Hello Ladies,

I'm new to the forum and I'm hoping I can get some support here. I'm 39 turning 40 in March.I was told I was Peri at the age of 34, I haven't had severe symptoms up to 3 months ago. I started having severe anxiety attacks, depression, Now I'm having severe insomnia. For the past three days I probably slept 6 hours. I didn't sleep at all tonight. I was diagnosed with an acute infection 5 months ago and my ND says that will also cause sleep problems. I have tried Melatonin but it doesn't work. I'm starting to get scared about the consequences of not sleeping. Please if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you Kindly.

Hi Tekisu - Welcome

I'm sorry you're suffering with insomnia...I have bouts of that myself. What kind of acute infection do you have? Maybe if that's cleared up you're insomnia will subside. What does the doctor say about it?

Hope to see you in the chat room.

Hugs,
Karen

Do you exercise?

3 things that really help insomnia.....if you keep at them:

1. daily exercise, even walking for an hour 3 times a week and a cardio type exercise once a week.
2. healthy eating, avoiding sugar, caffeine, alcohol for a while, eating plenty of oily fish, veggies and PROTEIN.
3. Yoga, meditation at nights.....not too much TV and NO computer after 7pm or so.

But most of all...take time for yourself and do relaxing.

Hope it helps!

I too have insomnia a couple nights a week but now and again get a full 8 hours...I have learned not to fret about it too much as I know it will eventually get better.

Caz

Dear Tekisui,

Welcome to Power Surge!

I have also had terrible trouble with insomnia and have chosen to take some medication to help with sleep. When I was not sleeping, I was so anxious that I simply could not handle simple tasks like making a cup of instant coffee. I don't know how you feel about medicines, but they work very well for me.

I wish I could give you other suggestions... Just please know that insomnia is one of the biggies of perimenopause and that you are not alone. Come often and post on the site. This a wonderful community of women. I don't know where I would be without all my dear Surge Sisters.

Best,
Marcy

Hello Karen,

Thank you for your response! My current bloodwork and the bloodwork from 5 months ago shows a raging infection that two Medical doctors missed. My ND doesn't know what the infection is only that at this point has to be treated with antimicrobials (similar to an antibiotic, it treats viral,bacterial and fungal infections) via IV for 3 days followed by 4 months of oral antimicrobials, I'm also extremely malnorished and that will need to be treated via IV twice a week! She feels that this infection has disrupted my sleep cycle severely. I guess I just need some kind of temporary relief until I can get the antimicrobials which should be early next week. Here's to hoping it works. I also have bouts insomnia before my period which I wasn't expecting so soon, but got a surprise this morning, so that could be part of the problem. Thank you for support and I hope that you can get some relief for your insomnia soon as well! Have a pleasant day and restful night!

Smiles,
Tekisui

Hi Caz,
Thanks for the tips :-) I actually live a pretty healthy life except for what you listed in#1 #3 I tend to stay on the computer until really late and watch TV more then I should. Entertainment here in Central Montana leads alot to be desired lol. I have been tested for Adrenal exhaustion and of course I'm plaqued with that too so exercise is difficult due to extreme fatigue. I think even if its just a few mintues, I will start doing something real soon. Thanks for all your support! I sincerely hope your insomnia improves soon as well!! Take Care!


Sincerely,
Tekisui

Greetings Marcy!

Sorry to here you are a fellow sufferer and thank you for your support it is greatly appreciated! I have been seriously entertaining the thought of taking medication, the reason I haven't is because I'm trying to deal with this as naturally as possible; however it is getting to the point of overwhelming! I too have difficulties preforming the smallest of tasks which is disturbing on its own lol.

I have been reading the posts on here and I'm so touched to see the support that is on this board, it's beautiful!!! I decided that I would finally post my problem and share in this gift. Thank you Marcy and all you fine ladies for your support, I hope to be of help someday too! Have a wonderful day Marcy and sleep sweet tonight! :-)

Tekisui,

Is your doctor a naturopath and is he/she treating your adrenal exhaustion (ie. supplements that support the adrenals)? I know how you feel, because I went through a really bad spell of insomnia, depression and anxiety on Dec. 2005, better now with bioidentical hormones, adrenal supplements and other supplements as well. What kind of melatonin did you try? I have used the time release melatonin at 2.5 mg dose, also Advil PM (2 capsules ) really work for me. In Dec. 2005 though, honestly nothing really helped until the hormones and supplements kicked in.

