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Help for severe insomnia
I started hrt about a year ago for peri because I was having insomnia but now have been on it for a year and have SEVERE insomnia and essentially can’t sleep.
I’m on .025 estradiol patch & 100 mg progesterone (oral). I’ve also tried .0375 patch and it didn’t work.
I’m thinking of swapping my progesterone to morning and going to .5 estradiol or alternatively just getting off hrt altogether and restarting.
I’ve tried many sleep meds & they don’t really work for me (and 200 mg of progesterone is not better for me). I’m pretty confused as to what’s going on but wondering if anyone else has had really intractable insomnia but gotten through??
I’m also going to do a sleep study but just need to figure this out and don’t really feel that my practitioners are doing a deep enough dive. Help!
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Your estrogen dose is pretty low for someone your age. Careful switching progesterone to morning. My previous primary care knew little about prescribing hormone therapy and had me taking 200 mg. progesterone in the morning. I felt foggy, thick headed, and had headaches. Went to a gyno who reduced dose to 100 mg at night and had no problems. Recently increased to 200 and I sleep better. I had some anxiety recently, after hip surgery and my new primary care prescribed Gabapentin as needed 100-300 mg. That helps too. I have sleep issues too; had a lab study recently.
Sleep is one of the basics for good health, but so elusive at times! I have insomnia occasionally, but not as bad as during post menopause which started 2019. It was causing me to have morning migraines and missing too much work.
Back in 2019 I was prescribed Trazodone 50 mg for sleep. It would put me to sleep, but I could not STAY sleeping all night. I do blame night sweats for part of my insomnia.
I started researching supplements for sleep. This is what is currently working for me, but may not be right for everyone. Always check with your doctor to ask if supplements may interact with your current meds and health issues. I’m 62, taking meds for diabetes + high blood pressure + high cholesterol + hormone replacement (estrogen patch + progesterone 100 mg).
Melatonin 1 mg - It comes in higher strengths, but you may need to start with lower strength and gradually increase to find what works best for you.
Magnesium Glycinate 200 mg (may help promote muscle relaxation + fall asleep + stay asleep + quiet “busy mind”)
Tart Cherry Juice CAPSULE 1000 mg (cherry powder uses the WHOLE cherry, not just the squeezed out juice) = may help with joint pain & inflammation. This pain was waking me up at night which lead to part of my insomnia.
I have been nicely surprised that several of my doctors have recommended supplements!
Orthopedic surgeon (after knee surgery) recommended the Tart Cherry Juice.
Neurologist surgeon recommended Fish Oil and Tumeric for my arthritis and joint pain.
Endocrinologist recommended Dihydo-Berberine + Alpha Lipoic Acid for lowering blood sugar & prompting weight loss.
I hope this will help someone suffering with insomnia.
After thought = I also had a sleep study back in 2004. I currently use CPAP machine and that has definitely helped me sleep.
I’m encouraged you (lauren1212) are going to have a sleep study and want your practitioners to dive deeper into your insomnia problem.
Sometimes you need to dive deep and research on your own PLUS find a practitioner who is proactive like you!
I have found several good ones here in Eau Claire, WI. But it took time and patience.
I have found if I come prepared to appointments with written questions and copies of my research, sometimes they take me more seriously. If they don’t, I move onto someone else who is open to my questions and research.
I now require my practitioners to be my cheerleaders who are proactive in my health journey!