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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be at the end of my rope.....

87 replies

Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 06:56

.... because I have had my 6th night in 9 where i have not slept even one minute. Tried everything. Feel very tearful. Is there any point in going to see my GP.... will they just suggest a hot bath and warm drink? Have had major issues with sleep the last few years but it seems to be getting worse.
Just ground down with it all now

OP posts:
YouBastardSockBalls · 02/01/2016 06:57

YANBU.

Go get some sleeping pills!

Flowers
clairedunphy · 02/01/2016 06:59

Oh poor you. I don't have much experience of that level of insomnia but I would say yes, definitely go to your GP. You can't function like this, surely? You must feel dreadful.

Call them today. And don't underplay it, make sure they know how extreme it is.

clairedunphy · 02/01/2016 07:01

Sorry, it's Saturday... and that's after an OK(ish) sleep!

Call them first thing Monday.

Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:01

Thanks for the flowers You..... last time I went I was told to do this, that and everything.
I just felt I wasn't being taken seriously. I get that sleeping pills are an absolute last resort and GP's don't like prescribing them but not sure what else they want me to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:02

Maybe I do have to try and explain more forcefully how bad it is Claire

OP posts:
Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:04

Just wondered if anyone had any other tips. Tried relaxation/sleep music, meditating, no caffeine in the day, reading, no technology in my bedroom, warm bath, warm milky drinks, going for a walk etc etc

OP posts:
amroc18 · 02/01/2016 07:11

No advice other than definitely go back to GP and push again.

Hugs, you must feel dreadful

nooka · 02/01/2016 07:12

I use Melatonin to break runs of really bad sleeping, but I know you can only get it on prescription in the UK. My dd was told to take magnesium to help with her migraines, and one other side effect is it does make you a bit sleepy so that might be worth a go. You need quite a high dose though.

I'm sure you've already checked your bedroom for distracting noises and lights, checked the temperature, access to fresh air etc? We have blackout curtains, plus I use headphones with white noise which can help to relax (although I mainly use them to cut out the sound of dh sleeping).

Before you visit your GP keep a diary so that you can show what you've tried and demonstrate that you aren't talking about a few hours loss of sleep but have a significant problem. That way you should avoid them telling you to do things you've already tried.

Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:13

I am so knackered I am hallucinating at times.

OP posts:
YouBastardSockBalls · 02/01/2016 07:14

You can get phenergen over the counter from a pharmacist, I'm taking it for nausea but it's also a sedative and is really helping me sleep.

goddessofsmallthings · 02/01/2016 07:16

Have you tried over the counter remedies such as Nytol or Boots own brand version? If not, buy a packet today and try them tonight.

Wash the tablet(s) down with a cup of hot milk that's had a large tot of whisky and a spoonful of sugar stirred into it, invest in blackout blinds if your curtains are on the thin side, sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow, and make sure your bed is warm before you get into it.

Bringiton2016 · 02/01/2016 07:17

Have you tried night nurse until you can see your gp? I've been struggling with sleep for months now, but nothing on your level. I can't think how awful you must feel.

WildStallions · 02/01/2016 07:18

Just because the GP brushed you off before doesn't mean they'll brush you off again. By going back twice for the same problem you are telling them it's serious.

So go back to the GP as spon as you can.

Magnesium is in Epsom salts. You should be able to buy some of them at a chemist today (though if it works but a sack of Epsom bath salts online). Anyway have a hot bath with a cup of Epsom salts in it. That should help.

nutbrownhare15 · 02/01/2016 07:19

Yanbu. I saw a book called the effortless sleep method recommended on another thread. Amazon reviews seem to suggest it really works. Good luck, insomnia is the pits.

Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:23

Ive tried every over the counter sleep aid. The only one that helped initially was the Sainsbury's own brand. I used that a while back but after three nights of use it seemed to lose it's impact. Night Nurse has not touched it.

OP posts:
redcaryellowcar · 02/01/2016 07:24

I'm not an expert on insomnia but whilst studying for my degree and researching for my dissertation I read a study which had looked st the impact of a pre bed bath for the elderly, it basically concluded because a bath would just slightly raise the core body temperature it would help them sleep a little better at night.
I'm sure you aren't elderly, but I suspect similar principles apply to all, I almost always bath my children before bed because of reading this?
Maybe worth a try (I'd add a couple of drops of lavender oil too!)

Original poster
Supermanspants · 02/01/2016 07:28

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
littledrummergirl · 02/01/2016 07:33

Camomile tea before bed.

ifigoup · 02/01/2016 07:34

The thing that made the biggest difference to my insomnia was cutting out ALL caffeine. You said you don't have caffeine in the daytime - do you mean you have one as soon as you wake up and then no more afterwards? For me, if I had even one tea or coffee first thing, not only would I not sleep at all that night, but not at all the next night either. Some people, including me (and possibly you) are just ridiculously sensitive to it. That is the most emphatic suggestion I can make: go cold turkey on caffeine (tea, coffee, cola drinks, maybe even chocolate to start with) and see what happens.

