Difficulty sleeping

I am suffering really bad insomnia. Up at 3am every morning and falling asleep while on the train or bus to work.  Struggling to stay awake at work.  I have tried various sleep medication, Brandy and working out but nothing working. Any advice? 

  • Hi Titch, and welcome, I went 18 months on 2 hours a night, the 2 things that helped me through it was a relaxation course at www.maggies.org as my insomnia, like most peoples came with anxiety which fed off each other, dragging you down, and the relaxation course helped to break this cycle, as did sleepio a NHS App, as finding the right daily routine was important for me, I now sleep 7ish hours most nights, PS, it took about 12 weeks from starting to get to where I was ok with the hours I slept, and a few more to where I was happy, best wishes

    Eddie

  • Hi Titch

    This must affect most of us. 3 am is definitely the prime time to wake and for demons to start invading our thoughts. The anxiety sets in and and stays gnawing away at my reason until I break it by getting up and starting the day. The rest of the day I muddle through in a haze with everything being an effort due to lack of sleep. I am tired anyway due to cancer treatment and insomnia just adds to this. I am fortunate that when I am working its just 4 hours a day. I'm off work right now whilst recovering from surgery but I'm not earning any money, which further adds to anxiety.

    I have tried alcohol before bedtime, its gets you off to a deep sleep quickly but still awaken 3am  to an unrefreshing sleep. I have tried topping up alcohol during the night and it does induce further sleep but again waking up feeling unrefreshed. I do not want to add alcoholism to my list of ailments.

    I think Eddie has found a good approach via relaxation techniques and think it is worth a try.

    Ed