Do adults have a sleep reset button? (I know children don't)

[KatyMac]

Since I had my op (to remove my ovaries about 11 weeks ago) I have had problems sleeping at night

I am hungry, thirsty need to poo all in the night between 10pm and about 4am I then sleep until about 10

This is horrendous - I normally sleep 10-8 plus an afternoon nap between 1 & 4 hrs (I have chronic fatigue)

I can rest in the day but not nap - I am often not hungry and have to force myself to drink

Not resting in the day leads to collapse the following day - well not waking up until 12 or 2pm

So I need a reset button....any ideas?

Have you tried the 4-7-8 breathing trick? That's supposed to slow down your heart rate which induces sleep.

Or the other one is to make yourself blink repeatedly and fast either 100 times or for a period of one minute. It makes your eyelids tired or something.

I use the Andrew Johnson relaxation app. It never fails. Its not free but its cheap as chips.

Having tried everything from hypnotherapy, white noise & melatonin I’m watching for ideas. I have tried the breathing one, will try blinking tonight.

Are you getting outside much? I wonder if getting up and out for a couple of short walks throughout the day might encourage your natural rhythms a bit more?

Could you try inching it earlier a bit so maybe get up and go for a walk at 9.30am for a week, then 9am the next week?

I think fresh air is key - but it's just not wrking for me this time

I have never "not slept" before

I have relaxation things but again not working

It's the 'wanting to eat' etc that is killing me tbh

There's a very good podcast - sleepwithme - that I use.

Is it hormones though? Do you need some HRT, or need the dosage adjusting?

I wonder if it is hormones - I haven't gone for hrt as my hot flushes are anly about 6-8 a day and my bone density seems fine

Maybe I should see the GP?

Being hungry at 1am is so, so odd and by about now (3ish) I am struggling to eat

I'd say so OP, hormones are funny old things. Sometimes they need a helping hand!

You don't think of oestrogen as being a sleep hormone!

I can't go on like this my brian is fried! I'm osing weight despite it being christmas as I don't want to eat i the day and at night I just snack

They all effect each other though, a friend with thyroid problems had similar symptoms until she got it sorted for that very reason!

Hope you get it fixed soon OP!

Hi KatyMac. I had a hysterectomy in August, both ovaries out and my sleeping was dreadful. I'd wake up at 2am and not get to sleep again until 6am.

I started HRT patches 6 weeks later and my sleeping is loads better. I still have the odd bad night but this is often when I'm late changing my patch.

Hope you get sorted.

Really - I was avoiding HRT unless I 'had' to have it

I reckon insomnia is as good a reason as any to 'have' it as I will go insane at this rate

Oh @Meredith12 may I ask - did you tummy swell? And if so how long did it take to go down?

Hi. No it's still up esp in evening or if overdone it during day. It can take a year I think.

You seem to be hung up on the eating. If you're not hungry and not eating in the day, then it follows that you will be hungry later on in the night. Either make yourself eat as normal in the day or eat your meals later on.

Can you just suspend routine for a bit? Or are you retired? Can you accept this as your new normal?

I'm not back at work yet so that isn't a problem

Maybe I should invert my day - poor DH will hardly see me but the cat will love it!

the eating/drinking/pooping in the night is very unsettling

Agree with others, your hormones will be all over the place and you are essentially having an instant menopause rather than a gradual one, so your body is struggling to get used to it. Hopefully things will settle down soon, but if not, then maybe speak to your GP.

You’re lucky not to have had insomnia previously as it’s so common with CFS. Tired and wired is what I get. Agree with the others though that it’s probably hormonal.

Tailored CBT is seen as an effective treatment for insomnia and is often delivered online.

The NHS funds this treatment in some areas of England and you can self-refer:
sleepstation.org.uk/nhs_options

Day 1 of new regime

Bf @ 12, lunch at about 6 and tea @12

Now I am tidying my sewing room listening to radio 2

I'll see how it goes

I'll look at the sleep thing and see the gp

My CFS has always (24yrs) involved lots and lots of sleep insomnia is a bit of a shock really

I believe insomnia is supposed to have hormonal links. Lots of women seem to develop insomnia in menopause. Im not sure exactly what triggers mine. I seem to get bouts lasting a month or so. I've read that good "sleep hygiene" can be beneficial. This involves regular bedtimes and a bedtime routine (eg hot bath).

I find sometimes I can sometimes successfully reset by taking Nytol for 2 or 3 nights in a row to get me back into a "normal" routine.

Glad your cat is enjoying having your company in the wee hours.