Insomnia

[jo1001]

Hi, I have been taking 50mcg Levothyroxine for about 5 weeks now. I take it before I go to bed at night, just because I thought it would be more convenient. Anyway, more or less since I first started this medication I have suffered from insomnia

I took my last Levothyroxine at 9pm last night. I've only just woken up now (midday) after about 4 hours sleep. I didn't fall asleep until 7.30am this morning. The problem is if I start taking the tablets in the morning (as recommended) some days I'm not actually waking until the afternoon! I don't know what to do as I don't know from one day to the next if I'll sleep at night or what time I'm likely to wake up.

I am exhausted with no energy or inclination to do anything.

[greygoose]

Just take it when you do wake up. That's ok, as long as you wait an hour before eating, etc.

[jo1001 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose. I've just taken today's one and have set my alarm for 8.00am tomorrow morning and will try my best to get into a routine of taking it at that time every morning. I'll try it for a couple of weeks and hopefully that will get me out of this awful insomnia rut.

[greygoose in reply to jo1001]

It can be difficult, that's for sure. Have you tried taking magnesium before you go to bed? That can make people sleep.

[jo1001 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I've tried the magnesium. My bedroom looks like a Holland and Barrett store with all the stuff I've been trying. Thanks.

[BadHare in reply to jo1001]

Make sure it’s chelated or bisglycinate for most bioavailability. I like a soak in Mg or Epsom salt crystals. It’s not too expensive for a 25kg sack. Use about 500g (2-3 mug fulls) & soak for half an hour. Extra relaxing at bedtime.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jo1001]

Remember to take it with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating/coffee.

[BadHare]

Can you set an alarm or sleep with your curtains open so you wake up early. It might be hard for a few days or weeks before you get used to it. Take a glass of water to bed, & put your meds in a docket box nearby so it’s convenient. I take mine any time after 5am when I wake early, then try to go back to sleep for a few hours if i’ve no need to get up early.

[jo1001 in reply to BadHare]

BadHare, I have now got the alarm set to wake me tomorrow morning. I will leave curtains open tonight. I have a small bottle of water which I use to take the tablet, filling it up with clean water before I go to bed. I will keep my fingers crossed that I can now get in to this new routine without too much stress. I'll give it a couple of weeks and if nothing improves I'll go back to the GP. Thanks.

[BadHare in reply to jo1001]

Great, hope that works well for you, & you feel better once you get into a routine. Waking up early & being able to snuggle back under my blankets is nice. 🤗

[Olissima]

try taking low dose of melatonin and Mag at night in order to go to sleep and take the Levo as soon as you wake up. It is better to take it early but if you cannot wake up early, then take it when you wake up, just don't take it late in the afternoon or at night because will keep you up as you already noticed. Hopefully, gradually your sleeping pattern will move back to normal