Insomnia

[Bluebell66]

Morning everybody. Over the last few weeks, I'm not only waking constantly through the night, I'm also waking up at 4.00 am and finding it impossible to go back to sleep, so end up getting up. I'm exhausted, but I just can't sleep. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this. What do you do with the time if you too are up this early? Do you use the time to do something constructive, or just sit around feeling fed up?

I suggest you get a digital radio and some headphones. Tune your radio to Radio4 extra as it is full of serials and stories. If you wake up in the night, plug the ear phones in and you will be off to sleep in no time, listening. Don't get up.

If you are just anxious then go and get a prescription for beta blockers just to get you off the hook of continually waking up. It will just be a temporary measure, as who likes taking drugs ?

Also no watching anxious TV programmes before bed and don't go too early. Have a routine. Exercise as much as possible.

Waking continually as you do, is a classic symptom of anxiety. Maybe you could ask your GP for a referral for a Mindful course. It will help to relax you.

Thank you so much for all your advice hole. You are exactly right, I am suffering with severe anxiety. I lost my husband to lung cancer two years ago, and apart from the grief, I worry endlessly about the DC, finances, how my life is ever going to move on etc. I have started going for a half hour brisk walk every day, and I do Pilates. I am fairly active generally. I do think I make the mistake of going to bed too early though. Because I'm awake half the night and up so early, by. 9.00 pm I'm exhausted and can't keep awake. It's a vicious circle. I will definitely look into the beta blockers and will consider the mindfulness. I do actually have a book on it, so I think I will have another look at it. I'm also menopausal and my hormones are all over the place, which doesn't help.

OMG what a lot of stuff that you are coping with! I am surprised you get any sleep at all, your poor thing.
You need to start cherishing yourself. Worrying just does nothing as it doesn't solve anything.
So I think the more exercise you do the better, and the less thinking the better. After all our minds control our bodies. However sometimes our minds need putting a stop to as they go into panic and worry overload. Hence Beta Blockers.

I know when I have had really stressful periods I have gone swimming. For me, swimming mindlessly back and fore is stress busting. I hate being cold and wet but I like the after effects more.
It is so debilitating being anxious as the world becomes grey.
I do think Mindful will help. I also made a great friend on the course. We are soul mates and it is lovely to have her.
So try and fill your day. Cherish yourself. Go on HRT, get lots of fresh air and exercise and healthy food. Mmmm I am giving myself this advice as well. Xxx lots of hugs

Dear hole - I can't thank you enough for your lovely, thoughtful reply. It means so much to me. I know worrying doesn't solve anything, but everything just goes round and round in my head. Apart from trying to manage life without my DH, I worry endlessly about my DS. He is 18 and has Aspergrers. He is very intelligent, and the loveliest lad you could ever meet. Loyal, honest, funny, bright. But because of his Aspergers he has problems socialising and therefore he is isolated. He has no friends at all. His Dad was his best friend. It breaks my heart to see him so lonely. I know me worrying and making myself ill isn't helping him, and you're right hole, I do need to start cherishing myself and generally looking after myself more, that way I can hopefully be stronger for him and my DD. My GP has prescribed beta blockers, so I'll see if they help. I've only had two sessions of CBT so far, but I think it has helped abit. Sending love and hugs, and hoping you carry on feeling better. I just have to hope I can somehow escape from this crippling anxiety, and then my sleep might improve too. xx

Aw you have had so much on your plate and no Parent can bear to see their DC suffering. He sounds so lovely. Isn't there a club for Asbergers etc nearby. What about putting an Ad in a local freebie and seeing if another few families would like to start one. It might give you a focus. You might be eligible for grants as well.

I bet there must be a widows Club near you as well. Are You interested in that sort of thing? . Friendship groups also function all over the UK.

Anything to keep your mind actively away from your predicament, which will give you a rest, should help.

Mindful is useful for panic and negative thoughts. Negative thoughts send our bodies to a horrible place.

If I start to think something nightmarish , such as ' my DCs are on an Aeoroplane coming back from somewhere, what if they crashed.? I know it is ridiculous because I am deliberately punishing myself for nothing.

There must be a reason for anxiety, but I don't know of any. It is a B
Hugs

Thank you for all your advice hole, it's very helpful. I totally agree with you, I need things to distract me and take my mind off all the problems and worries which constantly just go round and round in my head. You are so right when you say negative thoughts do horrible things to our bodies as well, my physical health is very poor at the moment, chronic pain, insomnia, stomach problems, headaches. It's a horrible thing.

I am here with you, have been awake since 3.15am. Ugh. Got up and fix some ironing.
I stagger through the days in a haze of exhaustion.
My GP has suggested I attend some classes called Talk2, run by the local Mrntal Health team. But they don't meet until September.

Morning Time - thinking of you and feeling your pain! I've barely slept at all, just dozed fitfully. I feel absolutely exhausted, my eyes are so sore I can barely open them, and the day is stretching ahead of me. I think I'm going to try Melatonin tablets. My GP gave me them a while ago, but I've put off trying them. I'm desperate now. I would definitely give the Talk2 classes ago when they start. Hope you make it through the day.

What dose has your GP prescribed for the Melatonin and when and
how often ? I am currently taking half 7.5mg Zopiclone and only slept for four hours last night which is not great.

It's 2mg. Said to take an hour or so before bed. I've read the list of side effects though, and because I'm currently suffering from chronic headaches and back pain, and I'm trying to come off painkillers, I daren't start taking it yet. I'm dreading tonight. I didn't get on with Zopiclone either. All it did was give me a horrible taste in my mouth.

Hello Bluebell. Here I am at 4am how are you doing ?

Can I just wave to you all. Bloody brain and hormones woke me up again. Menopause, who'd vote for,that? Not me.

Sending sleepy vibes.

Morning both, I'm here with you, sending you virtual hugs. I actually slept well Thursday night, and I thought great, I've cracked it, how wrong I was!!! I've had about two hours tonight, and I've got a really busy weekend ahead, just don't know how I'm going to keep going. Feel all jittery and so restless. I'm downstairs now with the TV and a cup of tea. What are you both up to, apart from MN?

Bluebell, a friend of mine has recommended an app called Sleepio which she has just started using and is one that is endorsed by the NHS apparently. It'd be worth googling to see what you think. it's CBT based and tailored to your own situation....she told me she felt better after only one night! I'm going to give it a whirl as I've had problems sleeping most of my life. Whatever you do I hope your nights improve.

Thank you so much Fifi. I really appreciate you thinking of me. I will definitely be trying it. I'm still only getting 2/3 hours of broken sleep a night. Now it's school holidays it's harder to rest during the day at all, so I'm really struggling. I'm so glad your friend has found it helpful and I really hope you do too. Good luck. Let me know how you get on.