Waking up at approx 3am each night

[Cube444]

Hi all,

I have compensated nash cirrhosis, dx about 2 years ago, however for about the last month I have been waking up at around 3am each night and often cant get back to sleep until around 6am (sometimes not at all), I have been prescribed Hydroxyzine which while effective makes me drowsy for a couple days.

I'm aware sleep disturbances are common with cirrhosis however when I bring this up with my hep at the 6 month meetings she says she does not believe it to be related to cirrhosis as its typically seen later in the disease?

Anyone else have this issue? Especially with waking up at a certain time each night?

Thank you.

[0range5520]

Your post could have been written by me it’s so similar to what I’m experiencing. Do you find also that you are dropping off early/mid evening?

I mentioned this to my consultant at my follow last week and he said ‘I doubt it’s related to your liver’.

I haven’t really got much in the way of advice, I can just say I’m so glad you posted as you’re not alone with this one. Be interesting to see if there is any advice from others.

[Ewife]

I had this problem when I was suffering from extreme anxiety. (Its my husband with liver issues, not me!) I would wake with a panic attack between 2/3am. When i researched it, I discovered that your body naturally produces a whole load of adrenaline and such like at this time of day in order to wake you up at daylight. However, if you are already running a bit high as I was, it would overwhelm me. I found that finding ways to use up adrenaline during the day such as exercise helped a lot. Also use calming techniques in the evening.On the other hand, my husband does have sleep issues too. He had HE prior to Transplant which caused it, and post transplant he still struggles with it - strangely, when he becomes overtired or over stimulated. Aparantly the drugs he's on causes it, but what really helps is learning his limits and not overly pushing himself.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Take care

[Aotea2012]

Cirrhosis does disrupt sleep and changes sleeping habits. I certainly experienced it when I was first diagnosed and my liver was at its weakest. I was tired a lot of the time so developed irregular sleeping patterns and was often awake in the early hours when I should have been asleep and asleep in the day when I should have been awake! I was given some advice by a specialist nurse who advised a reboot. I was very careful with my diet anyway because of my liver, but I started to rebalance my day a bit with heavier meals earlier in the day and lighter snacks as the day wore on. I had a high protein snack about an hour before bed with a tuna mayo sandwich or another good one is devilled eggs. I also developed a penchant for milk, which was great because of the protein content but also good at bed time. There are enzymes in it which help you sleep. I drank a pint of it at the same time as I had my bedtime snack. I also developed a little exercise regime which developed as I grew stronger. I had an increasingly long walk every morning. At first it wasn’t far but soon I was going a couple of miles. Then I started to run it! Being in the fresh air really refreshed me and I found that instead of making me tired in the day, it started to revive me. Then by bedtime I was tired and went to sleep. The final thing I did was to sort out my bedroom. I got a new mattress and invested in a summer and a winter high quality duvet. I took the telly out of the room and didn’t take my iPad or phone in there either. As this new routine started to establish, I found my sleep improved till eventually I was getting a full 8 hours without any trouble.

[Breakfastbabe]

I also had this when working but don't have liver problems. I still get it occasionally when anxious and varying bed time ddoesn't seem to help. Hubby has cirrhosis and struggles with sleep generally. I think I read if you can get the first 4 hours of sleep that is the deepest and after that you are topping up so I try to be in bed by 10:30pm. Not much help sorry but I think the 3am thing isn't necessarily liver related.

[Jeekee9]

Wow! I also have the same diagnosis as you except I was told they are now calling it MASH for Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). I have few symptoms but broken sleep is at the top of the list. I try to go to bed by 10:30 or 11:00 but I also wake up every night at 3-4 am. I am awake 3-4 more hours and can only go back to sleep around 7 am. I may get another 1-2 hours more sleep. This is no way to live! I feel my quality of life slipping away because I am exhausted, drained and dizzy most of the day. I understand our sleep is affected greatly due to the metabolic issues we deal with. I have so much to learn about this disease and it is overwhelming to say the least. Best of luck to you Cube444.

[sophiaS1980]

Wow! I can't believe a liver doc would say sleep disturbance only happens later in liver disease, sometimes being tired and sleep problems is the first sign something is wrong. Sleep problems can start anytime with a comprise liver, some ppl don't sleep but 2hrs/day, and no naps.