Has anyone survived a period of chronic insomnia and can reassure me I will come through this?!

[PARunnerGirl]

About three months now. Two or three nights a week I don’t sleep (at all). The other nights probably around 4 hours. I’m absolutely exhausted, but not sleepy through the day. It’s like I’m permanently “on”.

I have good health otherwise and am focussed on a healthy diet and exercise. It’s definitely one of the major priorities in my life.

My bedtime routine is good and I am using the Headspace app to try and reframe how I feel about sleep and work stresses (which exist, but I wouldn’t say are totally overwhelming).

The doctor gave me some sleeping tablets and when I used them, I definitely fell asleep easier. However, as soon as I stopped using them the same issues returned.

At this stage I am resigned to keep doing what I am doing, in terms of my physical and mental health, and hope it will eventually subside. Does anyone have any similar experiences and/ or outcomes they can share?

How old are you? Menopausal age at all?

I’ve had this in the past and still get it on and off. Once, seriously I’m not kidding you, about 15 years ago I didn’t sleep at all for 7 nights. About 2 years ago I also went 5 nights without any sleep at all. I actually thought I was going to die. Funny thing is I usually sleep like a bear in winter.

For me, I have to break the habit as soon as it starts or it carries on. I have levels of sleep aids starting from Kalm’s one a night, Nytol, over counter sleep aid, sleeping tablet. I try and exercise, watch something funny on tv and go to bed at 10pm.

It screws with your MH and it’s really tough. I’m sorry it’s happening to you.

Lovely try lavender on your pillows and have a bath in lavender. I've heard that works.
Also heard that CBD oil is great

I’ve suffered (as my mumsnet posting will attest!) for a year or so.

Mine is connected with my parents both dying over the last couple of years.

When I really think about it although the first awful periods of grief have subsided I’ve been left with a lingering sense of having to be ‘on alert’ connected to loss. Black out curtains and clean calm bedroom are essential for me to hope to get a few hours.

Having said that over the last week I’ve had a few nights of full sleep and I’m thinking I may be slowly slowly processing things at deep/hidden level.

I’ve not used sleeping tabs as I have a ‘fear’ of them. I have used over the counter like nytol which seem to help sometimes. I’ve also cut down alcohol pretty drastically.

Support op.

Not sure if this is totally relevant but one thing that has helped me all round is that I have started to be nicer to myself. I have started to chill out more and laze around on the sofa watching a movie, glass of wine. Once I let myself off the hook and acknowledged that I don't always have to be running round like a headless chicken and I deserve to watch telly for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon and leave all the pots, my body followed suit and relaxed more.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply I have done or am doing all of these suggestions and I don’t mean that to sound ungrateful- it’s quite the opposite. It actually gives me some comfort to know that I am doing the things that are under my control.

Hoping I’m not menopausal just yet I’m 40. I’m still on the combined pill though, because I bled continuously on the mini pill.

It does sound like this is something that I might just be predisposed to right now and I just need to work through it best I can.

Very happy to hear any other tales of coming through a spell like this!

Have you tried a magnesium supplement?

Yes, I have suffered from similar. In my case it comes and goes but isn’t constant - I hope that gives you hope.

I’ve learnt to manage these episodes better over time. Having some calm time before bed helps a bit, and a routine. But what’s helped most of all is refusing to let myself be anxious about sleep, whether I’m getting enough, etc.

At bedtime I lie down in a dark bedroom with my eyes closed, make sure I’m comfortable, and listen to a gentle audiobook, podcasts, or the bbc sounds app played quietly. If I eventually drop off then that’s good. If I don’t, I tell myself I’ve done all I can, and at least I’m resting.

Listening to something stops all my thoughts and worries whirling around in my mind.