Plumeria

Hi Teskiui,

I go threw bouts of severe insomnia myself and when this happens I take perscription ambien it works so well no groggy after effects just restful sleep.I only take it when I need it..it so so much better than being sleep deprived and on pins and needles. I wish you the best on finding the right thing for you.

Pamela

Hello Plumeria,

Thanks for your support :-) How long was your bout with insomnia and how many hours of sleep were you averaging a week? How old are you? I do have a Naturopathic doctor, I was taking 9 mgs of Melatonin (regular) and it didn't touch me. I placed a call to her today and she suggested I take 20 mg of sublingual Melatonin, due to the fact I have adrenal exhaustion and an acute infection amongst other conditions that have severly disrupted my sleep cycle. If after three days at that dosage I still have not received the desired effect (which is sleep) the maximum to be taken is 40 mg not only does Melatonin regulate your sleep cycle but it also helps with fibrocystic breast which is a condition I have as well. So I will try that this evening and see if that helps. Be careful about taking Advil for an extended period of time as it could really make your Liver toxic. I used to be hooked on Benadryl to help with my sinus congestion and for sleep, needless to say the affects on my liver weren't good.

What kind of hormones are you taking? Synthetic or Natural? Are you on liquid extracts for your adrenals? Here's for hoping everyone sleeps well tonight!! Have a great night!

Sincerely,

Tekisui

Hi There Pamela!

Thanks for you writing, I appreciate all you ladies ! You gals are great :-) Pamela, I have entertained taking a sleep aid but due to an already toxic Liver it's not the most viable option for me :-( I'm so happy you found something that works! It seems that most people have to go thru several different meds to find the right one. Your right about the pins and needles feeling it really s*cks! Can't wait to have a peaceful sleep :-) I'm going to try the recommended dosage of Melatonin that my Naturopath prescribed today and see it that makes a difference. I'll keep you ladies posted on my results! Here's to you ladies!!

Smiles.

Tekisui

One thing that does really help me about 70-80% of the time is taking 1000 mg of vitamin C. It works well for my husband also when he has trouble getting to sleep. the reason it is effective is that it helps the body clear out the stress hormone cortisol, elevated levels of which keep people awake. I think anyone who is experiencing panic and anxiety and stress is very likely to have above normal levels of cortisol in the blood.


Timing: Every "night", I awaken around 3-4 am, if not earlier, for a bathroom trip. If I can't fall back to sleep because of feelings of anxiety - something which happens quite often - I take the vitamin C. I f I don't take any, I will definitely not get back to sleep. If I do take the 1000 mg, then almost always I do drop off again eventually. It takes about 40 min or so to experience some calming from it. Sometimes I also take a gram at bedtime. All depends on how jittery I am feeling.

In your case, it is well worth a try since I just googled"vitamin C" and "liver" together and came across this:

"The liver has a better chance of detoxifying the blood stream of poisons, toxins, viruses and bacteria if the plasma is saturated with Vitamin C."

You may be able to help yourself in two ways.

tt

tekisui,

I only take Advil PM 3 or at most 5 times a month and only when I know that sleep will be a problem, usually when I've had a stressful day. Though melatonin is produced naturally in our body, you should also be careful about taking too much.

I am 50 years old but symptoms started around 46. In Dec. 2005 I had a very bad spell with insomnia, depression and anxiety and in the course of 2 weeks, I was lucky to have slept 5 hours total, had very high anxiety and lost 10 lbs in two weeks.

Besides the melatonin, is your naturopath suggesting other supplements to support your adrenals?

The reason our adrenal need support while we are going through peri is that the adrenal compensates for some of the reproductive hormones that we are losing. Anyway, my doctor started me of on
rhodiola and then added 50 mg (time release pregnenalone) to help support the adrenals.

Take care and let us know how you do with the melatonin.

Plumeria

I also have found that taking vitamin C has helped tremendously with my anxiety. I might add that magnesium at bedtime is a helpful sleeping aid. Also, when my adrenals need a jump start, I drink a glass of salt water in the morning. Best of luck.

