Lack of sleep

Using the alphabet, run through girls' names, then boys'. Sometimes I run through my list of old lovers . . . always fall fast asleep as I'm doing that!

I buy lots of Dormidina over the counter in Spain, friends and family stock me up too! In France I think it's Dornomyl, and my friend brings me tablets from Walmart or Walgreens or both in the US. I take one or other about twice a week and they do help. Could easily become addictive though. I don't find sleepease from boots help at all.

Paul McKenna "I can make you sleep" might help. Sorry to hear you are suffering like this.

It could well be that you are suffering from sleep Apnoea. Have you discussed that possibility with your doctor.

Have suffered from insomnia since I was a child. It's horrible, nothing worse than dragging yourself through the day after only a couple of hours sleep.
I discovered a few years ago that the tablets I take for Hayfever helped hugely with getting me off to sleep, so I use those a lot and I have some stronger sleeping tablets for emergencies. Sometimes, however, nothing helps.
I try to keep to a set routine as much as I can, as late nights are fatal and not too much to drink after about 6pm or I'm up wanting the loo, then can't drop off again.
You have my sympathy although seems like there are a lot of us suffering. Xx

I have been told about a lamp programmed to gradually reduce light emission, which is supposed to help with falling asleep.
It can also turn on again in the morning, gradually giving out increasing light levels which helps some people to wake on dark mornings.

Hi Shamma , This is so my problem and runs in my family. We had a thread going about sleeping pills in September. Maybe have a read and see if there's anything there that you can take on board (link below). There's much discussion about prescription meds, but also natural or things you can get over the counter, like Valerian. I also use Phenergan which is what is in Somminex, vs Nytol which is weak. But buying Phenergan is cheaper and you get 56 tablets of the 25mg. Try not to be tempted by Night Nurse, as the decongestant ingredients also in it can have bad effects if taken long term.

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1229917-Sleeping-pill-any-advice-please?pg=1

alternativeageing Thanks for posting about Melatonin. I stock up when I visit the US, but didn't realise I could buy online here as I know it's not available OTC. I didn't mention it in the September thread as I didn't know you could get it online for UK delivery. Cheers for that!

Bach Rescue Remedy spray - 3 for 2 in Tesco and Boots - I swear by it. Oh, and a book too - until the words go blurry ... good luck!

Adding to that, I read (it always makes me sleepy) and always go off very quickly, but then after a while I'm awake and buzzing....I never used to have this problem. Age related, I suspect! ?

Just read a saga note on line about insomnia they say try not to struggle with it but just relax, Don't know if it will work though

I've had the same problem over the last few years too. I'm beginning to wonder if it's linked to days when I've been rushing around and up to my eyes in it, my mind is often in overdrive then. Those are the days when I'm particularly tired after a full-on day then 'bang', a sleepless night. I'm wondering if a five minute power nap I've had (accidentally) in the evening has actually helped! I'm going to start keeping records of the type of day and how I sleep following that.

You have my total sympathy. Have you tried Melatonin? I have used it for years and it works. The research is all there, despite it not being on sale in the UK, I have recommended it to many patients in the past (I am a nutritionist). You can get it on-line. Also, and even more natural, An Epsom Salts Bath is just amazing. Try 3 nights running, a whole cup of it under a running tap. I have more on my blog on these wonderful baths. And I also listen to the radio or a podcast. Oh, and meditation as well as exercise during the day would really help you! Sorry to throw so much at you but there's nothing worse than insomnia so I hope one or all of these suggestions helps. Suzi x

It's now 0924, and last night I too only slept for about 2 hours. I find the only remedy is to wrap myself up in a think dressing gown and get back into bed, too hot but I sleep. Two or three nights a week are like this, the rest I sleep really well, up to 8 hours. I'll carry on reading this thread for ideas.

Try soaking in an epsomsalt bath.

I read and I end up dropping off. My h has an iPod which helps him to relax and go to sleep. If you work from home can you get out and go for a walk in the day. My d works from home sometimes and she always goes to her gym for an early morning session not that you would probably want to do that. A bit of exercise does help.

I completely sympathise with you Shanma as I know exactly what you are going through. I am very bad sleeper too. I have no problem getting to sleep and drop off after reading a little. My problem is waking up at maybe1,2 or 3 am and not being able to get back to sleep. The thoughts and worries all start whirring through my mind and no matter what I do I can't relax and get back to sleep. I get up, make a drink and wander around the house. I try to make myself cold so that the thought of a nice warm bed is a good one but as soon as I am back in it the thoughts start again. I know my sleeplessness revolves around stress from work and family pressures because these things are always in my mind when I wake. I have to get up for work at around 6.30 and usually feel like I could just go to sleep then and feel wretched all day. It's easy to say stope worrying, realm etc. but it's impossible to switch your brain off.

