Middle of the night Insomnia - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

21,289 members14,927 posts

Middle of the night Insomnia

ErinGarnett profile image
25 Replies

Hello! I've been suffering for what I think is middle of the night insomnia. I've been waking up around 3-6 times EVERY SINGLE night for the past couple YEARS... It sucks. This is a huge problem since I'm only 14 and I need the most amount of sleep I can get because I have exams to revise and complete. A few symptoms I have are: •waking up at night •having trouble falling asleep •waking up early •poor memory •irritability •day time and night time tiredness •very very easy fatigue (even though I'm a gymnast) •random pains

When I say random pains, I mean there's always something that hurts, it's not bad but there's always something. I've also been experiencing REALLY bad pains in the side of my chest, and near the hip bone (front and back) it is a sudden pain that takes my breath away and it hurts to breath when it's there. It normally lasts 40 seconds or more. I don't know if any of this has anything to do with my night awakings.

I have a healthy diet and a healthy weight, and I'm very active since I'm a gymnast though I don't practice near bed. I don't take any tobacco products what so ever and I hardly drink any caffeine especially before I go to bed. I don't have a sweet tooth so I don't eat any chocolate or sugary things much and definitely not before I go to bed. I'm also not experiencing any depression or anxiety that I'm aware of.

Do I have insomnia!? What's causing it? What should I do? Do I go to a sleeping doctor? Please help!

Thank you for reading and any help at all

~ Erin :-)

Written by
ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
25 Replies
Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator

Hi Erin, I am sorry to read that you are struggling with lack of sleep and aches and pains, poor memory and so on. Not at all good and especially when you need to study for exams.

To me it does not sound like Restless Leg Syndrome which this group is here for.

RLS symptoms tend to be worse if a person is in a confined space such as in a cinema seat, a car or on an airplane, or when a person is relaxing, sitting down or in bed.

Symptoms are usually worse in the evening. In many cases symptoms only occur in the evening, especially when the person is trying to get to sleep. The symptoms can make it difficult to relax and sleep, leading to tiredness the next day.

Symptoms are usually eased briefly by moving, walking, massaging or stretching the legs or affected area. However, the symptoms tend to return shortly after resting again.

Symptoms usually affects both legs but can affect other body parts too.

Have you been to see your doctor and told him your symptoms and how it is affecting your life? If you have, what has been suggested?

Kaarina

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Kaarina

We are going to see the doctor next week - and I know it probably isn't RLS, I just could t really find another community about sleep problems (and I didn't know how to post to regular if that's a thing). But thanks for the reply!

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to ErinGarnett

Hello! The doctor didn't know much about sleep and sleep disorders so all she said was that she didn't advise to Medicare without the absolute need. So my parents and I are going to do some more research and maybe looking into a sleeping clinic/ sleep study! I'll keep in touch if anything occurs. Thanks for all the support 💕

Hi Erin.

First of all this doesn't sound like RLS. That's the very good news.

From what you are describing it does sound like depression, (could also be stress), but there are so many physical conditions that can cause the symptoms you are describing.

Are you under a great deal of pressure to perform/achieve? MIGHT be an avenue worth looking at.

First port of call a Dr and blood tests to rule out Thyroid/Iron deficiencies and the rest. He or she will also need to take a full history of the condition including speed of onset what was happening around that time.

Also on the sleep side this is where I get to be an 'old fogey' and advise that all technology be stopped near to bed time and kept out of the room. Sleep Hygiene is also VERY some info here:

sleepfoundation.org/ask-the...

For good sleep we deed the right physical environment along with good physical and mental well-being.

Best of luck.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

are going to see the doctor next week - and I know it probably isn't RLS, I just could t really find another community about sleep problems (and I didn't know how to post to regular if that's a thing). But thanks for the reply! Also, we've previously had a blood test for that, and I forgot to fast... Oops! But the doctors said it won't affect anything but diabetes test (which I'm not diabetic)

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to ErinGarnett

Hello! The doctor didn't know much about sleep and sleep disorders so all she said was that she didn't advise to Medicare without the absolute need. So my parents and I are going to do some more research and maybe looking into a sleeping clinic/ sleep study! I'll keep in touch if anything occurs. Thanks for all the support 💕

Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator

Good morning Erin

I hope you slept ok last night.Have you spoken with anyone about how you are feeling. If not, please do, as a problem shared is a problem halved.

I would suggest you go to your doctor and tell him/her what you have told us. Write it down if you would find that easier and pass it over to the GP to read. Go with someone if possible. I am old enough to be your gran and I prefer to have someone with me especially for hospital appointments, so that I do not forget anything that has been said and the person with you may ask questions you have not thought of or mention something you may have omitted to say.

Do let us know how you go on.

