What to do when you can't sleep?????

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

Ever since I began going through Peri Menopause I have had trouble sleeping? Sometimes it will last for weeks, other times only days. Either way it is driving me nuts.

In the beginning of these cycles I have difficulty falling asleep or staying a sleep so I wake up tired and draggie throughout the day which is not good when you are caring for a 2 year old grandson. Anyway this will last a few days befor eI become so drained that I begin taking naps during the day. I get to the point where I feel I just can't make it without one. Unfortunately this only aggravates the problem as now I can't sleep because I took a NAP!! So it becomes a vicious cycle. I can't sleep because I took a nap - I took a nap because I can't sleep.

There has to be another way to get a good night's sleep regularly besides sleeping pills. Ihey are my last resort if I can help it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate any help at this time. Just how long can one go without sleeping? Perhaps I should go commando and stay awake all day and all night and then try to regulate my hours? I need helppppp! I am tired of spending the middle of the night reading books, watching TV or sitting here mindlessly on the computer (I love the DIS but I would rather love all of you during a normal day). I get nothing accomplished during the day because I am so sleepy. I need some sleep!

 

[CHRIS0498]

I take Melatonin which you can find in the vitamin area of the drug store or any natural food store. It really works for me and I have had trouble sleeping all of my life. It does not leave me tiered in the morning either.

 

[cinderella73]

I totally hear ya! Its 1 30 here and I am no where near able to sleep. I go through spells as well and it affects my immune system so bad.

What works to get me back on track sometimes is just forcing myself to stay awake during the day no matter how exhausted I am. And sometimes I have gone to bed at 5 am and am up a couple hours later. I drag so bad that everything falls behind.

Like you I dont want to do this but with so much on my shoulders right now it can be hard to shut down my mind. Plus I have been in pain lately and that makes it worse. Plus once you get started its hard to get back on track.

Here is what I do to get back on. Force yourself to stay awake. Make yourself lay down about 3 hours earlier than you normally go to bed and slowly try to go earlier by a half hour every night till you are on a normal schedule.

Low light or darkness helps out brain recognize the need to sleep. Avoid foods to close to bed and try warm milk ( it works) or maybe a complex carb ( has triptophan ( spelling?) ) .

After a few really exhausted days with no naps and very little sleep you will start to crash out at night. Eventually you will get back on track.

But the best thing is to learn to help the brain relax in the first place. Sometimes I go online and play scrabble. Watch something simple and funny like a old comedy show or even cartoons. Something with no violence or drama. I think I might go put on my old british comedys in fact. Dvd's are good because when they go off you know its time to sleep. The tv you are watching , is it intense stuff?

They have these things that make enviromental sounds . They have them at walmart , target , online , etc. You can set sounds to rainforest , white noise , ocean , and so on. Even a fan on is nice.

I think you sound like me maybe ... A little stressed right? Basically get yourself into a happy place! You know what makes you happy best. Put pictures on your wall of things that make you feel happy and relaxed .And also I started keepimg a notebook of my to do lists . I feel like I can take thoughts out of mind once I write them down. Sounds silly but it helps eases stress a bit. Declutter your room if it needs it and maybe buy new sheets or bedding. I know I love my bed when my room is neat and peaceful.

My lack of sleep has taken such a huge toll on me. My new bedtime is now 3 and that is my improvement! lol I am working towards normal though.


If you try to make yourself go to bed to early it wont work! You will be miserable. Try a little bit earlier at a time. And as hard as it is... No naps!!! lol

And if all else fails... Message me and we can go play scrabble online!

 

[aidtrismommy]

I think I understand from your post that you are caring for a young grandchild. I also have 2 small children and have trouble sleeping due to anxiety. I cannot take pills because I need to be able to wake up if my kids need me at any time. My suggestions are to remove your clock from your room or cover it up at night with something so you can;t see what time it is. Sometimes looking at the time causes stress about what time it is and how much time you have left to sleep,etc. Make sure you do not read, watch tv, or do anything in bed except sleep. If you have to get up and do something, do it in the living room or in a chair in your room. If you feel tired , go to your bed. Do not nap. Start an exercise regimen. Working out for 30 minutes a day will also help you sleep at night. If you are waking up to use the bathroom, then that could be a seperate problem (well frequently, not once) Good Luck, I help something on this thread helps.

 

[CSS1996]

I also take melatonin and it works well for me.

 

[Elmo888]

I've been in chemically-induced menopause, and I just take benedryl every night. Yes, it is a drug, but it isn't addictive and it is cheap!

