In recent years I have had insomnia every few months. It lasts for a couple of months at a time and then vanishes until the next time. No apparent reason.I find it very difficult to cope during these periods and resorts to twice weekly Zopiclone medication from Gp.He won't prescribe for every night. On the nights i do not sleep I am very weary for the day following and struggle to do what i need to do .I am a pretty active 85 year old with perm. AF and associated heart problems plus congenital. When I have the insomnia my heart kicks up which adds to the debilitation.but is pretty well behaved otherwise.
How do others cope with insomnia ?My sleep programme is attended to. Go to bed at regular time.Dark room.No tv etc. etc. Any ideas welcome.
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Ugh wake filled nights are vile and exhausting !! Lying awake one starts to worry about everything!! And heart goes off. I sympathise. I wake every night, every night have weird dreams. I think it is drugs , been like this since Papworth 2000. Also persistent AF. Be interesting to see your replies!!
I’m a chronic insomniac. My GP won’t prescribe anything. I have white noise, which is commonly used with babies, or the sound of rain playing in the background which can help facilitate a couple of hours of sleep. I have previously used a weighted blanket too, which can be easily purchased on places like Amazon and has also helped with sleep. These are non-conventional methods, but I find that it can work for me when I’m desperate for some sleep.
Food also plays a big role. Cutting out caffeine, acidic foods and alcohol a couple of hours before bedtime can also help.
I hope others come by with suggestions on how you can get a restful night.
I have severe insomnia I have no trouble dropping off but only couple hours, if I sleep past 3 am it’s a miracle and the night is so long and when your alone it’s so much worse, and I can’t bear to get up and go down stairs, I listen to the radio or an audio book, now winters coming it’s dark in the morning so much worse . Doctor gave me amitriptyline but felt terrible next day so going it alone
I’m sorry to hear this DogLover. I can’t sleep with the radio, audio book, or the TV on. Anything that has speech in it or voices wake me up straight away as I’m a light sleeper. I am often awaken by passer-by’s or my neighbours when they are speaking or moving around loudly. I’m not a fan of the winter either, I think I much rather prefer spring. I too, live alone.
Have you tried any relaxation techniques before bed time? I had a small period where I meditated before going to sleep and it partially helped.
I rarely sleep through these days and often struggle to get back to sleep. Think my brain delights in "oh you're awake, what about...?". Weird dreams too. I blame the meds as the fear of going to sleep post heart attack went months ago.
I have insomnia. Tried melatonin, amitriptyline and all the recommended routines. Now that I have a diagnosis for Prinzmetal Angina I feel sure my sleepless nights are caused by my heart problems. For a long time it depressed me but I've developed a routine which helps me to cope. I get up if I can't sleep and read, write and come up with good ideas. If I need a nap in the day I try to rest. Usually briefly. I find I catch up on my sleep after a few nights. I think I felt more tired when I was stressed about the insomnia. Now I accept it and it doesn't seem such a bad thing.
Thank you for answering. Last night I was awake and sitting up the entire night, as I’ve written before I cannot stand living alone which makes things worse , I know there’s so many of us with nobody in our life and they cope I’m in a lot of discomfort from my bypass surgery 10 years ago which is getting worse now affecting the whole of my rib cage back and front my legs are also bad as soon as I lay down they go into severe cramps , neuropathy in my feet the list goes on so now I don’t sleep I just don’t feel I can cope anymore everyone else seems so strong with all their ailments and accept them
I feel really sorry for you. Your problems sound so awful. Life is miserable when you're in pain and especially alone. Feel free to reach out to me. I can only offer a little kindness but sometimes that's a big help
Thank you , people have been so understanding we are all in a similar boat one way or another some cope better than others I’m afraid and I used to be one of those but not anymore!
Eight months ago I was prescribed gabapentin for spinal problems. While it has helped with the pain the best bit is sleep. I have had night terrors and insomnia all my life and I’m 70 years old. Now I sleep well. The occasional irritating dream but the difference is astonishing. My wife is delighted too because I don’t thrash around and shout. Some simple research shows that this is s known side effect of gabapentin and I’m surprised that it isn’t used more for this.
I take gabapentin for back pain but it certainly doesn't help me to sleep. I have terrible insomnia and awake for three or four hours most nights. We're all different and will respond in our own way to medication. Glad it's helped you.
