Page 6 | Can you die from no sleep?

Aurea · 14/10/2021 19:43

These breathing exercises should help. Hope things improve soon.

www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercises-for-sleep

MalteserGeezee · 14/10/2021 20:00

I totally recommend something called Spacemasks. Basically, a sort of single-use, self-heating eye mask. It warms gently on your face and I usually always fall asleep wearing it, it's so relaxing. I need to restock actually, as my son has had a major sleep regression and I find it so hard to relax, nod off etc.

Alis1beelbals · 14/10/2021 20:03

I had this! It was diagnosed as postpartum anxiety disorder I couldn’t sleep I couldn’t switch off and I would have anxiety and panic attacks every time I shut my eyes! I did survive and my body did sleep eventually about three hours a night no naps as same as you set me further into dispair.
I remember looking up can you die from lack of sleep to on the internet and making myself worse
Turns out I have health anxiety
Anyway it is treatable and there is help
Medication such as anti depression ones you can breast feed on but
I chose promethazine which made me relaxed and sleepy and prescribed by a mental health specialist doctor
Also cbt was amazing as changed my negative thought patterns! So do not despair if needed and you get to a point there are options for you! Hope that helps you know you arnt alone and there are things that can help! I wish I’d had someone say something to me at the time! Best of luck and congratulations on your new arrival x

Isitsixoclockalready · 14/10/2021 20:04

@Ineedsleephelp

I have a 3 week old and a 3 year old. Last night the 3 week old did a long stretch of sleep during which I was kept up by a poorly 3y old. This seems to have triggered massive anxiety around sleep and since then I have not been able to sleep. I lay awake all night. Its happening tonight again. They are both peacefully asleep now and I just can't sleep. I'm hot, sweaty and dizzy, starting to feel ill from lack of sleep after 3 weeks of limited sleep already. I'm so scared, if I become unwell what will happen to my DC? I feel like I won't survive unless I sleep soon but I just can't. I know I only have a couple of hours till baby needs a feed but I just can't freaking sleep. It's a horrible feeling and I'm freaking out.

There is no way that would happen - just relax. Your body will switch off when it's ready to.

Isitsixoclockalready · 14/10/2021 20:06

I find ASMR very helpful to relax - I know that some people find it odd but millions of people watch it judging by the amount of hits that the videos get on YouTube.

User112 · 14/10/2021 20:11

I survived twins with colic issues. Zero or very very little sleep for months. DH was an asshole back then. He decided he needs to sleep because he works (even on weekends when he doesn’t work ).

thenovice · 14/10/2021 20:56

For 9 years we did not have a single uninterrupted night. It was hellish. DD2 was awake all day and for at least 2 hours in the middle of the night, every night. We tried sleeping on the floor in her room, having her in bed with us, doing all the super nanny stuff, literally EVERYTHING. Nothing worked. She seemed to be awake all the time. In one stretch of 110 hours I had only 10 hours sleep. I lost colour vision for a while. You have my sympathy as it is really awful. But I DID survive. Take heart. Hang on in there and just be really kind to yourself where possible.
The worst thing was the criticism from health visitors. When I asked for help, they said there was no help for me because I was "middle class". Basically do what works for you and ignore advice from people who haven't walked in your shoes.

JennyForeigner · 14/10/2021 21:00

You aren't going to die because you can get help when you need it.

One of my children was born seriously ill and I looked after him on ward. I just... stopped sleeping. My body wouldn't let me. It became genuine torture and unsafe for the baby, so the nice ward staff prescribed me a magic instant sleepy drug. My husband looked after the kids for the night and that's all it takes to reset your sleep cycle. From memory I even breastfed that night - they just woke me up for the feed, supervised and I don't remember it.

Talk to your doctor if it doesn't resolve and if you don't have anyone who can take over and the baby is so young this is also something they can arrange. But hopefully just knowing the help is there when you need it will make a difference.

Good luck.

JennyForeigner · 14/10/2021 21:05

Also to echo responses above, please do express/let your husband take over a night feed or two, or do what we did when our newborn twins arrived and just think sod it, buy a tommee tippee perfect prep and a crate of wonderful Kendamil and mix feed. It's a revelation.

Postpartum anxiety is awful and exhausting. You have to be easy on yourself - your kids need you to be well.

Mollymoostoo · 14/10/2021 21:26

@Ineedsleephelp

I have a 3 week old and a 3 year old. Last night the 3 week old did a long stretch of sleep during which I was kept up by a poorly 3y old. This seems to have triggered massive anxiety around sleep and since then I have not been able to sleep. I lay awake all night. Its happening tonight again. They are both peacefully asleep now and I just can't sleep. I'm hot, sweaty and dizzy, starting to feel ill from lack of sleep after 3 weeks of limited sleep already. I'm so scared, if I become unwell what will happen to my DC? I feel like I won't survive unless I sleep soon but I just can't. I know I only have a couple of hours till baby needs a feed but I just can't freaking sleep. It's a horrible feeling and I'm freaking out.

