Insomnia

[Mumof1andacat]

Since I was pregnant with ds, now 12, I have suffered from insomnia. I feel quite awake in the evening and generally drop off to sleep ok but wake up multiple times in the night. I have, on average, around 4-5hrs sleep a night. I can't remember what it's like to sleep longer. I don't sleep at home or on holiday. I never feel fully rested. Days off or annual leave have little effect on me.

I spend my days feeling hungover almost. I struggle to concentrate on things. I have become a little forgetful. I have put on a lot of weight in the last 5 years. I eat more thinking it will give me energy, but it doesn't. I lack the motivation to do life, really feeling exhausted all the time. I would probably nap in the afternoon, but I can't as I have to work and need to be awake in the day. I also fear napping as I might sleep less at night.

I used to be able to manage the triedness/exhaustion, but I the last 5 years, it's slapping me hard. I'm 40 in December. I'm becoming a shadow of myself. I don't know how the gp will help. I also fear the gp won't listen and just say get on with it. I had a poor experience when I had ds with 'poor bedside manner' well rudeness and not being listened to so I don't like gps. Even though I work for the nhs.

I just don't know where to turn 😕

Note-i did post in general health, but no replies

Hi, I just want to say I really feel for you. I empathise as I struggle with very bad insomnia too. It’s much worse when I have flu. What worked for me in the past were otc antihistamines like nytol etc, a couple of times a week. And a hot shower before bed. No alcohol in the evenings. But I find that sometimes nothing I do can stop the insomnia. I wish I could help more. I’m sorry about your birth experience, could it be PTSD from that? Do you have racing thoughts? Hopefully it will get better for us both. Hugs x

I very rarely drink alcohol. Like two or 3 times a year. I always shower in the evening too. It started when I was pregnant so before having ds. I know some people say it's mother's nature way of getting you ready for being up at night, but ds practically slept through the night since day 1. I dont drink coffee and only have around 2 cups of tea a day. I have a can of pepsi max everyday around midday. I worry, i will feel worse taking medication. Can i be on nytol long term? I just want to feel rested and restored and not a zombie for a change.

it sounds like you are doing all the right things op. No, the otc sleep aids are not for long term use. I would try get in to see your doctor. Insomnia is awful x

It's becoming a real issue. I just want sleep. Everyday tasks are becoming hard.

I’ve suffered from insomnia my whole life, I don’t think I’ll ever change as I’m 69 now. I take phenergan but even with 2 tabs a night I often don’t manage to sleep at all. Like you I often go to sleep but wake at around 2am - I get around 4 hrs a night - I have slept through the night but only on very rare occasions… less than once a year. I do wonder if it’s genetic trait as my son is the same.

I would try phenergan as it does work better than nothing - my doctor prescribes it to me but I believe it’s available OTC. I’ve been taking it for years and feel sure that I’d be told by my GP if there was reason to stop. As you say, it’s debilitating to be sleep deprived so I think it preferable to take meds rather than try to cope without sleep.

you have my sympathy - I do hope you find a solution.

Have you tried magnesium supplements? I’ve been using a mg oil spray at night for the past couple of years for restless leg and joint pain and the main benefit has been deeper and better sleep. I now take a magnesium mix supplement which has greatly improved brain ‘freshness’ through the day (along with hrt)

I have been prescribed phenergan and melatonin at different times. Both help me sleep, though both also upset my stomach. I have a ridiculously sensitive stomach!
I've also been prescribed short term diazepam for neck pain. This also helped me sleep, and I think it is perfectly safe for short term use

Snap. I've been using the Sleepio app for maybe four months now and am now up to 3 hours 45. It's hard. I thought I've tried everything but I saw another post on here earlier recommending Phenergen and it's on its way.

I didn’t open up much before as new on here. But previously I went 4 nights without A SECOND of sleep. Called my doctor. The receptionist put me down for a ‘routine call in a week’ (can you believe it!) it turned into 7 days without sleep (maybe 1 hour every other night) and I ended up at A&E and got prescribed zopiclone. It works short term but obv not a long term solution. I’ve tried phenergan once but didn’t work, however I felt like a zombie the next day. It’s so hard.
I feel like if we couldn’t eat/drink/whatever we’d be taken more seriously by medical staff. Sleep should be treated the same imo. Insomnia is debilitating and ruins not only my day, but my family’s. So starts a vicious cycle of sleep anxiety 😟

I don't have the anxiety any more and I now get to sleep in under 15 mins which is amazing. Highly recommend Sleepio app and the techniques therein. I still sleep less than 4 hours, but I understand now that this is my pattern which makes it bariable.

downloads sleepio app thanks for the tip!x