Insomnia and a full time job-anyone else?

[PencilFace]

Just wondering if anyone can relate. Since I’ve hit my late thirties I seem to have lost the ability to sleep normally at night. It can take me many long, dark, dull hours to drop off and then I tend to sleep fitfully. At weekends I can sleep much better.

I have a job that I really enjoy but it’s getting increasingly hard to be ‘normal’ there when I am frequently so sleep deprived. Long term if this carries on I’m either going to have to go part-time or even quit, neither of which I want to do!

Any other fellow working insomniacs for some solidarity? Or any tips of how to function on little sleep? I’m tried all the usual warm bath, magnesium, CBT etc. Doc says take a SSRI but I’m not convinced.

I have had all bloods done (except for hormones) and everything is normal. I’m actually physically very healthy (well, apart from being a little overweight) it’s just my brain that is broken.

It sounds like a lot of us have had a similar experience at the doctors. I guess they don’t really know what to do with us or perhaps even think we are overreacting. I also got the hot milk, have a bath advice and I could have screamed. All they will offer me is citalopram which is well known for causing insomnia. I’m not convinced it’s the answer.

I'm going through this too atm. I'm 42, don't know if I'm peri or what but its hell on earth. Sleeping tablets do not work for me and I'm getting desperate. I feel like I'm losing the plot sometimes.

I don't know how I function sometimes and its worse on the days I have work as I know I have to sleep. Last Friday I had to go in on 1 1/2 hours sleep which was hell. The nights are loooooonnnnggg and it doesn't help when everyone else is asleep and snoring

What anti histamines do people recommend as ill try anything and are they on the shelves or over the counter. Ta

@MegaClutterSlut Piriton is probably the weakest but the least likely to cause effects the next day. Nytol is pretty good, but the absolute strongest are Promethazine (phenergan) and Kirkland sleep aid. I think you can buy phenergan otc and Kirkland sleep aid you can buy online from the US.

The only thing with antihistamines is that they supposedly loose effectiveness if you use them too much. I try not to use them more than two or three times a week for this reason.

What I should have said eventually got the gp to listen was that I said - and genuinely meant - that being dead would be better than feeling like my life and relationships and job were on the line because I can't sleep and I'm
a danger to myself and others.

I literally could not recall the name of "the bloke who wrote it" in front of y11. The answer? Shakespeare.

I can completely understand this-I’ve forgotten the names of objects, mixed workmates names up (I’ve worked with them for over 10 years) and lost many mugs, bits of paper, objects of clothing etc etc at work. It’s a bit of a running joke with my colleagues now but there’s a part of me that feels very embarrassed and shameful about it.

I also worry about my ability to drive when I’ve had a bad night. I feel my judgement and reaction times are impaired. It doesn’t help I have a half hour commute either way through heavy traffic.

I am going to schedule another appointment with the doctor and mention some of the medications on this thread. I will update once I’ve spoken to them in the hope that it may be helpful to anyone else struggling with this.