Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Kathleen on November 02, 2024, 08:31:21 AM

Title: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Kathleen on November 02, 2024, 08:31:21 AM
Hello ladies.

I was wondering if anyone can relate to my experiences of sleep and mood problems.

As you may be aware my main meno problems are frequent mood/ emotional changes I also have night sweats occasionally and episodes of VA but it's the emotional ups and downs that bother me the most. My sleep seems to be okay generally and if I need the bathroom in the night I usually get back to sleep. The problem is that I always feel rubbish in the morning with a headache, tiredness and yawning plus tearfulness and anxiety. I never feel refreshed even if I believe that I have slept okay.

Do any of you lovely ladies have a similar experience and any tips on how I can improve my mood in the morning?  I wonder if actually my sleep is pretty disturbed and I haven't realised it. 

Any thoughts or comments are most welcome as ever.

Take care ladies.

K.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: getting_old on November 02, 2024, 04:58:13 PM
How do you feel later in the day? and in the evenings?
I'm a night owl and I find that I feel rubbish in the mornings but I get better throughout the day. I'm far more productive in the evenings than during the day. I've just decided to work with what works for me, so I get up later and go to bed later, and focus on doing stuff that matters later in the day. I find it makes me less anxious.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Nik2502 on November 02, 2024, 05:10:49 PM
Hi Kathleen

I feel your pain. I wake up feeling as tired as I went to bed, anxious and tearful.
I’ve been told that it’s due to cortisol / oestrogen levels ie cortisol is high in the morning and oestrogen low. Apparently magnesium glycinate can help.

I do feel better as the day goes on but it’s hard to remember that when you feel so awful upon waking!

Take care
Nik
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Kathleen on November 03, 2024, 08:25:13 AM
Hello ladies.

getting_old -  Thank you for your reply.   I tend to feel better in the evening but I also need some kind of rest in the afternoon!

I may experiment with earlier bedtimes to see if that helps.

Nik2502 - Thanks for your comments and I agree, it's miserable when you start the day feeling horrible. Many times I think I slept okay but first thing I am tired and yawning and feeling anxious and tearful.

Do you take an Anti Depressant btw?  I have read that some can cause less restful sleep.

If the problem is actually hormonal, perhaps our circadian rhythms are also out of whack?
I am hoping that changing my bedtime will show some results, it's worth a try and if by some miracle it helps with the morning miseries I will certainly let you know.

Thanks again ladies and wishing you both well.

K.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: getting_old on November 03, 2024, 04:52:35 PM
If you do try changing your bedtime I think the advice is to do it slowly, so 15 minutes earlier at a time.
Good luck
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Kathleen on November 03, 2024, 07:17:17 PM
Hello again ladies.

getting_old -  Thank you for your comments.

I had never heard of changing a bedtime by fifteen minute increments but I will give it a try.
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Take care.

K.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: getting_old on November 03, 2024, 10:40:25 PM
I read it somewhere a few months ago, and need to try it! I think it was an article about how to get better sleep so it talked about different methods, like holding your breath for a count of 6 or something. I'm guessing it's to allow your body clock to adjust the changes slowly.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Kathleen on November 04, 2024, 08:50:02 AM
Hello again ladies.

getting _old -  I am hoping that more sleep will improve my morning moods and perhaps a change in circadian rhythms will play a part in that.
Thank you for your comments and take care.

K.
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: discogirl on November 04, 2024, 08:55:53 AM
Hi Kathleen

I didn't want to pass by without trying to help in some small way as you've helped me a lot in times past.

Last year I bought Dr Michael Mosley's book on 4 weeks to better sleep and there are some good tips in there on how to get better sleep.

I hope things improve for you and take care x
Title: Re: Sleep and Mood Issues
Post by: Kathleen on November 04, 2024, 09:12:11 AM
Hello discogirl.


Thank you for thinking of me and I will look out for the book.

Any improvement in sleep has to have a health benefit so it's worth giving any suggestions a good try.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.