Trouble sleeping

[laraline]

Does anyone else have trouble with sleeping and have any advice on how to get a nights sleep. Any particular supplements that help? I am so tired and haven't slept properly for 4 years which is when I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid and started levothyroxine. I wake about 2 am and lie awake for hours unable to get back to sleep.

[Lily905]

I'm having problems sleeping for the last few month's for no reason. For the 3rd time this week I've not slept all night again & I've got to work later. My sleep pattern is no sleep at all, then 12 hours sleep, no sleep at all etc. I'm stuck in a loop for no reason. I'm T3 only & I've had all of my thyroid removed. I've been looking online for supplements etc. Years ago I worked nights so I tried most natural remedies & some worked & some didn't. I'm now thinking about buying a few sleeping tablets online. I'm the same as you lie awake for hours trying to sleep. I don't switch on my tv or tablet. I'd be grateful for any advice on how to sleep. It's a mystery why I can't

[laraline in reply to Lily905]

I have been told Melatonin is good but I dont know how to get it without a prescription and apprently docs are reluctant to prescribe it.

[Lily905 in reply to laraline]

Yes. I've heard a lot about how good Melatonin is. I don't think we can get it in the UK. I'm not going to my doctor to ask.

I only trust the online px sites people on here PM us. I've looked for Melatonin & sleeping tablets online. There is a lot of sites & choice but it's too big a risk.

[laraline in reply to Lily905]

Is there anyone who can pm me where it is possible to get melatonin on line? Thank you

[BlueMundo in reply to laraline]

I got mine on eBay

[Shredder in reply to laraline]

Melatonin is available on Amazon but even better from Biovea although it has hasn't really helped long term with hypo insomnia.

[Suzi24 in reply to Lily905]

Did u try boots or super drug?

[topaz1 in reply to laraline]

I get a prescription for Melatonin from my NHS GP.

[NightShade in reply to laraline]

You don't need a prescription for Melatonin. I recommend 10mg.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to NightShade]

You do need a prescription for melatonin in the UK.

[ABDC in reply to laraline]

Melatonin is a vitamin you can get over the counter, go to your local pharmacy and ask your pharmacist for the vitamin. They come in tablets 3mg up to 10mg. Our body produces natural melatonin, you do not need a prescription.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to ABDC]

Melatonin is NOT a vitamin.

Melatonin is NOT available over the counter in the UK.

Melatonin comes in 2 milligram tablets in the UK.

You do need a prescription for melatonin in the UK.

[ABDC in reply to helvella]

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm here in the states and we can buy it over the counter. I didn't mean to offend anyone at all.

[laraline in reply to ABDC]

Thank you for trying to help - its all so complicated trying to be well!

[ABDC in reply to laraline]

You are so correct, I have Hashimoto's and I go from hypo to hyper back to hypo then back to hyper constantly, I totally understand not feeling well. My lab results 3 mints should my TSH was .005, not sure on FT3, last week it was ran and my TSH IS AT 3.0 and my FT3 is sitting at 2.0. I'm waiting to see what my new Dr does for me. I'm tired of being tired and sick constantly.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to laraline]

You might find NICE's document on melatonin of some interest:

nice.org.uk/advice/esuom2/i...

[laraline in reply to helvella]

Thank you very useful

[Suzi24 in reply to laraline]

It should b available over the counter. At least in USA it is.

Melatonin is also taken for jet lag. Start with a low dose.

[shaws Administrator]

I'd suggest getting a new blood test, TSH,T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 and antibodies.

It is important to have FT4 and FT3 for the reason in the link below. If we don't have sufficient T3 being converted from T4, we will get symptoms. T3 is the only Active thyroid hormone. T4 converts to T3 but we may not be on sufficient or unable to convert effectively.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You can take levo either first thing on an empty stomach with one full glass of water. Or at bedtime, as long as you've last eaten about 3 hours previously. You'd miss this dose if having a blood test next day and take afterwards and night time dose as usual.

[Lily905 in reply to shaws]

Thank for the info & link

[greenmug]

Melatonin can be helpful for short periods of time and when your sleep cycle is out of sync, like when jet lagged. I find that it is not effective for me outside of that scenario and gives me terrible nightmares and broken sleep. It definitely isn't a sleeping pill in that sense.

[BlueMundo in reply to greenmug]

I think you may be right about the broken sleep - my sleep pattern has changed from being in a coma to waking numerous times for no reason. I can go back to sleep (usually) just keep waking. Melatonin hasn't stopped the waking up for no reason cycle.

[greenmug]

You have described my sleeping patterns and like you, it has gone on for years. I tend to wake up later than 2am, but can be awake for anywhere from one to three hours depending on how bad of a night it is.

