Sleep

[Jasppip]

Is anyone else having problems sleeping the last couple of weeks I'm struggling to sleep and it's making me really anxious has anyone any tips for getting to sleep I feel like I've tried everything

[Paul74]

I was the same. I couldn’t sleep for ages after my h/a and stent. Now 7months later I sleep a lot better, I still have a few broken nights sleep. Also see your GP to check your medication as that can sometimes stop you sleeping.

[Nathan53]

Hello jaspip - It's a pain when you can't sleep and sometimes you can get trapped in a disruptive sleeping pattern dreading a sleepless night. As you are doing it's good to try and establish a reason so good idea to have your meds checked. I found I slept better when Atorvastatin was reduced from 80mg to 40mg. Are you stressed or worried about anything? as wandering thoughts can be worse at bedtime when everything's gone quiet and there are no distractions. Everyone will have a different way to address this and the following are some 'tips' some of which may work for you others not:

* If you have any recurrent worries write them down with a brief note of what you may do about them

* Make sure your bed and room is right temperature for you

* No tea or coffee on the evening

* Don't watch TV or use iPads etc for your before bed

* Warm drink maybe milk and honey or herb tea

* Read or listen to your favourite music

* Listen to a relaxation cd

* Lavender oil is proven to have sleep inducing qualities

* Breathing exercises - some guidance if you check out a YouTube search

All best hope you get some r&r soon.

[Jasppip in reply to Nathan53]

Thanks for tips I will give them a go the only thing I'm worrying about is sleep so as soon as I try I get anxious about not being able to so its a vicious circle I am on Atorvastatin but I've been on it for 5 months and I've only been like this for last few weeks

[jimmyq in reply to Jasppip]

I had problems with my sleep while on Atorvastatin (intense dreams, sleep walking). Sleeping much better now I am off them. Ask your doctor about changing them.

[dunestar in reply to jimmyq]

Ah yes, don't think I go walkabout (but hard to know as I live alone) but the intense dreams is ringing bells for me. Thanks for the tip about Atorvastatin.

[Sususulio]

Atorvastatin I think was the culprit for me but I switched the time I took it to morning and GP also reduced dose to help build up tolerance (40 from 80).

That was in the first couple of weeks though and I realise your circumstances are different as you’ve taken it for 5 months. It is awful because you do get into a bit of a vicious circle. I wore a Fitbit but took that off as that created its own pressure as a sleep comparison. I slept in another room so my husband didn’t disturb me or me him. All the things Nathan suggest and somehow I just let go of the stress of it and believed that it would resolve. I still have times when I don’t sleep well but I’m sure it is temporary for you and hope things get better soon x

[Jasppip in reply to Sususulio]

Thank you I hope so to

[Sususulio]

One of the things a therapist suggested to my sister who was struggling with sleep not health related was not to reward the sleeplessness by doing anything she liked or enjoyed - reading for example. The other thing was to create two columns things that had gone well during the day and things that hadn’t - putting it on paper and parking it before bed. It’s so hard but will resolve x

[Jasppip in reply to Sususulio]

Thanks I'm glad I posted on here coz lots of ideas to try😀

[jimmyq]

Read technical manuals or anything boring. That might help you get to sleep. Recommended to me by a doctor when having a company medical.

[Jasppip in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks I will give it a go😀

[jimmyq in reply to Jasppip]

Bear in mind what I said about Atorvastatin above.

[Jasppip in reply to jimmyq]

I will thank you I will try the other tips first if no better I will see the doctor about meds

[isobelhannah18]

Hi

Make sure your room is really dark; get up at the same time in the morning even if you haven't slept; exercise every day but in the morning if possible. Depending on your gender and age it could be hormonal. Have there been any other recent changes in your life such as children leaving home?

[Jasppip in reply to isobelhannah18]

No I haven't had anything else happen and am not anxious about anything apart from the not sleeping

[RebeccaShorrocks]

I highly recommend the headspace app. It has an entire sleep section full of sounds and exercises and sleepcasts to listen to. That coupled with a good routine and pillow sprays has worked wonders for me.

[Jasppip in reply to RebeccaShorrocks]

I have downloaded headspace but not tried it yet

[RebeccaShorrocks in reply to Jasppip]

I'm not sure if the sleep package comes with the free trial but I think you can try some of it on youtube to see if it works for you. Normally after the free trial they send you a discount code anyway and I would say that it's worth the money but that's because it works for me. Good luck x

[Jasppip in reply to RebeccaShorrocks]

Thanks I will try the free stuff first then look on you tube

[tunybgur]

Couple of things helped me:

`Only drink decaf tea and coffee (try Clipper organic decaf tea, it doesn't use chemicals to remove caffeine, bit expensive but taste is brilliant).

`Don't eat or drink at least 2-3 hours before sleeping, try Valerian tea as your last drink.

`No screens in bed! Blue light blocks melatonin.

`Try reading a book in bed, takes your mind off other things, I do this and within 15 minutes I'm dropping off.

`If you have things worrying you, make a list before bed with proposed actions. Subconsciously this will help mentally file them away for later.

`Lots of exercise and fresh air...absolutely essential.

Sweet dreams

[Benzman]

I agree about using decaff, it helped me. The biggest culprit that can keep we awake at night is if I don't drink enough water during the day (but for me not after 5pm.)

[dunestar in reply to Benzman]

Yes, just realising the importance of water. I had a bad night last night and thinking about it in the wee small hours I hadn't drunk hardly any water throughout the day. Lesson learned.

[Routemaster]

When I was in hospital the nurses made me drink water just after I had gone to bed. I think it was to raise my blood pressure because it is always very low. I thought that it would make me get up in the night to go the loo but in fact it helps me sleep soundly. I have carried on with my nighttime water since I have been home and so far so good.

Ann

[Skertchly]

I do a crossword before sleep

[Lynn1966]

Hi Jasppip, I'm exactly the same. I had my heart attack 6 wks ago and also had stents.. some nights I sleep well and others it takes me over an hour to get off then a disruptive nights sleep. Then I struggle to get out off bed. In the morning 😬. Now and again if I've had several nights off bad sleep I take a night aid which does help me get some sleep. Hope all settles for you and you make a great recovery.

[Jasppip in reply to Lynn1966]

Thank you hope it gets better for you to