I see there have been no new posts on this topic for a while. I must admit that Insomnia must be the worst symptom I have experienced so far. It is so debilitating and then you worry that you are not sleeping and that only makes it worse. I have discovered a few things that adversely the amount of sleep I get in a night and have changed a few things. I don't have coffee or chocolate after about 5pm. If I read when I go to bed, I tend to read something a bit mindless. If I have to concentrate too much, my brain seems to just keep working when I want to sleep. I have started wearing an eye mask, like the ones you get on planes. And I have covered the digital clock face. I find that when I do wake if there is ambient light in the room, it is more difficult to get back to sleep. And it is very frustrating when you wake to glance over at the clock and find you have been asleep for about an hour, or just woke up again after a ten minute sleep. With the clock covered, I am not tempted to look at the time, and of course with the eye mask, I can't see it anyway. I do take sleeping medication about once a week, just so I get one long sleep. Usually I get bursts of about three hours, wake up, then back to sleep. It is better but I wonder if I will get a full restful, beautiful sleep again. I also take some herbal sleeping preparations too. If anyone has any other suggestion, please add them. Sweet dreams eveyrone.

I'm on a particularly bad sleep week....only getting maybe 3-5 hours then waking and tossing, getting hot, turning, and just mind racing stuff...it's HORRIBLE...and I want it to be over with...if only I knew which magic button to press on the back of me to make it all better....this has got to be my WORST symptom.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!

Caz

Hello Caz,

Sorry to hear your having such a hard time! I know what you mean I was getting 2 hours a night and I felt like a nervous wreck, couldn't function, very frustrating! The mind racing is the worst, just endless chatter about nothing!!!I spoke with my ND about it and she suggested I take 20 mgs of sublingual Melatonin. I have been doing it ever since my first post. It took awhile to work but the last few days I go to sleep a little faster and sleep a bit better at night. I still wake up several times but normally I can go back to sleep easily. I also noticed I'm dreaming more which means I may be sleeping a bit deeper. It may be worth a try for you nut I have to warn you it takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system. I'm hoping that one day I fall asleep and can sleep 8 full hours or more:-) I'm getting about 4 hours now, which is somewhat of an improvement!Have a great night and sleep deep :-)

I'm sick of this symptom, too. I've tried just about everything to get a good night's sleep, including magnesium and having adrenal support. I do need to try the yoga/tai chi thing to relax in the evening, rather than TV or computer. That's about the only thing I haven't got round to trying.

Hubby ordered me some sub-lingual Melatonin and I started taking that only last night, so I will see how that goes. Melatonin has not done anything for me in the past, but maybe I didn't give it a fair trial. Although, as my H says, if you can take it for jet-lag, it really ought to work straight away.

Tekisui and Diane...

We're sister's in this hell!......

I am going to bed early and staying in bed as late as I can (especially as daughter is off school) last night was from 10:15pm to 8:15am, it felt like I didn't get off to sleep at all deeply and I really can't say I felt like I had any real sleep as I was awake constantly and hot and my mind wouldn't switch off....although I did dream a little, but I don't think that counts as good sleep as you can have a 20 second dream, right?

I am on day 12 of the 20mg a day sublingual B12 (with folic acid) and haven't had any noticable effects, and am due to go back to my alternative wellness Dr. next Wednesday to see how I'm doing....OBVIOUSLY I AM NOT DOING VERY WELL!!!!....................................OK, OK, I know I must calm down..........!!!!!

I really must add a POSITIVE note: since I went to see him 12 days ago.... my stomach has pretty much stopped gurgling, bloating and whining, because he told me I have to stay off the gluten as my gut's 'vili' is
being destroyed by eating the gluten (it is toxic to my intestinal mucosa)....so I have, even though It's SO HARD to not eat anything with wheat, barley, rye, oats.....it seems to be paying off though.

He told me I have to stay off gluten for 3-4 months to heal my intestines, then I may be able to re-introduce some slowly. (I am also staying off dairy as that also upsets my tummy....also very hard to do!).

I too, am not patient enough to see results after trying something new, I realise some things take time to show results and he even said that healing would be slow and not really very noticeable on a day to day basis, so patience I must have!

Thanks for the suggestion of sublingual melatonin, but I think I will wait until I've seen the Dr. again before I give up on his regime.

Any other advice is always welcome though!

Caz

Just thought I'd add - my Melatonin is only 3mg. I have only ever taken 1mg before. I can't imagine having to take 20mg!

Strangely, I noticed the other week that I had a dream, having not done so for quite some time. I wondered if that was a sign that things were getting better. Also, I used to frequently wake up laying on my arm, which was by then quite dead and had to be dangled over the side of the bed to get the blood flowing again. Since this insomnia arrived, that hasn't happened - until the week that I had the dream! Neither has happened again since that week.