I began taking Ambien on alternate nights and while my sleep improved I was still following the same waking pattern. I recently began using a cpap machine and took an Ambien and slept for seven hours straight for the first time in years.

I won't get into how impossible it is to use the cpap without sleeping pills though. Seems like there's no easy answers for maintenance insomnia.

[greenmug]

I forgot to mention antihistamines like diphenhydramine and doxylamine. I have only taken the former but am trying the latter when it arrives. Different people react differently to them and there are side effects like hangover and irritability but they might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

[Hidden]

Melatonin is right on the shelf in the pharmacy with the other supplements where I am, but it's also readily available online. I combine it with Magnesium... but you would be well advised to read the attached link as there are different types of Magnesium! And they all act differently in our bodies so we must buy the correct one (Ie. mag chloride versus mag maleate etc.). And avoid the cheaper but readily available diarrhea inducing or poorly absorbed ones (mag oxide).

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Valerian is a herbal relaxation aid that is worth looking at also.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hidden]

You do need a prescription for melatonin in the UK.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Duly noted. Thanks helvella - I will file that one.

[hoalarg]

Just to add to your advice, I recommend glycine. It's a great liver support, easily found on Amazon and aids sleep. It's a good all rounder.

[newuke]

ZMA. Zinc, Magnesium & B6, Got mine from Amazon.

[NightShade]

Try to go to bed every night at the same time, and get up at the same time every morning. Make sure your bedroom is completely dark, no digital clocks with lights and no ticking clocks either. Don't use your cell phone for checking e-mails, Facebook, Twitter, etc right before you go to bed. I take a 10 mg Melatonin right before I get into bed as well. Also, try to avoid taking naps during the day too. Hope this helps.

[jacrjacr]

magnesium a hour before bed helps....., melatonin helps, not being on computer or watch tv or exercise a hour b4 bed, a protein snack b4 bed.....a very dark bedroom with no night lights, no cell phone by bed, a cool bedroom helps or a floor fan that makes a noise that helps you sleep but don't blow it directly on you....clean sheets also help me...sometimes a little dust on sheets and dust mites u can not see can keep you awake---I saw this on tv and tried the clean sheets yet I have to wash and put back on every couple days....but when you are desperate you will try anything...sometimes just changing pillow cases can help...

[Marz]

Have you had your adrenals checked ? The 24 hour saliva test privately may show something. Cortisol needs to be low before sleep and higher in the morning to give you that get up and go.

When do you take your thyroid meds ? Are you taking any other medication ?

[laraline in reply to Marz]

Good point i need to do the adrenal test - have you any suggestions where i might order the test? Thank you

[Marz in reply to laraline]

Go the main website of Thyroid UK and click onto About Testing ....

thyroiduk.org

[Marz in reply to laraline]

Did you have the tests ?

[Greentrees1]

When do you take your t3? I found that taking some of my t3 when i go to bed improved my sleep massively. Using my fit bit, i went from an average of 2.5hrs of very briken deep sleep, to 4.5 - 5hours - which were bigger chunks of deep sleep.

[laraline in reply to Greentrees1]

Interesting but unfortunately I am on Levothroxine at the moment

[Greentrees1]

It might still be worth taking some at night. I read somewhere (!) that when your thyroxine level if very low, it causes poor sleep. When i took my levo and t3 at bedtime, i found my sleep was worse, but taking it in the morning plus a small amount at night has made a massive difference. Everone is so different!

[tyrrylok in reply to Greentrees1]

what is the amount of T3 mcgr you take before sleeping?

[Greentrees1 in reply to tyrrylok]

I take 10mg t3 at night.

[tyrrylok in reply to Greentrees1]

thanks, I hope you meant micrograms otherwise your hearth could explode

[greenmug]

HI - just wanted to say that I have been taking doxyamine now for about three weeks. It's fantastic and has worked since the very first night - in fact I had to cut the dose in half because it was so strong. It's OTC too!

I have taken scores of sleep meds over the years and this ranks up there with powerful prescription meds. Hallelujah.

[laraline in reply to greenmug]

Sounds good - is that in the UK?

[greenmug in reply to laraline]

Sorry, I don't know.

[Suzi24]

U may want to try melatonin 10mg. If that does not work, ask your go to give u prescription - a small dose of ambien ( zolpidem) helps. Sometimes when I wake up at 2 and can’t go back to sleep, I listen to music with my earbuds so nit to disturb my husband. Good luck.

[Suzi24]

Meditation and deep breathing helps u relax and helps with insomnia.

[Clarrisa]

I am currently trying acupuncture for insomnia. I still wake up around 2:00 a.m. but I am able to return to sleep unlike before. My sister thinks you can wake up if you are hungry. I am going to make a point of adding a more complex carbohydrate to dinner as well.