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General health

Why can't I sleep?

59 replies

epicclusterfuck · 26/03/2018 21:09

I feel so unwell, haven't slept well in I don't know how long. Waking at 2,3,4,5 in the morning and can be awake for hours. I have autoimmune issues that seem to be multiplying - coeliac, hypothyroid, b12 injections, below average kidney function, tingling in feet and legs, tinnitus, aches and pains.

What is going on?

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horseknickers · 26/03/2018 21:15

Insomnia, tingling arms and legs, tinnitus and aching all over were signs I was very anaemic.

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epicclusterfuck · 26/03/2018 21:54

Thanks horse, what would I get checked for anaemia? Folate and iron? B12 has already been low and I had an injection in February but didn't feel it helped much. Forgot I also take HRT.

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epicclusterfuck · 26/03/2018 21:55

And my memory is non existent! Assumed that is due to lack of sleep though.

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Jellyjumpers · 26/03/2018 22:08

Do you have any worries at the moment?

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Peanutbuttercups21 · 26/03/2018 22:11

Do you get regular fresh air and exercise? That is always,essential for me or I can't sleep....

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 00:26

Yes loads of worries! And here I am awake again. I do get walking every day though even if just a short walk.

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 02:51

And again

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:10

I've just come on here to post the same! Saw your thread and I'd jump on, I hope that's ok.i didn't want to start an almost identical thread.
For months I've been battling with insomnia but it's really started getting to me. I rarely fall asleep before 5/6 and I'm up at 7/7.30 for dc.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I try and follow all the sleep hygiene stuff. A few months ago I went on a cbti course (the i being for insomnia) through the OT that I see (I have a few health issues) but things are still as bad.
I'm on a shed load of meds but i've been told they should help me sleep!
Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.
Thank you

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:15

I'm no help, awake again! I think I need a whole new routine to make sure I give myself best chance of sleep. Getting to sleep is fine but then wake multiple times in early hours. I'm not working today so I may be able to nap later. Also planning to get doctors appointment today!

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NutellaFitzgerald · 27/03/2018 06:17

I too have chronic sleep issues for the first time in my life.
Falling asleep isn't such a problem but staying asleep is. I'm usually awake 2am until 6am but then up for work from 7.

I've no appetite, cry at work. No illnesses though so my immune system seems fine.

I walk to work 30 mins each way, take multivitamins. I don't know what's wrong with me but it's affecting my life.

What was the cbti like. Was it helpful?

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:29

It was helpful to an extent.
You do the course with a handful of others so it's good to hear others experiences. Funnily enough others were more similar to you and woke too early. They did explain about the sleep cycles and that we all wake often anyway, most just don't remember it and go straight off again. That part was key. If you're in pain (we all had chronic pain) or you have lots on your mind then that's what would stop you going off again.
Whilst that's great, that doesn't apply to me most of the time. I can't get to sleep in the first place.

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:31

The lack of appetite and crying a lot are almost certainly linked though.. Have you spoken to your GP?

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:34

Thanks notabe that makes sense about waking and then not being able to fall back asleep. I do find myself feeling anxious and going over things in my mind in the wee small hours. Just made a cup of tea as sometimes that helps. So a strategy to get back to sleep maybe what's needed! Your issue may be different if it is a problem to get to sleep in the first place?

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:34

Epic - one thing they also said was it didn't matter if the sleep was in chunks. If having a nap in the day is what gets you through, then don't feel guilty. If you're not keeping in the first place then the rule of no sleeping in the day doesn't apply.
I can't even sleep in the day though. I am seriously exhausted though.

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:35

I have felt like crying in the day recently but mostly as I'm just so tired.

Notabee have you health issues that might be causing your lack of sleep?

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:36

Yeah I think a strategy to clear your mind (easier said that done) could help. Have you tried writing down what's bothering you?
I have a list of what i need to do on my phone as that's a worry area for me (I have real memory problems and I get worried I'll forget stuff!). Apparently that can help.

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8SaltandVinegar · 27/03/2018 06:36

I'm the same. I was never a great sleeper even when I was a child. Xanax is the only thing that works for me. Sleeping tablets make me hallucination as I don't fall asleep with them.

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:41

It sounds like you've got in a real cycle. You're now beyond tired which will make any anxiety (or depression?) worse.
I do wonder if the health stuff is what's behind my lack of sleep (I don't want to say too much as I don't want to be revealing to anyone who knows me) but I am in constant pain now. It's relatively controlled that at times it's a lot less but it's always there. unsurprisingly it does get to me.

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IDismyname · 27/03/2018 06:43

Would stuff like yoga or meditation help at all?

I’ve had insomnia for years, but I find I sleep the best on a Wednesday night when I’ve done Pilates that evening.

Just a thought.

I also try and do breathing exercises which occasionally help.

It’s really pants. You have my full sympathy

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:44

Interesting about the Xanax. The only thing that's worked for me is diazapam. I refuse to take it regularly though. I save them for the really bad pain nights.

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:46

Actually I must try meditation. You can get apps on your phone can't you? Thanks

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:47

I have written things down in the middle of the night, usually when I have had lots to do and to remember which does help. At the moment I'm unsettled and a bit worried about the future- job related mainly but also health problems and adult children!

Sorry to hear about your chronic pain. I have sometimes used amytriptyline to get more sleep but that leaves me a bit groggy and space out, it is good for nerve pain though and seems to make me feel a lot calmer.

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:48

Yes you can get apps- sleep easily is one I have used and that helped with falling asleep. Other people seem to find the white noise ones useful, listening to rain or waves etc

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epicclusterfuck · 27/03/2018 06:49

I have also tried focusing on breathing, counting so that out breaths are longer than in breaths.

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notabee · 27/03/2018 06:54

I'll download that and try tonight, thanks.
I already take amitriptyline in my list of meds. I think it helps a bit, hard to tell.
It sounds like that's the plausible reason for you waking - all those concerns. You probably need to look at those more to be able to relax enough. At least the issues that you have some control over anyway. Sorry to hear you have so much going on though. I'm happy to listen if you want to talk.

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