Do you sleep through the night?

[jellyben]

When I sleep for a solid 5 or 6 hours a night, that is a big deal. Normally, I wake up every hour or 2, maybe for just a minute, maybe I will be up for 30-60 minutes. And sometimes I seem to be in a half sleep. I feel pretty good during the day so I must not be losing too much, but it sure would be nice to sleep through the night!

So what could the culprit be? I excercise a few days a week. But I do watch TV in bed, and I usually have a soda with dinner or before bed. It doesn't stop me from falling asleep but I guess they could stop me from staying asleep?

So how many solid hours do you sleep?

[zoey55]

I wake up every nite at 2:35am, almost on the DOT. Part of my issue is I drink so much water, all through the evening! About 50% of the time I go right back to sleep, other times it takes quite a while to fall back asleep. I'm suspecting my problem may be related to the other 'how old are you thread', I've read this can be related to menopause.

[Chefzhat]

Nope. Haven't in years. :( Wish I could fix that. When things get really, really bad I take a sleeping pill for a couple of nights and get caught up. Otherwise I do pretty well on 5-6 hours per night.

[Valerie226]

since menopause I've had more sleep problems. I had huge sleep problems til I went on hormone replacement. I'm still on it but much reduced dose, but the sleep issues were so awful there truly was no other choice. we go to bed very early & get up very early, and I always need to pee around 1 am. Not enough time since dinner to process fluid. occasionally I have trouble getting back to sleep after that. I am very sensitive to caffeine and get almost none. Most soda has caffeine so you might switch to decaf soda & see if there's a difference. I had trouble sleeping if I had coffee at lunch and have since gone totally decaf. In fact, I have decaf coffee and only in the morning now. I exercise no later than mid day if possible. If we do something strenuous like a long hike I have trouble sleeping too. You might try keeping a log for a few weeks to see if there's a pattern to it.

[KristiB]

I sleep 7 hours. The only time I wake up is if I had alchohol or if the cat is being a brat. That doesn't happen very often.

I stop drinking water an hour or so before going to sleep and don't watch TV in bed.

[cumulus]

I'm generally in bed 7 hours a night, but wake up 3-4 times for about 5 minutes each. Usually it's too pee, but more often I just can't stay asleep.

Part of the culprit for me is having to work rotating shifts, so I'm unable to develop a regular sleep pattern and often have to attempt to sleep at otherwise strange times of day.

If I were you'd, I'd cut out the evening soda. Worth a shot at least!

[Robyn1007]

Yes, I'd cut out the soda. Also, look at any meds you are taking. I was on an anti-depressant when I was waking up around 3am and not getting back to sleep. I finally weened myself off of that and haven't had nearly the problem as before but find that if I drink too much in the evening I have to get up to pee during the night. When lying there awake are you thinking of anything? If you are thinking about things that you need to remember to do it may help to start keeping a pad of paper and pen by your bed so you can jot them down and then you won't be worrying about remembering them.

[tamawrite]

I usually sleep 7 or 8 hours straight...unless my dog wakes me up trying to sneak downstairs to sleep on the sofa. :mad: :rolleyes: :D I do drink a glass of wine most evenings, so I often have to get up in the night, but I go right back to sleep so it doesn't bother me.

In your case, I think the soda could indeed be the cause. Can you try going without for a week or two to see if it makes a difference?

[vbak]

I wake every night sometimes as early as 11:00 p.m. I am half asleep the rest of the night like last night. If I take an excedrin p.m. I will still wake, but I go right back to sleep. It's the pits.

[RunnerKim]

I don't think I've had a non-interupted night of sleep since I was pregnant with my first child. Even once they were sleeping through the night I've never gone back to sleeping solidly. I'll often get up to pee at least once and it's not unusual to wake up (and normally fall right back asleep) another time.

When I'm camping I try really hard to not drink anything in the evening because I HATE getting out of the tent at night to go the bathroom but I almost always have to (more I think because I often wake up while sleeping on the ground and then I start to fret about having to get up and go to the bathroom and the more I think about it the more my body says it needs to go).

