Dreadful sleep as a symptom - how best to fix

[RadioActiveBrain]

I was on the combined pill to deal with peri menopause symptoms (as I needed contraception too) and it worked brilliantly. Sorted out my night wakings and the other symptoms I was having.

However my fibroids were getting really big so I've stopped taking it. Haven't had a period for months (not since I stopped taking it) and I'm half hoping this it it and I'm in the menopause!

However the night wakings are back with a vengeance. Does anyone have any tips to deal with them as it's definitely my most annoying symptom? I'm trying to up exercise as that does help but it's v difficult when you're so tired (I'm getting about 4 hours sleep a night at the moment).

It needs to be a fairly long term fix as I know this is a symptom I'll be getting for some time and the fact the pill fixed it makes me feel it's definitely hormonal!

Ps I work full time in a pretty stressful long hours job so I'm not getting much chance to catch up on my sleep

I also suffer from this I have found Kalms once a night help a little
They do get me off to sleep but can still some times wake early hours.
It’s five now but have managed to sleep since 10 last night
If I wake early around 3 usually because I am too hot I get up make a cup of tea and sometimes if I am lucky I can get back to sleep
I sympathise I don’t have to work like you do and it can be hard going feeling permanently tired

Thanks @rosie1959

I'm falling asleep at 9 because I'm so tired but usually downstairs in front of the tv. Then wake up at 10 ish, come upstairs and can't sleep because I've had an hour, usually stay awake till midnight then wake up around 3 and can't get back to sleep

Doesn't help that dp snores too and is about as light as an elephant in bed. Beforehand it didn't wake me up but I just seem to have become a v light sleeper!

I will look out for the kalms in boots and give them a try!

I feel your pain. I was very anti HRT but the lack of sleep changed my mind. I tried every herbal remedy going and joined a gym to increase my exercise level but the HRT was the only thing that helped.

Thanks @Dotinthecity - do you mind me asking what it is you take?

I don't think I can continue much longer without doing something. It can't be good for my health to be this exhausted! Bloody hormones!

If you find a solution please let me know, because I am the same and it's killing me. I'm permanently exhausted.

@RadioActiveBrain I use Evorel Sequi patches

Also I often sleep in another bedroom to my DH where I have the windows wide open to keep me cool

I'm falling asleep at 9 because I'm so tired but usually downstairs in front of the tv. Then wake up at 10 ish, come upstairs and can't sleep because I've had an hour,

Could you go to bed before 9 instead of watching TV? Create a nice relaxing ritual to help you wind down before sleep ie bath, meditate, read for a while etc?

Also how is your diet and caffeine intake?

I don’t think I’m menopausal yet (am on low dose combined pill) but heading that way and have identical sleep pattern to you OP down to falling asleep on the sofa before 9pm plus all the hours spent awake in the middle of the night. I have tried all sorts of supplements, exercise, bright light exposure, sleep restriction, weighted blanket and nothing helped so far-sorry! Will watch this thread as also starting to wonder if hrt would be the magic fix.

Evorel sequi patches HRT

I found the menopause magnet really helps,
It is a magnet that you wear at night on a pair of knickers. l don’t know how it works,but it did really help a good friend who had terrible night sweats, and helps me to stay asleep. Other than that HRT.

Following with interest, as I have started to get this. The worst part is I feel anxious moments after I wake up, even if I went to be calm and happy. I dread it. I had no idea it was a menopause symptom but that makes sense, though it would make me on the youngish side of it.

Does anyone know how the magnet @Dragongirl10 has mentioned works please?

I didn't know that disrupted sleep was a menopause thing until it started happening to me. I've found it really difficult.
I go to bed 10.30 ish but usually wake up around 2.30 to 3. Using a sleep meditation app sometimes helps me to get back to sleep, if it doesn't, I get up around 4.30 and try and get an hour's sleep in the afternoon (I realise this isn't an option for everybody).
Never heard of menopause magnets, but I'll give anything a try

I don't have anything with caffeine in (went off coffee when pregnant more than 20 years ago and just never rediscovered the taste!). Diet ok, am an ok weight. I know I am vitB12 deficient plus vitD deficient as I had a blood test around a year ago that said that. It's not to do with my diet, I have a malabsorption issue with my stomach so I take supplements for that.

I could go to bed at 9 and do sometimes but even if I do that, I'm up at 2 or 3.

I will try the magnesium thanks.

I'm worried I won't be able to take the HRT due to the impact the oestrogen was having on my fibroids.

Yes I will also look for the magnets! Let's hope we remember to take them off when we get up!

I also didn't know it was a menopause symptom. I'm 47. It is definitely hormone related as when I was on the pill, I had no issues at all and when I was off it, it came back! Argh!

I used to have horrendous periods though so I am still trying to see the upside of not having those issues even if I'm absolutely dead on my feet with exhaustion.

Google menopause magnets and it will explain how they work far better than me, but for me (and my friend it really work )

OP, what do you do when you wake up? I'm the same age as you and I recently started waking at 4am, but I find that reading for a bit (a nice calm book - nothing too exciting!) sends me back off to sleep for another couple of hours, whereas if I just lie there trying to get back to sleep it doesn't work.