PLEASE HELP I regularly wake around 4:30-5:00 every morning and am totally exhausted. What can I do

[cruisemum1]

The op says it all but I am getting incredibly exhausted and unable to continue like this. I may get a good couple of nights in a row and that feels fantastic! I don't know why this is happening butI have to find a solution. I feel like s*, I look dreadful, I am not enjoying things because of this overwhelming feeling of tiredness. Anyone suffer form this/know any remedies/got any suggestions??? PLEASE

Go to Holland & Barrett and get some tablets with Valerian in them. Can't remember what ones I got, but they were mixed in with Hops. Valerian's a natural herb and non addictive, so you don't have to worry about becoming a druggie . They're not sleeping tablets, more de-stress. The idea being if you wake, they'll help your mind be more restful, so stop thoughts whirring and hence you get back to sleep more easily. I took them for about 5 months and it changed my sleep patterns for the better. I still don't sleep through (ever!), but I do now tend to get back to sleep once awake. Definitely worth a try..

There is Valerian-Hops by Vogel in tincture, 5 drops 1/2 hour before bed, works for me every time. It's not a sleeping potion, just a gentle relaxant, clears lymph nodes too. Very good & very gentle.

I also regularly wake between 4 and 5, its awful, my mind is wide awake and I can't get back to sleep then ds2 is up early and I've lost the chance of getting the sleep I desperately need

its awful, I get a really sore head by lunchtime and no amount of paracetamol helps, going to bed is the only answer

ds1 is 10 so he goes to bed about 9, then by the time I tidy up etc. its 10, I can't get to bed earlier, in fact about 10 I get a second wind and sometimes stay up to 10.30(wayhay!!)

my 2 are 7 and 10 and I've had 10 yrs of broken sleep, ds2 still comes into me when he's cold/scared, I'm sure this doesn't help

I tend to wake up turning over in my mind something a so called friend of mine has said that has really annoyed me and I've just said nothing, writing this makes me realise I have to be more assertive and speak out more, then I won't spend the early hours churning it over in my mind

I too look awful, constantly tired, cold sores, you name it. We also have absolutely no help with the kids, so ne chance to off load them and have a break, also I work when dh is at home, so not much chance to enjoy some time together

crap isn't it

All my sympathy. I've tried a couple of sleep cds. I like Rest and Sleep from Meditainment and Glenn Harrold's ultimate sleep (or something like that). First is 2 tracks, one for nap, imaginative guided meditation. Other is more hypnotherapy, just Glenn talking. I find both effective. Using them now for DD when she is reluctant to take a nap!

cruisemum - my DCs are now at school and nursery age. When they were younger I took them to the creche at the gym in order to excercise a few times a week. If you don't have this option I would second lalaas suggsetion of taking your 2 yr old for a long walk in the pram.

My eldest child is 6 1/2 and last night I had probably the best nights sleep I have had in 7 yrs! Went to bed at 11ish and woke at 7:10! I feel on top of the world today. I'm now trying to think why I got a much better nights sleep than usual:

1. neither child woke before 7 - unheard of!
2. I went to the gym yesterday for the 2nd day in a row.
3. Had a relaxing bath before bed
4. It was Saturday and I always sleep better at weekends due to being in a more relaxed state not worrying about having to get up and take DCs to school.
5. Did not look at computer or Mumsnet all evening

I think overall I would recommend the excercise, bath, and not drinking in the hour before going to bed.

Also try to banish the feeling tired and worrying about how much sleep you are getting from your mind.

When I was much younger I suffered from severe insomnia and would lie awake worrying that I was not sleeping and that I wouldn't be able to function the next day and this made everything worse. When it came to the day of my driving test I hadn't slept a wink and was so worried I'd fail through having had no sleep. I said to myself "Happywomble - keep calm you are going to do this despite no sleep"..luckily I passed first time and from then onwards I have tried to tell myself that even if I have no sleep, adrenalin will keep me going, and so knowing that I can cope sleep or not, means that I tend to sleep better as my mind is less worried. Don't know if this strategy of trying not to worry about lack of sleep would help you?

What happens if you go to bed earlier? Maybe your life is simply in a phase where your day starts/ends differently than it has in the past?

Are you especially worried about anything - other than not sleeping?

Are you waking because you need the bathroom? If so, maybe drink fewer fluids at night?

thank you all for yuor posts - i ahvenot time to read them properly now but i shall do later when i ahve some space. Thank you again

hi all, how did last night go? I woke at 3.20 with ds2 in with me, kicking my back. I eventually got to sleep again, but feel done in this morning. How you all did better!

I used to get this for about three years after DD was born, so my sympathies. I have slept much better since taking a valerian, hops and lemon balm, sleep aid herbal tablet everyday, and doing some breathing exercises.

Sorry to hear about your Dad's death. Sometimes sleep disturbance can be part of the process of grieving. Have you got a journal to jot down anything that might be worrying you?

I hope you all have full nights sleep soon sleep is the best.

Hi there CM and everyone else. I am shattered after a bad weekend of one vomiting child and the other being really naughty at night. On Saturday night I resorted to controlled crying and she was awake from 2 ti 4 then 4.30 to 5.30 before I gave up. She was better last night and slept through til 5.30 and she went back to her own bed, trouble was I was awake from 4am thinking she was going to wake at any minute ho hum. I think because everything is so unsettled at the moment with the children I won't be able to sort my problem until my youngest daughter is more reliable at night. Its like I've always got one ear open for trouble.

I will get a radio I think and maybe try a sleep CD too. I do exercise as I love running but the only time I can go is the evenings and I have been too tired lately I aslo find that I sleep worse straight after exercise but better the following night if that makes sense. It really helps destress me though. Its the only chance I get to get hot and sweaty these days

I am really sorry to hear about your dad CM. I think zazen is right and your grief is affecting your sleep.

I hope everyone else is getting some more sleep.

ssd - poor you. i took some advice on here and another thread i ahve started and downloaded a relaxation cd onto my ipod. I also had warm milk before bed and took a valerian extract tablet. It did make me sleep better and even though i woke several times i was able to go back off after each waking. i think it was reassuring just hearing from everyone which made me more relaxed so thaks all. more later
sazen - it defo is realted to my dad's illness/death. my sleep disturebancs began when he was ill and have continued since. I have had insomnia in th3e past though so it is not a new thing. just seems to be lasting for ever now. Thank so much all. Lets hope we all sleep better tnoight. scuse typing. ahve two year old on myu lap

having kids who aren't great sleepers really messes up your sleep patterns, also dealing with grief is very hard, I think the things we try to keep on top of during the day come back to us loud and clear in the early mornings when there is nothing else to distract us

hugs to us all!{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}