Sleep problems

Posted by ggd @ggd, Jan 20 12:22pm

Hello,
I am 64 years old and am dealing with a lot of the problems others in this forum are sharing about- chronic and worsening health issues, loneliness, isolation, anxiety about the future, etc.

But, the worst thing seems to be that I cannot sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a night. And I can't seem to fall asleep if I try and nap during the day. I say that the sleep thing is the worst because it exacerbates all the other problems.

I've done some research on the problem and know that we seniors require less sleep than we used to and our natural melatonin production reduces as we grow older. I am using some of the tips for better sleeping that I've gotten off the internet but they don't seem to help much. I have tried melatonin supplements which seem to give me a little more sleep but it gives me vivid, anxiety-invoking dreams.

I force myself to stay awake till midnight or 1 in the morning and usually fall asleep okay. But then I wake up 3 or 4 hours later and often find it very difficult to get any more real sleep. I'm wide awake at 4 o'clock in the morning with my head running and producing more anxiety.

I've talked to my doctor about this and she is willing to prescribe some medication to help my sleep issue but most of them have side effects which make the daytime waking hours more difficult. I am hoping someone out there may have some useful tips that I have not come across or personal experience with prescription sleep medications that are effective while not having significant side-effects which make the daytime hours more difficult. This lack of sleep time during the night is badly affecting my mental and emotional health.

Thank you.

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rashida | @rashida | Jan 29 9:19am

In reply to @ksdm "It's a CVS brand (drug chain) over-the-counter "Night Time Sleep Aid". It says to take two,..." + (show)

@ksdm I’m in Canada so don’t have access to CVS or any other US pharmacies.

ksdm | @ksdm | Jan 29 11:21am

You must have a chain pharmacy with lots of stores. Their own brand will do or maybe you could get it at a store like Target or Walmart or Sainsbury! If it's over the counter it is probably all about the same. If it says to take two, just take one and see how that goes.

ksdm | @ksdm | Jan 29 2:05pm

Please try an over-the-counter sleep aid. The instructions say to take two tablets, but I only take one and it ends the 4 AM nightmare! Any sleep aid that your doctor prescribes for you, you will feel it in the morning!

mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jan 29 7:15pm

Since I retired from teaching elementary school for 35 years, I have had issues with getting to sleep and staying asleep. My dr prescribed 1 mg of Ativan at bedtime and it has really helped me to fall asleep. I do wake up sometimes in the middle of the night. If that happens, and I can’t get back to sleep, I use a half of a Tylenol PM and it usually helps me fall back to sleep. When I was teaching, I was up at 5:30AM to get ready for school, along with two boys, to also get ready for school! At that time in my life, I had *no trouble* falling asleep at night!!! Now, because of difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep, I can’t seem to get out of bed until 10AM! Wishing for those younger days when I could fall right to sleep!!!

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Jan 30 7:19am

In reply to @mabfp3 "Since I retired from teaching elementary school for 35 years, I have had issues with getting..." + (show)

I totally understand! Not fun to be up and be tired at the same time. My spouse uses Melatonin. He is asleep in around 20 minutes.

ollie2018 | @ollie2018 | Jan 30 9:18pm

In reply to @ksdm "It's a CVS brand (drug chain) over-the-counter "Night Time Sleep Aid". It says to take two,..." + (show)

I take 2 mg clonazelpam and amitryptaline as I have obstructed sleep apnea and central apnea! Been on for years. Still wake up some nights. Just a busy brain!

ksdm | @ksdm | Jan 31 10:52am

I seem to wake up around 4 AM no matter what time I go to bed! Something must be happening around that time...

edsutton | @edsutton | Jan 31 11:50am

I don't think it's unusual to wake at 3 or 4 am. The concern is how to drift back to sleep. Thinking about the news is not gonna help!
1) As sisyphus said, having a good project for the next day provides pleasing expectations.
2) When I wake up at 3am, I let the dog get in the bed. She's a perfect model of relaxed resting. I feel her curled up next to me and I drift back to sleep easily.

ollie2018 | @ollie2018 | Jan 31 8:54pm

A sleeping study may be helpful!

AZ | @equanimous | Feb 1 7:23am

Thank you for your post ggd, as I am reading this in the wee hours of the morning, after waking at 4 a.m.! I do take melatonin every evening as well as magnesium. It works with getting me to sleep but does not always help with keeping me asleep. I appreciate all the comments and will try some of them. Here's hoping!