My cardiologist suggested Melatonin for senior citizens because they aren’t addictive, but not sleeping pills. I take 5mg every other night. I stay up late at night and take one at 10 p.m. By 11:00 - 11:30 I begin to feel sleepy. I get between 6-7 hrs. Not every night but most nights. I also get one prescription (30 tablets) a year of Ambien and only take 1/2 tablet on some Friday nights so I can sleep late on Saturday. I never take more than 1/2 and never take any night other than Friday nights, occasionally. I sometimes sleep 8 hrs. This is what seems to help me. Always check with your doctor. Cheers
I have the same sleep problem as you sadly my GP will not prescribe any sleep medication. I find it interesting that I too at these times have lots of palpitations which probably wouldn't normally bother me but when I am in my no sleep phase it definitely kicks in and more noticeable at night.I look forward to reading the responses you receive.
Interesting! I also find palpitations come thick and fast at night. Stops me from sleeping. Had a 72 hour Holter two weeks ago but haven't had results yet. Seems difficult to convince doctors about the palpitations but they're becoming a real problem for me. I have vasospastic angina. My cardiologist calls it Prinzmetal Angina.
I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been given a CPAP machine. I didn’t sleep well before because of the sleep apnea and I’m sure anxiety, They tell me to persevere with the machine but I’m getting so exhausted cause I just cannot sleep and when I doze off I wake up in a blind panic feeling like I’m suffocating, Can’t see how it’s helping me at the moment
My brother in law has had to use a cpap machine for over thirty years and it doesn't seem to bother him, but when I go over to stay with my sister the hissing sound of the machine definitely keeps me awake.Hope you can find a solution that helps.
Yes, like a lot of replies to your post, I have insomnia! Ugh!! It’s horrible, my problem is getting to sleep. I can have nights where my brain seems wired! I can tell immediately when I get into bed that it’s going to be a bad night. Most nights it takes at least a couple of hours, but I’m wondering if there’s a reason for these weird nights! Maybe a hormone imbalance or something. I’ve tried all the things advised but nothing works. It’s as if my brain is in a chaotic motion and won’t stop going at a 100 miles an hour. I hope you find something to help soon, good luck.
Like so many of us I too have seldom a good night's sleep..I did get a prescription of an anti anxiety drug called Seresta..or Serax in some places..it is Oxazepam..at 15 mg..I break the tab into two and it helps..nit for a full night's sleep..but 6 hours...or so..some nights it does not work...but it is compatible with Entresto and Bisoprolol..maybe there are other similar drugs that your GP may prescribe..Bisoprolol keeps me awake..so try not to take at night
He prescribes 7 tablets onlyZopiclone) at a time!Medical ethics forbids prescribing more he says! and i am to take 1 only twice a week.I may get addicted he says ....or take the lot?I need to get to the bottom of why I wake up and/or do not sleep through the night. When I take a tablet I sleep 7 hours.I rarely get up to pee anyway so that is a bonus.
I have insomnia on some nights, I don't go to bed earlier than 11.30, if I do I wake up even earlier. Most days when I come home from clubs for pensioners I eat and fall asleep for about 20mins. I don't drink coffee after 2pm, but still sometimes I wake up. Most times I can read for 20 mins. then I go back to sleep. I mostly sleep better one week a month, I must be so tired I sleep better. The doctor gave me Zopiclone, I still only get 4 hours, so I don't bother very often.
I only have 1 coffee a day but it can be after 2pm so I will try having it earlier and see if that helps or perhaps miss it out. I do not drink much tea or coffee anyway as i quite often drink warm water instead.After a bad night i get up at roughly the same time in the morning....going to bed is also regular,around 10pm then read for half an hour then off goes the light. I have a dark quiet room,no phone or tv. and it is cool.I walk every day for up to an hour or longer sometimes. I am busy during the day,certainly not 'slopping' around .I do some online activity for exercise , belong to groups ,etc. keep my mind occupied .GP no help,can't explain it.
If like me you are retired it does matter, but worrying does not help. If going to bed at that time is ok for you ok, I have tried and if I go to bed at 10 I wake at 2pm. Make the most of the nights you do get a good nights sleep. I try not to sleep downstairs, but I can even have a lap top on my lap and I fall asleep. It is not easy, hope it improves for both of us.
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