Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[wuzzie]

I'm on the Prof Studd regime, Estrogel x 3 pumps, Utrogestan 100mg, Tostran.  I just can't seem to crack the sleep thing which is something I never had before menopause.  I fall asleep very easily but every two hours or so I wake and start turning over.  It's almost as if there's a fight between sleeping and waking going on the whole night, almost feverish.  I dream a lot and remember my dreams.
I do all the right things but I still can't crack this.  Could it still be low Estrogen or is it just getting older perhaps and this is how it's going to be.....

Do any of you identify with this particular kind of sleep problem?

[CLKD]

Many have sleep patterns that alter as they age.  Hormones may be a causation.  As can worrying about not sleeping 

I dream.  We have a thread somewhere.  Do you get up to the bathroom at all as an irritated bladder can sort of wake us.

[wuzzie]

I'm not particularly worried about it and I'm not worried about anything else really and not having to get up for the loo.  It seems to be a purely physical thing rather than psychological..

[CLKD]

Could be cortisol having a surge, it's the wake up hormone.  Or dreams might be disturbing you enough to make you restless. 

[squeaker99]

Hi wuzzie. This has been me on and off for the past 3 years. I very rarely sleep thorough any more and wake every 2-3 hours. When this started I was waking every 1-2 hours. My sleep issues are definitely hormonal and then the tiredness bring anxiety. I have seen several GPs and done every 'sleep hygine' things under the sun. It has a definite monthly pattern as I am wose pre-period or mix cycle.
I agree it seems very chemical - some nights I wake sweaty, wide awake at 3am and find it impossible to get off again.

Sorry I don't have any answers. If it helps a GP recently told me not to fret about how many hours sleep I was getting and that as you get older your need less sleep anyway.  Another weird side of Peri/Meno that I had no idea about,

[wuzzie]

Squeaker99 - you describe exactly what I am experiencing.  Are you on HRT?

CKLD - yes, could be Cortisol.....but why?

[Foxylady]

That's very helpful of the GP, they obv haven't suffered from years of insomnia due to peri meno!!!!!
If you put insomnia or sleep in the search box wuzzie you will be able to access lots of threads on the subject. My issue has always been wakening after few hours. I am exhausted so fall asleep usually by 10pm, then awake between 2 (last night 12.45) - 3 hours later, now falling asleep after but never feels like restorative sleep, always tossing & turning, too hot/clammy etc. My body always feels like its sleeping/wants to sleep but my mind is alert/awake. I have definately had an improvement since starting HRT but feel like there is more room for improvement. I also take magnesium & vit D supplement before bed (as suggested on here at some point). x

[wuzzie]

Foxylady - I wonder if we're not on enough Estrogen?

[Foxylady]

That's what I've been wondering. I started off around end March on Everol sequi, then following 3 month review started on Everol 75 & Provera 5mg daily. I had 3 blissful weeks of sleep initially and then back to disturbed/unsettled sleep from the early hours. Next month will be 3 months on this regime so I will make GP appt and see if the meno specialist he consults advises an increase in the Everol patch! Thanks Wuzzie. x

[wuzzie]

Foxylady - please let me know how you get on......

[squeaker99]

Hi wuzzie. I have tried two types of HRT (just for the sleep issue - no other real symptoms) and unfortunately they made my anxiety much worse so sleep deteriorated. One GP said they thought too much oestrogen was to blame and the oestrogen peaks were the times it was particularly bad. I would love to get my hormones tested every day for two months - I would pay a lot to have this done - as I know this is a chemical /physical trigger which anxiety makes worse.

[wuzzie]

Squeaker99

Yes, I see your point but if this were the case why didn't we have this issue before menopause when hormones were moving about?

[squeaker99]

I'm in peri...still having periods but irregular . I had a 5 month spell with no periods earlier this year and all my symptoms disappeared. I slept fine, no huge anxiety...then a period came back and the sleep problems and anxiety started up again big time.  I wish I knew which chemicals were at play as we all seem to have similar symptoms but different responses to medication. It is all very individual.

[Foxylady]

will do Wuzzie!