I was wondering.....

[Kathy]

Is there ever a more miserable time to be awake than 3 am?

You went to bed at 11, tired and ready for sleep. Now, you're lying with your eyes closed trying to ignore the thoughts chasing each other round your head. You pluck up courage to sneak a look at the clock and the yellow numbers glare back at you through the darkness . 2:50. You know you should be sleeping - you've a busy day ahead.

You sigh and shift a little and shut your eyes but you know the battle is already lost. Sleep has deserted you again.

You get up and wander around the house for a bit. You visit the loo and go downstairs for a glass of water. Your stomach gurgles and grumbles at the intrusion of a cold substance at a time when it could, quite reasonably, expect to be resting.

After the chill of a night-time house your bed feels warm and welcoming and you relax a little, eventually drifting off. But it's only REM sleep - accompanied and interrupted by weird dreams. Faces from the past and characters so bizarre that you have to wonder at the state of the imagination that created them.

At 4.30 you give up all pretence of sleep. You practise all the relaxation techniques you've ever learned - willing your body to unwind. With effort you acheive physical relaxation but your mind still won't let go.

Finally the alarm sounds, signalling the end of the night. You're relieved it's over but not quite ready to face your day.

At least, with daylight, comes purpose and distraction so you get up and get on with it.

[jillannf6]

hi kathy

No 3AM is hte pits!

i tend 2 get thro until 3 30 or 4 am and hten that usually is it for me too

but i do nto have to ge tot work or anhyhting

is it you or your mum who is nto sleeepting at all?

if it is you - yu will be worn out b4 theday starts anzd need osme help

i do not ever need an alarm clock now and am good at getting my partner up- role reversal as all tnrough my lfie my dad/ mates / and my husband had to ge t jme up for school and hten worketc

i slept well in mylate teens and 20s then it deserted me

love jill

xx

[Kathy in reply to jillannf6]

Hi Jill,

Sorry to hear you don't sleep too well either It's me who doesn't sleep - Mum sleeps like a log!! Especially now she's on Clonazepam.

Ever since my son was born (27 years ago) I've not been a great sleeper but it seems to be getting worse lately.

Ah well, just have to get on with it I guess!

Love Kathy xx

[Antoinette]

Hi Jill,

Only yesterday I was with some girlfriends talking about the tyranny of 3am! All of us have been through or are going through different stressful situations - bereavement; divorce; job/business uncertainty - and all of us struggle with the phenomenon of waking at 3am no matter how exhausted we were when going to bed.

Unfortunately I have no answers for you but please know you're not alone......

A x

[kay1]

Even worse, when on waking you think "I have had a really good sleep, and ready to face the day" and then see the 3.00am. We all sympathise, and realise, another situation we are in together.

x

[Kathy in reply to kay1]

Dear Kay,

YUP!! Been there and done that, too!!

love

Kathy xx

[Kathy]

Dear All,

I'm sorry you are all having the same 3am phenonenon!! I find it strangely comforting to think that when I'm lying there, trying to sleep there are others awake and I am not alone.

I shall be thinking of you all!!

love Kathy xx

[Edytheanne]

Love--there are things you can play with ..and a

variety methods. Have you tried the PM's? Just play with them and see which works the best. Tylenol pm, Advil pm Motrin pm...try taking just 1 with a plain Tylenol first. If that doesn't work take 2 pm's. Also eliminate all electronics from the room, light, and turn clock away. Getting out of bed and reading for a short period and then going back to bed helps also. One more thing..exercise also is a natural for helping sleep. A good vigorous walk if you can do it or get on a stationary bike and pedal hard. There are also natural herbs in tea that help and the old wives tale remedy of a warm cup of milk before retiring, Sweet Dreams..hope you can tap into something that helps. When all falls Count Your Blessings, name them one by one.

[Kathy in reply to Edytheanne]

Dear Edythanne,

Thanks for you suggestions. I try to avoid taking medication as much as I can but will if I'm desperate! I've found that cammomile tea helps a little but I don't particularly like the taste so I tend to only drink it when I have to get up for work the next day!

love Kathy

[suwils]

I seem to be the complete opposite to all you ladies in that on most nights I am just going to bed at 3am - since having PSP I am always exhausted by 11pm but cannot seem to go to bed at that time; Hate the thought of tossing and turning and fighting to get off to sleep, Before psp symptoms became visible I had the reputation of being able to sleep on a clothes line - oh how i wish i was back there now! (this message timed at 2;25 am) love and sweet dreams to all SueWxxxx