How to get back to being able to sleep

[Backinbusiness1]

I'm 46 and about 3-4 weeks ago I started to feel suffocated every time i lay down at anytime day or night!!! I haven't slept but an hour here and there..it's horrible. I have a lot of stress but always have. Any ideas would help..just reading that others have felt this has been nice knowing I'm not so alone while my husband sleeps good every night.

[judithmhol]

You are definitely not alone!  There are 100’s of thousands of us awake together every night. I do have a thought though...nothing earth shattering.  When I see my doctor next time I am going to insist that she prescribe something mild for me to help me sleep.  I really can’t take it anymore.  My life has become ruled by whether I have gotten any sleep the night before.  I don’t make any plans during the day before 1pm.  Never know if I will be functional. I have a lot of digestion all problems from anxiety due to lack of sleep.  I guess I figure that the toll this is taking on my mental and physical self has got to be worse than a controlled substance once nightly.  so there you have it.

[Backinbusiness1]

Yes, debilitating is the perfect word for how this feels. I just saw my pcp  yesterday and was given lyrica. Fingers crossed ..this is a build up medication so  have to wait to see if helps. Will let you all know for sure. Helps not feeling so alone :)

[AnxiousNoMore]

The med is for pain? You listed a feeling of suffocation before, however I am unsure exactly what you meant by that - is the med intended to deal with that?

I wake up after 4 hours and had a problem relaxing enough to get back to sleep before. I read a few books and got some ideas such as focusing on something that doesn't require planning. I used to focus on my investments that I hope to get rich on but didn't realize that speeds me up, so I switched to my wall climbing route and it works fine. I focus on every muscle used to make a certain move from the feet all the way to the fingers, and if I do it slowly enough my sleepiness overcomes me and I am asleep quickly.

[flipper336]

If you have not already done so,  try taking 2 melatonin ( you can get some at almost any store.) Then try to sleep in a reclining chair.

[AnxiousNoMore]

Melatonin works for some but not for others. If melatonin for sleep isn’t helping after a week or two, stop using it. And if your sleep problems continue, talk with your health care provider. If melatonin does seem to help, it’s safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months.
Here is a good sideshow that lists the basics on sleep issues.
https://www.medhelp.org/healthy-living/slideshows/Secrets-to-a-Better-Nights-Sleep/58

[judithmhol]

I have not had any luck with Melatonin.  How I wish I had. Sleeplessness is a tormenting and debilitating health issue.  I sound like “Debbie downer”. Sorry

[Backinbusiness1]

Melatonin didn't help for me either  in fact I didn't feel anything when I took it ...not a Debbie downer lol it just does t work for all of us.

[Backinbusiness1]

Thank you for the link @anxiousnomore :)