good luck - sounds like a genuine problem for you, so I hope you find an effective solution. -Cheers.
 
#39
Rocks said:
What really sucks is I just went to the grocery store and looked at other options, even fruit juice is loaded with sugars. same with V8 juice and just about everything other than diet pop (yuck) or plain water.
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My drink of choice for such situations is a 12 oz. can of LaCroix (berry is my fave) in a 16 oz glass topped off with cranberry juice. Not a lot of sugar, no fake sugar, and much better than plain water.
 

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