Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006  Wow! This man must really be an exception. I have an Aspie friend who has suffered from insomnia since he was a child and is practically going nuts from sleep deprivation. Inger Man hasn't slept for 33 years Vietnam man handles three decades without sleepAs songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is already up; in fact, he never slept – not once in the past 33 years. You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after decades of insomnia.His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study.Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights.“I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said.Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return home every day.His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor cannot put him down.â€She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function.Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at their house in Que Trung.“I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said.Creature of the nightNgoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to raise fish.Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that they could take a nap.Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anywayOn Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and irritability.But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added.Reported by Vu Phuong Thao – Translated by Thu Thuy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 If he can't sleep, maybe he should get together with me for a little sparring match. I could probably knock him unconscious, and then he'd sleep. God bless, Irelan Relax. virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Yes, it seems to be very common. I don't have a problem sleeping, just sleeping at a 24-hour cycle. I've just gotten my first bottle of melatonin but haven't started on it yet. I'll report back how it works when I do. I wonder if it would work for Hai Ngoc? :-) Inger Man hasn't slept for 33 years Vietnam man handles three decades without sleepAs songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is already up; in fact, he never slept – not once in the past 33 years You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after decades of insomnia.His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study.Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights.“I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said.Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return home every day.His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor cannot put him down.â€She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function.Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at their house in Que Trung.“I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said.Creature of the nightNgoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to raise fish.Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that they could take a nap.Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anywayOn Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and irritability.But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added.Reported by Vu Phuong Thao – Translated by Thu Thuy What are the most popular cars? Find out at Autos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Do they know for sure that he hasn't slept AT ALL? Is that even possible? My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little without health problems? > > Vietnam man handles three decades without sleep > > > > As songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is > already up; in fact, he never slept †" not once in the past 33 years. > You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not > for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after > decades of insomnia. > > His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “ > miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study. > > Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at > night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep > during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights. > > “I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m > still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said. > > Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son > district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return > home every day. > > His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor > cannot put him down.†> > She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave > him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function. > > Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with > farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at > their house in Que Trung. > > “I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing > helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said. > > Creature of the night > > Ngoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, > saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to > raise fish. > > Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and > guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that > they could take a nap. > > Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also > asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anyway. > > On Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental > Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and > irritability. > > But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work > normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added. > > Reported by Vu Phuong Thao †" Translated by Thu Thuy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Do they know for sure that he hasn't slept AT ALL? Is that even possible? My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little without health problems? > > Vietnam man handles three decades without sleep > > > > As songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is > already up; in fact, he never slept †" not once in the past 33 years. > You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not > for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after > decades of insomnia. > > His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “ > miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study. > > Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at > night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep > during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights. > > “I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m > still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said. > > Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son > district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return > home every day. > > His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor > cannot put him down.†> > She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave > him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function. > > Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with > farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at > their house in Que Trung. > > “I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing > helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said. > > Creature of the night > > Ngoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, > saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to > raise fish. > > Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and > guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that > they could take a nap. > > Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also > asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anyway. > > On Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental > Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and > irritability. > > But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work > normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added. > > Reported by Vu Phuong Thao †" Translated by Thu Thuy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 In a message dated 2/20/2006 12:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, mikecarrie01@... writes: My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little without health problems? There is a natural variance in sleep. Some people need only 4 hours per night while others need 12. 8 is only the average. When I was in high school and had a rigid schedule, I often slept only 4 or 5 hours each night and sometimes a short nap in the afternoon. These days I get about 8 or so but not at the same times. By that I mean I seem to run more on a 25 hour day rather than 24. If I'm not careful, my sleep schedule will wrap around the clock going forward an hour or two now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 In a message dated 2/20/2006 12:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, mikecarrie01@... writes: My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little without health problems? There is a natural variance in sleep. Some people need only 4 hours per night while others need 12. 