..to think that I actually might die from exhaustion?

[Wahooooooo]

Bloody fucking bastard peri-menopausal insomnia and all the bloody sweating. Am on HRT (4 pumps of oestrogel per day) which has helped the worst of the night sweats but the insomnia, OMG the insomnia.

I can’t help thinking if men had to live this bloody half life of existing on snatches of sleep and permanently exhausted it would be addressed more sympathetically and supportively (and quickly). I’m honestly more tired now than I was when dc were newborns (not underestimating that tiredness btw, I’m with you fellow sleep-deprived sisters - at least you have a scrumptious baby to look at in the morning. I’ve got the reflection of a fat bag lady, ungrateful teenagers and endless chores).

Anyway I don’t care what you vipers say. I know I ANBU to say I might die of exhaustion and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise

Zzzzzzzz.

If you've still managed to squeeze in a 10 Rings reference you are probably too awesome to let shitty menopause kill you off

Yuck - sorry OP - sounds horrible. 48 here, I have it all to come.

@EllieSattler LOL! Thanks! Do love marvel (abs it was good - I know because I didn’t fall asleep in it like I did the previous two films we went to)

@Brigittebidet it doesn’t affect everyone the same, you might be one of the lucky ones! I’m 46yrs and it’s been going on for 18 months now. Only another million years to go

This sounds awful. How old are you? I'm an insomnia sufferer myself and there is nothing worse. I'm not exaggerating (ok, I might be) when I say being put on a low dose of Amitriptyline years ago saved my life (10mg). Why don't you suggest this to your doctor and give it a try. Really hope you manage to find a way through this

I'm 46. I've been avoiding the sleep meds route but at the moment it's so bad maybe I do need some extra help

I hear you
Awake at 5.45am again today
Sadly hrt is a no go for me as I have a rare type of migraine which was made 100x worse amd I tried them all..patches, pill, gel..
I take supplements - B12, vit d, magnesium, potassium, calcium.
I've been in peri for 8 years now and I sincerely hope that I'm done soon

Same here OP. 4am waking every single night no matter what time I go to sleep. I've got an appointment with my GP in a couple of weeks to discuss HRT.

I take a magnesium supplement which does seem to help a little with falling asleep. Have you thought about adding testosterone gel alongside your HRT? I believe it can help with sleep problems.

I've got the Mirena Coil fitted so I think that's supposed to cover the rest of the hormonal imbalance but maybe it doesn't? I think I need to go back to my GP and chat it through with her. If only I could find the time/energy!

I hear you! 3 am yesterday, 4.30 am today. Loads to do but all I want to do is sleeeeeeeeep

46 too

Is this a real thing? I have sleep issues anyway, not looking forward to this

I"m there too. I just try and nap around my shifts at work. I've found that listening to the most boring documentaries I can find on Radio 4 Sounds app helps me to nod off.

But the sweats... urgh. Vile. I'm too hot then I'm too cold then I'm too hot... then I"m so tired I go to bed at 8pm, sleep like a log until midnight then I"m awake until dawn. I hadn't actually considered HRT until recently. Still haven't done anything about it but maybe I should...

4:30 am every fucking night and I’m only 42, and apparently “too young” according to GtwatP. Obviously the ovary fairy wasn’t listening into that conversation!

Frankly I think £250 on a gynae consultation will pay dividends. Get your Dr to do a full blood panel, including Thyroid, first and take it with you. Hormones need to be optimal and worth checking vit d, iron, etc.

Haha, OP, you have my sympathy. I just wanted to say that even though you're exhausted you're very funny.

Get those ungrateful teenagers doing chores.

I’ve got this to look forward to! I just wanted to comment and say thank you for the giggle, your writing style has made me smile 😀

The only time I thought I’d die from exhaustion was when my DTs were babies. I remember being shocked because my brain was saying “this is it MuchTooTired, you’re going to die from no of sleep” but my body just. kept. going.

I do agree that if men had to go through all the same shit as women there’d be medicines and pills galore, with very little side effects.

💐 💤 for you.

I think I’m peri menopausal, I also have 2 year old twins and the exhaustion is epic. I also might actually scratch the skin off my head at this rate. Never ever been so itchy in my life. Building up the courage to call the GP……….

At least it hasn't zapped your sense of humour OP

@Wahooooooo

I've got the Mirena Coil fitted so I think that's supposed to cover the rest of the hormonal imbalance but maybe it doesn't? I think I need to go back to my GP and chat it through with her. If only I could find the time/energy!

Obviously due to peri meno brain fog I can't find the article I read or remember the finer details but I believe because of lowering levels of estrogen/progesterone and testosterone the whole adrenal system is out of whack and causes cortisol (stress hormone) levels to rise. Which is one reason why peri meno women can get increased tension/pain in the muscles particularly in the upper body, neck, shoulders and jaw.

@Artdecolover which type of migraine do you have that mean you can't have HRT? I get migraines & now I'm worried...

Try Magnesium Glycinate. I did on recommendation from a friend. It worked immediately and I have slept so well since taking it. Was just about to take HRT but may not bother now.
Can also buy it in spray oil form to be rubbed into the skin. Still worked for me.

You are not wrong. Sleep deprivation actually feels like a slow death. I have had a cough (and I suspect a chest infection) for 8 days now and have averaged under an hour per night. I was up at 3am projectile vomiting and coughing up green/white stuff. DS2 (13) came to see me and asked 'Are you okay' whilst I was heaving, managed to say 'Yes...thank you' and he follows up with 'Can I borrow your charger'. I have worked all week, done chore after chore and I literally felt like phoning an ambulance and going into a hospital to rest as its the only peace and recovery I'll get (I didn't). Pretty sure there isn't a man out there that would have that thought. YANBU.

You're not wrong.
Thankfully one DD currently residing elsewhere so I can slope off to her empty bed at my new, special, waking time of 04:20 a.m. and huff and puff away to my hearts content.
Feel like a washed out photograph most of the time.

Oh crap I’ve had two weeks of 5am wakes up I’m 46 and things are changing. Even post man asked if I was ok the other day and half my face was covered with mask. High 5 for looking haggard

Have you tried melatonin for sleep issues? I use it occasionally and it works well for me