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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No sleep? Can’t sleep? Anyone else

25 replies

TheOpalFox · 22/01/2026 01:28

Can anyone else just not sleep at night? I’m almost that sick of it .. I have cut out coffee .. stars off my phone. Listened to podcasts and sleeping music and still can’t sleep. I know the main root of the cause is my mom died 2 years ago and I’m sure it’s Since I lost her I can’t sleep but I’m almost sick to my eye balls of watching the clock all night … waiting for morning!!! What a life!

OP posts:
devuskums · 22/01/2026 01:49

Totally get you! Ive started doing jigsaw puzzles when I can't sleep...it keeps me off my phone

Travsmam · 22/01/2026 02:14

I’m here too. Lost my mam in October. I’ve started knitting to try and stay off my phone. Just can’t sleep at all 😭

PurplePastaBake · 22/01/2026 02:20

I can’t sleep either. I’ve been getting about 1-2 hours a day for months now. I think my body has just learnt to cope with the sleep deprivation at this point.
Mines due to life stress rather than bereavement but I wish I could just switch my brain off and get a decent night.

CloseEncountersOfTheLoveKind · 22/01/2026 02:41

Bereavement is so much an individual thing.
It takes as long as it takes for you, and there’s no way you should ever be thinking that you “should be over it by now”.
i lost my dear darling mum nearly six years ago. I honestly can’t say it’s better now than in previous years.
unfortunately her affairs were shoddily dealt with before I could physically get to her, and I think I put my immediate grief on hold, coz I had to deal with a lot of authorities and liars.

Back to your sleep problem.
if you don’t mind the taste of cloves, then try what I do, which is (for a start) put one clove in each cheek (wedge it between inside of cheek and your side teeth- bottom row.
ive never choked on them, and come morning, I either chew them, as they’ll have softened down, or just spit into a tissue.
otherwise, if you feel iffy about the above method, you could brew yourself a cuppa Clove tea, and that can help settle you too. Just don’t make a large cuppa, else you’ll be wanting to visit the loo, and likely the urge will wake you 🤦‍♀️

Good luck, hope something works for you.

im still awake, as unfortunately I nodded off this arvo, and consequently I’m wide awake 🤪

Velvetgoldmine · 22/01/2026 02:48

Wide awake. Had to give CPR on Tuesday so couldn't sleep that night, fell asleep this afternoon and can't sleep again tonight. Can't get up as will wake others so just lying here all stressed and unsettled.

CandlesAtDinner · 22/01/2026 03:29

pericoronitis keeping me up 😥

ChocolateCinderToffee · 22/01/2026 03:53

Post-menopausal insomnia here. Also, slight temperature. It’s maddening.

lizzohadsome · 22/01/2026 04:09

Suffer from insomnia have done past 18 years this week so far ive had 3 1-2 hpur naps I leave my quieter housework duties to get me through the nigh

Northerlad · 22/01/2026 04:27

I am with you, I am so tired during the day now that I can't think clearly.

Ihad2Strokes · 22/01/2026 04:31

I'm here too.

just can't get to sleep, night after night.

ive been getting up early this week to try to reset my body clock, but it hasn't worked, then this morning my vertigo was so bad I lay on the bed (on the lay down before I fall down basis )& fell asleep. WTF can't I do that at night????

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 22/01/2026 04:34

I’m here too. 25 weeks pregnant, two 5 year olds and I’m fed up. Fall asleep fine and then wake around 1;40 and that’s it. I’m struggling so bad it’s affecting my mood and ability to function

HelpMeGetThrough · 22/01/2026 04:50

I’ve been like it for years now. Mine is mostly caused by chronic pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis and needing painkillers at stupid o’clock. I’ve been up since 3am and the pain is now getting under control.

I’m not bothering to get back to sleep now, so I’ve made a fresh coffee and put the recycling out (quietly!!) and will do the coffee run for my OH at 6:15, as I’m OHs “alarm clock”.

Its nice and quiet here, so will enjoy the peace and quiet for an hour or so.

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 22/01/2026 04:54

@HelpMeGetThrough how do you manage in the day? Are you able to have naps etc? I think I’m keeping my wife up as I’m fidgeting so much but I just can’t sleep. It’s really bothering me

HelpMeGetThrough · 22/01/2026 05:38

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 22/01/2026 04:54

@HelpMeGetThrough how do you manage in the day? Are you able to have naps etc? I think I’m keeping my wife up as I’m fidgeting so much but I just can’t sleep. It’s really bothering me

I work full time, fortunately mostly from home, unless I have to travel for work, but travel would involve multiple nights away, so not often. I don’t struggle too much with tiredness during the day.

