To hate not being able to sleep

[saltnpepa]

Just that really. About once every few months I can't sleep and end up going to sleep at 2 or 4am and a few times I have been awake all night. I hate these nights and get in a total state about it and worry about not being able to function the following day. I wish I could just shrug it off as a bad night but I hate the laying awake fretting. Anyone else the same?

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Had a couple of crap nights on the trot again now, seems to be a cycle for me. A few OK nights then several crap ones was awake until gone 2am then woke naturally at 4.30, 13 hours at work today should be fun. I have given up looking for an answer.

[Thisishowyoudisappear]

If it's only every few months, it's probably not doing you any harm.

Valerian tea is great for mild insomnia - Dr Stuart's, available in Holland & Barrett and Asda. It's an acquired taste, but brilliant.

As PP mentioned, Night Nurse or Sominex (promethazine) are good for occasional insomnia, and not addictive.

I try to do a body scan, head to feet, or if my mind feels agitated I go through the alphabet thinking of something for each letter for a certain topic ... Usually sandwich fillings.

Practising relaxation or meditation during the day makes it easier to relax on demand.

[nooka]

My dd is on high dose magnesium for migraines and also because it makes her sleepy at night and she otherwise struggles (and being tired is a big migraine trigger for her). I take a magnesium, zinc and melatonin supplement at bedtime (am in North America so can get this from my pharmacist) and it's made a huge difference to my ability to get to sleep.

[LocalEditorEssex]

This is me this week. I go to sleep between 9pm and 10pm and wake up at 3.30am. I felt amazing yesterday as managed to sleep until 5.30am.
Today is another 3.30 though.

I try not to worry about how shit I will feel later in the day.

I know why I am not sleeping, I just hope I can get back to normal soon.

[yeahokthen]

It's good to feel I'm not the only one. Off to buy Magnesium today, thanks for the tip.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

My brain kicks into overdrive when I get into bed. It is frustrating, however Ive found the easiest way to get myself to sleep is to have something to watch. We dont have a TV in the bedroom so its an episode of something on my phone under my pillow to listen to or an audiobook.

I know its not good sleep rules but it worksand so far its the only thing Ive found that works at 2am after a nightfeed.

[Blueskybrightstar]

This might only be relevant for a few posters but supplementing with magnesium and calcium before bed can make a massive difference to the inability to fall asleep (or toss and turn for an hour or two) and to stop early wake ups (e.g. 4 or 5am waking). Taking it made a huge difference for me as I suffered from both-it made an immediate impact and now, after a few months of taking it every night, plus a sleep cue (mine is just reading a relaxing book), and finally ear plugs (but that's more a snoring partner issue!) I can literally fall asleep in a minute or two. Often I also have a herbal tea with a mild dose of valerian in it too and that also really helps.

[Hippee]

I used to be an insomniac, lying awake and worrying about everything - not least the fact that I couldn't get to sleep. I've tried all sorts of list-making and counting stuff, but have finally discovered a method that works for me 99% of the time. I have a story that I create, and every night I add a bit more, or elaborate a bit. I am enjoying the story so much that I don't mind if I don't go to sleep for a while, but I usually go off quite quickly. My story is a historical romance, set at the time of the crusades - I'll let you know when I finally write it down and get published . I think it's actually much harder to get back to sleep if you wake too early, though.

[yeahokthen]

I don't know if it's insomnia but I'm wide awake at 5am every morning.

It doesn't matter if I go to bed at 9pm or 11pm it's the same.

I thought it was the menopause but even after starting HRT it's the same.
Reading normally sends me to sleep, Kindle Paper White is great because you don't need the light on, but I just can't get back to sleep. It's exhausting.

[hiccupgirl]

My insomnia comes and goes depending on what's going on in my life.

At the mo I either fall asleep on the sofa about 9pm, wake at 11 and then can't get back to sleep until 3-4am then DS gets up about 6.30. Or I manage to not fall asleep on the sofa, go to bed and fall asleep about 11pm, wake up at 3am and then am awake until 6. I'm good at getting by on 3 hours sleep but it's so much better when I manage 6-7 hours.

If you can't sleep after 30 mins, get a book or kindle or go and watch some TV though I find it harder to switch back off again after TV.

[saltnpepa]

I think that is excellent advice VerminEquinox I have managed to do today on just over 3 hours sleep and I've been a bit crap and distracted but ok. I don't know why it gets me so stressed. I love the idea of giving up on sleep and going running but I think I'd be out all night rather than lay in bed not sleeping. Has anyone read anything about adrenal fatigue and links to insomnia?

