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

[fluffythedragonslayer]

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.

I know you're dismissing talk of sleep hygiene, but have you ever actually practised any of that?!

(Sorry if you have - it's just not very clear from what you've posted)

I feel for you op! I don’t sleep brilliantly but yours sounds horrendous. Can you get another opinion from another GP?? Yours definitely isn’t listening to you that’s clear. Some podcasts I often enjoy at 3am:

• sleep stories on the CALM app (the breathing tool is also good)
• BBC history extra podcast
• Dan Snow’s history Hit
• BBC radio 4 investigative stories podcasts: the crypto queen, The Lazarus project
• Stressproof podcast (good & insightful but small doses as it makes me overthink!)
• Today in Focus or Politics weekly from The Guardian
• Cults podcast

I know there’s a few podcasts that are audiobooks too of classics but I can’t remember the name.

Obviously I’ve no idea if we have the same tastes but a few ideas and even if they are a bit boring for you that might be a good thing 😆 I found aswell that it was much better to do something rather than beat myself up about the fact I wasn’t asleep when I should be! My other thing to do at 3am is watch episodes of Poirot or Miss Marple on YouTube! I recommend Death on the Nile 😉xo

Sorry if it’s already been mentioned but have you tried melatonin? I buy it online and it’s amazing for sleep!

@garlicandsapphires

Sorry if it’s already been mentioned but have you tried melatonin? I buy it online and it’s amazing for sleep!

Which brand do you buy, Garlic? Ive nearly run out.

@BIWI

I know you're dismissing talk of sleep hygiene, but have you ever actually practised any of that?!

(Sorry if you have - it's just not very clear from what you've posted)

Absolutely agree that sleep hygiene can have amazing results but you really have to commit and be rigid with it

Rangan Chatterjee has some great information on his podcasts about sleep

@BIWI

I know you're dismissing talk of sleep hygiene, but have you ever actually practised any of that?!

(Sorry if you have - it's just not very clear from what you've posted)

I have tried with all the tips I can do. I always get up out of bed since I know you aren’t supposed to lounge around bed while you’re awake, don’t drink any coffee just a flavoured tea which is no caffeine. I also try to read a few pages of a book when I get up in the night rather than going in the computer or tv. The one I can’t really follow is the advice to go to bed undisturbed in the same routine each night. I have four kids (one with sen) and a husband who often works shifts/nights. It’s just not possible for me to say no Leo don’t disturb mummy it’s snoozy time and I’m knackered. So often I’d like to be in bed at 10 but ds is awake so I’m having to soothe him etc. It’s difficult.

Try this
www.sleepio.com/mobile/
Developed by Cambridge University. I think you have to fill in a questionnaire and then it will tell you if you’re eligible unfortunately I wasn’t.

I’ve tried so many things over the years.
Guided meditation / body scan- this occasionally worked.

Dont drink tea/coffee after lunchtime.
I notice the effect if I do.

I use a rain storm app, Set for 15 mins and I’m asleep. I think my brain likes to overthink so. instead focusses on the noise. This works the best for me.

I also find that if I go to bed too early I’m more awake through the night.
So I try to aim for 2am and up at 7.
This way I at least get 4/5 hours.

Not sleeping is horrific. I have gone through stages where I slept barely an hour/ night over a long period of time.

I used to get up and make a cup of tea and watch TV or read when I get insomnia because I was told that was better than lying in bed frantic that you're not asleep. But now I just meditate - relaxation techniques and breathing techniques. It's the next best thing to actual sleep. Helps the body relax and clears the mind a bit. Is that worth a try?

Dr Michael Mosley did a program called the truth about sleep. One of the things he tried was a prebiotic supplement. I’ve tried it too and it sometimes works.

www.bimuno.com/

Sertraline is the only thing that has really helped me. It stopped my anxiety so I sleep really well now.

I second the bimuno prebiotic mentioned by @Rummikub upthread. It does help me a bit to sleep more deeply. Another plus, I am convinced it has helped me eat less and so lose weight. I also read about a sleep clinic somewhere with a system involving staying up later to try and reset your sleeping and after 20 mins or so with no sleep, you must get up and go to another room to read. There were other rules too. It was detailed in the Guardian and on a TV programme ( possibly with Michael Mosely). I will try to find a link.

I can't manage a link, sorry, but what Dr Mosely suggested, I think, was called Sleep Restriction Therapy.

Hello from the 3am club. I am really struggling. I can’t sleep at night, so I stay awake until 3 or 4 am then have to be up at 7am. I can nap in the day, which I shouldn’t do I suppose, but if I don’t I start to feel sick and tired.
I will be trying some of these suggestions, thanks. Especially the HRT. I’m 45 soon and think it will help.
to fellow insomniacs.

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

I suffered from anxiety insomnia for years due to being a single parent with no money working all hours in the NHS. I was on my knees. I sleep all night now I'm on escitalopram. You won't sleep with snxiety. I also have storm outside log cabin videos on YouTube on in the background. Theow level noise is a comfort. I always take my meds in the morning as they keep you awake if you take them before bed.

"Storm outside log cabin" - what a fantastic idea, thanks. I'm gonna try that.

Sounds like my storm app. I do wonder why it works

If you can find time to meditate I find it helps my mindset. I may have had 4 hours sleep but at least my half hour meditation has reset my brain to calm and relaxed from stressed and wired. Hopefully reducing the angst and misery of sleeplessness.