I appear to have lost ability to sleep!

[Tansie]

I have always been a bit of an insomniac but, over the last few years, it's getting worse. I am peri-menopausal which doesn't help, and DH snores!

I'd had 2 very bad nights just recently, so have chucked DH out onto the sofa-bed for 3 nights in a row, anticipating a deep, refreshing, unbroken 8 hours kip, but no. This morning I didn't have to get up so I went back to sleep til 9.45am- which practically guarantees I won't sleep tonight, and I have to let DH back into his own bed sooner or later . I hate the feeling of having 'wasted' half the morning but I am so tired at 7.30am if I can get another hour or two in bed, I have to!

I am contemplating starting work earlier on 2 of my 3 days, currently I start at 9.30am which has been after the school run, but my youngest goes to secondary this Sept, so I'm thinking about starting at 8am but I'm actually not sure I could physically make it! It would add £2000 p.a to the family finances.....

DH sleeps the sleep of the innocent (as does lucky DS2). He's asleep on his third breath, whereas I am always awake for at least an hour and a half. Sometimes I read, but I rarely get up as it disturbs him (or his snoring...) and it wakes DS1 who isn't a good sleeper, either.

I am contemplating temazepam of similar as frankly, I am sick of taking a good half hour to wake up and feeling completely rubbish for much of the morning. I want to leap out of bed, refreshed and ready for the day, but I'm realistic enough to know that temaz. won't actually do that!

Just a moan, really.

Poor you:( It's so frustrating not being able to sleep and it's horrible feeling rubbish in the day. You do need to get some rest though so if it helps to get an hour or two in the morning when you can you may aswell.

Have you tried Sominex? I take it occasionally as I have nights when I get to sleep ok but then wake up far too early often in the middle of the night and then can't get back off. I have also taken zopiclone very short term in the past when it's got really bad. Maybe have a chat with your doctor if you feel it's getting too much to cope with.

Up until two months ago I was taking ADs for mild depression and anxiety with the added benefit that they helped me sleep. I miss the certainty of a good night's sleep but it hasn't got bad enough yet that I feel I need to go back on them. The odd Sominex seems to be just enough for now.

I guess you're already doing the usual cutting out caffeine etc and hormones definitely play a part. Usually I get bad nights when I'm premenstrual. The joys!

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks- I am going to investigate Sominex!

I walked for 3 miles today so I'm hoping that bit of exercise will help me sleep, too.

Oh, meant to say, I've name changed for fun!!

Forget to mention there are two types of Sominex, one is herbal and the other you get over the counter. I use the over the counter one and the main ingredient is promethazine hydrochloride.

Sominex sounds good! I'm having real trouble sleeping, it's health related though so not sure if pills would help. Alcohol (which I barely drink) is the only thing I've found that works but I really don't want to go down that road frequently :(

Agree about caffeine - I don't drink tea or coffee but whenever I have coke/Pepsi it really affects me, I guess if you have caffeine a lot the effects aren't so big but maybe it has a cumulative effect on the body (hence withdrawal symptoms when people give up) and it's ability to sleep?

Has your DH had his snoring checked? It's embarrassing I know but it is really important to (sorry, bit of a soap box issue for me). There's really simple causes sometimes - for me, I just have inflamed nostrils and a steroid spray has basically stopped the snoring. However it could be sleep apnoea where you actually stop breathing several times during the night. It can be fatal (my dad now has a special machine to use at night) so it is best not to ignore snoring just in case.

Really strong organic camomile tea works brilliantly well for me (I make and drink some just before I go to bed to relax me, keep it by my bed and drink in the morning cold it's good for detoxing and balancing female hormones).

As well as cut the caffeine (it takes 12 hrs to go through yr body) check how healthy yr basic diet is; maybe try to cut down on acid forming foods). I take a good quality kelp which provides a mix of vitamins and some minerals and really helps me sleep through ANY noise!.