Sleep Pattern

[emmie]

mine is out the window, i don't know what's going on. been awake since midnight, it's now 1.30 and can't get back to sleep. anyone else have this problem and what to do about sleeping through the night.

[emmie]

calmk, what's the Big A.

[iluvmargie]

But going to bed so early is probably why you are waking up in the early hours and can't get back to sleep. It is harder to sleep through the night as we age.

[naomi24]

Emmie, if you're going to bed that early and sleeping during the day you're probably getting more sleep than you realise. Perhaps you could try making it a little later each night until you end up going to bed regularly at a more reasonable time.

A bit like the way I cut sugar out of my tea and coffee... started with two spoons ... then one and three quarters ... then one and a half ... until none at all.

[pixie374]

Amazon? My niece took melatonin for a while and it helped her sleep as well (from GP).
This week I went to bed at 9pm once as I couldn't stay awake... but was wide awake again by midnight, so I agree a bit of retraining might help.

[emmie]

will try and go to sleep about 9pm, that's as much as i can do.

[emmie]

amazon, ok.

[emmie]

this by the way, the sleeping, has only happened in the last few months, normally i can get away with 7 hours at least. my bladder seems to be weak and have to make endless pit stops to the loo, this is before i go to sleep.

[naomi24]

Try 9.15 .... and in a few days 9.30 .... and then 9.45 ....

If you don't try you'll never know.

[jennyjoan]

Hi Emmie. I have chronic insomnia and indeed as has been said, the worst thing for you is to go to bed so early. Not in a million years would I get sleep if I also napped through the day. You can't have it both ways LOL> Can I also suggest could you cut down on your coffee. If I was to shut my eyes for 5 minutes of an evening, forget it I definitely wouldn't sleep.

Try and go to bed later ie 12 midnight. The other thing - I think when you are of the age at 66 I wouldn't care what pills you take if they gave you some relief. Wouldn't worry about addiction at that age. You could try some sleep aid over the counter. They can help. When you are sleep deprived you can become very miserable and "sad". Hope you feel better soon.

[emmie]

JJ, have been out of form that's for sure. Midnight, that i couldn't do.

[naomi24]

Emmie, saying 'can't' doesn't help. It means you've given up before you started. As I said, try a little later each night.... even just steps of five or ten minutes will eventually get you to a more sensible time.

[emmie]

perhaps it's getting older, i don't know.
I don't have trouble getting to sleep at all, i have trouble in staying asleep....

[naomi24]

Just try it... and see what happens. If it doesn't work you're no worse off - but if it does it will have been worth it. Try.

[ummmm]

I don't think you have a choice, Emmie, if you want to get all your sleep in at night.

Otherwise....what is wrong with napping? Your body or mind is obviously not tired. Because of the medication I'm on I could be up up to 7 times during the night to use the bathroom.

Maybe it's time to invest in Netflix. I lost so many hours getting engrossed by Netflix series.

[calmck]

Emmie Big A is Amazon. Part of the problem could be early bed time. 8 hour sleep is the"norm" try half an hour later each night to 11pm. If you try melatonin they do work but not immediately as your body has to build up the levels. You have nothing to lose by trying

[anneasquith]

Stop thinking and talking about it emmie. Just accept you have insomnia. If you had a full time job where you had to be at work 9am everyday , that would be different. It appears your only commitment at this time is receiving goods from online ordering. Take every opportunity to get fresh air, eat well, and relax .

[pastafreak]

Emmie, it sounds as if your whole sleep cycle is out of whack. What you are doing now is just napping, and your body is adapting to shorter periods of sleep. I remember my dad doing that...he'd not sleep well over night after a million years of being up at 5 am. Then he'd sleep half the day away.
You really need to work at resetting your body clock, slowly a bit at a time. Also, as we get older it's said we need less sleep. So you may be getting sufficient sleep, just interrupted. If you can push your bedtime a bit later, you'll at least have your sleep within a more normal time frame. I've also heard that melatonin is useful...probably worth giving it a go.

[ladybirder]

I think Em must be asleep.

[ladybirder]

Emmie from TV & Media, The Sister thread.
//i am usually in bed before nine, seeing as how i am old and crotchety,
so will def do a catch up on ITV Hub.\\
For goodness sake Em listen to what people are telling you instead of just dismissing it. And Yes, Melatonin is worth a try, works for me when I can't sleep. If I went to bed before 9pm I'd be up half the night as well. BTW 66 is not old nowadays.

[pixie374]

Out of interest, emmie, you say you can get to sleep, but only briefly. What happens when you wake up? Is it pain, anxiety, discomfort, worry...?
I also have to avoid caffeine nowadays, after about 3pm. It doesn't make me jittery or fidgety, I just remain awake most of the night.