My Sleep!!!

[susanmt]

My nearly 4mo ds is now sleeping through the night, as does my 2+4mo dd. I can't!! I have got quite severe pnd, and am on a high dose of antidepressants for it, which give me muscle spasms/twitchiness in my legs, so although I get off to sleep not bad, I can't get back over if I wake (hence posting on mumsnet at 5 in the morning!!).
My doc has given me valium to help me sleep but if I iake it after midnight I am so hung over the next morning I cant do anything. I have tried havinga hot bath in the middle of the night to help me relax, and doing all the relaxation exercises I learned for labour. I had a lovely massage once, but by the next night I was as tense as ever.
I am not sure if anyone will be able to suggest something I've not already tried, but would LOVE some input!! It seems ridiculous that I am up half the night when my kids are fast asleep!!

Hi Susan, are you taking Prozac by any chance? What you describe is such a common side effect of this (and other anti-d's too). Several people I know have endured this, and rather than valium they are prescribed a specific sleeping pill called Zimovane. I've tried it and it doesn't give the "hangover" that valium does. Try asking your doctor what he/she thinks.

I've taken Zimovane on a long distance flight and its amazing! I slept like a baby and didn't feel groggy at all afterwards.

Susan, have you tried acupuncture - it might be good for dealing with the anxiety and inability to relax.

susanmt, how awful for you! I must admit it took me a long time to start sleeping through once ds did even without everything you have to contend with. What about a lavender pillow - lavender is very sleep inducing. Sorry it sounds a bit lame but maybe it will help

Zoe

Susanmt, I really sympathise with you. In the past I was also treated for depression and anxiety. It got so bad I had to be hospitalised so I know what you are going through. I still get bouts of insomnia whereby I go to sleep but wake up in the early hours-it usually sorts itself out after a week or so. I did try acuapuncture and noticed slight improvement after this. I hope you find something that works for you and that you feel better soon

I'm not sure if you could take them with your present medication, but I've found Tesco Herbal Sleeping tablets very good. I'm fairly sceptical about these things and other brands did nothing, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got a result from these particular ones.

susanmt - I have this too on and off. It seems so unfair that my little boy has slept through since he was 7 weeks and is now 17 mnths and yet it is rare that I get a full nights sleep. I was presecribed anti depressants but chose not to get the prescrption simply because I generally wake at around 4.09!to be precise, and taking anything as you say at that time, wipes out the next day completely.

It appears that in my extensive research (!) to get a full nights sleep that the only thing that works, is to stay up as late as I can possibly make it - normally 11.30 and make my husband wake me if I look like I have gone off to sleep in front of the Television with the mouth open and then go to bed, with this i normally last unitl 6.30/6.45.

I read in one of the Sundays about this problem and the best sleep inducement was a course of acupunture, unfortunately have yet to try this - no time! Like Enid I have tried Zimovane, however, it did not work and I had metal mouth all of the next day. I have tried Night Nurse - green tongue, Alcohol - hangover at about 2am as I fall asleep snoring on the sofa, and wake up with a raging thirst. Warm Milk - full bladder the rest is history.

I generally get through by having a quick read of some complete trash, and nothing at all baby oriented, and if i do get really anxious then a pen and pad to write down my to do list. Good luck

Susan, my husband suffers from insomnia, and I know how difficult it is to treat. He did try Nytol - a herbal remedy. It helped, but made him feel groggy the next day.

I'm a better sleeper, so can't really put myself in your shoes. I definitely sleep longer and deeper if I have had some vigorous exercise during the day - even if it's just for half and hour. I don't know if this is because I am extra tired or because it helps to relax me - or a combination of both. Is there any chance this might improve things for you? With two children, I'm sure you're not lying about on the sofa all day, but have you thought about joining an exercise class or going for a swim?

Hope you find a solution to this.

Poor you Susan, I remember what it was like when I was pregnant and couldn't take any tablets. I'm not sure if you've already tried it, but the only thing that seemed to work for me was a few drops of Lavender oil on my pillow. There are other oils that are good for relaxing/sleeping so let me know if you haven't tried the aromatherapy route.

Susanmt,

Poor you. It's so hard as well when you're desperately trying to sleep because they are asleep and you know your sleep is precious.

How about trying a hot bath and warm drink if you wake or reading a good book ?

Oh crumbs, I really need some positive support! Dd (eight months) has been sleeping through for the last four. But I can't stay asleep, I often wake two or three times in the night and end up going to the loo (amazing how much there is actually) sometimes it takes forty minutes or so to get back to sleep, but even if it's shorter I feel majorly lousy the next day, and however much fun the girl and I have, I'm often just wishing the day away, so I can have another go at sleeping. I have the occasional brilliant 6/7 hour stint, not for a fortnight or so though. I've tried....wait for it: Dead sea salts in bath, lavender, sugary thing to eat before bed. Warm milky drink, hypnotherapy (2 sessions) and am currently in second week of acupuncture/Chinese herbal medicine, which had me down to one wake for three nights, then tailed off again. I'm sure it's a case of me staying 'on duty', but dd bleats so very occasionally that it is such a wasted opportunity and I could be sleeping. I've tried to get the message through to my stupid subconscious but it's not listening. Dp gets her up every other morning and I usually do better those nights, but even with ear plugs and 'off duty' I still have hellish trouble.

SO, WILL IT EVER END? WHEN? HOW? HELP!!!!

Susan mt, would also like to hear how you're feeling.

I'm feeling a lot better thanks. I have been sleeping well if I go to bed early, but hellish if I go to bed late! Have been trying to get down as early as possibe - some nights I go just after the kids do!
I have managed to reduce the dose of my antidepressants which was a lot of the problem, but have infortuantely had another kidney stone attack, which left me so tired I had no option BUT to sleep! I think that might have helped.
I think going to bed early is the best thing I have done, but I understand the 'on duty' thing - I still find it hard to sleep the nights dh is on call - he has no problem but I'm waiting for the phone to ring!!
But overall things are improving!

yoga can really help with sleeping. I second going to bed early too. Also chamomile tea. Calcium supplements can often help with both sleep and twitchy, crampy legs. I don't know if they would help you susanmt, but they can't do any harm so might be worth a try?