Why anyone let me sleep?! AAH!

[Pavlovthecat]

I have slept awfully for while on and off for months, but worse in the last two weeks.

I don't ever get a lie-in. On my birthday, last week I was promised a lie-in and still did not get one, DH just fails to get up with DD, even when he says he will. So I dont get a chance to catch up on lost sleep. Ever.

I took this week off work due to exhaustion as I just felt so awful, went to Dr, who said I actually have a viral infection. He gave me a prescription for temazipan to take at night, help me sleep. His words 'take half to one, and you will sleep through anything!'. Great, I thought. Note that although I have not been at work, I have not rested, have tidied the house which has not helped with my sleeping (worried about it all), looked after DD, cooked dinner so we can relax in the evenings, etc, so not sitting down on my butt.

However, last few days has coincided with DH having an infection in his tooth. One of my days off involved taking him to dentist, going to get prescriptions, then taking him back to work, then picking him up because he was in pain. Thursday night, (the night of being given my sleeping pills), he is also very tired as he has not slept for a day or so due to his tooth pain. So I don't take the sleeping pill as one of us needs to be awake for DD in case she needs us.

So, cue Friday morning, DD has poo'd and spread it in her cot, DH is in bed on the sofa, sleeps through it all, I take her shopping after running around not able to find my swim suit for swimming. DH stays asleep until 11am to make up for him not sleeping well. Does not matter a jot that I have not slept for weeks.

Last night I had a stomach bug, short lasting but not pleasant, left me feeling a bit crap.

So last night, he agrees to get up with DD this morning, after asking me several times if I was sure I did not want a family snuggle watching a dvd. No, I dont, I want some sleep. I take half a temazapam as I have not taken them before and did not know how much I would be unconscious. Clearly did not take enough.

DH snored his head off woke me up. Got narky when I asked him 4 times to roll over onto his side. Then DD woke up, DH slept through it, another dirty protest (3am). DH wakes up half way through my cleaning DD, got grumpy with me for not telling him what was going on.

His tooth hurts, he goes into front room again, stays awake for two hours, I can't sleep either.

However, this morning, 7:30am - my lie-in - I am up with DD, watching tele, DH is snoring his head off. I am exhausted, apparantly ruined the day as I was not all smiley and was not making an effort. He tells me to do as I please.

So. I take a whole temazepam - chill out with DD, she naps, DH goes out, and I come to bed. The phone rings, and rings, then the person calls back, his bloody brother just wanting a chat.

Now, I am wide awake. My muscles ache, my head aches, and I feel like crap and DH has just this second walked in so no sleep for me .

Sorry, just moaning, as usual these days.

Thanks for all your support everyone.

The outcome = I had 1.5 hours of broken but much needed sleep.

I wonder if DH had secretly read my MN thread as in the evening, he was very nice to me, asked me what could I do to relax, what could he do to help me...after spending all afternoon on the computer, and me asking him one last time to look after DD, he had a major huff and perhaps felt guilty for that.

So, that night, I went to bed at 12pm, after DH spoke loudly to his brother in USA for over an hour, kept walking in and out of the bedroom getting stuff, getting changed for bed etc, with hallway light right in m eyes! I had an extremely awful night, and eventually got up at 5am.

However, I woke up feeling quite, serene? I think probably past it to be honest. We went to a beach near Newquay, had a fab day in the sun, rockpooling, swimming, I felt sooooooo much better by the end of the day and slept almost right through. better than normal anyway.

Although I woke up at 5:30am and got up. I was in work before 8am! And felt ok until 3pm when I got a headache. But, at least its upwards.

DH, still does not get it though. He still thinks its my pillow or something!

Neerly I wanted especially to say thanks to you for being honest about your problems and how you resolved them.

It might not be the same way we resolve our issues, or it might be, but certainly it is good to know this kind of thing is resolveable if everything else is good.

The sharing thing is very important isn't it? with the children.

Hi Pavlov!
We must keep similar MN hours, lol.

Glad you are feeling a bit better. Sounds like the problem is still very much there and will flare up again?

Glad you had a nice day though.

nicky yes it is still a problem but, DH I think is starting to understand, which makes me wonder if he has read my thread .

I spoke to him about Melatonine (chemical your body produces to tell you its time to sleep) and how it works, how difficiencies can be caused etc, and one of the things I mentioned was that sunlight or bright lights can artificially tell the body it does not need to sleep when it should actually be sleeping, ie in a pub, or in a bedroom with the light on. I had been researching a bit today about what can cause sleep problems and what I can do about it myself.

Anyway, he said to me, as he has before that he thinks I sleep worse in the summer, and acknowledged that he is noisy when he comes to bed. He always likes the light on when he comes to bed, and has never got on with nightlights and the such, he likes a bright lamp. Well, he suggested this time that I turn all lights off when I go to bed, and he will try to be more sensitive to leaving the hallway light on.

He has also agreed to set an alarm one day each weekend to get up with DD, and in return I will do the same the following day (ala Neearly3!!!)

So, long way to go, as he has gone out and prob wont be back until 2am (a night owl) but its something at least!

Pavlov, good news - he is listening at least and has the inclination to help, rather than dissmissing you entirely.

I see that as very positive and I wish you all the best!