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Original poster

All I want is a good night’s sleep!!!!

24 replies

Notcontent · 30/12/2020 15:20

As a peri menopausal woman I can’t be the only one feeling constantly tired but having trouble sleeping.

I remember the days when I was younger and I would just go to bed and take it for granted that I would get a good night’s sleep. Even in the baby days I think I got more sleep than now because I had no trouble getting to sleep and would go back to sleep after being woken.

But now I seem to have a perfect storm of things keeping me awake. I am peri menopausal and just not feeling “myself”. I am stressed by work and the current situation, as well as various other things I am juggling. I have noisy neighbours (not noisy enough to complain about but noisy enough to keep me awake as I need silence to sleep).

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Soutiner · 30/12/2020 15:25

Magnesium supplement.

Rowgtfc72 · 30/12/2020 15:27

Wake every hour on the hour. Bit of a bugger when I'm up at 330am for work!

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funtimefrank · 30/12/2020 15:30

Yes.

I have health worries, work worries, COVID worries (obvs). I am anxious all the time.

I probably wake up at 3/4 am about 3 days a week and then can't get back to sleep or else nod off at 6 only to have to get up at 7.

I am not good on less than 5 hours. I get grouchy. Knock on impact is the self care goes - I eat refined carbs and sugar, I am too tired to exercise, I mindlessly surf on my phone as I don't have the energy for anything else.

Obviously the exercise, healthy diet and reduction in screen time would help the sleep but I struggle to break the circle.

I do take magnesium which does give me a better quality of sleep but makes me pee. If that happens before 2 I can usually go back to sleep but if it happens at the witching hour then I'm screwed.

Oh the joys!

Original poster
Notcontent · 30/12/2020 15:34

Magnesium sounds like a good idea but not if it’s going to make me pee more!!!! Grin

OP posts:
funtimefrank · 30/12/2020 15:38

I think the peeing is me! I googled and it's not unusual but it's not common either.

I take a liquid form too as I can't tolerate the sprays so don't let my dodgy bladder put you off!

DaysAreGettingLongerNow · 30/12/2020 15:40

I hear you OP. I’m in bed on time each night and then can’t sleep for ages. Last night it was 2am before I fell asleep.

The good news is that it comes and goes in waves so it won’t be like this the whole time.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/12/2020 15:41

HRT took away all of my symptoms, including the horrible insomnia. It's a lifesaver.

whatever45 · 30/12/2020 15:44

Sorry to hear that OP. Interesting you asked this as I'm on a mission today to do some research what I can to sort my sleep issues. I just can't seem to get into a deep sleep anymore and this means I'm more disturbed by DH breathing/ snoring too. Then always awake by 5.30 at latest. Going to try dry January, weighted blanket, etc. Any other suggestions very welcome .

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 30/12/2020 15:47

Take 3 anti histamines... Not the none drowsy. Had an allergic reaction last week. 1 didn't seem to work. Neither did 2.. Took a third and fell asleep sitting up!!
Managed to get to bed and had a great night's sleep!
Blush

Howmanysleepsnow · 30/12/2020 15:47

This Works Sleep Plus spray is an absolute miracle. Tbh I didn’t expect much, but thought it was worth a try. I’ve gone from 2-4 hours of interrupted sleep a night for years to a consistent 8-10 hours!

Jaypreen · 30/12/2020 15:49

Breathing exercises work for me OP. Give them a try there are lots to choose from.

bloodywhitecat · 30/12/2020 15:53

Me too. I am post menopausal but still get the occasional night sweat and if it's not that it is my brain that is working overtime. I have never been a good sleeper, my children both had silent asthma attacks (their lungs close down so much that they just go blue rather than wheeze/cough) so I learned to sleep with half an ear open for them but this last year has been the worst ever for sleep. I was awake for hours last night then just as I got to sleep the baby woke at 6am for the first time in months.

paisleybandana · 30/12/2020 16:01

Do you get some form of exercise everyday or time outside? Even just a brisk walk? I find this can make a huge difference to my sleep. Also, earplugs!

2021isgoingtobeasshitas2020 · 30/12/2020 16:51

Placemarking
I know how you feel op. I cannot go to bed early, I just stay awake thinking. Then once asleep, I toss and turn and wake up through then night. It gets very draining!

Cordillera · 30/12/2020 17:11

I also suffer like this. Best I can do is one wake up and get back to sleep after half an hour but often it's 4.30am and awake til 6, nod off just in time to get up.

Things that help me: Tisserand Sleep Better roll on, usually get back to sleep quicker putting that on in middle of the night. Kira Restful Sleep valerian tablets, two at bedtime mean at least better sleep the first half the night. I don't take them all the time as feel I'd get used to them, they'd be less effective.

I always use silicone earplugs, half a one moulded to seal each ear.

It's all such a faff and I miss just going to bed and waking up in the morning, though it's been decades since that!

User9574 · 30/12/2020 17:13

Promethazine. Non addictive antihistamine available from GP or online chemist.

In desparate times melatonin from Biovea.

Audiobooks.

lifestooshort123 · 30/12/2020 17:18

Phenergan in tablet form, take every 3 or 4 nights to survive. I'm 20 yrs post-menopause and my sleep has never gone back to what it was Sad

Yellredder · 30/12/2020 17:18

I have no idea where I am in the menopausal stakes, but I am 51. This year I have developed insomnia. The things that work for me are Pzizz app, camomile tea, This Works pillow spray, Tisserand temple roller, co-codamol, gin, Epsom salts bath, magnesium body cream. (Am not using them all at the same time! Tonight is gin and if I wake up too early I'll turn Pzizz on!)

soberfabulous · 30/12/2020 17:24

Insomnia of 30 years here. Yes to the antihistamine someone mentioned earlier. I take half a panadol night tablet at 7 pm and sleep is so much better.

bloodywhitecat · 30/12/2020 17:31

@soberfabulous

Insomnia of 30 years here. Yes to the antihistamine someone mentioned earlier. I take half a panadol night tablet at 7 pm and sleep is so much better.
Panadol? Isn't that just paracetamol?
SoLongFurlough · 30/12/2020 17:37

HRT took away all of my symptoms, including the horrible insomnia. It's a lifesaver
This^^
Used to cry in the mornings because I was so tired
HRT changed my life

PenOrPencil · 30/12/2020 17:39

Magnesium
Weighted blanket
Nytol herbal sleep aid
Calm app
Aromatherapy

dubyalass · 30/12/2020 18:03

Same, OP. Sympathies. Can't get to sleep at all in the week running up to my period, just lie there awake. I feel vaguely rested so it's not all bad but last month I managed a fortnight of no kip and anxiety like I've never known before my period came and I slept again.

It's to do with decreasing oestrogen levels apparently. I am in the process of [hopefully] being prescribed HRT by my GP because I have a raft of other symptoms indicating perimenopause despite only being in my early 40s. It sucks! I must try magnesium too. Thankfully am not troubled by needing the loo halfway through the night!

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