Waking up early insomnia

[warbaby42]

I have never had trouble sleeping, until recently.

I go to sleep - no problem but wake up in the early hours and can't get back to sleep.

I have had a lot of stress but coping well and I'm not depressed. I can wake up from 1 a.m. onwards and have been doing so for the past couple of months. Seen a GP about it who gave me some tips - none of which worked. I know they don't like prescribing sleeping pills.

I am 82 years old.

I've tried Nitol, spraying pillow with Lavender, taking antihistamines that make you drowsy, taking Magnesium ast thing at night, Paracetamol. Not using mobile or internet, milky drinks, taking a shower or bath before bed.

I'm desperate for a good nights sleep taking into account that I have to get up once or twice to pass water.

I'm my husbands carer and need to be on the go quite a bit.

I also get a lot of exercise most days.

Any other tips would be welcome

[ThyroidDeb]

I understand, I am 72 and never had sleeping problems but I do the same. I wake probably, 3 or 4 times a night. Usually if I can't get back to sleep it's because my hips or legs hurt, I take one tylenol and sometimes go back to sleep unless it's close to the time I get up. Good luck, I could get sleeping pills but I'd rather not. I'm a thinker and that can add to the wakefulness. Not bad thoughts, can be good memories still enough to keep me a wake. Most of my friends seem to have the same problem, the woman not the men, they seem to sleep well.

[warbaby42 in reply to ThyroidDeb]

Thanks for your support and helpful tips. Can I ask - are you in the UK as I have never heard of Tylenol. Can you buy it over the counter in the UK ?

[ThyroidDeb in reply to warbaby42]

US, it's acetaminophen or ibprophen is good too, not sure if you have it but we buy over the counter

[Trill]

Hello, Warbaby. Three things, from me, a severe failure at sleeping for about 40 years and now a sprightly 74. I have tried all you have tried, and more. First, keep very regular hours, but don't go to bed until you actually feel sleepy. Second, if you wake and are awake for, say, 15 minutes, get up, go out of the bedroom, and do something undemanding until you again feel sleepy; three - this I heard but not tried: if awakened, to get back to sleep open your eyes and stare, keep repeating this until you fall asleep, which for that person, always worked.

[warbaby42 in reply to Trill]

Thanks for your helpful comments. Will try what you suggest.

[Trill in reply to warbaby42]

It's a cruel and horrible state to be in and I expect the worry as a carer is behind it. I have a smart watch and it shows I am a very light sleeper and helpfully warns me of the health risks. I just try and live my days, tired or not, the best I can. Once you start letting it anger you, the game is lost.

[ThyroidDeb]

There's a book that helped me, had to read twice though. The Sleep Book by Dr. Guy Meadows, he started The Sleep School which I think is in your neck of the woods.

[warbaby42]

I have been reading a good sleep book by the GP who died recently - Dr. Michael Mosley. I liked him a lot and what a sad ending. Anyway as a last resort he suggests not going to bed until 1 am and do this for a week to see the results. I could do this - just but would have to make sure I don't drive the day after. I will try it but not at the moment.