After my last baby was born I haven't been the same. I basically noticed my sleep was really poor. I started grinding and pushing my tongue against my teeth Id sleep and then wake up exhausted. I thought it might be sleep apnea so gp referred me to the hospital who found that I was waking up on average every 20 mins - it's called micro arousals. My brain doesn't remember the wakings and I fall back to sleep only to be woken again which explains the morning exhaustion.
The hospital found nothing abnormal with my brain waves or muscles etc but did notice the bruxism. They weren't convinced that it was this that was causing my problems but sent me home to try melatonin which after taking for several months hasn't improved my symptoms.
I personally am convinced it's the bruxism. So during the day I tried consciously relaxing but have noticed I am utterly incapable of this. It seems that I am in a constant state of tension and I am holding my breath all the time like I don't even know how to breath properly. My shoulders just go back up the moment I stop thinking about it. My stomach feels like it's popping out and really uncomfortable when I try to relax and wonder if this has anything to do with it too!
Thank you if you have read this far but I am at the end of my tether and noone knows what the hell is wrong with me!