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The Wide Awake Club

This is a space for anyone looking for support, tips on helping your baby sleep or just for a chat with fellow wide-awakers to get you through the night feeds. For more tips, check out our Ages and Stages emails.

Original poster

Insomnia

18 replies

Nicola8787 · 12/12/2023 00:24

Had insomnia on and off for 14 months since my baby was born. I have nights of no sleep at all where I’m so wired and tonight is one of them. I’ve recently cut back on breast feeding so wondering if it’s that. Convincing myself it could be peri menopause even though I’m only 36. Feeling so sad and hopeless as a few weeks ago I was sleeping fine. Just don’t know what to do. Any knowledge or reassurance would be great. Tried sleepy tea, podcasts, meditations, sertraline for 6 months. I’m desperate

OP posts:
fosterbee · 12/12/2023 00:27

Nicola8787 · 12/12/2023 00:24

Had insomnia on and off for 14 months since my baby was born. I have nights of no sleep at all where I’m so wired and tonight is one of them. I’ve recently cut back on breast feeding so wondering if it’s that. Convincing myself it could be peri menopause even though I’m only 36. Feeling so sad and hopeless as a few weeks ago I was sleeping fine. Just don’t know what to do. Any knowledge or reassurance would be great. Tried sleepy tea, podcasts, meditations, sertraline for 6 months. I’m desperate

I'm not much help but I'm nearly 34 and exactly the same although my youngest is now 6. Im on citalopram but it doesn't help. Sleepy teas, meditation etc I've tried them all too. I was up at 3am this morning & cleaned the house top to bottom and I'm still wired now. Miserable isn't it

Original poster
Nicola8787 · 12/12/2023 00:31

How long have you had it for? Had a relatives sleeping tablets which made me sleep walk which was scary. It’s so lonely when the whole house sleeps

OP posts:
Raspberrymoon49 · 12/12/2023 01:04

Am the same but older, insomnia arrived like a hurricane with the menopause and has never gone away, I feel intensely lonely and weird to go through this night after night, I used to panic but am so used to it now, I work full time and know I can operate however much sleep I get, there are nights when I have no sleep at all and feel sick and jet lagged the following day but if I manage 4 hours am generally ok, am so tired but my brain just won’t switch off, it’s like a washing machine on fast spin

Sholkedabemus · 12/12/2023 01:07

My GP suggested CBT for my insomnia. After three sessions I’m sleeping better.

Original poster
Nicola8787 · 12/12/2023 08:16

Was the CBT online or in person? I seem to get heart palpitations too which keep me awake, like a switch flips and I’m wired. My GP just told me to have a bath which was a total piss take. Maybe I should ask for some radox on prescription

OP posts:
Mummysgogetter · 14/12/2023 12:22

Hi
I have the same problem - usually worse around the middle of the month. Went to see the GP and he prescribed me Amitriptyline - works like a miracle.

NightmareGirl · 14/12/2023 12:27

Was that Zolpidem you took ? It’s happened to me a few times on them. I don’t agree with these being used instead of temazepam because of all the side effects. Maybe try and get a benzodiazepine sedative

Blanketsburg · 14/12/2023 12:50

I find magnesium really helps. It's not a total cure (I had an awful few nights last week and don't know why) but it definitely helps.

I also found that vitamin D gave me that wired-in-the-middle-of-the-night feeling. I started taking it during covid and it took me a while to figure out the link between it and bad sleep. So I don't take it any more, even though I know it's important for other things.

Totally anecdotal, of course.

Petrine · 14/12/2023 13:00

I'm a life-long insomniac I'm 68 now and have had sleep problems since I was a child.

I take two Phenergan plus 60mg codeine a night and still I don't manage to sleep the night. Like you OP I have times when I don't sleep at all. I never sleep a whole night I wake up at least three times a night and lay awake for hours trying to get back to sleep. Last night I think I got around 3 hrs - which is not unusual for me.

Having said that, Phenergan is very effective for some people - I think I may have become desensitised so it has a diminished effect on me. My husband had a period of poor sleep and took half a Phenergan and it knocked him out! It might be worth trying it - ask your doctor as it's prescription only.

Good luck!

Original poster
Nicola8787 · 14/12/2023 18:20

Thanks so much. Just at a point where I’m scared of having consecutive nights of no sleep like I did a year ago as it feels so terrifying. Going to try and see the GP tomorrow. Feel like so much with this is anecdotal as there’s so little research

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicola8787 · 14/12/2023 18:56

Yes was zolpidem, I honestly thought my husband was joking when he said I was up walking around talking on it

OP posts:
CarpeVitam · 14/12/2023 21:37

Petrine · 14/12/2023 13:00

I'm a life-long insomniac I'm 68 now and have had sleep problems since I was a child.

I take two Phenergan plus 60mg codeine a night and still I don't manage to sleep the night. Like you OP I have times when I don't sleep at all. I never sleep a whole night I wake up at least three times a night and lay awake for hours trying to get back to sleep. Last night I think I got around 3 hrs - which is not unusual for me.

Having said that, Phenergan is very effective for some people - I think I may have become desensitised so it has a diminished effect on me. My husband had a period of poor sleep and took half a Phenergan and it knocked him out! It might be worth trying it - ask your doctor as it's prescription only.

Good luck!

Phenergan is very effective, I agree.

Just to say, in the UK it's available OTC - doesn't require a prescription.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 14/12/2023 21:42

zopiclone or lorazapam knocks me straight out and sleep all night. love them.

christmasbunny · 14/12/2023 21:43

I'm a lifelong insomniac. Phenergan work wonders for me, they're an antihistamine. You can buy them over the counter. I take one for 2 or 3 nights and sleep well. They don't leave you feeling groggy in the morning. I find that usually resets me and I get back on track with sleeping (until the next time!)

NightmareGirl · 14/12/2023 22:02

Did anyone else see the comment inviting us to play an AI game for $50 ?

Sholkedabemus · 14/12/2023 22:28

hangingonfordearlife1 · 14/12/2023 21:42

zopiclone or lorazapam knocks me straight out and sleep all night. love them.

Zopiclone is very effective for me but I get terrible rebound insomnia if I take it.

Original poster
Nicola8787 · 16/12/2023 12:01

Have found that GP’s will not prescribe zopiclone / zolpidelm. Twice I’ve been and each time refused as it’s their policy not to prescribe them. Took two promethazine and a glass of red wine last night and I couldn’t keep my eyes open this morning

OP posts:
Jean1190 · 16/11/2024 17:55

Petrine · 14/12/2023 13:00

I'm a life-long insomniac I'm 68 now and have had sleep problems since I was a child.

I take two Phenergan plus 60mg codeine a night and still I don't manage to sleep the night. Like you OP I have times when I don't sleep at all. I never sleep a whole night I wake up at least three times a night and lay awake for hours trying to get back to sleep. Last night I think I got around 3 hrs - which is not unusual for me.

Having said that, Phenergan is very effective for some people - I think I may have become desensitised so it has a diminished effect on me. My husband had a period of poor sleep and took half a Phenergan and it knocked him out! It might be worth trying it - ask your doctor as it's prescription only.

Good luck!

Hello, I too take 2 cocodomal and a phenergan at night to help with sleep. How long have you been doing this for? Please reply 🙏

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