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Original poster

I haven’t slept in 48 hours and I’m constantly on the go, tips to help me keep going?

54 replies

JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:10

Context: I’m a single parent to a 1 DC whose aged 7. They have some medical issues which involve nighttime waking. The last few nights I will just be dosing off and they’d wake up so I’ve had a few stolen half an hours.

I am on a 0 hours contract so while I can take the day off work I don’t get paid, I also don’t get sick pay, family leave or any other benefits. So I try and save my none working days for the school holidays.

So I’ve been working today, trying to stay awake. DCs night waking is likely to last another few nights (based on previous patterns) so I need to keep going. I won't even get a rest as DC has activities straight after school so I'll have to rush off to sort those and won't get to sit down until after bedtime. I am constantly on the go as I also have caring responsibilities for a sibling.

DC isn’t with their dad at all until the night waking period stops, he literally refuses to take them and if I send DC and they wake him in the night he returns them whatever time of night it is, so no break in sight.

I can’t stop the waking as it’s due to asthma which is made worse by pollen allergies, DC naturally wakes up if they have a nosebleed (frequently) or they start coughing (also frequently) and then they come into me so I have to take them back to bed and resettle them.

DC also hates bed sharing with me and their room isn’t big enough for me to camp out on the floor (it’s not even big enough for a standard size single bed so I can’t even swap as I need at least a single).

So I need tips to get me through until they start sleeping again.

For further context don’t suggest caffeine, I can’t have any at all as it triggers anxiety for me. So any none caffeine related tips?

OP posts:
Tippexy · 03/05/2022 15:14

Cancel the after school activities and take a rest you poor thing!

JuneOsborne · 03/05/2022 15:16

That sounds horrendous.

And terribly unhealthy. I don't really think you can just keep going. But, I get that you feel like you have no choice and ideas such as, don't take DC too the after school stuff, just go home and nap won't help.

Al I've got is don't get warm, don't sit for too long and don't eat large meals that are likely to make you sleepy.

When will you next get some decent sleep?

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 03/05/2022 15:16

Yes I'd cancel activities or sleep in the car while they are on!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

7 year olds Families Sleep
Everydayisabadhairday · 03/05/2022 15:19

Cancel after school club, stick the tv on and rest.

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:21

God I'm so sorry.

I've had periods of no sleep / crazy schedule too, which I guess came to 48 hours but with me crashing out at the end of the 48 hours which it doesn't sound like you will be.

I think you'll have to cancel the activities & rest. I think if you can build in micro sleeps over a few days you'll just about survive.

But you need proper sleep soon.

In the meantime, tonight when DC sleep, you must sleep, get as much sleep as you can before they wake up.

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/05/2022 15:21

Contact your local council to see if they offer respite care.

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:22

The last few nights I will just be dosing off and they’d wake up

Tonight go to sleep the minute that they do.

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:23

Also if sleep is that disrupted by asthma / allergies, go back to your GP and see what help is possible.

(I know that won't sort it today but for the longer-term)

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:23

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/05/2022 15:21

Contact your local council to see if they offer respite care.

For her DC who has asthma? Or do you mean OP's sibling?

Staynow · 03/05/2022 15:27

My advice would be - prop him up while he sleeps, give him piriton before bed, have him sleep in your room if there's not room for you to sleep in his, go to bed the same time he does - and get some sleep! It is so dangerous for you to be driving him to activities or anywhere else if you haven't slept.

Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:51

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:23

Also if sleep is that disrupted by asthma / allergies, go back to your GP and see what help is possible.

(I know that won't sort it today but for the longer-term)

@EarringsandLipstick DC is under the consultant at the hospital who is aware, they're on the strongest inhalers and antihistamines they can be

OP posts:
Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:52

Sorry in answer to PP asking about driving, I don't drive to activities, they're all within a mile of my house so I walk DC to them

OP posts:
Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:53

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/05/2022 15:21

Contact your local council to see if they offer respite care.