OP, i suffer from insomnia on and off but suffered the worst phase of my life a couple of years ago. It lasted about 5 months and I was beside myself. Like you, I had tried absolutely everything including medication, but nothing worked. I was convinced I'd have to give up work because I simply couldn't function any more, and would then end up homeless etc etc (I tend to catastrophies). All I could see ahead was a lifetime of insomnia.

And that's why I'm posting now - because when I was in the midst of that, I truly believed it would never pass. BUT IT DID PASS. I am sleeping almost normally now, and would never have believed it possible back then. The thing that cracked it for me was Colin Espie's book on insomnia. I think it's called 'Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Disorders', or something like that. A mental health nurse recommended it to me, and I followed the programme religiously (but I was absolutely desperate, so had nothing to lose). The sleep restriction stuff sounded terrible, but actually ended up saving me. I retrained my body to sleep. I'll never be an amazing sleeper, but I do feel pretty ok now. Good luck.

I had a period of insomnia and it was hell on earth it felt like my body was wired to on and had forgotten how to sleep.

I tried sleeping tablets from the doctor none worked, spiritual healing and reiki. I would have done anything the weird thing that worked was taking time away in a little cottage. The no pressure to sleep my partner then talked and talked to me until I really wanted to sleep it may have been four in the morning helped.

I second Magnesium but, it has to be Glycinate I did suffer peri menopause sleep problems though the information may still be relevant thesleepdoctor.com/2018/02/20/natural-supplements-menopause-sleep/

The other thing that helped was melatonin
www.biovea.net/uk/product/detail/21563/melatonin-2mg-180-vegetarian-capsules I have used this company it takes a little while getting to you apart from that all good.

Thank you all! I really do have some hope now, especially after reading @Feawen and @peardrops1 post. Right now in the middle of this, it seems like I am lost to any and all interventions... And that death must be imminent!!!

@IvinghoeBeacon Yes, trying the Mg daily Thank you though!

@SlayB I always bring Melatonin home when I travel somewhere I can just buy it. I’ve got 10mg capsules right now but I’m not too sure it does much though My partner and I have a very restful break coming up in two weeks time and I have some hope pinned on that breaking this current cycle. Sounds like it worked for you

You can easily be menopausal at 40 it is not early. I think the move for women to have have dc older has really distracted from this. I have periods of chronic insomnia always linked to my MH. I would really look to disentangle underlying issues in your head however trivial they seem.

My DH is having terrible problems atm - he is OK getting to sleep but wakes during the night and cant get back to sleep for ages and if he does he then wakes up really early. Anyone having similar problems?

I periodically get this - it's so awful, I really feel for you. You mentioned melatonin & that does help me. I have had zopiclone a few times, but I hate the feeling of being "drugged" so I won't take it any more.

One thing that does work for me - and I'm not suggesting it (!!) is taking my codeine-based pain meds close to bedtime. Or diazepam. At the very least, they get me to sleep, but I might wake up. But they don't leave me drowsy.

Hope you break the pattern soon!

Oh you poor thing - yes, I know that “I’m going to die of exhaustion” feeling, and still being unable to sleep. I hope this passes for you soon.

Yes, I’ve been there and it is shit. I feel for you, I really do.

What worked for me was a combination of sleeping pills, which I weaned myself off very gradually with my GPs support. I was taking just a quarter of a pill every other night eventually. I also kept back (again with my GPs support) 4 pills from my last pack - they have sat safely in my bedside table and I have them when I need them. I think
I have one left now - my GP said I could have some more as long as it was in sort of a year’s time, and it’s been 6 months now so hopefully I’ll be ok with that and will get some more as and when I need.

I also started running, doing the C25K programme... it has really helped. I trail run so am outside in the country too. It’s boosted my mood no end.

And for a while I took Kalms to help with my stress levels. I also signed up for this: www.supersleepyoga.com/super-sleep-series-myths-video/

It’s free and I haven’t received any emails at all beyond the relevant ones with the videos - it’s a short yoga routine to do before bed that really helped me.

I hope you find your answer soon