I thought I'd read something about watching tv in bed and sleep quality - but maybe that was for kids (and a tv in the room). If you're trying to get back to solid sleep I'd do a trial run of no TV or soda at dinner for a month and see what happens with your sleep. (Or maybe do one of the two things at a time to see if one is more responsible than the other).

Kim

[springsgourmet9]

I really need 7 hours a night and usually sleep good since I'm working out every day now. Sometimes I wake up at 3:30 or 4 and feel rested and can't get back to sleep so I just leave early for the gym (open 24 hrs). Whenever I don't get enough sleep I just take one of those tiny white pills, does it everytime. I think its .5 mg valium. I am very tired after 9 pm though and don't stay up as late as I used to.

[Davey]

I usually only get about 5 hours. I have some problems staying asleep, I always feel like I'm missing something.

[TKay]

I rarely sleep through the night. If I do, it's with the assistance of a sleep aid. But I hate to take something every night. If I haven't slept well in a while, I'll take one to try and get back on track.
If you don't want to cut out the soda, can you at least drink one that's de-caf and see if that helps? I can really tell if I've had caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. I can usually get to sleep, but then my rest is fitful after that.
Good luck. Being sleepless is just rotten.

[mbrogier]

I haven't slept through the night in years. I get up to go to the bathroom at least once if not 2-3 times through a normal night. I was sleeping so horridly that my doctors tried several sleep aids, and we finally found that Ambien 6.5 mg works great for me. I can sleep 5-6 hours without waking up, and I still feel sleepy enough to go back to bed for a couple more hours.

I do still have to be careful about not drinking soda too late in the day (I stay away from it anyway because it's not good for my fibro or menopause which is causing my insomnia)

I also don't drink coffee late in the afternoon or evening--even decaf.

[Kathy B]

Here's a pretty good article on sleep problems and solutions...


Sleep Tips (http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aging.htm)

In addition, I've also heard that you should not use your bedroom for activities other than sleep or sex. Also, that you should not watch TV or use the computer within an hour or so of bedtime, not only to do with the stimulation, but also something about the LIGHT they produce interfering with the brain's sleep center or something like that.

[MNGirlTX]

In addition, I've also heard that you should not use your bedroom for activities other than sleep or sex. Also, that you should not watch TV or use the computer within an hour or so of bedtime, not only to do with the stimulation, but also something about the LIGHT they produce interfering with the brain's sleep center or something like that.

I have also heard this...your brain needs to realize that this is the room for sleeping, I think. Do you read? Try turning off the TV even 30 minutes earlier than usual and use that time to unwind and relax by reading.

I don't usually sleep through the night because I drink water almost right up to bedtime, so I have to get up to pee. I also have 2 cats who don't want me to sleep if they aren't sleeping :rolleyes: .

[Robyncz]

I sympathize!

I go through periods where I sleep pretty well, but then I'll have phases where I'll wake up at the EXACT same time several nights in a row. Like 11:47 or something. I am a pretty "active" sleeper. I talk in my sleep and sometimes sleepwalk, as well, so it may be related, but I'll start to believe that something's "going on" that is waking me up at the exact same time. Like "they" are in my house "again" (who "they" are, I couldn't tell you). Once I'm fully awake, I realize that it's all my imagination, but there are always a couple of minutes that are completely disconcerting.

Does that happen to anyone else?

[mgs]

I wake up to us the bathroom at least once a night. Sometimes 3-4x. I usually fall right back to sleep. I swear sometimes only sorta wake up to go to the bathroom..

If I sleep through I wake up in the morning totally confused by the clock! And then my immediate thought is I must not have had very much water to drink yesterday! :rolleyes:

[jellyben]

I am surprised how many people have this problem! I keep saying I will move the TV out of the bedroom, or give up caffeine, but I guess the restless nights don't bother me that much!

