Causes of sleepless night

Welcome @danaladilawrence, It sounds like you may be having trouble sleeping. If so, you are not alone. There are many members who have posted about trouble sleeping. While you wait for others to respond, you may find it helpful to scan through the other discussions and member comments that have mentioned trouble sleeping. Here's a search of Connect that lists the discussions and comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=trouble+sleeping.

You might also find this Mayo Clinic Minute - Tips for better sleep helpful

The causes of sleepless nights are endless and different for everyone who experiences sleepless nights. The solutions, as well, are different for everyone. Good luck finding your answer.

The above posts are all correct. Different causes for different people, and it seems to me, different causes for the individual at different times.

Insomnia sucks and it can really mess up your life. I know from personal experience, including tonight. It is 3:00 am now. Got up an hour ago and could not get back to sleep. Lost my job a month ago. I can't really blame anyone there. My ability to do even the simplest tasks was gone. I wasn't safe and worked around/with 480volt doing maintenance in industrial setting, so .......

You did not specify whether you had problems getting to sleep or staying asleep or even both. For getting to sleep over the counter aids may help. In my case the antihistamines cause my restless legs to flare to the point that the prescription meds I take don't work. But good ol' benadryl might work for you.

Prescription meds are hard to get! If you have severe long term problems you might be able to. For sleep onset ramelteon really worked for me, but wears off quickly. Works for an hour or so.

If you can list some of your particulars I might have some possible help. I have gone weeks, literally, with no sleep or bits and pieces of "micro sleep."

Please remember , you are not alone.

One bit of encouragement. My problem goes in cycles. When I can start sleeping better I can sleep at and take naps. I hope you can soon, too.

blackersheep, I had problems getting to sleep and also getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. You say you can't take antihistamines like benadryl, but have you tried Unisom with ingredient Doxylamine? If not, you should try it. It's not an antihistamine..... it's an over the counter sleep aid that works pretty good. I now am prescribed Lorazepam and Amitriptyline for sleep/anxiety/mild depression and it's working great for me. The benzos (Lorazepam) are extremely hard to get prescribed to you. My doctor had me try many other sleep meds, like Trazodone, Ambien, Lunesta, etc...and none of them worked. Maybe I should have tried a higher dose of Lunesta, but doctors don't like to prescribe a high dose of a sleep med. So finally he said he was going to have me stop taking the anxiety med I was taking 2-3 times a week, (valium) and have me try 1 medication that I would take daily for my anxiety and sleep issues. That sounded good to me. That medication is Lorazepam. I was already prescribed a benzo (diazepam--valium) so maybe that's why he was willing to prescribe me a benzo. Frankly, I think he really wanted to find a solution for me too. Thank god. You have a severe long-term issue with insomnia... so why isn't your doctor continuing to try and find the medication that works for you?? The medication that is hands down the best sleep medication is Flurazepam--30mg. If you can get your hands on it, I believe it would work for you. They stopped manufacturing it in 2022, but I've heard it may be back on the market. Ask your doctor about it. And keep pestering your doctor for a solution to your insomnia. Do not give up, and be persistent with your doctor. Sleep is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for a person's overall health. When you get good sleep, everything else is better. (whatever issues you may have) My fibromyalgia, my mild depression, my anxiety, all were better when I got a good night's sleep! Please go back to your doctor and insist on finding the sleep med that works for you. If you have any other questions for me, feel free to ask. Good luck to you!

Cindisue, I am glad to have a another who can appreciate the challenges insomnia present. They take their sleep for granted. I am sorry for suffering. I know this is hell for you, too.

I have not tried Unison yet and will try it.

My Dr has tried many different meds. I have a cabinet full of his failures.

You are lucky to have gotten the hypnotics (sleeping pills) and benzos. I dream of those, or I would if I could sleep. I think he resists because I am bi polar and is afraid I might and try to commit suicide. I'm not at suicidal, never have been.

I'm on ability and lamotrigine for that and they don't help my sleep. Incidentally, when I am manic I have revved up everything, so ultimate exhaustion is a hint I'm coming down. The last time I had hypnotic drugs was when the emergency room gave me some. I had exhausted myself to the point I was having panic attacks, etc.

I recently was prescribed tizanidine, an antispastic drug by my pain doctor. It is indicated for MS and spinal cord injuries (I don't have those problems). I got it for the nerve pain and muscle pain due to a very messed up back. Pain is another sleep killer.

Tizanidine works for sleep for me. Two of those do it. For now I'll use those till I can't get them.

I have to be careful, as alcohol is another of my issues. It doesn't do well with many meds. It is self medication and not recommended for anyone. It helps calm the occasional mania and with sleep to a point. Always have an excuse, I say. Another reason I can't get the good pills, most likely. If could sleep maybe I could stay quit. Four months sober until last couple months of insomnia...... Another excuse, I know.

I have rambled on enough for now. I didn't I had that many problems until read back through my list. Unfortunately I got me some more problems, too.

Again, I will give the Unisom a try. Thanks for being willing to share your story. It helps to know I'm not alone, yet makes sad to know someone else is in this kind of pain too. I am literally in tears. Don't tell anyone, tough guy thing.

blackersheep, I no longer suffer with sleep issues thanks to Lorazepam and Amitriptyline. I also take Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime. So you don't have to be sad for me anymore. I'm glad you found a med that works for you. Tizanidine....haven't heard of that one, but happy it's working for you. I am an alcoholic and have been completely sober for 34 years! Good Luck to you!

Hi, I am new, but recently have had sleepless nights. Sometimes its 12:00- 6:00. or 9:00- 3:00. I honestly have not tried meds (yet). but not willing to take more meds than I already do. So, I need some advice on what to do.

thanks,
Ginny Snow 🙂

hi, Ginnysnow. I've been reading that when we get older (You may not be older. I'm older), we need less sleep.
Probably better not to take meds. When I can't sleep, I just get up.