Just can't sleep

[indecisivewoman81]

I'm going to lose my job because I just can't sleep. Take tonight for example, I went to bed at 10.39 after some tv on the sofa with my DH and a cup of chamomile tea. It's now 3.40 am and I haven't yet slept.

I'm so wound up and stressed out about not being able to sleep. I've tried meditation kalms tablets, listening to podcasts but nothing is working. I keep going to the toilet as the stress in the middle of the night is given me a bad stomach

What am I going to do

Hi! I'm still awake too. I'm exhausted but can't sleep.

There is one thing that helps me - but I forgot to take it tonight and if I take it now it will screw me over. I discovered melatonin (I get it from Piping Rock online - not sure which country you are in as it's only available over the counter in some countries) and for the first time in my life I've been able to sleep. I usually fall asleep within 20 mins of taking a 5mg dose.

Obviously it won't help tonight, but might be worth seeing if you can get some to see if it helps you?

Good luck.

Also awake. It's hideous. Keep trying to relax but not working.

Thank you I'm in the UK. Try to call the doctors but can't get an appointment until the middle of March. I've been awake for 22 hours now.

Sorry to hear you are also suffering it's just awful

Also awake, it's bloody awful isn't it. It's now 4.38 so it's just not going to happen

It might be worth ringing your doctors and saying you need an urgent appointment for your mental health. That has helped to get me an appointment quicker before. It's just not sustainable not sleeping and having to work. You probably need a course if sleeping pills to get back on track. My sleep is more erratic, either no sleep at all or sleeping too much

I keep meaning to try melatonin it's worth a shot

I will phone the doctors again in the morning.

I'm very worried about losing my job because of this. I can't do my job today now as it involves driving and I won't be safe in the car. I feel dizzy jittery and jumpy.

So fed up. Sorry to see that others are having a similar issue

Our GPs will always give me an appointment if I say it’s my mental health. I take Mirtazapine to help me sleep and Zopiclone when I’m desperate.

Do call your practice and tell them how unwell you are with your mental health. 💐

I have problems sleeping now. Like you go to sleep OK but wake up regularly around 4am . Vicious circle as then I have to nap in the day when not working . I used melatonin but it gave me graphic dreams that left me feeling unrefreshed and anxious . Using high doses of magnesium now that seem to help but obviously not tonight . Previously had gone to GP with this and he prescribed a short course of sleeping pills to break the cycle. It did work but now my work pattern changed it's back to occasional sleepless nights .

You could try one of the sedating antihistamines to help you sleep:

www.nhs.uk/medicines/diphenhydramine/

www.nhs.uk/medicines/promethazine/

You can buy them OTC from a pharmacy today and see if one helps while you're off work/waiting to talk to a GP.

I tried that top antihistamine but it didn't work. It's not that I'm not sleepy it's that my anxiety is through the roof which doesn't allow me to drift off

I would call your surgery in morning and say you need help with your mental health if you feel the insomnia is anxiety based. There is support they can give you. Amitriptyline is often a first suggestion but the advice would depending on your specific situation..

Yes definitely ring the GP and say that you are worried about your mental health and it's affecting your job.
I spoke to the GP when my sleeping was really bad and she was helpful.
It sounds awful @indecisivewoman81 I hope you get it sorted.

This is an anxiety thing, not a sleep thing, as you say, OP

Can you take 2 weeks off work to re set? If you're not anxious about not being able to work because of tiredness, and you have some help with sleep (sleeping pills, diazepam, melatonin) you'll probably find you can reset your sleep well

Have you come across this book/app?

amzn.eu/d/eJ2lRYr

@sugarspiceandeverythingnice12 thank you for the book recommendation I will look into that.

I've been in this job only 6 months and feel like such a failure. This is so out of character for me that I think it must be related to my hormones.

I'm so angry at the doctors for not helping me and for my own stupid brain for not keeping me calm when there is clearly no threat.

The DARE app is good too. And the audio book is on Kindle Unlimited

It's a different way of handling anxiety ....feels strange to start with but I think its helpful

That's so difficult with your job. You're not a failure, honestly you're not. This anxiety is something you can move through and out the other side. Trust me

I still advocate trying to take some time during which you can reset your anxiety and therefore your sleep

I'd ring the Docs and explain that youre having a mental health crisis which is affecting your sleep and your work. You should be triaged for a same day appointment with that information ❤️

PS - that's meant to be flowers after 'trust me' 🙄

Can you exercise ?

I massively struggle with falling asleep, mainly because my mind is racing. I refuse to take medication....
so here's what I do -

• exercise in the evening. I got to the gym regularly so that helps I suppose but I enjoy HIIT class around 7:30pm 45min. I am knackered after that.
• Read. On my bedside I keep "crime and punishment" such heavy read, and some of it is super boring 😂 but it helps ! It's written in tiny letters. 2-3 pages and I'm done. Got small

Dimmed light so don't wakeuo my husband.

• I read on iPad or my phone. I know many people will find that to is will make it worse but it helps me . The key is reading- no candycrush, no Facebook or doom scrolling. I go on Apple News and read articles.

That really takes my mind off racing, my eyes get tired and I'm ready to 😴

Other things you could try (I don't necessarily think they will help immediately) are magnesium bisglycinate, l- theanine and ashwagandha

The problem with getting anxious about not sleeping is that it will keep you awake, worrying about it. Not exactly helpful.

If you accept that you are not going to sleep, but that you are going to rest and relax and do nothing more stressful than read or list to podcasts for 6-8 hours (as you do when you're on holiday), then at least you will take your body out of fight or flight and it will be able to do all the repair/renewal work that it normally does when you are actually asleep.

If any thoughts come in to disturb your rest, imagine them hitting a slippery window before getting to your brain and sliding off into oblivion. Or - what I do when my brain is chattering - is to repeat in my head "no thoughts, no thoughts, no thoughts" to stop anything taking hold. It's often enough to send me off to sleep.

The other thing I do is try to remember the names of everyone I've had sex with, either in chronological or alphabetical order. Snoring within minutes! 😉

It’s an absolute game changer for me. I can’t believe I’ve spent years struggling to sleep to find I can have 1 tiny dissolvable fruity flavoured tablet and get the best nights sleep of my life!

That's great @Tillow4ever where do you get it from?

Piping Rock, someone on Mumsnet recommended that website. It's been great!

Sorry just saw you mentioned where you got it, will have a look. Thanks!

Just ordered the melatonin 👍 I was pleasantly surprised at the prices