[EllenL]

They say that misery loves company, and I guess that's true because it sort of is a relief to hear that other people have problems sleeping. It strikes me as being interesting that no one actually mentioned the word "insomnia" but just difficulty staying asleep. I'll 'fess up to it: Hello, my name is Ellen, and I'm an insomniac (I even posted a thread on it here a few weeks ago).

I've never been a good sleeper, even as a kid. I'd be up at 7 and waiting for friends to wake up (I wasn't allowed to call them until 9 a.m.). College was 30 years ago, but I'm still in awe of a roommate who could sleep through fire drills! I've never overslept in my life. I usually wake up before the alarm clock.

This year, I had two major life events: retirement and menopause. Both have caused my sleep to be even worse. When I was working, I was so tired that I fell asleep fairly readily, although I still woke up during the night.

People who have sleep studies done are often told that they have a low sleep efficacy---like 55%, meaning that they are awake 45% of the night! I think I would hate to know mine.

And I'm a member of the multiple nighttime bathroom trip club. I won't drink anything after 8, will go to the BR right before bedttime at 12, and I still wake up EVERY night at 1 to go! And sometimes everal times throughout the night. Ads for bladder control drugs suggest that there's a problem if you go more than 8 times a day or more than once a night. Obviously, according to them, I have a problem...but I'm not sure I want to take drugs for it.

What is currently helping me fall asleep initially and then back to sleep after the BR visits is a melatonin tablet and an antihistamine an hour before bedtime.

I actually feel okay getting the amount of sleep I get (in bed for 7 hours but asleep 5 to 6), but sometimes I wonder if I'd feel even better if I got more sleep. Has anyone consulted a doctor about sleep/nightly bathroom issues?

[LakeMartinGal]

I have always slept like a rock for 7 to 8 hours. Now, however, I awake at ~3a.m. every night, and sometimes earlier! DH is a restless sleeper with apnea, and I think I awake when he gets up or comes back to bed! Sometimes, if I'm thinking about something I can't go to sleep, so I come up to the computer and play mindless games until I'm sleepy, or talk to someone here! Very frustrating!

[MaryMac]

Funny, I just visited the doctor today for my physical and we discussed this very thing. I do wake often and I have a pain in my hip which actually causes me to wake up during the night. The biggest problem is that my husband gets up at 4:00 am every day for work. Many mornings I wake up when his alarm goes off and can't get back to sleep so I watch Tivo for a while until I can fall back asleep. Also, about 10 days before "Flo" comes I'm lucky if I sleep two hours without waking.

My doctor suggested that I try using Advil PM for the pain and it will also help me sleep. She said it was non-addicting and has some Benadryl in it to help with sleep. She also suggested ear plugs to keep me from hearing all of those little noises that can wake you up as I'm a light sleeper. Before I had kids I could sleep all night and be startled when the alarm went off....not anymore!

All I'm looking for is a good nights sleep. I'm trying the Advil tonight.

[jellyben]

My doctor suggested that I try using Advil PM for the pain and it will also help me sleep.

Every few weeks when I am in the mood for a solid night's sleep, I will take some Tylenol PM. It does the trick-I will sleep for 5 hours or so, and if I do wake up I go right back. But I find if I take it more than 2 night's in a row, then it loses its effectiveness. So I must ration myself!

[BeachBum]

I don't sleep through the night either. I have no problem falling asleep, but I wake up and worry about ridiculous things. It is so bothersome.
My husband snores and I end up dwelling on how annoying that is and it gets my mind going. I've been this way most of my life so I don't think it relates to caffine or alcohol but I'm not sure as I have never monitored those habits.

[bobmark226]

It's 4 AM. Where is everybody? ;)

Bob

[HejazSunKat]

It's 4 AM. Where is everybody? ;)

Bob

Apparently you're awake between bathroom runs. :D ;)

[bobmark226]

Apparently you're awake between bathroom runs. :D ;)

Actually, Linda, some Godzilla like sounds entered my dream, finally waking me, only to find it was Lucky having a legs-waving-in-the-air, on-his-back roll while emitting creature sounds, right next to my bed :rolleyes:

I will admit to bathroom runs a-plenty, though.

