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Menopause

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Original poster

Why can't I sleep!

74 replies

burntoutnurse · 05/10/2023 00:31

I'm so exhausted, can barely stay awake through the day.

I usually put my tiredness down to working night shifts but it's NEVER been this bad...

I am peri menopausal.

What can I do to help me sleep! I was falling asleep at 8pm, came up to bed and now I'm wide awake 😩

OP posts:
EllaMenopee · 06/10/2023 01:08

Signing in. Unfortunately magnesium and otc sleep medicines give me terrible nightmares, so somewhat counter productive. I'm seeing the gp for hrt later in the month and praying that will help. I've a couple of easy listening podcasts lined up to put on in a bit to at least close my eyes. I'll be awake at 7.15 no matter what time I go to sleep.

I'm like an overtired toddler these days, the slightest thing changes in my sleep routine and I'm out of whack for a week.

Findyourneutralspace · 06/10/2023 01:37

Checking in. I upped my HRT last night because the insomnia and crippling depression was killing me. I’ve felt brilliant all day, like a switch flicked and the dark clouds lifted, but here I am at 1:40am, still wide awake.

escript · 06/10/2023 04:01

Has HRT worked in the past for you for insomnia @Findyourneutralspace

I wondered if mine might need to be increased
too.

Original poster
burntoutnurse · 06/10/2023 04:23

I'm on a night shift tonight so have to be awake, on very little sleep!

OP posts:
FloofCloud · 06/10/2023 04:25

Ug I feel your pain! I'm going to start on the piriton again as it's something that works for me

JinglingSpringbells · 06/10/2023 08:29

burntoutnurse · 06/10/2023 04:23

I'm on a night shift tonight so have to be awake, on very little sleep!

If you have any other symptoms, think about HRT.

It was and is one of the main reasons I use it.

At 53 my sleep went to pot and HRT is the main thing that sorts it.

Original poster
burntoutnurse · 06/10/2023 08:33

@JinglingSpringbells

Night sweats
Itchiness
Moods are terrible

Go suggested coil

I'm only 41. Don't think gp is listening much 😩

OP posts:
JinglingSpringbells · 06/10/2023 19:45

burntoutnurse · 06/10/2023 08:33

@JinglingSpringbells

Night sweats
Itchiness
Moods are terrible

Go suggested coil

I'm only 41. Don't think gp is listening much 😩

Okay so now you have explained more fully, you need HRT!

Make your GP listen.

Go in with a list of symptoms and tell your GP you are in peri menopause, that you work as a nurse and you can't function. Ask for HRT - don't wait for it to be offered.

There is no reason why they can withhold suitable treatment and if they do, write to the practice manager.

Presumably you are in the NHS and know the ropes about making things happen?

Original poster
burntoutnurse · 07/10/2023 23:10

I am in the nhs but in a very protected area which is nothing like anywhere else 😂 I will make an appt on Monday.

I'm wide awake again 😭

OP posts:
mycatsanutter · 08/10/2023 09:51

My sleep is terrible , wide awake tossing and turning for hours . Last night I took 2 nytol I woke up at 4.10 but was back to sleep within minutes could be worth a try while you wait for your Drs appointment.

AnnaMagnani · 08/10/2023 09:56

HRT is the answer!

Was asleep properly within a week.

amberwhen · 08/10/2023 10:35

HRT hasn't helped with my sleep. It's one of the main reasons I got HRT, as I couldn't survive on average of four hours sleep a night. I'm still looking for the answer.

Original poster
burntoutnurse · 08/10/2023 13:08

I took a night nurse after I posted last night and slept until 11am! I wish I could say I feel like a new women but because of the night nurse I feel groggy and crap Grin

OP posts:
escript · 08/10/2023 16:26

I've just bought some night nurse capsules @burntoutnurse I'll risk the grogginess for an unbroken night of sleep.

Though I was worried I might be quizzed by the pharmacist about why I wanted them, but it was fine Grin. I do have a slight headache and very mild cold so will help with that I suppose.

Mustardfan · 08/10/2023 19:36

I think that surfing mumsnet in the evening/ at night is bad for sleep. I read that going on the internet like this releases dopamine, and I think this gets in the way of sleep. I found that when I cut it out I had an improvement in sleep. Sorry, nobody wanted to hear that.

Mustardfan · 08/10/2023 19:37

I think it’s better to read a book.

escript · 08/10/2023 19:43

Mustardfan · 08/10/2023 19:37

I think it’s better to read a book.

If only it were that simple 😐

I nearly always read before sleep, and never check the internet.

BeyondMyWits · 08/10/2023 19:52

Sleep hygiene is the watchword when people ask for sleeping aid medication at the pharmacy I work in.

No caffeine after 4pm.
No screens for 90 min before bedtime. If possible including telly.
Do not brush your teeth just before sleep. Do it an hour before and only have water (still) afterwards.
Your body does not start to shut down for sleep until it is dark. Darkness triggers melatonin release, making us feel sleepy and aiding a natural sleep.
Keep bedroom cool, a drop in body temperature also triggers sleep.

I share a bed with a snorer, so also find earplugs help.

(59 and still suffering... night sweats, insomnia, muscle and joint aches, you name it, but sleep is always much better when I follow those rules.)

escript · 08/10/2023 20:04

I tried all of that, and more, then HRT, when my insomnia appeared during peri menopause. Though I think most of us will have tried the usual things to aid good sleep.
It has only been a few short months of HRT, so I'll mention it to my GP at the next appointment.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 08/10/2023 20:17

I am on HRT but my insomnia is still awful!

I do forget to keep using my HRT which clearly isn’t helpful but my sleep got worse a few weeks ago and hasn’t improved. I fall asleep fine but wake at 3am and I’m generally awake until 6am with my alarm going off at 7am.

Once a week I use Kirkland sleep aid which is the same active ingredient as sleepeaze. I do that on a Sunday night so I get a good rest for work but I do get a hangover grogginess.

Would love a natural remedy.

escript · 08/10/2023 20:42

Familiar pattern here of being able to fall asleep initially, but not after waking middle of the night. That's my problem too.

Original poster
burntoutnurse · 08/10/2023 20:53

I've been vomiting all day. I think it's exhaustion rather than a bug. I'm on a day shift of wed so a few days to catch up.

I don't drink caffeine at all anyway.

I exercise daily

My room is pitch black because I work night shifts which prob doesn't help my sleep cycle

It's a catch 22 I think

OP posts:
needtonamechangeagain · 08/10/2023 21:29

Antihistamine is your friend, you can take 1-2 and I've taken 2 a day for a long time, it's the build up over a long period that helps.

I take them due to having high histamine levels, there is also a huge amount linked to diet and sugars what you're eating during the day that is factoring into sleep so read up on that.

Magnesium helps.

Also try and map it, even with peri and random cycles you'll find a pattern and can also most prepare for the early wake up.

Even with the above I will still get days when I'm wide awake at 4-5am so I get up, grab a herbal tea and start work, I schedule my emails for 8am and then try to get a quick 30 minute nap in!

Stroopwaffels · 09/10/2023 07:30

My sleep is bad too. I don't have a problem getting to sleep, but wake randomly in the middle of the night feeling wide awake, can't get back to sleep. Feel very jittery and nervous in the morning,

I think part of my problem is that I am on just estrogen as I have had a hysterectomy, and it;s the progesterone which helps you sleep.