Melatonin for frequent night waking when I fall asleep easily?

[neverReallyasleep]

Ive never slept well. Extremely light sleeper. Waking every hour or so and always exhausted. The slightest noise or smell or anything really will also wake me. I feel like I never get into a deep sleep cycle.

I spoke to the GP who said that as I fall asleep ok there’s nothing wrong and no need to try medications . I feel like melatonin might help ? But he said it’s only for getting to sleep not staying asleep? Is it worth a try anyway?

I am similar but have a problem getting to sleep so melatonin helps. But when I wake and can’t get back to sleep I find a few drops of cbd drops from trip do the trick. I buy them from Holland and Barrett

Unfortunately, the GP is right. I take melatonin nightly as I struggle to drop off. However, I'm still the light sleeper I always have been and wake regularly after the first few hours' sleep.

Melatonin helps to fall asleep. It won’t keep you asleep.

You can try but I’m not sure it will be that helpful.
I find THC drinks are great for solid sleep but sadly they aren’t legal in the UK. You could try cbd, which is its less effective cousin.

Are you physically active in the daytime and getting plenty of natural daylight?

This.
Truth.

It’s also addictive imo and can cause heart problems

Timed release melatonin or take it when you wake (say 2 am). Works for me.

I find ashwaganda quite good for staying asleep. I've tried loads of things and this is the only one that makes any difference.

Yes I’m up early and make sure I get out and I walk a lot and exercise. I have no trouble falling asleep never had but even as a child this is how I was. I do have AuDHD which I sometimes wonder about maybe being the cause? I just feel I could cope better when I was younger and now the lack of restful deep sleep is so hard to manage

I’ll give it a try I’ll try anything currently!

Melatonin helps me fall asleep, but magnesium seems to help me stay asleep better.

Magnesium helps me stop waking up, I take it at bedtime

It’s a long shot but I have adhd and my sleep improved a lot when I shifted my diet a bit - mainly avoiding processed food in the evening, and sugar/chocolate later in the day… I also take a magnesium supplement like a pp.

Magnesium and estrogen helped me.

If you’re peri menopausal, progesterone gives me the most wonderful sleep. All night through, like a teenager.

This is the one that I use, but I imagine any brand would be similar. https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/the-herbtender-doze-dream-with-reishi-and-ashwagandha-60-vegan-capsules-6100004018

I take ashwagandha daily and magnesium before bed and have noticed improved sleep. I would say three weeks of taking them was when I started to notice a difference. I find the ashwagandha also helps with my mood. I have wake ups due to DC and low quality sleep was just killing me, I find now I am now falling back to sleep faster and deeper sleep also so feel better in the morning even though I’m still waking. I am sensitive to noise also and realised after a holiday sharing a room with my DC when he was little that his pink noise machine is great, I bought myself one and have it on every night now 😀

It gives me weird vivid dreams and doesn’t keep me asleep

Those in the UK who take melatonin, I'm assuming you got it on prescription? Just curious because I had to have mine prescribed by a consultant at a sleep clinic (I have a circadian rhythm disorder) and I was under the impression that was the only way it could be obtained in the UK?

Maybe check for sleep apnea or silent reflux? Both can cause frequent awakenings.

Be careful. Ashwaghanda gave me insomnia.

I’m a really bad snorer post 3 am no idea why though and when I’ve mentioned it to the GP they were dismissive and the dentist said she couldn’t see any reason for it from that perspective ??

There is a slow release melatonin but doctors are reluctant to prescribe any melatonin. It’s only recommended short term though to get you into a good sleep routine.

As pp says, you could try just taking melatonin when you wake during the night and can’t get back to sleep.

My daughter has slow release melatonin which helps you stay asleep