When I wake up I come downstairs, so my OH can sleep.

Ihateslugs · 22/01/2026 05:40

I’m still awake at 5.27 am! I had knee replacement surgery 5 weeks ago and my sleep has gone to pot since! I have struggled to have consistent sleep times since I retired early but have not really worried about it, if I need to get up early for an appointment or social activity then I cope with just a few hours sleep and catch up the next night. But my ideal sleep pattern has been go to bed around 11 pm then read or browse on my iPad until 2 am then set alarm for 10 am. I felt it compensated for years of setting my alarm for 6 am to get to work! My new knee is so sensitive that even the sheet irritates it!

However, since having surgery, I am really struggling to get to sleep! I either fall asleep around 11 am but wake up a few hours later (last night) or like tonight, just cannot get to sleep! My knee is sensitive and even the sheet feels too heavy so I’m pretending that it’s fine and am entertaining myself on my iPad! I reacted badly to the anaesthetic, spinal injection and sedation, and slept a lot during the day for the first two weeks but am now struggling to get back into a routine.

I need to bake a cake tomorrow and do some admin on my lap top for a WI group so really wanted a decent nights sleep!

Zanatdy · 22/01/2026 05:56

I fall asleep ok, but wake up several times before getting up for the day between 3-4am. Today it was 3. So tired and work full time so no time for a nap on weekdays. Have to power through. I am usually asleep by 9.30 latest, so do get a few hrs but its just the time I wake up. Then i’m ready for bed at 7pm! I find myself declining any evenings out now, which is a shame as my kids have grown up now so no babysitters required. Just too tired.

Soonenough · 22/01/2026 06:09

Always seem to be really bad when I know I have to function well the next day. Viscous circle as then fall sleep any time I sit down . I occasionally take a tablet but then am groggy next day.

Skybunnee · 22/01/2026 06:19

Diphenhydramine ? Hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate are all OTC medications or you can get them online. (Though might have to explain need online. Promethazine Hy is used a a travel sickness pill.
Your not sposed to use th long term but perhaps worth a try

Seawolves · 22/01/2026 09:08

Velvetgoldmine · 22/01/2026 02:48

Wide awake. Had to give CPR on Tuesday so couldn't sleep that night, fell asleep this afternoon and can't sleep again tonight. Can't get up as will wake others so just lying here all stressed and unsettled.

I hope you manage to get a debrief, doing CPR is brutal and lives with you for a long time.

ConnieHeart · 22/01/2026 09:10

The worst thing you can do is look at the clock. Stop doing that straight away as you're just torturing yourself

Travsmam · 22/01/2026 20:15

I’m posting on this thread again. I have found this helps. It’s been a game changer if anyone wants to try it out. It’s got 5 nights free trial at the moment. I didn’t have any last night so that’s probably why I didn’t sleep too well. It’s not bad tasting too if you like lemon.

https://www.healthy-metal.com/products/magnesium-glycinate-drink-mix-10-servings

Healthy Metal | Magnesium Drinks for your Night Routine

Discover the power of Magnesium with Healthy Metal. Elevate your night routine with our magnesium drinks, crafted for relaxation and better sleep. Don't miss out on the benefits – savor the taste, press pause, and embrace a healthier you.

https://www.healthy-metal.com/products/magnesium-glycinate-drink-mix-10-servings

Velvetgoldmine · 23/01/2026 22:22

Seawolves · 22/01/2026 09:08

I hope you manage to get a debrief, doing CPR is brutal and lives with you for a long time.

@Seawolves Unlikely - i was doing it on my DH. It's made me very twitchy and unsettled. But he is still here.

Seawolves · 24/01/2026 17:46

Well done, that is no mean feat, I have done it myself and know how unsettling it can be. There are places that can offer support in the aftermath, your GP surgery should be able to help or you can try places like The British Heart Foundation, The Resuscitation Council have a page with links to places that can help here

Mary46 · 24/01/2026 18:15

Op its awful. I help on a school bus. It was 01.19am a few days this week. Last night sleep ok. I take odd nytol but need to be in top form for kids. Im 50s. I have magnesium gel helps a bit.

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