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Original poster

I'm one tired mommy right now

8 replies

HeatherW82 · 02/02/2021 21:07

Looking after my two daughters (6 and 8) couple with my insomnia is really taking it's toll on me. Think I'm averaging 3-4 hours sleep a night.

I just sat down with them tonight to watch the Dolittle movie. Think I saw the first 20 minutes before I dozed off still holding my cup of tea. Soon woke up when I began pouring it on my crotch. My daughters were sat on their bean bags far too engrossed in the film to notice me lol. So I quietly snuck off to get changed, don't even think they noticed I'd gone Grin Would be good if this is a one off, but unfortunately it isn't Blush

I'd love to know if anyone else falls asleep like this a lot.

OP posts:
Phoenix76 · 02/02/2021 21:33

Ah op, that sounds tough! It’s obviously your insomnia causing the problem rather than looking after your dds. Have you ever sought help with it? I know it’s mentioned here frequently but lack of sleep is used as a form of torture for a reason, it can lead to all sorts of problems.

FWIW, I have done unusual things when I’ve fallen asleep when I didn’t mean to (because of lack of sleep). So I reckon your first step is a chat with your gp if you haven’t already. Good luck!

Original poster
HeatherW82 · 02/02/2021 22:14

@Phoenix76

Ah op, that sounds tough! It’s obviously your insomnia causing the problem rather than looking after your dds. Have you ever sought help with it? I know it’s mentioned here frequently but lack of sleep is used as a form of torture for a reason, it can lead to all sorts of problems.

FWIW, I have done unusual things when I’ve fallen asleep when I didn’t mean to (because of lack of sleep). So I reckon your first step is a chat with your gp if you haven’t already. Good luck!

Unfortunately I've been to the doctor many times about it with no luck in finding a fix. I've been on many different sleeping pills and none of them work for me. Haven't been able to get back because of Covid. The only thing thats seems to work atm is going downstairs and reading a book till I doze off. But it can't be good for me sleeping in a chair all night.

Thanking you for the reply though Smile

OP posts:
Phoenix76 · 02/02/2021 23:17

I ended up in a sleep clinic, I understand why everything is so difficult with the pandemic. I was prescribed zopiclone, it worked very well for me but I was reluctant to take it after having my dc.

I agree sleeping in a chair isn’t restful at all! I remember my initial consultation with a nurse practitioner with her telling me to have a warm bath and drink warm milk (I actually felt like crying at not being taken seriously). Do you know what may be causing it? Have you tried rescue remedy (the night one)? I understand more than I can put here (certain posters have given “great” advice like I need to “catch on to myself” despite having a professor/sleep consultant doctor and senior specialist nurse involved so I’m reluctant to explain my cause just wanted to say despite my reasons I do understand insomnia and the affect it has).
For me, it felt like I was the only person awake (despite knowing shift workers were at work), the more I worried the worse it got. In my experience, gps do take it seriously and I’m sure it would still be the case even in this pandemic. Although I now have about 5 hours sleep a night I’m a lot better than I was (still occasionally fall asleep on the settee but have learnt not to be holding a drink 😉)

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Sleep
RuledbyASD · 03/02/2021 07:22

Yes! Me. Exactly the same, three to four hours per night. I even fell asleep stood up the other day. My DD is wearing me out

RuledbyASD · 03/02/2021 07:23

For me though it's not insomnia it's DD staying awake late and then me needing a couple of hours to unwind and then it's often 1/2am by this point

Original poster
HeatherW82 · 04/02/2021 17:00

@Phoenix76

I ended up in a sleep clinic, I understand why everything is so difficult with the pandemic. I was prescribed zopiclone, it worked very well for me but I was reluctant to take it after having my dc.

I agree sleeping in a chair isn’t restful at all! I remember my initial consultation with a nurse practitioner with her telling me to have a warm bath and drink warm milk (I actually felt like crying at not being taken seriously). Do you know what may be causing it? Have you tried rescue remedy (the night one)? I understand more than I can put here (certain posters have given “great” advice like I need to “catch on to myself” despite having a professor/sleep consultant doctor and senior specialist nurse involved so I’m reluctant to explain my cause just wanted to say despite my reasons I do understand insomnia and the affect it has).
For me, it felt like I was the only person awake (despite knowing shift workers were at work), the more I worried the worse it got. In my experience, gps do take it seriously and I’m sure it would still be the case even in this pandemic. Although I now have about 5 hours sleep a night I’m a lot better than I was (still occasionally fall asleep on the settee but have learnt not to be holding a drink 😉)

Sorry for the late reply, was busy yesterday and didn't get a chance to jump on MN.

It's nice to hear that somebody gets how I'm feeling. I often get told to "go to bed earlier" "take a warm bath" "drink some herbal tea". Unfortunately it doesn't quite work like that with insomnia. I haven't tried rescue remedy, I'll look into it later :)

As for the cause, there's a few things. I'm a massive over thinker and often worry about stuff I really shouldn't. I've also got a few personal matters that are troubling me at the moment. One being my mum, who last year got diagnosed with early onset dementia. I'm a single parent so it's hard for me to get to the GP with my kids both out of school. Once they're open again I'll get an appointment straight away.

Thank you for taking your time to reply to me, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeatherW82 · 04/02/2021 17:02

@RuledbyASD

Yes! Me. Exactly the same, three to four hours per night. I even fell asleep stood up the other day. My DD is wearing me out
Hehe, I nearly done that the other morning. Thankfully the toaster came to my rescue when it popped up Grin
OP posts:
Phoenix76 · 04/02/2021 22:45

I’m so sorry to hear about your mum, that would be incredibly hard to process. You say you overthink things which lead me to think maybe you have anxiety (before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, I’m not attempting arm chair diagnosis, I was diagnosed and treated for anxiety and I felt like op). Maybe if they treat the anxiety it would improve your sleep, if that makes sense? I completely understand about not being able to see the gp at the moment, I’m not a single mum and I can’t easily do it at all, going to the dentist would be impossible for me and I really need to be seen but no one to watch my children (I have a dp but he’s in a vital role at work thanks to the current situation).
Rescue remedy is available on Amazon, Holland & Barrett’s, the usual pharmacies all online.

It’s incredible how much lack of sleep affects our lives, it literally impacts everything, I really hope you get some relief soon.

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