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Original poster

Still struggling to get a decent nights sleep, can you share what’s worked for you?

80 replies

Strumpetpumpet · 08/12/2022 19:48

I haven’t slept properly in years, but this week has been horrendous. I don’t usually have a problem getting to sleep, but staying asleep for more than 4-5 hours is almost impossible. This week I’ve been in bed by 10.30 every night and have woken up and been unable to get back to sleep somewhere between 2 and 3 am every night since Sunday. I’m on HRT (gel and utrogestan) and I’ve tried cbt, cbd oil, relaxation apps, magnesium, amitriptyline and nothing has worked. Does anyone have any suggestions please ? Thank you x

OP posts:
AuntieJoyce · 08/12/2022 21:00

I don’t know about the melatonin. It’s useful to get you to sleep but that’s not Op’s problem. It would’ve worn off by 3 am in the morning. Then she’ll be taking it again and sluggish in the morning.

OP I have the same problem as you. Someone on another thread recommended the podcast nothing much happens. I am trying out at the moment it seems to be quite good as long as I wake up early enough in the night. After about 4.30 I’m buggered

Triffid1 · 08/12/2022 21:11

Omega 3 has transformed my sleep. I have no idea If it would work for everyone (I started it for other reasons( but it works v well for me. I take 1000mg at bed time. A linseed one.
I am told it is helpful for people with mild anxiety and depression so that might be why - it's relaxing me at bedtime?

pasha86 · 08/12/2022 21:13

Phenergan antihistamine. Been on it almost a year which I don't think is advised but if I try and stop I can't sleep. Works a TREAT!

colouringindoors · 08/12/2022 21:17

www.nhs.uk/medicines/trazodone/about-trazodone/#:~:text=Trazodone%20works%20by%20increasing%20your,It's%20only%20available%20on%20prescription.

Low dose (50mg) Trazodone. Good quality sleep without a "hangover"

SirChenjins · 08/12/2022 21:19

Trazadone - it’s the only thing that works for me. 2 before bedtime if my anxiety is bad, 1 if it’s not, and I get a much better night’s sleep.

RandomMess · 08/12/2022 21:20

@pasha86 maximum dose 2 x 25mg work for the first couple of nights then stop working for me.

SirChenjins · 08/12/2022 21:20

*trazodone

Pinkittens · 08/12/2022 21:20

A better (softer) mattress
Better pillows
Pillow spray. Tisserand is my current favourite.

StandUpStraight · 08/12/2022 21:24

Pippa Campbell’s mood and sleep supplements. An acupressure mat - if I use it for 15 mins or so before bed I find I sleep much better. Also useful if you wake up in the middle of the night - really helps.

giggly · 08/12/2022 21:26

RandomMess · 08/12/2022 20:11

Can't wait to go to the states and buy a suitcase of melatonin

I buy mine online, 180x 5mg tablets is about £18 plus £4 postage.
i
I take 10mg plus 1000mg magnesium and sleep soundly for about 4-5 hours then awake for an hour or two. If I’m really lucky once or twice a week I sleep for about 8 hours.
The best medication I’ve had is promethizine which is an anti histamine, works wonders but GP will only prescribe for two weeks a year

Attictroll · 08/12/2022 21:28

No herbal rubbish melatonin and collegen both bought online.
Also cold swim or early morning run. Exercise has saved me

Runningintolife · 08/12/2022 21:33

Six pack revolution.

Before I did that, not thinking of it as insomnia but 'sleeping in two shifts' and finding a comfortable way to spend the wakeful time.

Garysmum · 08/12/2022 21:33

I get melatonin from the gp. I’m on seroquel for sleep 25 mg but I prefer amitriptylene.
I go through phases. Sometimes magnesium helps, sometimes it doesn’t.
I tried Sominex from the GP in a pinch point which is an anti histamine that didn’t do anything. Likewise they gave me other sleeping tablets-zopiclone did nothing.
I agree with cold water swimming but a really chilly walk at this time of year can help me.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 08/12/2022 21:38

Magnesium citrate.

converseandjeans · 08/12/2022 21:44

@Chesneyhawkes1

Do you order zopiclone from France?

The4teddybears · 08/12/2022 21:47

Night nurse. Cold remedy. Took it last year for a cold and found it knocked me out. So now when I have a few sleepless night in a row I take some and it’s brilliant

LindorDoubleChoc · 08/12/2022 21:48

You can buy melatonin in the supermarket in France, which is funny when viewed in conjunction with the fact that you can't buy paracetamol or ibuprofen - you have to go to a pharmacy.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 08/12/2022 21:50

pasha86 · 08/12/2022 21:13

Phenergan antihistamine. Been on it almost a year which I don't think is advised but if I try and stop I can't sleep. Works a TREAT!

I second this. It’s the only thing I find that’s guaranteed to work.

Rhondaa · 08/12/2022 21:50

It's not very exciting but physical activity is the only thing that works for me, in my 20s and 30s I could sleep 12hrs non stop given half the chance and that would've been after drinking coffee all day.

Once in peri then post imo you need to A. Cut out caffeine and booze <or limit> and B. Make sure you do something for an hour daily that gets your heart rate up. Doesn't have to be complex gym sessions or expensive classes just put a fitbit on do 10000 steps briskly, or jog, or cycle.

Once we get a older we really have to be proactive with health and wellbeing. I'd certainly steer clear of zopiclone and temazepam, folk tend to get reliant on them.

LindorDoubleChoc · 08/12/2022 21:52

Runningintolife · 08/12/2022 21:33

Six pack revolution.

Before I did that, not thinking of it as insomnia but 'sleeping in two shifts' and finding a comfortable way to spend the wakeful time.

Sleeping in two shifts works for me but I am very lucky in that I don't need to wake up before 8.30am. So I go to bed at 10 ish, sleep till 2, 3 or 4, spent a few hours awake until 5 or 6 (I read a book), then go back to sleep until 8 or 8.30. I feel very grateful that my wfh and no little children up in the night enables me to do this.

If I had to get up at 6.30 or 7 I would be back to the GP for more Zopiclone, no question.

HelenHywater · 08/12/2022 21:52

I have the same issue - I can fall asleep no problem, but when I wake up, whatever the time, I'm awake for hours, and often for the whole day. If

I have improved my sleep recently - I've given up caffeine apart from the first cup of coffee. I've given up sugar and sweet/high glycaemic index carbs. I did realise a low carb diet wasn't helping me sleep though, so do have more carbs. Alcohol ALWAYS wakes me up at 1 or 2 for a few hours.

I generally get 6 hours now - I'm ok as long as it's after 5 when I wake up

Have tried melatonin - makes me groggy and doesn't keep me asleep any longer. Have tried Magnesium and HRT and neither helped. Sominex works for me for a few days, and then stops

longcoffeebreak · 08/12/2022 21:54

RandomMess · 08/12/2022 20:53

I already sleep alone in the quietest coldest room Sad

Some nights I wake every 45 minutes. Normal is 5-6 broken hours.

I'm exactly the same

UnDeadPool · 08/12/2022 21:55

Hear me out - a calpol plug in.
my 7yo was poorly so I slept in her room with her for the night with one plugged in and had the best nights sleep I’d had in years! I’ve bought one for my room and it’s really helped

Chesneyhawkes1 · 08/12/2022 22:00

@converseandjeans no melatonin. Zopiclone I got from the doctor. Amazing stuff for me. But I was only allowed two weeks worth 😭