r/insomnia • u/fredonia4 • 1d ago
How can I stop waking up middle of the night?
As with others on this sub, I can't sleep. I've had chronic insomnia for decades. I've had it almost every night for a month now. I see a psychiatrist and am on meds. I keep waking up in the middle of the night. I'm beyond exhausted. Any ideas on what I can do?
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u/Vcr2017 1d ago
The $64,000 question. Or waking too early, like 4:30am.
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u/Immediate-Clerk-9651 8h ago
It could be HISTAMINES, or if you're a guy, it could also be prostate!
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u/Awkward-Mix7160 21h ago
We’re all asking this. That’s why we’re here. Falling asleep will happen for me after a few hours but waking up after 11 min scared is the worst.
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u/passytroca 11h ago
I go through phases of waking up early. I break the phases by using trazodone. I ve tried all supplements that have any effect on sleep. They help a bit but not significantly.
The following help a bit and have solid scientific backing
L Theanine
Jujube extract
Valerian root
Magnesium
Regular 12 min meditation
But nothing replaces Trazodone. Another advantage is that it doesn’t disrupt the sleep architecture. It is not addictive. It has a good safety profile compared to other sleeping pills.
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u/OkNeedleworker8554 8h ago
I've tried trazodone and from what I've read people develop a tolerance quickly, and it doesn't work very consistently. It may not be addictive, but I think the same dose stops working rather quickly compared to other sleep meds. I take it maybe once every week when I feel extra alert at bedtime, and it works, but I wonder if I took it every night if the same would be true.
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u/Public-Philosophy580 1d ago
With I could help you because it would help me. I’m in the boat as you.
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u/Nunc-dimittis 1d ago
I don't have much time now, but maybe reading this (https://www.reddit.com/r/insomnia/s/JjAnu3yE86) could be relevant for your situation?
Links to some other comments of mine about battling an overactive brain
https://www.reddit.com/r/insomnia/s/TbBWDvMMDQ https://www.reddit.com/r/insomnia/s/17aKgzbBFV https://www.reddit.com/r/insomnia/s/bc4RBBvRYF
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u/polika77 1d ago
Chronic insomnia can really wear you down, especially when you're waking up in the middle of the night. It's essential to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine. Try using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to ease into sleep. You might also find that transdermal patches, like Nectar, can be a gentle way to help improve your sleep quality, as they provide nutrients that support relaxation without the harsh side effects of oral medications.
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u/fredonia4 1d ago
Thank you. The patches have ingredients I can't take. I'm going to try some stuff I've ordered online to help with breathing and relaxation.
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u/Immediate-Clerk-9651 8h ago
I have suffered with severe chronic insomnia for 3 decades. It's TORCHEROUS!!!
Meds have only offered a break from the constant Fibro whole body pain, GERD, Tinnitus, and neuropathies, but they have caused MANY side effects (some HORRID!) not the least of which is Paranoia, and I NEVER get restful sleep!!
Many folks have INSOMNIA caused by HISTAMINE Intolerance! Have you gotten your Full Genetic Health Screening to determine if MTHFR and or Histamine enzyme mutations are involved yet? I have homozygous (double copy :( ) MTHFR, plus HNMT-2 AND HNMT-8 (Histamine enzyme mutations)! Unfortunately, conventional medicine hasn't yet taken these critical SNPs in consideration! Do you have sensitivities to food, aromas and chemicals, etc.? If so, you may have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome like me.
Has your doctor ordered a (all insurance covered) CYP450 test for you yet? If so, are you a "Rapid Metabolizer"? If Not, you should demand it!
*Good News,..... with absolutely NO help from AMA docs, my 40 yrs of muscle testing experience recently led me to try an antihistamine that crosses the Blood Brain Barrier, which is readily used in other countries for Insomnia. Doxylamine is in Nyquil, but most docs don't understand the difference between antihistamines, or even know it exists!!! The only OTC product they tend to recommend is melatonin and or Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which has never worked for me! It seems that Doxylamine has a 4-hour life, so I need to take one in the middle of the night. Try it and get back to me, OK?
BTW- I have OODLES of tricks that have helped a bit, to a lot. I'm on FB!
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u/Ok-Abalone-4263 1d ago
The root cause is so different for everyone, but for me it was adhd. Once I got on adhd meds I immediately stopped waking up in the middle of the night. I also need to sleep with white noise + earplugs because I’m such a light sleeper