Is anyone else utterly exhausted but can't sleep?

[MeadowHay]

I feel horrible. I have tried multiple times this week to go to bed 'early' and it seems like it just makes the problem even worse. I was in bed by 9.40. I got out of bed at 11.40. I just dunno what to do. I've always been like this, I get phases on and off. The whole of today I have felt so utterly shit like when youre up in the night with a baby shit except DD is 2 and sleeps well. Underneath my eyes is huge blue ridges and everyone comments on how tired I look. My eye area has literally felt sore and tight all day. And yet here I am. Still unable to sleep. Are some of us just destined to be like this forever, bad sleepers?

I will be up about 7 with DD and as I work this is the only day a week I get time alone with her. and I dread it because it is so so hard to look after her and stay calm all day when I have headaches and struggle to move and keep my eyes open and feel grumpy with exhaustion. I should look forward to my day with her but I don't just because of my stupid lack of sleep.

Me OP, I had managed to get myself into a routine of sleeping before 1am (I get up for work at 6.30/6.45) but I had my two weeks summer hols a couple of weeks ago and messed up my bedtimes and now I can't sleep until between 2 and 4.30 but still have to start work early :(

I was using the military sleep method and it does work but I really need about 10 minutes wind down time in bed and DH snores or gets up for the loo during it so it then takes ages. To cap it off, I dropped off about half 10 for half an hour so I think that's me fecked for tonight getting to sleep. My head constantly feels like it's full of shredded paper and fluff.

Yes, me too. I'm knackered after around 4 hours sleep but still can't drop off. Came on here to change my mood as I was getting fed up, but I know the blue light is supposed to be bad at bedtime.

What is military sleep method, please?

Me

So exhausted but had a horrible day with unresolved issues

www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/fall-asleep-fast#10-secs-to-sleep

I get too stimulated by a relaxing scene so I imagine a piece of beige carpet.

It's horrible being unable to sleep, especially when you have a little child to care for. I've had quite long spells of being awake most nights for many years, but I don't have DCs and mostly I manage ok. If I get particularly tired, sometimes I take an antihistamine for a couple of nights. Also, being retired, I can have a snooze during the day if I want. That's no help to you, of course, and you have all my sympathy. I won't repeat all the stuff about 'sleep hygiene', I'm sure you've heard it all. Just sending good wishes, and I hope you get a few decent nights soon.

Sorry that you are all in a similar boat I will take some diazepam tomorrow evening early ish and that will make sure I get some sleep. But obviously not a real solution as can't do that often.

Yes. I've had about three hours sleep a night all week, I went at ten tonight and woke at midnight and can't sleep. I'm worrying about a lot of things and it's not helping.

My Gp won't prescribe diazepam if you need to drive to work the next day

I don't drive and I very rarely use it. I've been getting 14 5mg tablets about every 6months-1yr for the last...4 years? So I only use it very rarely when I'm desperate really.

PP who said about antihistamine is a good idea, chloramphenimine or however you spell it makes my drowsy so that might be a good thing to try sometimes.