To ask why you’re awake after midnight? (again)

[5YearsLeft]

I can’t find the old insomnia threads, so I thought I’d start a new one because I’m having a certified hell of a time falling asleep.

My brain just won’t shut up! I had a headache for roughly a month solid. Answer: it turns out I was severely deficient in everything. I’ve been on prescription-grade iron, potassium, vitamin D, and calcium since last Thursday and I almost have energy for the first time in months. But it’s enough energy to: make my pain even more noticeable, make me realize I hate the life I’m stuck in, and keep me from sleeping.

Why are you awake? Worry? Illness? Other people? Work?

@ToDoListAddict Ice pack. Try an ice pack on your neck or on your forehead wrapped in a thin towel or pillow case; see where it feels best. It can help with the inflammation thats causing the headache. And try gently, very very GENTLY, massaging that hard area where your skull starts to meet your neck behind your ears. Neither of these things will definitely take away a concussion headache, they take time, but they can help a bit. Also I used to try laying down in a completely quiet, dark room, the same way I would if it were a migraine. It’s really difficult to sleep, true, but I’ve also seen people go to sleep with these headaches and then wake up without them. Sleep is miraculous for this stuff. Good luck! Concussions are such crap; the headache is just… I get it, I really do. It’s like having a whole team of builders doing demolition behind your forehead.

@Whatwouldyoudo2021 Oh gosh. You’re a superstar! That is such a tough age range - 6 months and 2, for breastfeeding and potty training. You must be beyond exhausted and 10km past all touched out. I hope once the baby decides she or he can be put down, you can get a few hours of sleep before tomorrow.

@itsthesoundofthepolice Text him back as if it’s an automatic out of office email, har har. “Thank you for your message. itsthesoundofthepolice is off night shift and out of office until 8am. Please leave any messages with other staff. In case of emergency, dial 877-FUCKOFF.” Good luck getting sleep! It’s so hard to switch sleep schedules like that.

I've had covid and have been struggling with sleep due to aches and medications! Normally I'm not the earliest sleeper, but at the minute it's around 2/3am I'm hoping going back to work will reset my sleep pattern on wednesday!

@5YearsLeft Thank you x I'll give that a try. Already got a bag of peas on my head 🤣
They always say at the matches "keep an eye on the puck at all times!" - Now I know why!

@marblemad Ah, COVID insomnia is a very real thing! I know scads of people who’ve had it, I’ve had it, and tons of people in the previous insomnia threads were up with it. So you’re in good company. I do hope work helps reset your body clock!

@ToDoListAddict Ah, those things are ridiculously fast though! You might have just seen it coming straight at you and now have a concussion AND hockey puck nightmares. But no, so silver lining!

@5YearsLeft it’s Apple Piano chill mix. Started off using Apple Classical chill mix, but dh wasn’t so keen on that.

I don't know why I'm awake but peri probably has a lot to answer for. Plus I think I'm more anxious than I realise about the week ahead (Dd been very ill with MH). I've just made myself a coffee, and scoffed an apple muffin from a batch my husband made today 😄

Wide awake here. Ds is struggling at College. Prob needs to change course. He has ASD. There is NO support. We thought it would be better than school. Its not. It's such a battle for him. He's quite depressed already. I'm worried.

Because my DD told me I'm going to be Grandma at about 9 o'clock yesterday evening. I'm so happy for her and her boyfriend but I can't sleep!

@Riverlee Great, thanks for the recommendation! I listen to a lot of lofi chill on YouTube.

@Treelines I think peri always has a lot to answer for, har har. Sorry to hear about your DD, though. Bit hard NOT to stress about that. We wish so much we could protect the people we love from the things that hurt them, but what do we do when the proverbial call is coming from inside the house? That’s what it feels like when someone you loves struggles with MH - the illness is attacking from within AND without, and it’s such an uphill battle sometimes. Don’t lose hope. There’s always another sunrise, and after that one more sunset, and then, another sunrise. So, still hope.

@medianewbie Of course you’re worried. Who wouldn’t be? It’s already so hard trying to deal with that while having ASD, so you hope for some support, and then when there’s none, you just feel so let down. I know it probably seems like it’s getting worse and he’s already depressed now, and there’s no hope. But don’t give up. One determined parent is the greatest advocate a child can have, and I’m not going to pretend that makes up for a lack of services or a lack of help, BUT hopefully you can find someone, anyone who will point you in a direction where DS will find even a smidgen of hope or support. I’m sure it’s so overwhelming and daunting. Maybe check the MN SEN or Education boards? I’m not familiar with them, but I’ve heard people talk about them. Or local Facebook groups? Maybe even one for DS’ school? Have a friend (not you) ask if anyone else is having problems with no ASD support. This way you won’t be “outing” DS’ personal health info, yet at the same time, you or your friend (make sure it’s a good friend, in case they receive PMs) may hear from others so you’ll know if it’s a systemwide problem.

