Sleep disturbance root cause?

[spotmaker]

I routinely have sleep disturbances.  I typically fall asleep easily, wake up ~3AM, often sweaty, thrashy, noisy.  Sometimes I go back to sleep, sometimes I don't.  I don't feel bad during the day, maybe a little distracted.

I'm male, 50 yrs old, good health, 5'10", 170 lbs, no medication.  I changed jobs 1 year ago after enduring ~4 yrs of high stress w/ another employer (anger, frustration, worry).  Thoughts and emotions now much better.  I find the sleep problems can be triggered by stress, but also by high carbohydrate dinners, mild alcohol consumption, and anything requiring mental activity in the evening - e.g., reading, watching TV, etc.  I gave up caffiene 4 months ago after being a moderate coffee drinker for 25+ years.  I'm willing to admit the symptoms could be caused purely by anxiety, but is it possible there is also something metabolic/glandular going on?  If it would be worth checking, can you suggest what I should have checked?  Or any self-remedies (diet, etc.) I might try?  Thanks!

[tina999]

Before I started thyroid meds -with a TSH of 200- I noticed I slept very poorly with much more REM sleep and less deep sleep.   I also noticed a reverse effect of stimulants-something a lot of ADHD patients also report.   I would often drink a cup of coffee or take ritalin as it helped me sleep better.   I could drink three or four cups and sleep so well and deeply.   Now on thyroid treatment if I touch caffiene after six or so it will keep me awake till midnight.

I read a recent article which talked about sleep being a very delicate balance between several groups of neurons in your brain functioning effectively-like a see saw.    If you don't have enough energy getting to those cell groups then they can't inhibit other cell groups and let you sleep.

You end up too tired to sleep.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Does not sound like thyroid or other endocrine issue -- more likely to be a sleep hygeine issue -- ie avoid alcohol, stimulants (TV, reading, possible exercise for some) at night and think about the stress issues --- if those don't help talk to your doc about sleep advice and/or meds.

To screen for thyroid - check TSH, free T4 -- as well as the annual physical exam issues for a male aged 50.