AIBU to expect better quality of sleep?

[AbsolutelyKnackered]

I feel so sleep deprived, as if I've got a newborn baby. It's making me utterly miserable and isn't easy for those around me either.

I've been using a Fitbit tracker to track my sleep. I know they are not 100% accurate but what it says fits with how I feel.

It takes me from 5 to 30 minutes to get to sleep, generally. But my sleep is very disturbed. In say 7 hours of sleep I'll usually have an hour of restlessness through the night, and I won't often sleep for more than 1.5 hours without a bout of restlessness. I got DH to wear it one night and he slept solidly for 6 of his 7 hours.

I'm 45. I'm fit and healthy. I've recently lost a stone and have another one to lose. My DCs are 12 and 9 so I'm not being woken by them. I'm in surgical menopause and have been using HRT gel for 2 years (ie not having night sweats).

I don't know whether to go the doctor. Feels silly going saying "I'm tired" (aren't we all?) but this can't be right? I also don't understand enough about sleep cycles - am I never fully getting a complete cycle because of all the restlessness and night waking (2 or 3 times).

I just wondered if others are aware of their sleep or lack of (apart from obvious scenarios like newborns etc).

.Sleep problems can be a menopause symptom. Do you exercise? I find regular exercise very helpful in giving me a good night's sleep.

Yes I do bigblue. 4 to 5 times a week. A combination of weight training and CV.

Are you perhaps waking up in the morning in the wrong part of your sleep cycle?

Perhaps try one of the apps that tracks your cycle, and when you are in a light sleep close to your alarm time, it plays quiet music that slowly gets louder and wakes you in a nice way. This might help you feel less tired during the day.

As far as I know a normal night's sleep involves a few cycles of deep sleep interspersed with lighter sleep during which you move more. Solid deep sleep for 7 hrs isn't really the norm!

Also whether you have sweats or not, menopause mucks up your sleep something rotten (voice of experience here )

I think you should see your doctor. There could be some reason why the HRT you're on isn't right for you, or you could have another condition which is interfering with your sleep cycle. What you eat can also affect this.
I don't exercise at all (I'm old!) and never have particularly, but I've always slept like a top, so exercise may not be a factor.

I hate it when doctors ask this, but he/she probably will: Is anything worrying you? Have you got something ahead which is a concern? Financial probs, a family member in difficulty, things like that. (NB I'm not asking you these questions, just pointing out the sort of stuff that worries people!)

I sympathise because to me there's nothing worse than feeling tired and under-slept. If I lose sleep while travelling to Africa for example, I feel absolutely terrible, so I can imagine your state.
Have a word with the doc.

Thank you spiders (remember you from your lovely post about Billy!). All very valid points. x

Compared to me you sleep well! Not that knowing that will make you feel any better!

I take anything from 30 mins to 4 hours to nod off, have been known to not sleep at all and have had this for 10 years....doctors are generally pretty useless when it comes to sleep. I take over the counter sleep aids but have almost become immune. I think I have had a total of 25 hrs sleep in the last 7 days and that is pretty normal.

I sympathise....

Hi op, I haven't used a sleep tracker app but Im planning to soon as I have very poor quality sleep. I'm a very light sleeper which doesn't help but it's not just that as even when dh is away and so not in the bed to disturb me I wake up at least 3 or 4 times a night. It doesn't tend to take me long to get back to sleep (unless I'm worrying about something, occasionally) but I don't feel like I ever sleep deep enough to get good quality sleep. At the weekends I regularly need to take an afternoon nap to catch up and I'm sure I would during the week too if I could. I don't know the answer I'm afraid, just that you're not alone!

I had this problem i tried lavender spray oil on my pillow, that helped. The thin I've found the most is I've stopped taking my mobile phone into the bedroom. I have slept so much better compared to when it was on my bedside table. Also calms help when I'm a bit anxious. Hope you get if sorted there's nothing worse than being shattered and not being able to sleep

I've just been looking at HRT/menopause etc. and I think I might need some progesterone... going to see if I can get a referral from my doc. I get a LOT of headaches too.

www.studd.co.uk/meno_testosterone.php