Anyone else finding alcohol affects sleep badly in their fifties?

[ElleJayC]

I’m early 50’s but since I’ve hit late 40’s, alcohol massively affects my sleep. I don’t drink much at all but I’d love to be able to have a night out occasionally without the horrendous sleep that follows. Rubbish sleep, heart palpitations and then wide awake at about 4am, hot sweats - even after 2 glasses of wine.

I don’t drink enough to have a hang over but the feelings of lack of sleep, ridiculous hunger and just general yuck the next day are stopping me from drinking anything. Yes it’s probably better for my health but I’d love to be able to have a few drinks occasionally!

Red wine and prosecco seem to be the absolute worst. Anyone have any tips on drinks that aren’t as bad for it? Should I eat something before bed to sort my blood sugar out? Any advice or tips please!! I’ve got a few 50th birthday weekend celebrations coming up this year for friends and at the moment I don’t think I’ll manage full weekends without sleep.

Same here - it was so horrible. I'd wake up at 3am with my heart pounding out of my chest and a horrible feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. Then I'd have panic attacks the next day about what I said or did (even when I wasnt that drunk!) and I'd feel really low in mood for about 3 days and then by the 4th day it would be gone.

Since I stopped drinking that feeling has never returned -thankfully.

I very much enjoy the taste of alcohol, the effects not so much at 54, so I don't drink these days. I do like to smoke pot some evenings, which doesn't seem to have any ill effects as long as I don't give in to the munchies.

Exactly this. I occasionally have a couple of G&Ts and enjoy them. But it has to be in the afternoon otherwise I don't sleep well. Also follow with plenty of water.

What happens is you produce less of the enzyme that converts the waste product of alcohol, so instead it hangs around making you feel terrible. You need your body to expel the acetaldehyde more effectively.

You can buy supplements that replace the enzyme, but I suppose you could also try a spoonful of Marmite and it would probably do much the same. Marmite on toast before bed with a big glass of water?

Yes, I'm mid 50s and stopped drinking about 3 years ago. It just wasn't worth it to me anymore. I'd end up with really poor sleep, crazy hot flushes and a really bad head type next day, after just 2 drinks. It just felt easier to take it out of the equation.

I have this since my early 40s with wine and prosecco so I drink them rarely.

I don't get it with vodka based cocktails so have swapped to them instead!

Same here. I am loosing weight so in general I don't mind to avoid empty calories but I just loved to be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a cocktail afterwards.

Unfortunately there are basically no non-alcoholic wines which taste the same. I don't like gin so that's out. Often non-alcoholic cocktails are just a mix of fruit juices. I hate beer so I am a bit jealous of DH having such a vast variety of non-alcoholic options.

I sometimes drink a glass of Port or Calvados, Sherry or Brandy when I cook with it and accept that it will make my sleep more difficult.

It does reduce the shopping bill though.

Yes. It’s strongly (anecdotally at least) associated with menopause.

Sorry, I have to disagree. I'm a bloke and the same thing happened to me in my 40s.

It's advancing years and, I regret, it does not get any better.

I’m so glad I posted! Prosecco, especially a Rose, plus anything mixed with coke is already on my banned list so it looks like I’m adding my red wine to it. I eat really well, exercise and sleep brilliantly on a normal night so although I hardly drink, I’m not willing to give it up completely yet if I can help it (even though I’ve been reminded how bad it is for me by some!)

Thanks for those who have provided info as to why it’s happening -I’d assumed something to do with a drop in blood sugar- and thanks to those who have offered tips to try. An afternoon G&T followed by marmite on toast sounds like something worth trying to me 😁

@somekindofday drinking is the best answer ! I’m 55 and rarely drink but if I have to I will arrange to have a lunchtime drink and then drink loads of water

I agree with this. If we’re out during the day I can have a couple of lager shandies if it’s sunny, or vodka and cokes (the amount of vodka most pubs put in is so minimal they might as well not bother). Home by evening, food, bit of downtime , still feeling sober, no ruined sleep or hangover. If I’m out later in the evening I’ll generally only have one drink or nothing at all.

I go out early and home early, can’t drink alcohol near bedtime.

I agree OP but it’s not affected me enough to make me stop drinking altogether, I still enjoy 1 or 2 drinks a lot so I continue to have them. And I don’t care if I feel a bit rough the next day if I’ve enjoyed the evening / day before.

I get hot flushes and night sweats without alcohol anyway. I haven’t found drinking a small amount eg a glass of wine makes it any worse.

I’m early 30s and I’ve always had this issue