To ask if there are any other insomniacs out there and how you cope with it?

[Whatisthisfuckery]

Just that really. I can’t sleep. I go through periods of this from time to time, maybe a couple of times a year. It tends to last a month or so. I’m two weeks in and feeling ill with tiredness. During the day I’m shattered, can hardly keep my eyes open, then at night my brain lights up and I can’t sleep for love nor money.

I have a range of OTC sleeping pills and a small supply of Diasepam which I use sparingly as I don’t want to become dependent.

I’ve tried Headspace sleep meditations; long walks during the day; reading a book; bath before bed; warm milky drink, nothing works.

Please tell me I’m not alone, although I don’t wish this on anybody.

Is there something else I should try? I’m losing my shit here.

Me, I can't sleep.

I don't have any advice though, because I haven't found anything yet that works

Argh, it’s torture isn’t it? I’m bouncing off the walls now but in just under 4 hours when my alarm goes I’ll feel like I want to die.

Me too.

Not much help as I’m in the US, so am able to get a marijuana tincture. It’s literally the only thing that’s ever worked, and I’ve done it all: Trazadone, Advil PM, Ambien, valerian, lavender, various sleepy teas, medication, cut out sugar and caffeine.

Morning fellow insomniacs - rubbish isn’t it?

My record was 19 days with virtually no sleep apart from a couple of hours of fevered sleep with awful vivid dreams when I was coming off some meds. it nearly killed me.

The only thing that comes close to knocking me out is benzos, and even then I’ll keep waking up, and I obviously can’t take many of those. Even getting a small supply prescribed is a bugger.

Another one here! Off to rearrange my freezer

Night Nurse? Sometimes use it if getting desperate.

Greetings Fellow Insomniacs
I’m the opposite. Sleep well for about a month a year in total, and crap sleep the rest of the time.

Have tried (and continue to try) the following:
Meditation sessions on YouTube
Piriton
Warm bath
Reading book
Melatonin which I cadge off anyone going to the USA
Phenergan
Going to bed later
Going to bed earlier

Someone recommended CBD oil as an alternative but have yet to try it.

I laughed @Aethelthryth and the freezer sorting. The best nights sleep I’ve had was after I rearranged all my recipes that I’d cut out from magazines!

A few more....

Acupressure
Yoga

Doesn’t happen that often but occasionally like tonight.

Sometimes it is because I have something on my mind. If that is the case I try writing it down.

Other times it just seems like brain suddenly decides to wake up. Even though I was dropping off downstairs. All of a sudden things come to mind I must google, lol.

I try not to bring tablet upstairs but obviously not hard enough tonight. Right it is going away and going to make a conscious effort to get to sleep.

Sounds like you have high cortisol. Get a 4 point saliva check and get hormones tested. Supplements that have helped me include 5HTP, PS, holy basil and ashwaghanda.

Still here

I’m an in and out insomniac as well and when it hits it can last for weeks and I get 4 hours unbroken sleep a night if I’m lucky.

The only thing that sometimes works for me is lying in a pitch black room with music on through headphones, then I visualise stories to go with the music and it can help me get to sleep, that’s a pretty personal one though 😂

I’ve tried the meds and they’re hit and miss, mostly miss. I’ve tried a lot of methods but generally it comes to an end and my sleep goes back to relative normal. Having my twins (2yo now) hasn’t helped

Me. Nothing works. It’s petty miserable.

25mg Seroquel
long hot baths
Eye mask
pillow over head / wrap t shirt around head
Calming podcasts
Having tv on
Dogs in bed & playing with their fur

insomnia sux & often skip a whole night’s sleep.

Sleep issues are a big reason decided not to have kids. Don’t want to deal with more sleep issues than necessary !

How old are you?

Insomnia is The Worst. Last year has been terrible.

Heavy day at work tomorrow, dreading it.

Half thinking of just getting up.

I don't personally take medication because I dont have an issue falling asleep (could easy sleep at 9pm) but staying asleep. If I wake during the night at all I'm up for 3-4 hours, which happens most nights. I'm pregnant at the moment and it's been at its worst during both of my pregnancies which I guess made the sleepless nights transition a lot easier as my nights were already sleepless.

The main things that work for me are..

1. Going to bed early so that I at least get around 6 hours broken sleep
2. Not sharing a bed with my DH. Hes a very deep sleeper and snorer and I love him a lot less when I'm watching him sleep for 4 hours a night. If you can't have separate beds, definitely separate duvets/blankets.
3. Audiobooks. Over the last 3 years I've listened to an audio book to fall asleep (stephen Fry reading Harry Potter) which takes away the anxious/overthinking part of my mind. I've now trained myself to sleep with it and hearing it makes me sleepy.

I’m still not asleep, I’ve tried shop bought sleeping pills but I’m going to have to see a GP as it get ya ridiculous

I have 2 DC under 7 and have the school run to do soon so I won’t even bother trying to fall asleep. I’ll be exhausted during the day but wide awake at night

Even if I fell asleep at 9pm I would wake up at 1-2am and that would be me up for the day

Also I get so irrationally angry if DP is asleep and I’m awake. Like, crippling jealously which turns me into a monster

Yes another sufferer here.
My problem is waking up at stupid o’clock normally between 1-3 and being awake for the rest of the day.

I have fibromyalgia and am a SAHM to school/college age dc but if I do have a nap it plays havoc with my sleeping pattern.

Even super strength sleeping tablets off the doctor couldn’t keep me asleep. This has been going on for over 2 years now and is sadly my new normal.

I'm the same as @Zoflorabore and a few other PP's - I can get to sleep, in fact I can barely keep my eyes open come 9pm but I wake up anywhere between midnight and 2:00am and that's it for the night. It's torture and I'm permanently exhausted. I've taken all kinds of over the counter meds (including melatonin) but nothing touches this. I'm reluctant to try prescription solutions as I drive and travel internationally a lot for work and I know not everything is allowed everywhere.

I don't think I've had a good night's sleep since having children!

I have raging insomnia.
I don't drink caffeine., have alcohol or smoke.
I don't eat sugar in the afternoon/evening.

I just stress an awful lot. I have M.E /CFS and fibromyalgia, no matter how tired I get I don't sleep in the day.
I have taken nytol and paracetamol and nothing is happening.
I've tried relaxation techniques but I'm still awake.

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