I just can't get to sleep no matter what I do

[Meandyou150]

I can't sleep - I literally can't

I lie awake every night, heart racing and my mind just won't let me sleep.

Sleeping tablets no longer work -

I worry all day about having another sleepless night. Low and behold I sit awake all night again.

I'm going to die from lack of sleep in the end I'm sure

I should mention I'm 6 weeks pregnant

It's a vicious circle because the more scared you are of lying awake, the more you try to sleep, and the act of trying and worrying about it keeps you awake. Eventually though, even if you can't alter that, your body will kick in with enforced sleep!

I know that horrid feeling of lying awake, but I promise you it is ok. Lying awake is nothing to fear. You're safe in your own bed, you may not be asleep but you could be in much worse places.

I do think it is really important to not feel any pressure to get up at a certain time or do anything the next day, just while you're breaking this pattern. If you are lying awake I probably will be too, even if I'm not around on here. Lots of others will be doing the same, and then there are all the people up all night working.

How about you go to your bedroom now and 'make it nice', get the bed all ready to get into, put the lamp on and so on. Then start getting yourself ready for bed, with no pressure to go to sleep or get in bed but just so that you can, when you feel like it. Remember you can always get up. You could think of it in terms not of going to bed for the night and lying awake, but of resting for two hours, possibly napping, then planning to get up. That might reduce the pressure, don't set an alarm though!

I can't believe this I'm actually in tears on my way into bed

This is ridiculous

I had awful insomnia during pnd after my first son. The only thing that helped in the end was doing the strict routines in this book
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1845290704?pc_redir=1409809045&robot_redir=1
It was all about reassociating bed with sleep and getting up if you're not asleep in 15 mins. Your bedtime is set by the average amount of sleep you have in a week at tge moment and working backwards from your get-up time. Then adding 15/30 mins more each week if that is working. I still have the odd bad night when it takes me a while to go to sleep but haven't had an absolute shocker since. I think i've also learned that actually I can function fine with considerably less sleep than I ever thought I needed - which takes the pressure off too.

It also tells you that you're probably getting more than you realise.

I hope you do find something that works soon. Insomnia is just awful

I have heard of that method

But I would literally be up every 10-15 minutes all night.

I start to think at least if I'm in bed im resting - I don't think I could cope with being up that amount of times and stay functional

It's awful for at least the first night. And maybe a couple more. But with no napping, you literally end up so exhausted that you just fall asleep the next night. Which starts the note positive thinking that you can just fall asleep. It isn't for everyone though so don't let it make you feel worse if you don't think it's for you. Be kind to yourself if you can.

More not note!

But I'm not sure that method works with pregnancy induced insomnia. It's about hormones in pregnancy, and they are what stop you sleeping

I got about an hour last night - I'm going under psychiatric care as can no longer manage

Meandyou have you been back to your ago then? I think going back to the Psychiatrist is actually a really positive step. You need to be able to break the cycle, maybe with some short term medication. I know it might seem impossible right now but this is very likely due to the pregnancy hormones, and there is a significant shift around week 12 ish so there is a lot of hope.

Good luck and keep posting.

Good luck Meandyou, I think there it is right to get medical help, especially if pregnancy hormones are a big factor. Let us know how you get on.

I honestly think if I don't sleep to tonight I might just have to fall on the perinatal teams mercy tmr- and see if they will admit me. What do you guys think? Would that be a good or bad move?

You should definitely contact them and see what they suggest, or your GP for advice on who should manage the problem.

Let's hope tonight's the night

I feel for you so much Meandyou

It seems feeble to recommend a book, as you're suffering so severely, but it's the only thing that cured me. This one You can read some of it on the amazon page.

The author had insomnia for 15 years and really knows what she's talking all about. Yes, in summary it's "relax more" but the way she writes about it (quite bossy at times) show that she's been there and got over it.

Best of luck

Hi Meandyou.

How are you this evening??

Have you managed to access any extra help or support???

Thinking of you and hoping you are hanging in there.xxx