I have broken nights always. Drop off no problem then awake after about 4 hours - often needing the loo. I do a sort of self hypnosis then to get back to sleep.

Get in a comfortable, relaxed position then slow your breathing down and keep breathing in to the slow count of four and out similarly. This works for me and I can usually drift off to sleep again. I do surface again maybe twice more and am always awake and usually up by 6am no matter how late I have gone to bed.

I've had a similar sleeping pattern Shanma for a number of years. Now I never get up or look at the clock. I do listen to audiobooks but ones I have heard before, I put them on 30 minute sleep mode. I sometimes read but again books I have read before. I've found that using these tactics I still wake but I think I get more sleep over all and don't get as anxious as I don't know how much sleep I've missed!

This is a National issue. I have just come off a cruise with two retired members of my family. They constantly complained about waking and not being able to get back, making cups of tea at 4am. No surprise to me as they were having fully caffeinated coffee at 8 pm in the evening never mind the alcohol. Before you see your Doctor for help there are things you can try. When I went through the menopause in the last century! I was able to rid myself of all symptoms except the flushes. I turned to a book by Maryon Stewart(all available on Abe books uk very cheaply) she looks at diet and following her advice I was able to minimise symptoms. I cut out all caffeine and switched to drinking redbush tea with milk, I still drink nothing else in the day but do have a full bodied coffee first thing.If I drink wine in the evening it has the same effect, no sleep.You say you are working from home, do you get out for a good long walk first thing? You need to overhaul your day. Exercise/ healthy eating and drinking .
Do you make time to see friends, do you live on your own, all these things have an effect on our mental health. Are you anxious or worried about anything?.Have you children you are worried about as all this will affect your sleep.
What state is your bedroom in, remove TV/ all electrical devices including Kindles/iPods/iPads/laptops etc. Give the room a fresh new look, a fresh start for you.
Baby steps, do one thing again time and start with diet and exercise( no carbonated drinks as they are loaded with caffeine!).
I have tried with my SIL to help her with books etc and she has not bothered, her health is deteriorating as lack of sleep increases the chance of overeating in the day due to hormonal changes.As a result she has put on a lot of weight that has impacted her mobility. Only you can help yourself. Start today, take time out and pop your wellies on and go for a good walk. Your health matters and so do you.

Try alternative medicine.Not herbal but mineral salts.
I bought a book on this kind of treatment and as a sufferer of arthritis I can honestly say my doctors prescription for traditional medicine is unopened,as I went out and bought what the book recommended .They are not harmful or addictive.You can but try them.Nothing ventured then nothing gained.

I down loaded an App by Glenn Harrold ,relax and sleep well. Now this works well but sometimes I don't sleep long and have to play again. A friend says looking into the dark works well and she gets 7 to 8 hours. You have to close your eyes and only see black.

I do sympathise, I too suffer from sleep issues. I agree with NannyMo about eating patterns. I find the best is to have a calcium rich meal around 6pm - grilled salmon, kale and a reasonably large amount of easily digested carbs and absolutely nothing else except a drink of water or milk. I find meat dreadful, it seems to keep me awake. Going to bed slightly dehydrated to avoid getting up and going to the loo also seems to be a no no. Temperature is another thing to watch out for - not too hot works for me - lightweight nightie and quilt, window open. Finally my saviour has been a white noise machine, after a week of training myself, I now find the noise goes on and almost immediately I feel sleepy, then I am off.

You could try White Chestnut, one of the Bach flower remedies: it's for unwanted thoughts that go round and round. Meditation would help, if you could try sitting quietly, slowing down your breathing, relaxing the muscles in your face, neck, shoulders etc. Good luck.

I ve often wished we had a brain switch I don't suffer from insomnia but I do spend time worrying especially at night and I m always always the baddy the one to blame it's always beat up time at night ..... I do have a radio on and used to listen to world radio or radio 4 but that would get me all worked up and I d lie answering them or arguing with them so now I have 'magic' station on which is 60 or 70 s music but I think there are stations for all tastes of music and have it as low background music seems to work for me
I think the very best thing you can do is not worry just it, accept it and it may go away the worrying and expectation of not sleeping is what is stopping you
I find one trick I have for sleepless nights is finding as many names as I can starting with A then B etc I ve never got past B I suppose that's a different take on counting sheep but works for me

Good luck x

I don't know how old you are? But could it be menopausal,I take a very low dose of hrt but it seems to help.