Beauty

[fitnessfreak]

...and making me look/feel haggard and drawn.

I guess since I have gotten older, I realize that "time is short" (relatively speaking) and so I rarely sleep more than 3-4 hours in a stretch w/ a catnap during the day. (why waste what years are left w/sleeping) heh

And yes--I have tried all the usual recs. w/no success. Too many to list but you all can probably list them yourselves! I can't even remember sleeping 6-8hrs. in a stretch.

I am really just venting and want to hear if others are noticing this happening to them as they have gotten older.

On one hand--less sleep means more (so-called) "active" hours--but due to lack of sleep, I am dragging around, heavy-lidded and hollow-eyed.

Not looking for solutions--please tell me I am not alone!>?

[goodtobetink]

Sadly your not alone! I wish I could sleep like a baby, and yes, I too have tried everything!

[RedLipstick]

I understand completely. Yes, I feel my age is a part of my not getting enough sleep or even falling asleep. Last night it was 3 a.m. before I finally nodded off. It seems as though I can be sitting here sleepy and yet when I go to bed I'm wide awake. I know it is affecting my health as well, but the solutions of Rx's just do not appeal to me and know some who take them every night. That worries me.......so I am just going to try not to worry about it or try and go to bed a few minutes earlier and try and work my way to a complete 8 hours. Boy, that sure would be nice. I know if I am run down I feel I am not my best and I'm not,. Also, I seem to come down with allergies easier and many other things health wise. Sometimes I wonder when I have gotten up and feel fresh. I know I have when I was younger but not now. Hoping for better days.

[Mindy D]

I felt so physically I will when I stopped being able to sleep at all. My skin became covered with wrinkles that are odd-looking, and appear more like crinkled plastic wrap, the skin became ultra-thin, I lost all the hair on my hands, arms, under arms, legs. The hair on my head became grey in just two months and had a strange wirey texture. I had no saliva and the driest mouth on earth. My eyes became so dry the lids stuck. I was unable to think straight, concentrate or organize. I urge you to have complete checkup by an endocrinologist. Check fit vitamin D levels, thyroid, adrenal function and every other metabolic issue. You can also see a sleep specialist. Some tips to help; lower inside temperature about an hour before bed, make room dark, use a sleep mask if you like, try using YouTube and listening to rain sounds on your phone--this is relaxing but point phone away from face. Use a light bulb designed for people with Light Affective Disorder when you wake up to help set your circadian rhythm. If you take melatonin, studies show that only a very low dose is effective. For me, I had no saliva, do I couldn't use the sublingual kind because it never dissolved. Try to have only one place you sleep in and don't use it for anything else. Psychiatrists and doctors at sleep clinics can write prescriptions. Oh and I failed to mention that I had twitches in my fingers and toes from this. Insomnia is also a symptom of depression as well as coming with aging and hormonal changes. I have problems with memory for words now because of it. My insomnia was associated with another medical problem and as the medicine finally began to work for my other medical problem, I finally started sleeping. I was shaking from the insomnia. I was so sick I thought I could die. If you are only getting four hours without any other nap time, this can have adverse effects on your health. I hope you try to get professional help to solve your problem. My problem was resistant to the specialists' suggestions and took over a year to begin to subside. Good luck and don't take this lightly.

[fitnessfreak]

...thanks so much for the responses...

I also attribute this years-long problem to aging and stress...but perhaps a more thorough once-over w/a doctor is what I really need....thank you.....

Does anyone happen to know if women get insomnia more often than men? or is it that men don't talk about it...or it doesn't last as long?

I am sure there are real ""stats."" on this...but anecdotal evidence is enough for me! heh

[maestra]

Lunesta Rx from your MD. non habit forming or addictive. I had to take this during chemo (Ambien made me hallucinate) due to neurological side effects of the chemo drugs. Sleep is very important and the medical profession (including psychiatry) is just scratching the tip of the iceburg as to it's benefits.

[virgosun]

I have struggled for years with insomnia. I just could not fall asleep for hours but then I would stay asleep. I have taken prescription meds to sleep but my Dr does not like patients being on them endlessly. After much trial and error I have found something very helpful that you can get at your health food store or online at drugstore.com. It's Sleep Optimizer by Jarrow. It is a natural formula (valerian,L-tryptophan,hops,lemon balm Gaba,) and a very small amount (.03) of melatonin. You can take 1 or 2 caps before bedtime and it really helps you fall asleep. I wouldn't be without it. I tried taking regular strength melatonin but it made me feel groggy the next day. This small amount works for me but has no after effects. This may not be the answer for you but it has been an excellent product for me.

[Katcat1]

You may want to speak to your primary care doctor. You may be able to take an antidepressant to help you out, that is, if you are open to taking medication. It would be better than additive drugs. Since I quit smoking, I can sleep 8 to 10 hours. It is usually 8 hours.

[ChynnaBlue]

I hope you're not driving. If you are, you are putting yourself and others at risk. Please do something about it.

[goodstuff]

I hear complaints about poor sleep from many, many women -- particularly as we get older. I've definitely noticed a decline in sleep habits post-menopause. If you're retired and can make your own schedule, you can stop worrying about it and take a nap during the day. If you have to keep a professional schedule and meet work challenges through a long day, it may be time to talk with your doctor about a sleep aid. Medications like Ambien and Lunestra help many people.