Insomniacs not so anonymous!

I'm a newcomer to GN and only just found this thread, so haven't read all the posts, but I too suffer from waking during the night, or sometimes going to bed and not getting off until 3/4 or even 5am, usually due to a racing heart!

It's so frustrating, as being a light sleeper, I spent years after having children, being woken up by them as babies, then as teenagers, laying awake waiting for them to come home. Also, other things like the milkman clancking bottles or late night revellers walking home, or neighbours going to work early - all manner of things would wake me up, but now I live in a dark, quiet village and sleep on my own, there is nothing to disturb me, but I still wake up for no good reason. Grrr!

Anyway enough of my rant. What does help is counting backwards from 100, or taking a Melatonin pill before bedtime. I bought them originally from USA about 10 years ago, as they weren't available here, but I've recently managed to buy exactly the same brand from ebay. I swear they do help, but are only supposed to be used occasionally, so I try not to use them too often.

I know many of you don’t want to hear this but I’ve just gotten up and its after 9.however in my defence for visiting this thread I did wake at around four and went back to sleep. I’ve got a little un here so I can’t troop around the house too early or she’ll be up and at it, and she’s the hardest work of the lot of em. I find the earlier I go to bed the earlier I get up. One of my boys was born at 6.20 Mazza and through out his childhood he awoke sharp at 6.20. He’s still a fairly early riser. Strange isn’t it. Not many of you visited in the early hours so I hope that means your all having relatively good nights.

I am always awake by 4am at the latest . However I do retire early and have had my quota of sleep by then. For me the early mornings are just wonderfully peaceful and quiet. My brain seems to be more alert and I do my best work at that time. It bugs me that my husband is still in bed and I cannot tip him out to make the bed or vacuum the floor ! They say it has something to do with when you were born and I was delivered at 3.50am and I have always been an early riser as far back as I can recall .

But does it leave you feeling a bit ‘foggy’ the next day silverlining ?

I have resorted to prescribed sleeping pills which generally work well though some leave a very unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth.
Have had a couple of different ones, but my favourites are zopiclone, I sleep through until at least 5 am, and there’s no nasty after taste. Have had my first full nights sleep in over a year. It’s heaven.

Sigh! I'm a reluctant member of this club too! Miserable isn't it? Haven't tried Mindfulness online, will give it a go, thanks Corner Gran. Have had some awful nights this week, no idea why. It does seem to go in phases but can't ever remember sleeping through the night.

Thanks for the advice cornergran I’ll certainly give it a try. Commiserations situpstraight I was in your position last night(not the sit up straight position! the wide awake at three in the morning one ) I slept well last night. Mostly what works for me is don’t fall asleep the next day and go to bed as late as possible, definitely after 11. Then I’ll sleep. Fingers cross for us all tonight.

Strange to be the only one awake! Had such a good nights sleep last night though, so probably shouldn’t complain that this morning I’m wide awake at 3 yet again......

No magic fix from me, sorry morethan, other than the more we worry about being awake the harder it seems to be to sleep. I find Mindfulness helps sometimes (lots to listen to via the web, I like the Oxford Mindfulness Centre stuff), I tend to have a night or two most weeks with disturbed sleep and can be relatively relaxed about it. Your strategy seems a good enough one, relax as much as you can, keep warm, maybe some catchup tv and a warm drink but above all don’t worry about it. Hope tonight is better.

NO I’m here again. I can go months and like now suddenly POP wide awake at 3! I’ll be tired all day. I wonder how long it’ll go on for this time. I need a strategy to put in place as soon as it starts. Here I am in the living room with an electric throw so as not to disturb himself because he gets up for work at 6. What’s a old gal supposed to do? Any advice.

Sorry nights are still bad annie. I wake early but most nights sleep for 6 hours so really can’t complain. Wish there was an answer for you.

Night after night , I now dread the nights

Been awake since 2 . Son is going travelling today to the Far East . Happy for him but I can't help worrying.

Morning, been wide awake for a while so made a cuppa , not even worried about anything....soooo annoying.....

No, I just stopped posting every night , it was so repetitive , still awake every night. Hope the milk helped you get back to sleep.

I think the reflection of the snow through the window is keeping me awake. Plus I am just too warm for some reason. Up with a glass of milk and a book. No one seems to have been on this thread for a few nights so it looks like you are all managing to get a good night's sleep. That's good as some of you have been having difficulty sleeping

Bellasnana, the journey doesn't sound enjoyable but at the end of that flight - your daughters and your granddaughter , wonderful, enjoy your time with them , and I wish you luck x

Oh dear, that’s not good, Anniebach. I went through three years of never sleeping more than a couple of hours. It is dreadful and I really feel for you.

I’m up early as I’m travelling to see my two eldest daughters and only granddaughter in the US. I’m in a bit of a state. Usually, take it all in my stride, but just feel panicky and anxious. Hope this will pass once I’m on the way. Taxi due in fifteen minutes.

It’s a long haul, first to London then a four hour wait, then 9hours 40 mins to Florida. Wish me luck

Have had two nights sleep, now back to the usual, seems a choice between eating or sleeping. Quiet tonight, this is good, hope everyone is fast asleep

Great news, Annie. It will have done you good.

wot, yes truly wonderful, first full nights sleep in over a year ,bliss ?

Annie, that's wonderful!!!

I slept all night , 12.00am to 7.30am, a nights sleep, wonderful, didn't eat yesterday, just drank Ensure plus , bliss.

Indeed it is bellasnana, flipping nuisance. Busy one here too, with luck I won’t notice I’m tired . Hope your day can be a good one.

Hello cornergran. Me too. I know I shall be ready to go back to sleep when it’s time to get up. Looks like it’s going to be a long day. ???