@MrsMoastyToasty For DC? For asthma? Doubt we'd get it.

And sibling won't go to respite, they have capacity so can refuse.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:53

DC is under the consultant at the hospital who is aware, they're on the strongest inhalers and antihistamines they can be

That sounds tough.

But if they are waking to this extent & cannot settle (I don't mean when they have asthma but after a nose bleed or coughing) you need some further help.

The level of sleep deprivation you describe isn't sustainable (for either of you).

Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:55

EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 15:53

DC is under the consultant at the hospital who is aware, they're on the strongest inhalers and antihistamines they can be

That sounds tough.

But if they are waking to this extent & cannot settle (I don't mean when they have asthma but after a nose bleed or coughing) you need some further help.

The level of sleep deprivation you describe isn't sustainable (for either of you).

We're awaiting an ENT referral for the nosebleeds, they were referred in March last year and still waiting

OP posts:
TwigTheWonderKid · 03/05/2022 15:56

That sounds awful OP. Can't offer any suggestions that PP haven't made but please don't drive a car whilst you are so sleep deprived; it's incredibly irresponsible.

Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:58

TwigTheWonderKid · 03/05/2022 15:56

That sounds awful OP. Can't offer any suggestions that PP haven't made but please don't drive a car whilst you are so sleep deprived; it's incredibly irresponsible.

@TwigTheWonderKid We walk to activities as they're all within a mile of my house

OP posts:
Chica10 · 03/05/2022 15:58

It’s shocking to hear about DCs dad. What a shit way to treat their child and you. What a shit person he is, leaving the very hardest thing for you to deal with, alone, without respite.

TwigTheWonderKid · 03/05/2022 15:59

Sorry OP ignore my last post, just seen you are not driving.!

I can't imagine that either if you feel like doing that walk in so little sleep, presumably you DC is as sleep deprived as you are? Snuggle on the sofa instead and at least have a rest.

Original poster
JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 16:04

TwigTheWonderKid · 03/05/2022 15:59

Sorry OP ignore my last post, just seen you are not driving.!

I can't imagine that either if you feel like doing that walk in so little sleep, presumably you DC is as sleep deprived as you are? Snuggle on the sofa instead and at least have a rest.

@TwigTheWonderKid DC wants to carry on doing their activities, they don't seem to be as affected by the lack of sleep, I do feel it's a bit selfish of me to stop them when they want to do them and I have to carry on paying either way

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 03/05/2022 16:13

DC wants to carry on doing their activities, they don't seem to be as affected by the lack of sleep, I do feel it's a bit selfish of me to stop them when they want to do them and I have to carry on paying either way

No, it's not, if you haven't slept in 48 hours.

They are 7. Relax, then early bed for both.
If you were definitely going to get some sleep, I'd say power through.

But if tonight will be disrupted too, you need as much rest as possible.

They are only 7, missing the activity is not a problem.

TwigTheWonderKid · 03/05/2022 16:15

I totally get that @JustWantToDoseOff but if you carry on like this you are going to be any use to anyone; it's time for a bit of self-care.

Snoken · 03/05/2022 16:18

I think you need to be a bit selfish here. Definitely cancel the activity today, and go home and catch up on some sleep. If your DC does not want to sleep, they can sit in the room with you and watch TV or something. It is not sustainable for you to not sleep for that long.

Pixiedust1234 · 03/05/2022 16:31

I know you said dc is under consultant care for medication but have you tried propping up the bed head? I used to do that for my youngest when she had severe hayfever. It helps a lot with the nasal drip that causes the coughing. Dont use extra pillows, its the whole bed that needs to be at a slope.

Also damp dust his room etc. You probably been told how to do this and other things for dust etc so won't repeat everything.

bobbythevet · 03/05/2022 16:33

JustWantToDoseOff · 03/05/2022 15:52

Sorry in answer to PP asking about driving, I don't drive to activities, they're all within a mile of my house so I walk DC to them

You don't normally- but not sure from this if you have a car? If so I would suggest making an exception!