Struggling, No Sleep

[chocolatecookiecakes]

I'm 55 and my sleep pattern seems to be a good night's sleep and then a very bad night's sleep and on and on. I find myself planning my day according to how much sleep I get.

I've tried exercise, magnesium, just about everything. I'm on HRT and it can't be increased. I occasionally take a Nytol or a zopiclone which my GP has prescribed. The zopiclone works really well but is only for very occasional use.

I've tried to get through the day today and have made a silly mistake at work. I'm so fed up with my sleep deprivation.

Can anyone relate to this? Thanks

I'm the same, it can really get me down.

Have you tried sleep stories and headphones to get you back to sleep?

This was me about 6 months ago. Same age. My GP referred me to the local sleep study clinic and I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnoea. The first night with the CPAP I slept all night. The first time in years. It has literally changed my life. Worth a discussion with your GP?

It can take months and months for Magnesium to work, you also need to be taking quite alot at the start. I must have been quite deficient as it took ages and now I can't be without it.

Relatable. Make sure you come off screens well before bedtime and have a good walk in daylight every day. Magnesium. Some kind of wind down words and music.

I had reason to google menopausal anxiety yesterday and the Evora koala came up as a drug free alternative remedy. Haven't got it yet, but who knows, it could be the silver bullet and it made me smile.

I've been like this for 3 or 4 years- 4 hrs of broken sleep a night.
I've cut out as much sugar as I can, changed my pillow and started sleeping with the window open.
It's added about an hour to my crap sleep.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm having another go with magnesium tablets and I bought some Bach's rescue gummies. I've also cut down on caffeine and I'm trying to drink more water.

My anxiety has been better recently and I've managed to have fairly good sleeps for the past three nights. I've probably jinked it now

A few things that have helped me
Weight training (not in the eve)
Increase step count
No coffee or tea after 2pm
No alcohol if an eve
Antihistamines
Melatonin
Ask for some sleeping tablets for when it's getting too much. The GP will give you a few

Ah sorry you have done the last one. They may give you phenergan. Also a couple of paracetamol can help. Not ideal I know. You can avoid any patterns if there are a few things to hand.

Also Kirkland Sleep Aid. I don't really like this myself (dehydrates) but it suits some.

Melentonin works great for me. Other things I do -
No coffee after 12 noon
Get outside for a walk every day
Go to the gym 4 xs a week
Eat really well
Have at least a couple of hours of wind down time every day.
Changed bedding to lighter weight/100% cotton, ditto with nightwear.
No alcohol especially in the evening.

It does take time and I don't think there is a magic bullet but each little thing helps.

Please ignore my previous post about the Evora and other makes of koala.
There have been quality control issues and delivery issues.
A friend tried to buy one for a family member and was not happy with the process. They may not be a total scam but do the research on Trust pilot etc.

This book really helped me - 'The effortless sleep method' by Sasha Stephens. My insomnia started in the menopause but then escalated because I became so anxious about not sleeping and not being able to work well the next day etc. Once you can stop worrying about not sleeping, you sleep! Easier said than done though. Good luck X