Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

DS with sleep issues

43 replies

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 10:11

Hi ds17 has never been a great sleeper but things have escalated. For 6 months he has struggled both falling asleep and staying asleep. He has seen a GP on 2 occasions firstly time they gave him phenergan which didn't help him and the second time said they would refer him for CBT. Shortly after that contacted him to say it isn't covered by the NHS but he could sign up to Sleep station. He has tired every over the counter remedy, exercise, no screens, weighted blanket etc etc. he has had a couple of days of very little sleep and is almost delirious. He is now talking about trying cannabis to just get some relief. I am trying to come up with every solution I can think of to avoid this. He bought CBD capsules from H & B but I have read there are stronger options out there. Is it worth trying those? Any advice would be greatly received. He maintains his general mental health is fine apart from his sleep issues.

^I have also put this in sleep also

OP posts:

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 11:19

Totally agree he needs more daylight, going to start encouraging walking everyday with me and will try to add swimming into his routine

Thank you for the other suggestions I will look into them all

OP posts:

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 11:20

He makes a protein shake a few times a week but does have Creatine.

OP posts:

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 11:21

Do you find magnesium takes a while to see effects?

OP posts:

pjani · 10/02/2024 11:25

Does he have any caffeine? Any chocolate before bed? Was listening to a podcast with Nick Robinson the journalist who said he gave himself terrible insomnia by eating a tub of chocolate ice cream before bed, which made me giggle (didn’t expect that admission from respected serious journalist).

I also agree with the CBT idea as worry about sleep can make sleeping problems worse.

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 11:26

He eats a lot of rice and chicken. Good with vegetables and fruit. Not concerned about high sugar intake. He drinks mainly water. Occasionally he will have a coffee in the morning but never during the day. No energy drinks.

OP posts:

bestmoment · 10/02/2024 12:05

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 11:20

He makes a protein shake a few times a week but does have Creatine.

bingo

if he is serious about improving his sleep this needs to go. immediately. binned. now

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 13:29

@upintheloft out of interest what did you take to have that effect on your sleep.

I will remove Creatine this week, much to his horror

OP posts:

bestmoment · 10/02/2024 15:46

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 13:29

@upintheloft out of interest what did you take to have that effect on your sleep.

I will remove Creatine this week, much to his horror

but he’s so desperate to improve his sleep, why would he not want to? as you say, he’s almost an adult.

stomachameleon · 10/02/2024 16:34

My youngest was on melatonin until he went to uni- he wanted to try and see if he could break the habit. So far so good.

I agree with the getting rid of creatine. It's awful stuff.

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 18:11

Yes creatine has gone as of today. Hoping it will make a difference we will see. Was that prescribed by a GP or something your sources yourself?

OP posts:

kimbear87 · 10/02/2024 20:35

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 18:11

Yes creatine has gone as of today. Hoping it will make a difference we will see. Was that prescribed by a GP or something your sources yourself?

Creatine and protein powder shouldn't make a difference unless they are in a 'pre-workout' with added caffeine. In fact, it supposedly should help with reducing the amount of sleep needed to feel rested.

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 20:43

@kimkimbear87 this was his argument and why he was reluctant to stop taking it. In researching further quite a few people report it creates problems with sleep. Desperate measures he has agreed to not take anymore for now just to see if it does make a difference.

OP posts:

Fuckmyliferightnow · 10/02/2024 20:43

Did he have his thyroid tested?

SongbirdGarden · 10/02/2024 20:47

Meditation?
Some nice gentle guided ones on youtube.
Is he anxious, anxiety can affect sleep.

sequin2000 · 10/02/2024 20:53

Have you tried Valerian. A friend swears by it.

Original poster

Glassbottom · 10/02/2024 21:24

The Dr did bloods test to check his thyroid and thankfully all was ok. He has tried mediation but will give it a few nights and say it's not working. He needs to find something that clicks for him.

He says he is only stressed due to his sleep and is quite adamant it's not lack of sleep due to stress or anxiety. Obviously that all adds to the issue.

No I have not heard of that I will have a look now.

Really do appreciate everyone's ideas and questions

OP posts:

Mamoun · 10/02/2024 21:40

Pssspsss · 10/02/2024 11:07

Re Nytol: careful - yes there’s a herbal one but also a medicated one (avoid)

Why avoid? Just curious...
I take half of one occasionally when I go through an anxious phase and struggle to go back to sleep in the night when I wake after a few hours sleep.

Pssspsss · 10/02/2024 21:58

Mamoun · 10/02/2024 21:40

Why avoid? Just curious...
I take half of one occasionally when I go through an anxious phase and struggle to go back to sleep in the night when I wake after a few hours sleep.

Show quote history

They can be addictive by stopping you being able to fall asleep naturally. I think that when people can take them correctly as you do (ie occasionally) then they are actually fine but a lot of people really struggle to get off them. So it’s better to not start them (hence my avoid comment) unless it’s really a last resort. Which I don’t think this lad is at yet.

Flip

1 2