How do I stop waking up in the early hours?

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

I keep waking up at 4am, its really annoying, sometimes I get another hour or so, sometimes I just toss and turn. Its been weeks if not months. I'm not particularly stressed I don't think.

What do I do? :(

I wish I"d looked out the window too now :(

It’s just as pretty tonight if you happen to wake early again 🌕

oh yes its lovely :)

sigh I thought I had nailed this with the magnesium and posotive mental attitude. Apparently not.

It's hard, isn't it. You think you've nailed a solution, then suddenly it doesn't work.

I had a bad week of sleep last week, was mildly stressed about a work project. Project passed, have instantly got more sleep without changing anything else.

I hate how easily stressed I get and how if affects sleep. I'm way past menopause so it's not likely to change I suppose. Had no issues with sleep before menopause, stress had no impact on it.

Yeah my stress response always used to be to conk out cold for 7 hours.

Well such is the nature of a cure it might work, it might work partially, it might
work temporarily, it might make no difference at all 🤷🏻‍♀️

your back might split open and birth a monster

ok maybe not that last one, that might be a film trailer I just watched 😂

like the moon is literally a light in the darkness, getting out and seeing it in the midst of sleeplessness is figuratively a positive light in the gloom of insomnia

so maybe find something joyful in the wakefulness so if/when you see 2am or 3am or 4am on the clock you have at least a small moment of pleasure rather than an all encompassing feeling of doom

let the dog/cat/gerbil out for a crepuscular run in the garden while you have your as-strong-as-you-like-cos-what-fucking-difference-does-it-make coffee wrapped in a big blanket doing some night-sky viewing

amuse yourself and confuse others by talking about 1st & 2nd breakfasts like a hobbit

cultivating hairy feet is optional but might be useful for keeping warm on the garden adventures

if you are more drawn to victoriana than middle earth, throw into conversations that after breakfast you ‘take to your bed’ for a few hours

if you are having coffee at 3am this is both possible and truthful and - no guarantees - but may also help with a second sleep see here:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/coffee-nap

don’t forget the long nightie to swish about the house and garden in keep warm for winter

you might find glowsticks a health and safety friendly alternative to a candlestick

maybe some Marleyesque chains to rattle

<looks forward to future threads on MN of “WTF is happening in my neighbours house every night at 3am??”>

Actually about to have second breakfast :D

😂 fair play!

I’d try and fit something about it putting hairs on your feet rather than chest but I’m flagging a bit rn

I’m off to have a lovely espresso and a lie down in the garden with a book so I’ve enough energy for rattling later 👻

@WellOwlBeDamned your posts are a great tonic! Can you do a podcast?!!!

And your username is so apt to your posts

My bladder keeps me awake 1 am then 3 am then can't get back to sleep! I don't tend to drink at night so it isn't that. It is the pills I am on. One is a water tablet, and two others say that the drawback is a more active bladder!

I’m back on Amitriptyline- I didn’t want to be but it works - for the past three nights I have had 8 hours sleep with no wakings.

Thank you @tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz I don’t have all the necessary attributes but it is lovely of you to suggest 💐

imagining it will provide some fun distraction during the longer winter nights when it’s too cold to be rattling around the garden!

I was about to say it’s near time for Halloween name changes but just remembered the new MN one name per thread rule

I shall miss ‘new name’ <twirls> threads/posts😕

interesting about Ami Frank I’ve had it previously but aside from yucky dry mouth had no other negative effects (unfortunately not enough desired ones either!)

what’s dampening your joy of sleeping?

aaaand, if it’s not too DJ/morningTV presenter rather than witty podcaster, speaking of dampening 😂

Death that’s frustrating! I suppose similar to Frank on the side effects creating a choose your bad - solve problem A but have to then deal with problem B as a result - annoying!

Well here’s hoping we have a lovely peaceable sunrise and a bit of fun imagining ourselves in an entirely different career - you’ve seen tell’s suggestion for me

what would you all choose?

Well here we are again, maybe I will try upping the magnesium to two tablets from tomorrow.

Has been a bit of a stressful week at work though. Which could be impacting me.

All warm and cosy though so hopefully will get back to sleep in a bit.

I'm in Spain and have discovered Spanish phenergan. Gotta love a Spanish pharmacy.

I am having a nightmare with the waking up again too. I really thought the magnesium was working but perhaps it was just a coincidence. I’ve tried taking two tablets & still woke a lot. I might try some phenergan tonight actually- thanks for the reminder @Floofydawg.

I had allergy/runny nose lately so started using cetirizyne before sleep (every supermarket and Boots has it as cheap "antiallergy" tablets) and it helps me sleep better than magnesium. I feel magnesium has only short-lived effect and I have to top up if wake up at 4-5 am and than wait for up to 30-40 min. With cetirizine I go back to sleep really quickly or don't wake up at all and don't need to top up at night. I will not be using it for too long but it is a good solution for a few days.

Nytol also contains a medicine that was used for treatment of allergies years ago but caused sleepiness and now is used as a sleep supplement.

Interesting, as Cetirizine is a non-sedating antihistamine! Chlorphenamine (Piriton) is the one that should make you sleepy. Good you’ve found something that works though.

@Shinyandnew1 it's a newer generation definitely, but it's sedating our family allright :)) if I give half tablet to my son at night for skin rash or smth it's guaranteed he'll not wake up too early in the morning.

Yes Amitriptyline, along with other chemical properties, is an anticholinergic too, which is probably why i drop to sleep really quickly after taking it.

I am generally shattered and have no trouble going to sleep, was 9:30 last night which does mean I've jad 7 hours with my 4:30AM wakeup.

I've always been an early riser. Like you, if I go to bed early it's fine. But I still wake up in the early hours if I go to bed late. So, I'm afraid my only solution is to go to bed early most nights! I think of myself as an 'early to bed, early to rise' person.

I'm always hungry when I wake up maybe I need a pre bed snack. Might try a boiled egg before bed tonight.

I'm a massive morning eater. Most of my eating happens in the morning! I eat moderately at lunchtime; and next to nothing at night. I've tried eating later to see if I sleep later; but no effect. I'm just a morning person. But, you might be different, as it sounds like this is a recent thing for you. Whereas I'm a lifelong early bird 🐦

I'm another one. Reading this thread has given me something to do.

Managed a bit more sleep which was nice!