[VerminEquinox]

Chronic Insomniac here
I used to go running in the night
I liked the silence of the streets then but gave it up because I could never get back to sleep afterwards.

The most calming thing really is knowing I can function quite adequately on 4 hrs sleep - maybe not brilliantly - but ok. So not anticipating a s*t day means I'm more likely to go back to sleep.

[Ratfinkandbobo]

I work nights and sleep better in the day than at night when I'm off.

[saltnpepa]

I know once every few months isn't much, I certainly don't think I'd need a sleep clinic, it's just so frustrating. I lay in bed hoping I'll drop off but get more and more stressed but on the Some nights I've got out of bed and distracted myself I've ended up staying up all night pottering about.

[SomewhereIBelong]

"I guess you were you someone who couldn't sleep because your mind was "full of stuff", Somewhere?"

I didn't think I was, but it worked, so I guess I must have been...

[MyCatIsAGit]

Life long insomniac here too. Sometimes I listen to the radio (on headphones), quite often I'll get up and make a cup of decaff tea. Kindle/Ipad has been a godsend as I can read without waking husband up (though he sleeps through anything).

I think occasional insomnia is worse, husband has one or two nights a year when he can't sleep, and boy do we hear about it.

Things that help, cutting out caffeine, alcohol and chocolate - or being aware that if I have any of those I'm probably not going to sleep.

Exercise.

I'll also lie there and go round the garden in my head naming all the plants - a bit like counting sheep - and I've usually fallen asleep before the end.

[ihategeorgeosborne]

I'm the same. Been like it for years, well since having dcs. My GP has referred me to a sleep clinic, which is quite helpful. I now keep a sleep diary and try not to stay in bed when I'm really not sleeping. I have started taking circadin tablets too, which are supposed to enhance your natural circadian rhythm. They are really helpful, although I'll probably struggle to come off them. I miss sleep!

[ragged]

I guess you were you someone who couldn't sleep because your mind was "full of stuff", Somewhere?

[SomewhereIBelong]

I used to be an insomniac, but now my head hits the pillow and I am gone.

Did a need-to-sleep course - to start with, half an hour before you go up, you sit - no tv/book/gadgets, just sit - close your eyes and imagine a fingerprint, concentrate until you can see all the ridges and furrows - it takes some work to start with, this empties your mind of "stuff", then go to bed lie down and imagine it again - it comes more easily,

after a week or 2 you don't need to do the half hour thing, just imagine it when you lie down, your body starts to associate it with sleep, next thing I know it is morning....

[ragged]

Once every few months? (insert hollow laughter here)

[MaidOfStars]

Not as bad as some but I have at least one poor night a week, lying awake until 4-5am then a couple of hours of sleep before work. It doesn't happen on the same night, so I can't pin down a specific activity or pattern that creates sleeplessness - it's just a busy head failing to switch off.

I usually know by about midnight if it's happening. I've taken a couple of Night Nurse capsules before and they work well. But midnight is a little late for them so I feel pretty spaced all of the following morning. I tend to get up, go to another room and read.

[Ginmartini]

I'm the same. Often wake at 4/5am and get up in the end (my kids are all older so it's nothing too do with that). So tiring. For me it's stress plain and simple and not being able to shut mind off.

I never take pills. But I do have a couple of glasses of red wine most nights though I don't think it really helps.

[MadBannersAndCopPorn]

I'm up every night for at least an hour, either tossing and turning or come down stairs to mn/ browse web.
I find if dd 15mo wakes up after about 2ish and starts grizzling (I never go in, she just Grizzles back to sleep in 5 minutes...) I'm up.
I go back to bed and usually fall into a lightish sleep until morning. I feel unless I'm out and away from the children, I'm never really totally off guard- I hope it passes as they get older.

Those of you who take pills etc for sleep, do you find it hard to awaken in the morning? And are you able to wake during the night if you need to? Sorry to sound ignorant but would be interested to know as I've suffered bad sleep all my life- I've never been brave enough to take more than something herbal as I'm scared I won't wake up!

[Shakshuka]

I go through stages of insomnia as well. Usually lasts a few days every few weeks or months if I'm lucky. Also have Sunday night insomnia!!

I find that 1/2 a unisom tablet really helps. Or I get up and do something productive rather than tossing and turnign (I tell myself Ill be tired int he morning whatever I do so I may as well do something). My dr prescribed zolpiderm but I hated how it made me feel in the morning.