I’m on my knees exhausted with Insomnia and I don’t know what to do

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

When I get stressed, I get insomnia.

It was hanging around about six weeks ago, 3/4 times a week I’d only sleep 1-3h and 6-7 the rest of the time but 3 weeks ago I lost my job and am averaging between 1-3.5 (sometimes broken) every night for the last 3w

I am exhausted, on my knees exhausted. The next doctors appointment for some sleeping tablets is in 4.5 weeks. I cannot do this for that much longer.

I feel like over the years I’ve tried everything but I will take any and all suggestions please

Have you tried acupuncture? It helps my depression and anxiety.

I take Trazodon at a very low dose. It's non-addictive and you don't really get acclimatized to it. It isn't the same as a full really good night's sleep but it is enough to let you get by.

I do have proper sleeping pills but loathe using them so the packet stays in the cupboard.

Exercise helps too. Not only running / swimming but strength exercise. thing is, if you're that tired it's near to impossible to do any; but if you are able to force yourself out for even a few lengths in the pool, it'll help.

Is there any way at all of reducing the stress or of finding tools to help such as meditation or craftwork with your hands or something?

This thread might be helpful?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3735842-Anyone-with-insomnia-sleep-issues-take-sleeping-tablets-for-advice?pg=1&order=

4.5 weeks is a long time to wait. You might get some tips on the other thread for the short-term as well as here.

Thank you, that thread looks v useful

Is there anything I can buy over the counter that Anyone can recommend? There’s a good chance I’ve tried it but willing to try anything again

Antihistamines are often recommended but I have awful hay fever and take them for about 5m of the year so they don’t work in that way on me sadly.

I just can’t inagine functioning like this for much longer, I feel broken

Ashwaganda is amazing for reducing anxiety naturally and helps calm your mind, it worked wonders for me!

Also apparently This Works pillow sprays are meant to work really well but havnt used them personally

The extra strength nytol is a quick fix and always works on a one off too

I've got a night time hypnosis thing I listen to. It was supposed to make me lose weight, but it makes me fall asleep instead! Before that I have had 3-5 hours a night for years. Now I'm getting around 6-7 which is fab!

( Haven't lost weight though )

My dh gets this and has had sleeping tablets prescribed on the day several times when he gets a bout of it. Ring your gp and say it's an emergency. My dh just takes the tablets for a couple of days and this seems to regulate his body into sleeping again.

a family member of mine sometimes buys drowsy antihistamines if they're desperate.

Page about it on the mind website:

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/sleeping-pills-and-minor-tranquillisers/sleeping-pills/

Thanks all

The night time tablet in Benilyn night & day as a quick fix.

Exercise - long walk or run followed by a bath

Phenergan 25mg sorts is out when we need a decent sleep - it's non-addictive and my GP recommended it. £8.20 for 56 at pharmacies.

Good luck not-sleeping is awful

I’m still not sleeping.

1h 25m on Saturday night then 3-4 each night since then. Last night was 3h very broken

Docs won’t give me an earlier appointment as not an emergency

I’ve tried Nytol and phenergan and nothing’s helped

I am absolutely on my knees with exhaustion

The sound of a tumble dryer always does it for me. Have you tried any of the white noise/relaxation videos on youtube?

OP, I used to have horrendous insomnia which was running my life. I was in total despair, and thought about killing myself (not really seriously, I think, but just to give you a sense of how bad it was). This book made a huge difference to me: 'Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Disorders' by Colin Espie. It''s CBT for insomnia. Hard work to stick with, but so, so worth it.

I also take melatonin drops some nights (you can buy online from US easily), and sometimes 10mg amitriptyline, but it's the book that got me sleeping again.

I also used the method in Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Disorders by Colin Espie. It is bloody hard, but it definitely helped. In my area the NHS offers CBTI (CBT for insomnia) via IAPT, I think you can self refer.

Recent life changes mean my insomnia is back and circumstances mean I can't use CBTI currently to help, so have been taking a low dose of amitriptyline, I find it really helpful for sleep. But has to be prescribed.

Have you considered that your insomnia might be due to peri-menopause? Insomnia is a very common and miserable symptom.

Diphenhydramine...but please only use it as a short term measure...it is linked to memory loss

I use melatonin...and then if I wake passiflora

The mood I’m in at bedtime seems to determine the night I will have..gut issues wreck my sleep as does anxiety

I tend to write my problem down and burn it. Do a little prayer over it first

I'm an insomniac, things that help,
Weighted blanket I've got a gravity blanket
Kirkland sleep aid, American via eBay
Getting up after 40 mins of being awake go downstairs for a cuppa don't lie there getting angry about it it makes it worse.
No tv in room
Get your bedroom as dark as you can
Magnesium supplement every night
Guided Meditation on phone
Hot bath before bed, with Epsom salts and frankincense in
window open at night to stay cool.
Lavender spray on pillow
Earplugs for when you do drop off you stay asleep
Quite often find a paracetamol helps god knows why!?!
Create a routine so your head knows it's bedtime.
Think that's it
I feel your pain.
I got addicted to zopiclone but I'm off it now and things are slowly getting better.

I find something boring on TV, no sound and nothing too engaging. I know it's contrary to advice but it distracts me.

I had insomnia for two years and it almost broke me. Zooiclone didn’t work.. I’d just stay awake. The only things that helped were trying to reduce my anxiety by writing down problems, exercising, eating well and talking through problems I had with friends.
And then acupuncture - I think that was actually what saved me

I've suffered with insomnia on and off for about 15 years. It's dreadful. I discovered Boots did a tablet called sleepeze, you had to buy over the counter, about £4 cant remember how many for. They worked for me for a while. Dont know if they still sell them, haven't bought any since having my babies. But do not confuse them with the Boots herbal sleepeze, they are rubbish.

This is quite simplistic and might be no use whatsoever.

I overcome bouts of insomnia by going to bed with the intention to rest, not to sleep. I use an audio book or podcast, prop myself sitting up and just think about resting.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Mindfulness helps me - I use the headspace app and I've learned useful techniques to settle me. Doesn't always work, but a lot better than I used to be.
freecbti.com/ I've found this website really useful. Takes a bit of effort, but if it's been a long term problem, it'll take time to solve properly. I've also heard about an app called Sleepio. Interested in the book mentioned above

Please try the app called Calm.
It’s changed my life. You can listen to guided relaxation, or a range of sounds and also really soporific bedtime readings
Honestly, it’s brilliant