Women and Insomnia
 

The more women our age that I talk to tell me that they, like me, have trouble sleeping. I thought this might be a good place to share our challenges and our successes with insomnia. Trouble falling asleep? Waking up at 2-3 am? found anything that helps?
Since this is a problem for so many of us at this age, I wonder if it is hormonal (or lack thereof). Thoughts?

Part of life’s changes and going thru changes.

Have you tried melatonin natural sleep aid?

When I wake I remember that I’m retired and don’t have to be sharp and can take a nap the next day!

I sleep like a baby in this cold weather, but don't sleep well in the summer when it is very hot, even with the AC. Nothing wakes my husband - nothing!

I should add that I have to be very careful what I watch on TV before going to bed. If I watch something that bothers me I do have a hard time sleeping.

Insomnia....my middle name.

Do you stay in bed or do you get up and do things?

i have tried both getting up & staying in bed & reading. tried melatonin too. nothing has worked so far.

Has anyone tried Valerian? It is an herbal remedy.

Comes in pill form or in a tea. For those with chronic insomnia most over the counter does not seem to work well.

My sleep patterns i inherent from Grandparents and parents, as I require very little sleep. We rem almost immediately for around 4 hours. Never feel tired. After 4ish hours of sleep off to the gym for couple of hours, then on to 10 hour shift, then relax with yoga or meditation class before heading home. My grandparents lived healthy lives until late 90s, and both my parents are very active at 87. Sleep clinics do not classify us as insomniac, just a solid rem sleeper

I agree. I like snuggling under blankets. And I try to watch HGTV at night before sleep.

I am chiming in as a male, cause i am a light sleeper, the above post mentions the cool weather. I don't think that's it. The sun comes up earlier in the summer. I feel lack of sleep is due to bright rooms. I put aluminum foil on my windows...pitch black room. Plus it keeps the aliens away. Bill

Since 1986 I have been taking Zolpidem (generic for Ambien). Since I am now 77 and have been taking it for so long that the doctors say there is no point in my quitting it. So I sleep happily. My sister, on the other hand, is unable to get this Rx: the Canadian health care system is really very strict about prescribing such meds. So she tried OTC one by one and none of those so-called herbal remedies help. I suspect she drinks enough to get drunk so she can fall asleep drunk.

I have tried Valerian and other herbs too. No luck.

:laugh:

Same thing for me when it comes to books.

My PCP here in TV suggested that I try "Aletril". It is an over the counter sleep aid that contains:
1. Valerian
2. Melatonin
3. L Tryptophan (the chemical in Turkey that is credited with the mandatory Thanksgiving Day nap)

It has helped me decrease the amount of prescription sleep meds that I require. She told me that some of her patients have been able to get off of Ambien by using it. I have not had that much success thus far, but decreasing any Rx sleep meds is a plus as far as I am concerned.

I know I have the typical age/hormone related sleep problems, but I also as a RN, I worked 12 hr night shifts for 30 yrs. Soooo.....I may never be able to have a normal sleep pattern.

If i could go to bed at 3 am and get up a 10 am, I would be just fine. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't really like that schedule. Normal sleep is a constant challenge for me.