The other thing that I like is "sleepy tea", usually with some chamomile. Currently, I drink Tazo "Calm" tea, but I have also used Sleepytime Celestial tea (I like the taste of the Calm tea better.)

As a PP stated, I think that daily exercise helps - take some walks!

Good luck!

 

[disneynuts777]

I resort to benedryl some nights but other nights it is a losing battle. Have you seen some of the times that I post on here!!!!!

 

[C.Ann]

By any chance are you suffering from hot flashes as well during the night? If so, you might want to try a fan or a cool mist humidifier (plus the "gentle" noise tends to lull you to sleep)..

 

[disney's daughter]

This may sound crazy...but, I have to have the TV on...It puts me to sleep...at least for a while....I will be 59 years old in August and begun not sleeping when I was around 50.....I am thrilled if I am able to sleep 5 continuous hours.....and I have noticed it's when I have had either a half a glass or a full glass of red wine...

 

[jennifer293]

I would be able to sleep just fine if I did not have someone snoring loud enough to wake the dead laying beside me. He says he does not hear himself and he sleeps just fine..(well I guess so)

As bad as it sounds I sometimes take a dose of Nyquil to knock myself out before he comes to bed so I can actually get sleep...

 

[jennifer293]

I've been in chemically-induced menopause, and I just take benedryl every night. Yes, it is a drug, but it isn't addictive and it is cheap!

The other thing that I like is "sleepy tea", usually with some chamomile. Currently, I drink Tazo "Calm" tea, but I have also used Sleepytime Celestial tea (I like the taste of the Calm tea better.)

As a PP stated, I think that daily exercise helps - take some walks!

Good luck!

haha I am glad I am not the only one who medicates myself...lol...except benedryl does nothing for me!!

 

[GoinToDisney]

I have found a few things that help me. I've had trouble sleeping all my life and finally realized that I am extremely sensitive to caffeine. I am talking, if I eat a hershey kiss after about 11 am or noon or so, I will be up that night without fail. I also cut out mild stimulants like vanilla and cinnamon as well as sugar and other sweets after 6 or 7 pm.

I am also sensitive to light. I need complete darkness to fall asleep and stay asleep, so I have to cover my alarm clock and even the little red light on the base to my cordless phone.

Another thing I have is an air purifier and the fan from that running provides white noise so I don't hear cars passing by outside.

There are some nice guided relaxation CD's out there as well that help you unwind and sleep peacefully.

When all else fails, when I am not pregnant, I take just a few drops of liquid benadryl and sometimes it helps. Not always, though.

Insomnia is so frustrating, and giving up caffeine was the hardest part. I love tea and chocolate. However, I'll take sleep over chocolate without a doubt.

 

[PrincessNana]

After a couple of nights with no sleep, I usually take one excedrin pm. It usually lets me sleep, I'll still wake up, but I will go back to sleep within minutes. I don't wake up feeling groggy at all. At times, I need two but not too often. Although I love a glass or two of red wine at night, it disrupts my sleep and seems to make my hot flashes worse. I hate this period of my life, I'm having to change all my routines to accomodate these homonal changes.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I have been a poor sleeper for my whole life. AT 45 my doctor says Ambien is a safe choice for me. When I take it I get a good night sleep. wake up refreshed, happy and full of energy. I have a much better day, feel like exercising and being active. For me it is the right choice. TAlk to your dr. I took benedryl for years and ended up with a alot of sinus infections from cronic dry sinus.

 

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

Thanks everyone. I have been reading the replys and its encouraging to learn many others my age (50) are suffering from the same issue and are finding ways that help them. So I know I will too.

Sleeplessness seems to be a big issue for me since entering peri menopause. I also find myself more anxious then usual nowaday however haven't had too may hot flashes. Perhaps they are still to come. I will try some of the recommendations here and also speak again with my doctor. Maybe it will take me awhile but I am sure eventually I will lock onto something that will work. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless you have a problem where you can't take supplements like this, I found a CalMag supplement (calcium and magnesium) to be incredible for helping me get to sleep. The supplements will be balanced, which is good b/c you don't want one to get out of ratio with the other, and I love them.

 

[islandtimect]

I've started pre-menapause too and for a few months had major trouble falling asleep and getting hot flashes at night. Since I already have back and shoulder pain, falling asleep in a reasonable amount of time just got worse. I've done everything experts suggest - only getting in bed at bedtime (no tv or reading in bed), staying relaxed before bed, not eating before bed, keeping the room temp comfortable and room dark, playing a backgroung noise, etc. Unfortunately nothing worked. I just had to live with only getting a good night's sleep every 5 or 6 days because of pure exhaustion. I do take tylenol pm evey night.

Good luck!