Bob

[Max Sutton]

I usually wake up around 2 AM for a "potty break".

[Rae]

I sympathize!

I go through periods where I sleep pretty well, but then I'll have phases where I'll wake up at the EXACT same time several nights in a row. Like 11:47 or something. I am a pretty "active" sleeper. I talk in my sleep and sometimes sleepwalk, as well, so it may be related, but I'll start to believe that something's "going on" that is waking me up at the exact same time. Like "they" are in my house "again" (who "they" are, I couldn't tell you). Once I'm fully awake, I realize that it's all my imagination, but there are always a couple of minutes that are completely disconcerting.

Does that happen to anyone else?

YES! In my case though I usually think that my bedroom door is open and people are walking by it, as if there is a public sidewalk going past my bedroom door. So, I cover myself up before waking completely and realizing my bedroom door is closed and of course, no one is walking in the hallway. This has been happening to me for about eight years and started when I moved to a new city. I thought it was something about the apartment I was living in (people walking around upstairs) but it has continued in the next two places I've lived as well, so I really don't know what is causing it. If I had to guess, I'd say it happens more in times of very high stress.

My sleep problems have more to do with falling asleep, than staying asleep.

[MusicMom]

I don't sleep through the night either. I have no problem falling asleep, but I wake up and worry about ridiculous things. It is so bothersome.
My husband snores and I end up dwelling on how annoying that is and it gets my mind going.

Ditto and ditto. It takes me about 2 minutes to fall asleep, but I sometimes wake up thinking about things to worry about. Then if DH is snoring, it's even worse. Those are the nights when I go to the sofa or spare bedroom.

Plus, there is always the nightly trip to the bathroom.

[hollysmom]

I either hear the cat crying or Robin talking in her sleep since she is right next door. Usually about 30 minutes before I have to get up! I would love to sleep an uninterrupted 8 hours - but that takes Port, Benadryl, or similar and I will only do that when Scott is home.

SSM

[barbara-cook]

I'm in the same boat. My husband I usually head for bed about 9:30 and we'll read for about an hour. I take my pre-sleep trip to the bathroom and then I usually fall right to sleep (unless he's already snoring!). We have a fan in our room for "white noise" otherwise neither of us would sleep. I have tinitis in my right ear so that sound of my own pulse would keep me awake!

I usually am awake again about 12:30 for another bathroom run and if something comes into my mind (like some stupid song my son was listening to that night - curses on you, Nickleback!), I'll be awake for some time. Or if I have some new work project coming up, I'll lay awake and think about that for about an hour.

Lately I've been waking up about an hour before the alarm goes off. I'll fall back to sleep, into a deep sleep and about jump out of my skin when the alarm does go off.

I think it does have something to do with menopause-which I'm going through. The ocassional hot flash will wake me up and make me toss the covers off. Then I'll wake up again because I'm cold! I usually only have one cup of regular tea in the morning and then decaf stuff the rest of the day. Unless I have some huge gardening project to get through, then I might have a regular Coke around noon. But I'm out there getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, so my body is pretty tired by 10:30. I, too, am an Advil PM taker (not every night, but about 3X a week). I only take one because if I take two, then I feel foggy for hours after I wake up.

But it seems like none of us have trouble FALLING asleep, it's the staying asleep that is out of reach. It is a small comfort to know that we're not alone!

[badunnin]

No, not a chance lately. Nightmares, every night these days.

[bobmark226]

No, not a chance lately. Nightmares, every night these days.

I was raised to believe that is because you didn't say your prayers.

Bob
(This needs an emoticon. I have no idea which.)

[badunnin]

I was raised to believe that is because you didn't say your prayers.

Bob
(This needs an emoticon. I have no idea which.)

;) The wink isn't quite enough, is it. :)

[Jessnc]

I have a tendency to wake up around 2am most nights, but that is usually due to itchy legs. Me and my allergies...

I've been taking Benadryl the past few nights to take care of that. It's working, but it leaves me tired well past the time I wake up. I usually don't have a problem falling asleep though.