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[TNM45689]

Hi I have not had a period for nearly 12 months so definitely entering the post menopause period (also had blood tests). My GP has not been great and reluctant to start HRT without speaking to someone with a little more expertise in this area - it is such an important decision. I have finally been referred to a NHS Menopause Clinic in May but my biggest problem is literally I am not sleeping at all and obviously this is taking its toll on me and my family. My doctor has prescribed temazipan but these do not seem to be working. Any advice or anything ese you could recommend in the interim? Thanks x

[Valentine]

Hi,
What are you feeling when you are not sleeping? Are you having anxiety or  your brain is "on"? Just awake?
Sorry you are going through this... I've been there.

[Rhiner]

Hi, Ive been there too, and it is awful my hormones were all over the place after ovary  removal and obviously no oestrogen.  Eventually started on HRT, but slow to build up oestrogen again. Started taking low dose Amitriptyline which helped a little and Omega 3 capsules (helps to build seratonin). Also had ovaltine before bed, lots of calcium and magnesium in this. I got there after a few weeks of starting HRT - now sleep like a log! Only took Amytrip for about 3 weeks.
Hope this helps.
Rx

[Daisydot]

Hi TNM I'm taking redbush vanilla tea instead of caffeine and it's made a huge difference to my quality of sleep I'm averaging 7-8 hours of good quality sleep I monitor using my Fitbit that's how I know ,it gives sleep details.maybe worth a try,tetley do it around £2-15 for 40 bags,I can get two mugs out each bag 😂 good luck sweet dreams xx

[aspie65]

If temazipan isn't working ask for a proper sleeping pill like zopiclone.  Another drug that might help without any issue of long term use is pregabalin.  If you have to wait till May I would go back and see, maybe a different doctor and ask for more help.

[4meSons]

Hi, I second the suggestion of zoplicone and pregablin. I have used both before and also mirtazapine at a low dose is good for sleep. I also use an app to help me relax before sleep x

[Peroxideblader]

I really feel for you I'm 5 years in with roughly 4 hours sleep every night it has destroyed my health.  I am prescribed zopiclone but only enough for one sleep every 4th night which is pathetic so I have had to resort to buying my own. I only take 1 tablet instead of the 2 and I despise it when doctors say oh you'll be addicted if we prescribe them linger than the standard 2 weeks and they're bad for your health..well no sleep for 5 years is much worse!! Why doctors can't realise the sleep deprivation is a serious problem especially even I already suffer from depression anxiety and many other illnesses.
I'm not recommending my path and sometimes a 2 week course of zopiclone is enough to reset your sleeping pattern. I have tried EVERYTHING for my problem and nothing bar zopiclone rocks. 

[CLKD]

I think that we worry when we don't get as much sleep as we need, then it becomes a vicious circle  .

I had 8 years of not sleeping properly due to a very busy job.  It wasn't until I moved that I realised how little sleep I had survived on  .

Every evening I have a deep bubble bath with Very Good Book.  Then my evening meds..  Read until I drop off to sleep.  Occasionally I don't.  Then my mind gets racing  so I get up and make a cuppa.  Making sure that I am warm enough helps.  I also have a pad and pen by the bed to jot stuff onto, so that it doesn't continue to whizz.

Crosswords.  Gentle music in the background.  Getting enough exercise and fresh air in the day can help me.

Usually I am awake until 6.30 then drop off ........ OK as I don't have to go to work.  It is rare that a person doesn't sleep at all, as the body drops off in small amounts which we often don't notice.  Me, I often wake to see if I've been asleep!

[Annika]

Have you tried Melatonin? I went through 10 years of no sleep during my fifties and finally found taking a low dose before bedtime worked a charm plus as one of the other ladies mentioned a cup of Ovaltine helps or extra calcium helps.

[knorman]

Annika, where do you buy the melatonin from?  Many thanks

[Mary G]

My sister in law takes Melatonin for sleep and thinks it is brilliant.  I was reading up on it a while ago and have now started taking it for migraine prevention - so far so good.  I don't have any problems with sleep but I think I sleep better since starting the Melatonin.

You have nothing to lose by trying it. 

[Peroxideblader]

It's not sold in the UK it's not approved but I bought from abroad.  It didn't help me but I'll try anything but just to say my periods stopped for 6 weeks then heavy and every few weeks the 3 months I was on it.  When you Google melatonin it does interfere with your periods.  I had to stop because of that.  Soon as I stopped my periods went back to normal. Just so that you know because no one warned me before I took it

[Katejo]

Hi TNM I'm taking redbush vanilla tea instead of caffeine and it's made a huge difference to my quality of sleep I'm averaging 7-8 hours of good quality sleep I monitor using my Fitbit that's how I know ,it gives sleep details.maybe worth a try,tetley do it around £2-15 for 40 bags,I can get two mugs out each bag 😂 good luck sweet dreams xx

How does the Fitbit measure your sleep patterns? Just curious. I have never used one.

[Daisydot]

It's the Fitbit charge 2 I have and it does the usual steps and resting heart rate stuff but it's a clever wee so and so.you download an app onto your phone or tablet then sync the watch with it and when you fall asleep,with the watch on obviously, it monitors your sleeping pattern so R.E.M. light sleep and deep sleep and times your awake all timed by it and then sent to the app on your home/tablet to keep you informed.try google it and it should give you all the info.I got it given as a gift after I'd had a an injury and needed physio for a long time and it so helped and motivated me I went from 300+ steps a day to 6000+ I never thought I could do that and it challenged me I'll always be grateful to it.xx

[knorman]

I have been thinking of buying Fitbit.  Trying to recover from CFS/ME and walking is one of the ways I measure my progress.  Be interesting also to see sleep patterns as mine is so appalling, like so many of us on here.  I have gone cold turkey using Amitriptlyine and sleeping tablets to try and alleviate a dry mouth and the sense of panic that goes with no sleep is second to none, so you have my sympathies TNM45689. The thing I hang on to is although I may not be sleeping, I am hopefully resting. I know that is probably not much help, but try and think of that when you are frantically trying for sleep and the sleep may come.