Kaarina

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Kaarina

Thank you! I am going to the doctors on Friday, and I'll update x

Hi Erin, it doesnt sound like RLS to me either. But the wakings could be down to PLMD. That means your limbs are moving in your sleep and they can wake you. You need to see your doctor and describe your symptoms to him/her. PLMD is diagnosed in a sleep study, so that might be worth having done, to either confirm or dismiss as your problem. We are not doctors, so we can only tell you of what we have learned or experienced. So, please get that appointment with your doctor and get them to help you. Especially you need to find out why you are getting chest pains. It could be anxiety.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

We are going to see the doctor next week - and I know it probably isn't RLS, I just could t really find another community about sleep problems (and I didn't know how to post to regular if that's a thing). But thanks for the reply!

in reply to ErinGarnett

Even tho it probably isnt RLS. I for one would like to know what your doctor has to say. So, keep in touch and let us know how you got on.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

Will do!

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

Hello! The doctor didn't know much about sleep and sleep disorders so all she said was that she didn't advise to Medicare without the absolute need. So my parents and I are going to do some more research and maybe looking into a sleeping clinic/ sleep study! I'll keep in touch if anything occurs. Thanks for all the support 💕

Erin- some of your symptoms sound like classic estrogen dominance symptoms to me. At 14, your hormones are clicking in, I bet. Check this one out:

womenlivingnaturally.com/ar.... Insomnia is in the list.

The reason I thought of this is because when I was in my teens a gazillion years ago, I dealt with the same thing but had no clue what it was until years later. Do some online research, and also check out Dr. John Lee's website: johnleemd.com/. Most of his info deals with women much older who are headed into menopause but you might find some stuff there that will help. And you may be able to find a forum somewhere with some knowledgeable people to help you with hormones at this very young age. Hormones are tricky, and you need qualified people to help you with it. They can check your hormone levels with a blood test, though a saliva test is much more accurate. One point- I remember that the insomnia didn't last too long; I guess the hormones balanced themselves out before long. Out of desperation, I took cold meds to help me sleep, and never told anyone about any of it.

As to the pain, since you are very active, you may be stressing joints or whatever too much. Pains may strictly be related to your gymnastics, but a doctor would have to determine that too.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

Thank you for your help! I'll be sure to say this to my doctor.

in reply to ErinGarnett

IF tests show that estrogen could be the cause, you can try some fairly benign plant-based progesterone cream from a health food store to balance it out. Just don't overdo it- like I said, hormones are tricky, and you really need to know if estrogen is the cause first. Extremely active young people can have messed up hormones as a result, I just can't remember what it does. Been too long since I read about it.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to

Hello! The doctor didn't know much about sleep and sleep disorders so all she said was that she didn't advise to Medicare without the absolute need. So my parents and I are going to do some more research and maybe looking into a sleeping clinic/ sleep study! I'll keep in touch if anything occurs. Thanks for all the support 💕

Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator

Hi Erin

So pleased you have an appointment on Friday. :-D We look forward to hearing from you again.

Look after yourself, :)

Kaarina

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Kaarina

Oops, something happened and it's actually next Friday!

Windwalker profile image
Windwalker

I am almost 79 and you sound like me for my entire life. Finally in about 1975 Mayo Clinic put a name on it. They called it Fibromylgia and soon after that the urge to move my limbs became so strong that if I failed to move I am sure I would have died.

For years the called it Restless Leg Syndrome. A syndrome mind you, not a disease.

Now they have put A name on it, it is called Willis-Ekbom disease, still with the names there is not a known cause.

They suspect that somewhere deep in you and my brain there is an abnormality, sending out the signals that hurt us.

I have found ways to cope and have a fairly normal life, but pain is a daily life. I use Ibuprofin and external rubs, along with other prescription drugs to cope.

I suggest you see a doctor and explain as you did to us and let him see what he can do to help you.

Windwalker.

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Windwalker

Thanks for the reply! I'll be sure to ask about this at my appointment

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Windwalker

Hello! The doctor didn't know much about sleep and sleep disorders so all she said was that she didn't advise to Medicare without the absolute need. So my parents and I are going to do some more research and maybe looking into a sleeping clinic/ sleep study! I'll keep in touch if anything occurs. Thanks for all the support 💕

Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator

Hi Erin

Please do not be alarmed by any replies you have received. We are not doctors and we do not know you. It is good to try to find out about health issues but you are doing the right thing and seeing your doctor at the end of this week. Have a good week and your doctor will be able to help and advise you.

Kaarina

ErinGarnett profile image
ErinGarnett in reply to Kaarina

Thank you, I'll keep in touch!

desperatedan1 profile image
desperatedan1

Hi i bought a mind spa machine and i find it helps they cost £225.00

You may also like...

Breakthrough on middle of the night walking!

couple of hours. I now have discovered that in 1 minute I can solve the problem. What I do is...

Insomnia on Gabapentin.

with only a little insomnia. For the past month, my insomnia is increasing. I go to bed routinley...

Insomnia

Tramadol I experienced strong heart palpitations and insomnia every night. I averaged 4 or 5 hours...

insomnia

dosage of 83.4 mg every night. I am now again unable to get even 5 hours sleep which has totally...

Insomnia

pramipexole and Gabapentin at night however my insomnia in now so extreme that I don't sleep at all...