Please talk to your GP. You have a new baby and this could be linked to post natal depression. Things will get easier but right now you need professional support so your thoughts do not spiral. I had Post Partum Psychosis with my DS and thought he was going to die. It does get better xx

CrankyFrankie · 14/10/2021 22:02

Please ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels (they can do a simple blood test that runs like a general ‘MOT’ and checks this, I requested one after my first baby). It’s surprisingly common for your thyroid to go out of kilter after birth (something like 1 in 10 postpartum women - why they’re not checked as a matter of course I’m not sure!?) and anxiety and insomnia are massive indicators of it. That said, I had insomnia (and anxiety, vicious circle) with my first from pregnancy well into his first year, but a friend of mine has been through the mill with hyperthyroidism since having her baby a few years ago xo

Alicesweewonders · 14/10/2021 22:06

Hi,

So glad to hear you slept - long may it last!

My kids are 9mths & my toddler has just turned 3, she's gotten slightly better with her slept, thank goodness.

I did a webinar, with the Insomnia clinic online, ( London based) they do free ones. It might help until you get your CBT.

The app is used is 'I am' the self care mode, there are lots out there, but I stuck with this one. Just one liners I could read in seconds.

Things slowly start to improve after a few weeks, I was in such a deep rut. The severe insomnia / anxiety made me lose my appetite, I lost so much weight & look I'll. It was awful.

I used to obsess about my sleep all day, but i slowly tried to bat away the negative thoughts. Whenever I had one I'd think about something positive instead. It's a slow process, but it works.

Things will get better.

CrankyFrankie · 14/10/2021 22:06

PS can your H be on duty for the 3yo for the foreseeable future? If he says he wants you, that’s tough he’s got his dad!

Miisty · 15/10/2021 00:25

I would talk to your health visitor or Gp Also simply talk to 3year old about mummy needing some sleep so if they wake up daddy will come It’s best to have medication if necessary prescribed by a doctor if you are breast feeding I was a night nanny as the mother I worked for had this problem but her husband was away all week so seriously a single mum in the week and she was bottle feeding Good luck try going to bed earlyBe careful do not use aromatherapy oils

JennyForeigner · 15/10/2021 02:07

Postpartum psychosis was my (eventual) diagnosis too, but I've never met someone with the same presentation - being sure their child would die. I've always questioned it a little because I thought PP was something quite different.

Moved to find this here @mollymoostoo and all the very best to you.

oriel2013 · 15/10/2021 06:01

CBT Therapist here. Though that didn't make me immune from anxiety in the newborn phase. You're finding it hard because it is hard, really hard. You are doing brilliantly OP, do try to allow yourself to acknowledge that.
It sounds from your update that you have already been able to use some of the very good advice given here and I'm so pleased your were able to let your HV and GP know how you are feeling. I'd recommend soothing rhythm breathing exercises which you can get as audio links from the Compassionate Mind Foundation website. Progressive muscle relaxation can also be helpful for getting back to sleep.

IamJuliaJohnson · 15/10/2021 06:34

Oh gosh I don’t miss those days! I think it’s a fairly common thing that happens; I have insomnia occasionally, I’m terrible if I’m woken in the night for not being able to go back to sleep (it’s why I am crammed between a 7&5 yo right now - considered taking the 7yo back when he came but I have a presentation to deliver at work today and decided on balance to leave him, 5yo came through about an hour ago).

At the stage you are at I was in the spare bed with baby in a bedside crib, and was going to bed pretty soon after the baby. If the toddler arrived in the night I just let him in. The goal was as much sleep as possible with little care for what that looked like.

Octagoneaway · 15/10/2021 07:30

I saw someone else recommended breathing techniques. When I was going through a stressful time a dr advised slowing my breathing and if I ever find I can’t sleep, I still do this to help quiet my brain:

Breathe in for a count of 2, hold for a count of 2, breathe out for a count of 2, hold for a count of 2. Repeat.

It may sound basic, but sometimes when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a good place to start.

Glad you’ve had a bit of sleep! Good luck

Ginandcrispsarebliss · 15/10/2021 10:30

When my DC were babies/toddlers I was so sleep deprived one morning that I must of totally forgot how to dress myself properly. I walked my DD to Nursery with a 3 week old baby wearing one knee high brown boot, one ankle red boot and my jacket inside out. Haven't a clue how I managed to wear my jacket inside out and only realised when I dropped off DD and everyone was giggling. I had to walk back home looking ridiculous but I was so tired I did not care. Everytime I think about it, it makes me smile. My DC are older now and I can't get them out of bed.
I hope you manage to sleep when your little ones are sleeping.