Anyone interested in an insomnia support thread?

[Stygimoloch]

I wasn’t sure where to put this so hopefully chat is the right place.

Has anyone else developed awful insomnia lately? For the last 5 weeks or so I’ve really really struggled with sleep and it’s getting worse!

I’ve had about 4 nights where I haven’t slept at all. Not even an hour! And many many more nights where I’ve still been awake at 5am so have managed 2 hours at most. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I assume it’s related to lockdown and change in routine.

I’m working from home at the minute so my busy non-stop days with long commutes followed by kids’ activities have stopped. I’m keeping busy. I’m keeping a routine. I’ve followed all the advice: no caffeine, dark, comfortable bedroom, no screens at bedtime. Nothing seems to work though and I’m getting desperate. I’m so tired.

The pattern seems to be that I have a dreadful night where I hardly shut my eyes, followed by a night of good sleep because I’m so tired. Then a bad night again and so on.

I’m scared this has become a habit and I don’t know how to break it.

The doctor has given me 10 sleeping pills (zopiclone) and I’ve taken 1. It knocked me out but I’m terrified of taking more in case it makes my insomnia worse.

Anyone has any genius tips to share? I’ve tried meditation and mindfulness and haven’t really got on with it. Just some reassurance that I’m not alone and that it won’t last forever would help I think. It’s genuinely having a massive impact on my life.

Anyone else?

You are not alone Op. I relate to a lot of this.No solution i have come up with but will be interesting to read the upcoming responses.

It seems to be really common st the moment. The papers are full of advice which may or may not be useful. I’ve bought some rescue remedy, which works on the basis of de stressing you naturally.

@pavlova - just the relief of hearing ‘you are not alone’! It feels very lonely at 3am.

I’d never realised the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being before I started to struggle with it.

@Picalilliandcheese I remember using Rescue Remedy to help with my driving test years ago! Might be worth another try for me.

I’ve just ordered some lavender pillow spray.

I’m willing to try anything!

I've had it my whole life - I've never 'slept through the night'. I have no trouble getting to sleep and can fall asleep at 7pm, but I'd dont stay asleep and get between 3 and 4 hours of broken sleep every night. Very, very occasionally (say 3 or 4 times a year) I'll get 5 or 6 hours. But never more and those 6 hour nights are the worst because I get very little sleep the following night because I'm not tired enough.

I think I wake whenever my sleep cycle hits light sleep but I am wide awake.

Best insomnia remedy I've discovered so far is Holby City

@sensitivesubjectmatter that sounds absolutely miserable.

Once I’m asleep, I seem to be ok other than a couple of very short wakings. This is very new to me as I usually sleep really well which I think has added to my panic about it. I really can’t function properly right now.