Anyone else doing "Insomnia Max?"

Vintage VFer · 07-29-21, 12:45 PM

My sleep hasn't been great for years, but lately - yikes!

Who else is dealing with insomnia? Is it a new issue for you or has it been going on for a while?

(I'm one of those for whom working out regularly helps but has not eliminated sleep issues.)

Kitten · 07-29-21, 01:48 PM

Oh lordy, me.

Add pre menopause wackiness to ptsd and my sleep is just a mess.

I lost my Daisy nearly two years ago.

When I'd wake up from one of my really bad episodes, she was right there next to me. She calmed me.

kat999 · 07-29-21, 02:13 PM

Yes, me. I pretty much cannot sleep at all on Sunday nights when I'm premenstrual. I'm in perimenopause, have anxiety, and am actively on a d*et, and all of that is making me really agitated.

The past couple of nights I've taken one Tylenol PM, which knocks me right out, but I don't like to rely on stuff like that.

Erica H. · 07-29-21, 02:17 PM

Mine is SO SO bad. I've discovered the best thing for me is to take two naps at night. I fall asleep easily and then wake up 2-3 hours later. I get up for about an hour and then go back to sleep for another 2-3 hours and then I'm up for the day.

The problem is we're traveling soon and I'm sharing a hotel room with DH and dd. This schedule won't work in a hotel room so I am scrambling to find a solution. I just ordered extended release melatonin to try first and then a sleep aid. I hate sleep aids because I am too groggy in the morning and would rather just be exhausted, but this is a new (to me) ingredient and I'll start with a small dose to see how it works for me.

ETA - I've had insomnia for many years but it keeps getting worse.

Erica

BunnyHop · 07-29-21, 03:36 PM

Oh, yeah.

Good sleep hygiene habits make a major difference for me, and I seriously wish I lived up north where air conditioning weren't a year round essential, but after about two years trying life without sleeping meds, I'm back on them again, and feeling better.

I wake at three, regardless, but with sleep meds I can get back to sleep and actually get some rest.

fanofladyvols · 07-29-21, 03:57 PM

I go through spells but has gone on for years since the meno years began. I "think" regular exercise makes them not happen as often. Either I struggle actually going to sleep...or I wake up in the wee hours of the am. I have struggled so long with this that I have just adjusted my activity level to my energy level. Learning to say no to things has been key.

The evenings I fall asleep immediately and stay asleep are a rare event. I can't really seem to pinpoint what helps.
Boy, when they DO happen

Talk about firing on all cylinders and charging up a mountain loaded with a bag of coal!!

antbuko · 07-30-21, 03:29 AM

I've been suffering from insomnia intermittently for years as well, but lately it's been particularly consistent. I started a retail job in February of this year and it's more physical labor than my previous jobs which were all sedentary and I haven't really adapted well to it. I attribute my insomnia to this. I am very tired after dinner and have difficulty staying awake and wind up going to bed too early and then waking up at 2:00 a.m. and staying up for a couple of hours. Sometimes I do chores or work on projects in the middle of the night. An unfortunate side effect is that I lack motivation and stamina to work out consistently. I've always loved walking in the morning and so I tried it one morning before work - a three-mile vigorous walk. I wound up feeling feverish by the end of the workday, although as it turns out I didn't really have a fever, and I was wiped out for a couple of days afterwards. I really miss it. I get depressed when I don't get to do my walks and this also compounds the insominia.

fanofladyvols · 07-30-21, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antbuko

I've been suffering from insomnia intermittently for years as well, but lately it's been particularly consistent. I started a retail job in February of this year and it's more physical labor than my previous jobs which were all sedentary and I haven't really adapted well to it. I attribute my insomnia to this. I am very tired after dinner and have difficulty staying awake and wind up going to bed too early and then waking up at 2:00 a.m. and staying up for a couple of hours. Sometimes I do chores or work on projects in the middle of the night. An unfortunate side effect is that I lack motivation and stamina to work out consistently. I've always loved walking in the morning and so I tried it one morning before work - a three-mile vigorous walk. I wound up feeling feverish by the end of the workday, although as it turns out I didn't really have a fever, and I was wiped out for a couple of days afterwards. I really miss it. I get depressed when I don't get to do my walks and this also compounds the insominia.

Hi Helen!!
would working a later shift help you?

Erica (and others), worrying about not sleeping ( I have read) seems to exacerbate insomnia. It's a vicious cycle

Erica H. · 07-30-21, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanofladyvols

Hi Helen!!

Erica (and others), worrying about not sleeping ( I have read) seems to exacerbate insomnia. It's a vicious cycle

Oh, I've had insomnia for so long that I don't worry about it all. It's just part of life. I've found what works best for me at home but i'm really concerned about our upcoming road trip since we're sharing a hotel room. I don't know how that's going to work if I'm up all night.

Erica

donnamp · 07-30-21, 07:53 AM

I have had trouble sleeping on and off for years now. It got particularly worse this year in the spring with DST. I am noticing a marginal improvement now that the days are getting shorter again - but that could also be a fluke!

I am not totally sure what is going on w/ me - probably a combo of things - but it is literally tiring and wears me out.

I have no trouble falling asleep, it is staying asleep and often I wake up and can't go back to sleep - sort of like Erica and her two naps - eventually I get back to sleep but I still find myself dragging the next day.

When I can't sleep I usually get up and go into another room to read for awhile.

Erica - can you get suite - for your trip? That way there would be another room for you to go to when you can't sleep. I have had the same issue - at one time I recall going into the bathtub w/a pillow and blanket to read - I kid you not - it was driving me crazy to lay there awake while my DH and DD were sound asleep.

