Peri menopausal insomnia so bad - what do I ask Dr for?

[user8800]

I'm 51

Have been in peri since I was 40 - lots of awful symptoms

I've tried the lot...mirena, oral hrt, patch hrt, gel hrt, ending in an endometrial ablation (which also didn't work)

I'm pretty sure I'm progesterone intolerant and suffered greatly whilst on hrt, which didn't really help my symptoms

I'm 2 months into a horrendous bout of insomnia. I get maybe 2 hours of broken sleep per night. I feel quite ill now.

I've done everything I can think of;
New pillow, lighter duvet, calm app on phone, melatonin, kalms, no naps, exercise
....everything that the websites recommend

Pharmacist says nothing they can recommend

So, drs it is...what do I ask for? Can they help?

I was on very low dose of mirtazipine for a while last year but 1. It didn't help that much and 2. Weight gain

I'm so desperate to get some sleep :(

Any advice? Thank you.

Yes, if you order online you have to sign for it. Obviously it’s more expensive than a prescription but if it works you can at least tell the gp and ask for a prescription.

N acetyl cysteine worked for my insomnia. Also amitriptyline

My menopause insomnia wasn't as bad as yours but an over the counter product helped me enormously - boots - Sleepease (I think) You can't use it that much as it won't work but it was brilliant for me.

Zopiclone for occasional use and an over the counter anti histamine sleeping tablets for more daily use. Id have completely lost the plot without them.

Best of luck op, it’s awful.

Agree with pp suggestion of Phenergan. Only thing that helps me sleep. Use it intermittently to prevent reliance bit even having a great night's sleep a few times a week makes everything more bearable.

I feel your pain. I have bad nights at least 1/2 the time. I use Nytol a couple of times a week and it works a treat. You can get from your pharmacist.

Kirkland sleep aid really works. It’s an antihistamine. You buy it directly from the Kirkland website. You only need one little tablet - I only have half a tablet when I need to ensure good sleep now.

The best thing I've found yet is eating big amounts of beef (or liver), it seems to knock me out like nothing else!

Agree with phenergan ( sominex ) use intermittently to reset sleep . Mix up with ntyol and nights with nothing .

Amitriptyline helps me. It's kept me on an even keel sleepwise through peri. I typically take it every other night.

My sympathies, it’s awful. I am a lot better after giving up alcohol (sorry). On HRT, magnesium, occasional antihistamines, pillow spray…..

Some types of magnesium are much more effective than others. Try Holland and Barrett magnesium citrate powder. Thinking of you OP.

amyltriptaline- often prescribed for headaches and depression, nerve pain. It’s a bit of a catch all!

it’s great.

How much cardio exercise do you get, OP? Cardio exercise has always helped me sleep better. Not a cure but a help.

I had to try different brands of Magnesium to find the one that worked for me, I also use magnesium butter on my feet and they seem to work together with HRT 80% of the time.

The only thing that has helped me (and I tried everything) is phenergan. I get it on prescription from the dr. I do take it every night. I wonder if the prescription one is probably stronger than Sominex as that only worked for 3 or 4 nights, whereas I can take the prescription one every night.

I sympathise OP. I have had so many days that have started at 3am and know how debilitating it is.

Is it the correct type and amount of magnesium? I had some general supplements that did nothing and then some large magnesium glycinate capsules that really help.