@medianewbie I should say, this is all just assuming you want a direction. Maybe you’re already doing everything you feel you can, you’re exhausted by it all, and you just can’t sleep. In which case, who could blame you?! Good luck, and I do hope you and your DS get some help soon.

@Gobolino80 CONGRATS! What lovely, lovely news!

My waters broke yesterday at 2am, I was 36 weeks plus 6. They reviewed me at hospital shortly after and again yesterday afternoon.
I have tried to sleep but know when we go back at 9am tomorrow they'll induce me. I really wanted it to be as natural as possible and be at home for part of it.
I keep worrying about increased infection now waters are over 24hrs broken, I worry baby is moving less even though its moving fine.
Feels the longest night ever.

Covid is rotten. I caught it at 36 weeks pregnant and ended up with a GA section to get baby here because of it.

Hopefully that’s my last feed till 8am

I've no idea, I seem to spend large parts of my night not sleeping & then out for the count come 5-7am, meaning I sleep half of my day away. However, I doubt my kitten doing what sounds like parkour upstairs helps. At least he is having fun I guess.

Broken down in the middle of no where, car dead recovery an hour away.....

I am hoping " it is darkest before the dawn" is true because my life can't get any worse.

A friend sent me a link to a YouTube video of Ryan Reynolds on a chat show. That was three hours ago. Somehow I'm now watching posh people making posh high tea sandwiches. I don't know why. Before that it was a gadget testing video. Then I ordered a CRIMPiT on Amazon because of that. Oh! That's how I got onto the sandwiches! I've been needing to pee since Ryan Reynolds. I really should get up. Maybe make a snack while I'm at it.

I have ADHD.

I wake up several times a night- no idea why. I think I am early menopausal and also full of worries about everything and anything. Hugs to everyone

@gottomakeithappen Oh gosh. I’m sure there are so many things going through your head right now that it’s hard to make them sit still. First of all, I’m sorry if you feel you can’t have the birth you envisioned. It’s ok to take a moment and just breathe. Breathe it out. If it hurts you, let yourself hurt. If you’re scared, let yourself be scared. Then keep breathing. In. And out. Breathe out the birth you envisioned. Whatever it was, it’s gone now. And breathe in the birth you’re having. Whatever it will be, even if it’s not what you envisioned, it is going to happen, and it will be your child’s story. It will be the birth of your baby, the way they join you here, the way they get from your stomach to your arms. There is no wrong way; no way that is “less” or “more” or “good” or “bad.” I know it can be so difficult and even scary when these plans change, and even if they keep changing, but no matter what happens, just try to breathe through it, as much as possible - it’s really all you can do. I wish you all the very best of luck.

I also do t know why I just can’t sleep (again!) But it sure is nice to have this connection to so many other insomniacs 😀

At that stage of life where I just want to give up on everybody and flee to a Greek island. DD is having a v hard time with MH too and I am drained. It seems sometimes that mums never get any time off. Add in menopause, money worries, health worries....

My 7 week old has been really unsettled the last two nights. She wants to be held and close. Not even the boob is working it's settling magic. We've decamped to the sofa so not to disturb dp. Ironically she is now sound asleep next to me and i'm wide awake. All I wanted was sleep, then you find that push to get through to make sure baby is ok and then you can't actually sleep when she is 🙈 fingers crossed she has a nice nap after the school run tomorrow and i can try that elusive sleep when the baby sleeps.

Sending some sleepy dust for everyone, hope pains ease, minds get less busy, worries a little lighter and some rest is gained.

@JanisMoplin - seems like we're in a similar boat! Dd has just gone to sleep herself (she's only 13), so I think she's anxious, too. My comfort are my dogs - there's something about my old boy's sleep breathing (he sleeps at the foot of the bed) that calms me down in the night 🐶

Thank you @5YearsLeft , I'm just trying to do that and see if getting plenty movement from baby.

I don't need a reason not to sleep at night, I just don't. I was pleased when I woke at 2 as I'd had three solid hours. But I am going to try reading now. Sympathy and good wishes to everyone having a hard time.