Or maybe you could bring headphones and listen to a book or podcast when you can't sleep? I also bring my Kindle and I can sometimes read while my DH is still sleeping. He says he can't sleep either - but that is not true - he sleeps like a baby! LOL!

Take care

Donna

Support VF
VF Membership Subscription
Shop These Vendors
Activa	Collage Video
Amazon.com	eBay.com
Amazon.ca (Canada)	Half.com
Amazon.co.uk (UK)	Junonia
Amazon.fr (France)	Onehanesplace.com
BN.com	Overstock.com
Buy.com	Road Runner Sports
CenturyFitness.com	Sierra Trading Post

07-29-21, 12:45 PM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Anyone else doing "Insomnia Max?" My sleep hasn't been great for years, but lately - yikes! Who else is dealing with insomnia? Is it a new issue for you or has it been going on for a while? (I'm one of those for whom working out regularly helps but has not eliminated sleep issues.) __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

07-29-21, 01:48 PM
Kitten Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio	Oh lordy, me. Add pre menopause wackiness to ptsd and my sleep is just a mess. I lost my Daisy nearly two years ago. When I'd wake up from one of my really bad episodes, she was right there next to me. She calmed me.

07-29-21, 02:13 PM
kat999 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio	Yes, me. I pretty much cannot sleep at all on Sunday nights when I'm premenstrual. I'm in perimenopause, have anxiety, and am actively on a det, and all of that is making me really agitated. The past couple of nights I've taken one Tylenol PM, which knocks me right out, but I don't like to rely on stuff like that. __________________ peace.tranquility.calmness.serenity*

07-29-21, 02:17 PM
Erica H. Join Date: Nov 2001	Mine is SO SO bad. I've discovered the best thing for me is to take two naps at night. I fall asleep easily and then wake up 2-3 hours later. I get up for about an hour and then go back to sleep for another 2-3 hours and then I'm up for the day. The problem is we're traveling soon and I'm sharing a hotel room with DH and dd. This schedule won't work in a hotel room so I am scrambling to find a solution. I just ordered extended release melatonin to try first and then a sleep aid. I hate sleep aids because I am too groggy in the morning and would rather just be exhausted, but this is a new (to me) ingredient and I'll start with a small dose to see how it works for me. ETA - I've had insomnia for many years but it keeps getting worse. Erica

07-29-21, 03:36 PM
BunnyHop Join Date: Nov 2008	Oh, yeah. Good sleep hygiene habits make a major difference for me, and I seriously wish I lived up north where air conditioning weren't a year round essential, but after about two years trying life without sleeping meds, I'm back on them again, and feeling better. I wake at three, regardless, but with sleep meds I can get back to sleep and actually get some rest. __________________ Anna

07-29-21, 03:57 PM
fanofladyvols Join Date: May 2004 Location: Modify City, State of Fierce	I go through spells but has gone on for years since the meno years began. I "think" regular exercise makes them not happen as often. Either I struggle actually going to sleep...or I wake up in the wee hours of the am. I have struggled so long with this that I have just adjusted my activity level to my energy level. Learning to say no to things has been key. The evenings I fall asleep immediately and stay asleep are a rare event. I can't really seem to pinpoint what helps. Boy, when they DO happen Talk about firing on all cylinders and charging up a mountain loaded with a bag of coal!! __________________ Don't just work hard, work smart....Pat Head Summitt Never give up on your body!-- Miranda Esmonde-White Word/Guiding Principle for 2024: Embrace: embrace my faith, my family, my friends, myself, the process, the progress, the hard work, the strength program I choose, the recovery methods and rest I need, my life, the good times, and the memories of good people.

07-30-21, 03:29 AM
antbuko Join Date: Jun 2004	I've been suffering from insomnia intermittently for years as well, but lately it's been particularly consistent. I started a retail job in February of this year and it's more physical labor than my previous jobs which were all sedentary and I haven't really adapted well to it. I attribute my insomnia to this. I am very tired after dinner and have difficulty staying awake and wind up going to bed too early and then waking up at 2:00 a.m. and staying up for a couple of hours. Sometimes I do chores or work on projects in the middle of the night. An unfortunate side effect is that I lack motivation and stamina to work out consistently. I've always loved walking in the morning and so I tried it one morning before work - a three-mile vigorous walk. I wound up feeling feverish by the end of the workday, although as it turns out I didn't really have a fever, and I was wiped out for a couple of days afterwards. I really miss it. I get depressed when I don't get to do my walks and this also compounds the insominia. __________________ Helen K

07-30-21, 07:53 AM
donnamp Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Maryland, USA	I have had trouble sleeping on and off for years now. It got particularly worse this year in the spring with DST. I am noticing a marginal improvement now that the days are getting shorter again - but that could also be a fluke! I am not totally sure what is going on w/ me - probably a combo of things - but it is literally tiring and wears me out. I have no trouble falling asleep, it is staying asleep and often I wake up and can't go back to sleep - sort of like Erica and her two naps - eventually I get back to sleep but I still find myself dragging the next day. When I can't sleep I usually get up and go into another room to read for awhile. Erica - can you get suite - for your trip? That way there would be another room for you to go to when you can't sleep. I have had the same issue - at one time I recall going into the bathtub w/a pillow and blanket to read - I kid you not - it was driving me crazy to lay there awake while my DH and DD were sound asleep. Or maybe you could bring headphones and listen to a book or podcast when you can't sleep? I also bring my Kindle and I can sometimes read while my DH is still sleeping. He says he can't sleep either - but that is not true - he sleeps like a baby! LOL! Take care Donna