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Original poster

I don't sleep and I live my life in a fog

67 replies

fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 03:10

I'm awake at 3am again. This pattern every day. I'm in bed by 9.30 because I'm exhausted. I fall asleep and wake about 11pm. I see every hour on the clock. At 2ish I wake and can't get back to sleep. I'm usually awake until 5ish when I drift off until my alarm at 6.30 when I'm up for work.

I'm exhausted, snappy, under productive at work, air feels like treacle and I'm existing in a constant fog.

Doctor has been no help. If I hear "sleep hygiene" one more time I'll throw myself out the window.

Not sure what I want from this thread really it's just 3am and I'm fed up with it all now.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 20/10/2021 03:13

Could peri-menopause be in play?

RaisedByPangolins · 20/10/2021 03:17

Sorry no help, as I’m also up when I should be asleep, as I have work in the morning, but I just wanted to say you’re not alone. Flowers

KittyMcKitty · 20/10/2021 03:17

I hear you!! I’ve been awake for a couple of hours and will probably be a couple more before I get back to sleep - just in time to wake up! It’s just miserable.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Sleep
Original poster
fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 03:18

Possibly - I'm 43.

OP posts:
MrsCardone · 20/10/2021 03:18

Why don't you take sleeping pills? Or a natural alternative?

Original poster
fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 03:19

It's horrible isn't it! I get so frustrated as I just feel like life would be so much easier all round if I was just getting a good night's rest.

OP posts:
Coyoacan · 20/10/2021 03:19

There must be some hospital that has a sleep clinic, get yourself checked out there.

Original poster
fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 03:20

@MrsCardone

Why don't you take sleeping pills? Or a natural alternative?
Those I've tried so far don't work
OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 20/10/2021 03:20

@fluffythedragonslayer

Possibly - I'm 43.
Far more than just possible. My peri started at 40 and I had sleep issues almost exactly like yours. It was a nightmare. HRT ended it by day 3 of starting it.
Original poster
fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 03:23

@Coyoacan

There must be some hospital that has a sleep clinic, get yourself checked out there.
So far doctor won't refer as it's "not serious" and "nothing that some lifestyle changes won't fix". I can't afford to go private (hell right now I can't afford to eat - and yes anxiety definitely plays a part in the insomnia!)
OP posts:
FluffyBooBoo · 20/10/2021 03:25

I'm also awake. And the kicker is I need to be up at 5am to catch an early flight. So today is gonna be fun...

I used to sleep soooo well. Peri is a bitch.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/10/2021 03:25

Anxiety/increased anxiety is another major peri-menopause issue.

PaulaTrilloe · 20/10/2021 03:30

Me too!

sazza76 · 20/10/2021 03:42

I really feel for you and get just how debilitating it is to get by without sleep. I agree with those who have suggested the perimenopause as a posibility. Have a read up on the possible symptoms and see if you have any others. Knowledge really is power if it is your hormones. If you decide it could be then ask to see a GP with specific interest in it and discuss your options with them. Please don’t try to carry on as you are, its simply not sustainable and there are drs who understand out there.

Original poster
fluffythedragonslayer · 20/10/2021 04:01

Thanks so much everyone. Will read around Peri menopause and go to my doctor again armed with info. I just kinda assumed this was my life now. Some people sleep well, some don't and I'm a "don't" lol

OP posts:
mellongoose · 20/10/2021 04:05

This thread has been really helpful. Thank you OP.

I'm 45 and exactly the same. I used to be a brilliant sleeper. I thought the waking up was because I had drink too much wine, but it happens after just one glass now. Sometimes when I haven't had a single drink.

It's rubbish!!!

arcof · 20/10/2021 04:23

Do you take anything for the anxiety?

AutumnColours9 · 20/10/2021 04:25

I relate. I had years of this and it was sheer misery. What worked for me was high dose of SSRIs and cbt. Now I can sleep pretty well. I never used to get drowsy at all as was hypervigilant all the time. I also found out I had fibromyalgia (also have joint pains and swelling for many years). Do you get migraines or joint pains.

bigbeautwoman · 20/10/2021 04:38

Get iron checked

Tiredofthetired · 20/10/2021 04:47

Hypnotherapy helped for me. I had 3 sessions via Skype and the therapist sent me a download to listen to every night too. I was sceptical but it worked well. (I realise it seems like it didn’t as I’m positing this at 4.45 in the morning but DS isn’t well so I’m awake listening out for him rather than unable to sleep).

Sprostongreen21 · 20/10/2021 04:56

I’ve had issues with my sleep forever but it came to a head causing anxiety attacks.I Work 12 hour days after no sleep at all or maybe an hour or so it was killing me. Nothing really worked for me. I still get rubbish nights.
What’s worked for me recently:
Kalms night. Nothing ever worked but these do ( don’t take every night but on work nights and not always a full dose) seem to help me stay asleep or go back to sleep if I wake. Also help my anxiety.
Magnesium oil/baths.
More cardio for the endorphins, yoga. I do strength too. All at home.probably help anxiety more but they are hand in hand.

Alcohol is crap for sleep I only drink once a week and my sleep is always rubbish with it.

Peri menopause is a good shout too. I’m 42 but my sleep has been pants for 20 years, it could be making it worse though.

Igmum · 20/10/2021 05:45

Joining in. I'm with you on the crap sleeping. I also get to sleep just fine then wake up anywhere between 1 and 3 and on bad nights that's it. Stress can reduce this further. Reading the tips with interest

porites · 20/10/2021 05:45

Borrow a Fitbit or similar sleep tracker watch so you can understand when you are getting the deep sleep which makes you feel rested. Try and prevent ANY noise/disruptions during that. I found as long as I was getting that deep sleep, going in and out of light sleep/awake in the early hours didn't affect my tiredness overly. That helped the sleep anxiety.

Are you sharing a bed? Try kicking them out for a week if so, see if it helps.

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