Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: nicky_boo on February 20, 2019, 11:06:05 AM
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Hi Ladies,
I have never been a good sleeper. With peri, it just got worse. I am on HRT - (evorel patches for oestrogen + 100mg Ultrogestan). My question is not about HRT. It helps with my mood swings but didn't do anything to help my sleep. I just would like to find out what you use to sleep. I read here that somebody occasionally uses Benadryl Activastine and tried it. My sleep that night was better than usual. Sometimes I try Paracetaml too. Nytol etc... doesn't work for me. I also take 5HTP everyday. My sleep hygiene is nearly perfect. I meditate etc...
I work full time at a stressfull job but sleep deprivation is getting the best of me. I am incoherent today. I keep using incorrect words whilst talking, keep forgetting everything as I haven't slept properly for days.
If you are on prescription, what do you use? Do yu have any tips you can share with me?
I trust this forum more than I trust my GP or myself.
Thank you in advance.
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Hi Nicky, Sorry I can`t help but I can sympathise as I am exactly the same as you. HRT has helped everything except my sleep which is is even worse than it used to be. Awake in the early hours for 1...2...or 3 hours then back to sleep but waking every hour. I just can`t seem to break my brain out of the habit. Nytol etc does nothing for me either. :-\
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I have in the past used anti-histamines. Some use cough products to get 2/3 nights un-broken sleep.
A good night time habit is important. Melatonin might help.
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Thank you.
I wonder where people get melatonin from. is it prescribed or do they get via US websites?
CLKD, do you know any cough medicine brands? For instance not all anti-histamines work for me but Benadryl Activastine did - thanks to this forum.
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Maybe have a chat with a Pharmacist at your local Chemist? They have private rooms and will have access to over the counter medications that could help.
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Puriton.
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Hi nicky_boo. If you are taking 5HTP, maybe next time you need to buy some more try the Solgar 5-HTP complex? It combines 5-HTP with magnesium and valerian, both of which will help you relax and sleep.
If you have a look on the Solgar website you'll find it and if you click on the buy now button it links you through to Amazon.
[commercial link removed]
It's not cheap though, Solgar is never the cheapest option.
I find that the combination of this Solgar 5HTP complex taken before bed with my Utrogestan tablet zonks me out completely until morning!
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Benylin night time or night nurse but don't tell them it's to make you sleep as it's addictive and you should only take it max 3 days,just say you're coughing at night due to a cold😊
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If after 3 nights you can't sleep then a trip to the GP is required. I usually find that what ever I decide to take works and then it doesn't matter as much if I get another broken night. It took until 3.30 this morning to drop off, I have a clock - it kept going round, apparently trying to find it's radio station ::) but it sounded like water dripping :o.
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Hi ,I've been having the same problem for last few years; working night shift for 22 years I put it down to that. However, now realized last 3 years since turning 50 it's probably perimenopause.
Night nurse works for me but can leave you groggy next day ;lately I've been taking Phenergan night time from chemist . Hope this helps and happy snoozing !zzz
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Thanks so much Everyone. Some wonderful tips there!
I will try multiple of them as and when needed. I don't want to keep addicted to one option.
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Hi you can get Phenergan over the counter at tescos or well chemist it's also an ingredient in night nurse but has a different name promethazine .These are only to be used now and again not all the time .
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:pills: Night Nurse :sick02:
Let us know how you get on. 3 nights should crack it ....... maybe try over a weekend when you haven't to get up for work to see the effects?
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Hi Nicky
Not sure if anyone on the site has tried the prebiotic powder Bimuno. Dr Michael Moseley did a test of it on TV and anecdotally people found it helped with sleep as well as gut health. You can buy it from Boots, I get it from Amazon. Like a sachet of creamer that you add to your tea, you can't taste it. I only take half a sachet per day. It hasn't helped my sleep massively but I think it has helped me to fall back to sleep easier when I wake.
I listened to an interesting podcast with Dr Rangan Chatterjee (on his website) and Matthew Walker, a sleep expert. They mentioned that any caffeine after noon will reduce quality of sleep, also alcohol is a no-no. Might be worth a listen.
Nothing is a panacea though.