Chroni Insomnia

[Onesipmore]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help/offer advice please?
I have suffered with insomnia for over 30 years - I'm just over 50 now. I have tried everything from warm baths, window open, lavender, melatonin, exercise, no exercise, reading, no screen time on run up to bed, anti histamines and various other much stronger prescription sleeping pills. I can only get Zopiclone for 5 days then have to have an enforced gap before the next script. I among absolutely desperate, having had ooh about 6 hours sleep in total during 3 nights. What do other fellow insomniacs do/take ? Thanks in advance? x

Have you considered it might be hormonal? I have suffered on and off for years always worsening just before my period and improving during and after. At 50 you are either peri menopausal or menopausal (I'm the same age). A couple of years ago I was desperate not sleeping for more than an hour at a time and was Fearful for my mental and physical health, luckily I had a fairly clued up GP who put me on HRT.
The change was almost instant nothing short of miraculous, haven't looked back and am getting a solid 7hours a night every night and intend to stay on it for as long as possible.

If your insomnia is hormonal then no amount of lavender, exercise and hot baths will help you need to replace your declining oestrogen.

Hi @rosie39forever thanks for responding. It shouldn't be hormone related as I went through a very early menopause and am on HRT (and have been for years, just had it reviewed in fact) So that's definitely not the issue. Glad it sorted you out though. As you can appreciate its an absolute living nightmare ! x

Im sorry you're going through this. I developed chronic insomnia in my early 30s. I'm lucky that i get my sleeping tablets constantly. This was backed up by psychiatry though. Lack of sleep makes my mental health deteriorate.

Have they ever tried low dose anti depressants for you. There are at least 2 that help with sleep.

Clutching at straws but do you eat late? Do you drink much alcohol, smoke?