Insomnia - yuck. Is this my new normal?

[Sandy]

Granted - Toby is currently wearing a cone and breathing like a tank, so that may have something to do with it, but it seems that occasional insomnia is my new normal.  I am 47, and that seems to be an age where this happens somewhat.  What about it ladies?  Is this my new normal?  Because I have to say - it sucks.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes, it does. Sorry. Try Benedryl or Tylenol PM when it goes on too long. ;o(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sorry to break it to you, but YES, this is the new normal....

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Join the club :)    Yes this is what happens to most of us.  I found that if I exercise either in the morning or evening I sleep much better plus you benefit from the exercise as well.  If that does not work I take Advil PM as well.  There are natural/herbal sleep aids available too = Skull Cap or Melatonin (sp?).  I have used both and they just relax you into sleep and you are not groggy when you wake up.  Both can be found in a vitiman store.

[Sandy]

I was thinking Sleeptime Tea Extra might be a good option for tonight.  Having Toby still in his cone breathing like a locomotive doesn't help either.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I was a serial insomniac until I hit 50 and now I'm getting a full nights sleep.  Melatonin and cutting out caffeine really helped but during those bad years I would be awake from 2-6am on a regular basis.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sandy - two years ago at 52 I suddenly stopped sleeping well.  Just BooM.  I'd go to bed at my regular time and at 2:00 a.m. every morning I was wide awake and couldn't get back to sleep - I'd finally just get up.  After 4 months of this I went to my gyno for my check-up - tested my hormones and yup - menopause.  After looking at all the options - I decided to do hormone replacement.  I get the bio-identical replacement (not the stuff made for horse urine) and it has been like a re-birth!  Every 6 months I go and get a couple of little pellets inserted under my skin on my hip.  No pills to take and no cream to rub on every day.  I have wonderful energy, sleep well, and well there are a few other benefits (wink, wink).  I feel like I did 20 years ago.  I know that this isn't going to be the choice for everyone but I'm thrilled that I went this route.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Same with me....HRT made a huge difference in my quality of life during this time. It's not for everyone though...your doctor would have to evaluate the risks. Good luck....those sleepless nights are maddening.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sadly, it is possibly your new normal.  For me it was probably from around 47 to maybe 52.  I'm pretty much over it now except for the occasional night.  The best thing I ever figured out is I read an article that says if you have laid awake for more than 15 mins and aren't getting back to sleep, just get up for a little while and distract yourself and then go back to bed.  I've spent many nights at 2:00 am on the computer for an hour or so.

[Sandy]

I did indeed spend some time on the computer, and read a book for a while.  I think I fell asleep around 2 a.m.  Toby was happy to have me up.  :)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I read that to and it was right it really getting up for a little really did help that you weren't laying there all stressed out waiting to go back to sleep.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My friend swears by Sleepy Time Tea. Insomnia at my house is DK time :)

[Sandy]

Excellent.  I have some in the house.