Insomnia

I’m here. 👋
Health issues have kept me from sleeping for a couple of hours now.

Hi Sallywally, have you tried listening to the radio? I listen to 5live and I can't sleep without it on. Another thing is, when you wake up don't look at the clock to see what time it is because that won't help. Hope you get back off soon !!

Me too. Awake for the day between 330 and 5, usually 4ish. It’s been going on since the menopause. I used to sleep well, although I have always been a “lark”.
I have ClassicFM on all night; I find it helpful
I try to have a nap after lunch so as to manage my evenings.
Getting to sleep is rarely a problem, it’s staying asleep which is the trouble.

I'm another "can't stay asleep". I have no problem dropping off to sleep, but I rarely sleep for more than 2 or 3 hours. Then I'm awake for the rest of the night. If I have some carbs (usually some toast) I'll drop off around 5 or 6 for another hours or so.

Been the same most of my adult life. I don't think there's anything I haven't tried - from self help to over the counter meds and various different solutions from various different GP's.

Me as well.
Got to sleep ok but up at 3, used to sleep like a top but ever since the menopause many years ago now, my sleep pattern is wrecked.
Did snooze at about 5am but up for a wee at 6 so got up then.
You are not alone and I really don’t know what to do about this, have tried everything.
Restless legs also makes it worse.

I have ME and sleep disturbance is a key symptom, but I saw on an ME online group that people were getting on well with a gadget called Calm Carry which works on stimulating an acupuncture point on the palm of the hand.

I have responded well to acupuncture in the past so I researched it and decided to buy one. It was on special offer.
I'm finding it very helpful if I wake up in the night, and think that my sleep is deeper and more refreshing. My Fitbit agrees.

Forgot to say that it's also relaxing to use during the day (while watching tv for instance) if I'm feeling stressed.

I've simply accepted early morning waking now. My day begins whenever I waken up. It has been worse since a bad attack of shingles not long ago when it was impossible to sleep for long.

Trying to nod off again is no good for me; once the thoughts come tumbling in, for me it's best to get up. Piece of toast, a cuppa and I'm back in bed.

My first task is a word puzzle in which I have to reach 'genius' or I get cross with myself. I read the news on various channels, write emails, put a wash on, watch something or read. I'm currently re-reading Laurie Lee's 'As I walked out on Midsummer Morning.'

By 7.00 a.m. most days I'm ready for my second breakfast!

Have you tried taking Magnesium? I find it really helps and I used to be one of those reading all night because I couldn't sleep.

Sparklefizz I agree about acupuncture. I have acupuncture every week and that night I do have a longer sleep. If you don't mind needles, and your lack of sleep worries you, it's worth a try.

"By 7.00 a.m. most days I'm ready for my second breakfast!"

Lol, me too! Or lunch at 9.30 a.m.

Good morning night owls!
There was a huge plus to being awake this morning - I saw the super moon around 4.50. My DD had sent photos from where they live abroad, and I was awake so looked out not expecting much and there it was! I had a mad rush to get my phone to record it! It wasn't long before the clouds came back.

Most mornings I wake at 4.00 and rarely go back off to sleep. I use an eye drop for glaucoma which darkens the eye surround so what with that and tiredness shadows I am like a walking panda.
At least in the summer the sun is up. Winter is worse with the darkness. I have come to accept tbis is my time for waking up. Of course waking at 2 is a different kettle of fish. That is just too darn early. No advice apart from reading. Yes it is lonely....but there are thousands of us laying awake.

Yes! I've been plagued with insomnia since the menopause. Early morning I'm awake, much tossing and turning. I sometimes feel I'd give my right arm to sleep like I used to, the sleep of the dead, hit the pillows straight off till 7 am. Patchy sleep impacts on well being, fuzzy headed, sluggishness being a constant side effect.

I'm reading your post with interest Sparklefizz. Off to Google Calm Carry.

TerriBull

Yes! I've been plagued with insomnia since the menopause. Early morning I'm awake, much tossing and turning. I sometimes feel I'd give my right arm to sleep like I used to, the sleep of the dead, hit the pillows straight off till 7 am. Patchy sleep impacts on well being, fuzzy headed, sluggishness being a constant side effect.

I'm reading your post with interest Sparklefizz. Off to Google Calm Carry.

I hope it's still on special offer for you TerriBull

I'm going through a very stressful time at the moment with heart tests and the Calm is definitely helping during the day as well as at night. I'm very pleased with it.

I'm prepared to give anything a go, I've tried numerous products something called "This Works" it didn't! well not for me, slathered myself with various preparations one called "Sleepy" from Lush. Ingested Nytol, teas to aid sleep, all to no avail, still sleep eludes me. It seemed to be on offer, I don't think it was a break the bank price so I'll send off for it.

Wishing you better Sparklefizz.

have found having a fan on for noise helps

I have terrible insomnia and also restless legs. I do take magensium glycinate and have magnesium baths, this really helps with the restless legs and it did for a while help me fall asleep, but it seems to have stopped working.

I'd be fine with the fan, but husband complains, I've set it up in another room if I'm getting too hot.

I think lots of couples sleep separately on certain nights if they have a spare room!

I tend to wake every couple of hours, sometimes, less, occasionally 3 hours!! bliss, a bad nights sleep for me is if I can`t get back to sleep after waking.. and yes, usually around 3 , sometimes 4.. at least I am retired from work!

Magnesium supplements work well.for me and me restless legs. If I wake early, I pop my earphones in and listen to my audible books, I soon drift off

I wake up around the dreaded 3 a.m but usually go back to sleep fairly quickly. I follow a ritual. (I think the late, lovely Dr Mosley suggested something like this.) I have two lists that I have to remember : the first is a list of North American Indian tribes (16) ; the second, Detectives in Fiction , Books and TV. (43). Memorising and going through these lists informs the brain, according to Dr Mosley, that it's time to go to sleep. It works for me and as I was 94 this month keeps my remaining little grey cells active!

Hi I also suffer (ed)! With exactly the same as you, hard to get to sleep, not every night, but then waking 2 or 3 in the morning and never being able to return to a good restful sleep. I was getting so stressed about it, tired during the day, every time I sat down I would nod off!
Someone suggested magnesium glycinate capsules. Well…. I have been taking 2 each evening about 90 minutes or so before my usual bedtime between 10 and 10.30 for the last 5 weeks and I can honestly say I have been having such good sleeps- what a difference!! Not every night- yet, I think it takes a couple of months to really kick in but I do definitely recommend you try it! I also spray my pillow with lavender mist and do relaxation breathing while I am just nodding off! Please give it a try!!