The other thing that made a difference to me was the Honest Guys' sleep meditations on YouTube. Good aspects of these: they're in English accents (I found ones with US accents too stressful); they don't tell you to "take deep breaths" (which I also always find stressful) - they just tell you to breathe normally (YES! I can do that! - which is a major win when you feel you're failing at something as "simple" as sleeping...)

araiba · 02/01/2016 07:42

smoke some weed

BippityBoppityBullshit · 02/01/2016 07:48

Firstly, Flowers superman. I suffer from insomnia occassionally, not as bad as you, I just can't turn my mind off and get so worked up about needing and wanting to sleep, I can't get to sleep! This may be too simple a fix, but a flight attendant friend once shared her trick for getting to sleep after years of insomnia. Blue is a calming colour, it encourages sleep. Start in your bedroom, calmly list in your mind everything in any shade of blue in that room, then move to the next room in your house (or somewhere familiar). I rarely get to the third room before I'm asleep now, it seems to shut out all my brain chatter. Something to try before you go to the Dr

NorksAreMessy · 02/01/2016 07:52

Fellow insomniac here...not nearly at your level, you poor thing, that sounds terrible, but mine is life long and chronic.

My top tips

  • properly comfortable bed. Memory foam mattress over a firm base. Pillows that suit my spine shape, perfect weight of duvet. I did spend quite a lot sorting this out, and made some mistakes
  • an electric fan on all night. The White noise is very soothing. A bathroom extractor fan does the job in hotels, but I do take a tiny fan away with me wherever I go
  • a walk in fresh air every single day. Not exercise in the gym, it has to be in the outside / rain / gale / very fresh
  • no coffee after lunch, no tea after dinner, no refined sugars at all (that just suits my own sensitivity)
  • Audible books. I have a selection of books read to me by brilliant narrators on my iPad. On nights where it is difficult to sleep, at least I am lying down and resting whilst somebody reads to me a book I really love. Any Terry Pratchett sends me to sleep really quickly because I love them so much, and know the story, so I am not afraid of missing something
  • I take two ibuprofen at bedtime (DISCLAIMER! I am not a doctor, this is just what I do) I have arthritis, and it just removes all the minor aches that could keep me awake

That is a huge list, and has been developed over forty years (!)
It is now a routine and works very efficiently nine times out of ten. On the tenth, I just listen to my Audible book and rest in a comfortable bed, still better than getting myself stressed and doing all that 'if I go to sleep now, I will have had four hours and twenty minutes' business.

I do hope that ever one of these suggestions helps, but I also echo previous posters in suggesting that your GP should be approached more forcefully (take a pal with you if you feel you are too tired to manage this)
ask if GP can help you to find underlying cause as well as immediate solution. in my case it is a tendency to anxiety and depression (mental ) coupled with arthritis (physical)

You have my complete sympathy and understanding Flowers

SevenOfNineTrue · 02/01/2016 07:57

Go and see your GP. It is easy for them to brush you off but you sit there and insist they do something. List all of the things you've tried and, if you can, take a trusted friend or close relative with you to help back you up.

Good luck.

Mrswinkler · 02/01/2016 08:00

When DS was 18 months I got into your state, not as bad, I did sleep but not nearly enough and was frazzled. I begged the doctor for tablets. She saw the state I was in. I used them infrequently they lasted me a couple of years but it was the best thing I did. Knowing I had an answer to problem sleeping really helped and I just used them to get back the sleep I needed every now and again.

unlucky83 · 02/01/2016 08:06

Do you know why you can't sleep?
I know that might sound odd but are you worrying about stuff? (Apart from that you can't get to sleep) Has something happened that is playing on your mind? Or you frightened of anything? Is there a cause that you can deal with or maybe reassure yourself this is short term it will get better and therefore remove some of the desperation? (not expecting you to answer - just something for you to think about - when you aren't trying to get to sleep)
Do you get out in the day and get some fresh air and exercise?
Also maybe if the calm bedtime routine isn't working try something else.
I have never suffered long term insomnia -but for short term if I can't sleep I give up - get up and do something - anything
If I am worried about having stuff to do I make a start - so sort washing or tidy up/wash up...or even paperwork things (I know I will have to double check I haven't made any mistakes) - or even just watch tv or a film or something (often fall asleep on the sofa doing that) - or (if you feel you are safe enough) go out for a walk - or read a book or the paper or do a crossword. I don't get into bed unless I am tired..
The other thing I haven't directly tried but would is white noise. I bought buckwheat pillows - they make a rustling noise when you put your head on them - it is really odd at first - I listen to it and think this is irritating - but then it sends me out like a light. And I seem to sleep really deeply. I have a microfibre pillow as well that goes on top but if I can't sleep or am over thinking something I swap them around and put my head directly on it and it works. (You could get a buckwheat pillow to try - but they aren't particularly cheap...)
Good luck - lack of sleep is awful but worrying about it worse...Flowers

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