8 is only the average. When I was in high school and had a rigid schedule, I often slept only 4 or 5 hours each night and sometimes a short nap in the afternoon. These days I get about 8 or so but not at the same times. By that I mean I seem to run more on a 25 hour day rather than 24. If I'm not careful, my sleep schedule will wrap around the clock going forward an hour or two now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Really? I'll have to look that up. When I was taking pineal gland (where melatonin is manufactured) I slept the best I ever had but I was afraid to keep taking it since my nutritionist/naturopath said it was no longer indicated in my tests.  Wow! This man must really be an exception. > > I have an Aspie friend who has suffered from insomnia since he was a child and is practically going nuts from sleep deprivation. > > Inger > > > Man hasn't slept for 33 years > > > > Vietnam man handles three decades without sleep > > > > As songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is already up; in fact, he never slept †" not once in the past 33 years. > You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after decades of insomnia. > > His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study. > > Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights. > > “I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said. > > Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return home every day. > > His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor cannot put him down.†> > She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function. > > Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at their house in Que Trung. > > “I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said. > > Creature of the night > > Ngoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to raise fish. > > Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that they could take a nap. > > Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anyway > > On Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and irritability. > > But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added. > > Reported by Vu Phuong Thao †" Translated by Thu Thuy > > > > > > > > > > FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and acceptance. Everyone is valued. > > Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the folder marked " Other FAM Sites. " > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Really? I'll have to look that up. When I was taking pineal gland (where melatonin is manufactured) I slept the best I ever had but I was afraid to keep taking it since my nutritionist/naturopath said it was no longer indicated in my tests.  Wow! This man must really be an exception. > > I have an Aspie friend who has suffered from insomnia since he was a child and is practically going nuts from sleep deprivation. > > Inger > > > Man hasn't slept for 33 years > > > > Vietnam man handles three decades without sleep > > > > As songbirds awaken the early risers at dawn on the farm, one resident is already up; in fact, he never slept †" not once in the past 33 years. > You’d think going without sleep for that long may have its drawbacks, but not for the man in central Quang Nam province who has never been ill after decades of insomnia. > > His inability to sleep has not only made him famous, but also represents a “miraculous†phenomenon worthy of scientific study. > > Sixty-four-year-old Thai Ngoc, known as Hai Ngoc, said he could not sleep at night after getting a fever in 1973, and has counted infinite numbers of sheep during more than 11,700 consecutive sleepless nights. > > “I don’t know whether the insomnia has impacted my health or not. But I’m still healthy and can farm normally like others,†Ngoc said. > > Proving his health, the elderly resident of Que Trung commune, Que Son district said he can carry two 50kg bags of fertilizer down 4km of road to return home every day. > > His wife said, “My husband used to sleep well, but these days, even liquor cannot put him down.†> > She said when Ngoc went to Da Nang for a medical examination, doctors gave him a clean bill of health, except a minor decline in liver function. > > Ngoc currently lives on his 5ha farm at the foot of a mountain busy with farming and taking care of pigs and chickens all day. His six children live at their house in Que Trung. > > “I have tried sleeping pills and Vietnamese traditional medicine but nothing helps, even to sleep for a few minutes,†he said. > > Creature of the night > > Ngoc often does extra farm work or guards his farm at night to prevent theft, saying he used three months of sleepless nights to dig two large ponds to raise fish. > > Neighbor Vu said Ngoc volunteered to help beat a drum during the night and guard the house for the relatives of the dead during funeral ceremonies so that they could take a nap. > > Vu also said when the commune was planting sugar cane, several people also asked Ngoc to awaken them at midnight to go to work, since he was up anyway > > On Ngoc’s prolonged insomnia, Phan Ngoc Ha, director of the Hoa Khanh Mental Hospital in Danang said sleep disorders often cause anorexia, lethargy, and irritability. > > But, in special cases, some people can handle it and still live and work normally, although this was a very small ratio among insomniacs, Ha added. > > Reported by Vu Phuong Thao †" Translated by Thu Thuy > > > > > > > > > > FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and acceptance. Everyone is valued. > > Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the folder marked " Other FAM Sites. " > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 No, I wasn't being clear (as usual). IF he gets 5 hours of sleep that's at the most. A typical sleep schedule for him might be (though it's totally random): Sunday: no sleep Monday: 1 hour Tuesday: no sleep Wednesday: 3 hours total--woke up after each hour and stayed awake for an 2 hours between each hour slept Thursday: 2 hours total--woke up after 45 minutes, awake for 6 hours, slept an hour and 15 mins Friday: 5 hours total--woke up after two hours, stayed awake for an hour, slept an hour, awake for an hour, slept an hour Saturday: no sleep > > In a message dated 2/20/2006 12:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, > mikecarrie01@... writes: > > > > My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the > > head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he > > only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the > > course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly > > as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder > > what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little > > without health problems? > > > > There is a natural variance in sleep. Some people need only 4 hours per night > while others need 12. 8 is only the average. When I was in high school and > had a rigid schedule, I often slept only 4 or 5 hours each night and sometimes a > short nap in the afternoon. These days I get about 8 or so but not at the > same times. By that I mean I seem to run more on a 25 hour day rather than 24. > If I'm not careful, my sleep schedule will wrap around the clock going forward > an hour or two now and then. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 No, I wasn't being clear (as usual). IF he gets 5 hours of sleep that's at the most. A typical sleep schedule for him might be (though it's totally random): Sunday: no sleep Monday: 1 hour Tuesday: no sleep Wednesday: 3 hours total--woke up after each hour and stayed awake for an 2 hours between each hour slept Thursday: 2 hours total--woke up after 45 minutes, awake for 6 hours, slept an hour and 15 mins Friday: 5 hours total--woke up after two hours, stayed awake for an hour, slept an hour, awake for an hour, slept an hour Saturday: no sleep > > In a message dated 2/20/2006 12:43:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, > mikecarrie01@... writes: > > > > My husband has severe insomnia which started after he got hit on the > > head as a child. He goes days without sleep and when he does sleep he > > only gets an hour or two at a time and not more than 5 hours over the > > course of the whole night at the most. He gets tired but not nearly > > as tired or low energy or low functioning as he should be. I wonder > > what happens to the brain that allows a person to sleep little > > without health problems? > > > > There is a natural variance in sleep. Some people need only 4 hours per night > while others need 12. 8 is only the average. When I was in high school and > had a rigid schedule, I often slept only 4 or 5 hours each night and sometimes a > short nap in the afternoon. These days I get about 8 or so but not at the > same times. By that I mean I seem to run more on a 25 hour day rather than 24. > If I'm not careful, my sleep schedule will wrap around the clock going forward > an hour or two now and then. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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