Hi, i have suffered chronic insomnia over the last 3 years, to the point at times, have felt suicidal. Been prescribed zoplicone and anti depressants, although no longer taking the anti d's as i know im not "depressed" just chronically tired. I have kept a diary for the past year or so and i seem to suffer the non sleeping phase leading upto my period. I am 46. My doctor has suggested i could be entering my peri-menopausal stage and has suggested HRT! Has anyone in this group experienced chronic insomnia linked to menopause, and can anyone advise if hrt has helped. Last resort as hrt is a big deal. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Hi jackie
yes i have had insomnia for about 12 years, couple of years before peri started and only now has it began to improve..
I am still a bad sleeper, but alot better than it was
i had a ten year peri, and i am just post meno aged 50 now
i too had help with zoplicone from time to time, but i always halves mine,, as they can be addictive ..
I didnt take HRT, as when you stop taking it you have peri all over again..
i wanted a natural peri with Vits and supplements
jay xx
Hi Jackie...i have had insomnia for 3 years.i have also taken zopliclone but now am better than i was and only take nytol now and again, i also exercise before bedtime which helps.
I understand how you feel and it will get better....
Good Luck!
Polly
Hi Jackie,
how is horrible for you 😢 my sleep definitely changed in the last 4 months I'm 48, not on HRT ! I was recommended to take Magnesium I can honestly tell you it's a miracle cure all mineral 🙏 the one I have is by Floradix it's completely natural and you can buy it from Boots and many other places. It's a liquid form which I prefer. I really recomend you google the benefits of taking it. Also you you take a bath in Epsom salts which is another form of Magnesium very relaxing. Let me know if it works for you 🙏😊 I'm almost sure it will.
Hi Jackie
I am into my third year of peri now, on HRT, anti depressants and still suffer from insomnia, which seems to be getting worse at the moment.. Avoid HRT if you can..
I really dont feel that its making much difference to me. I never suffer with the hot sweats, only mood swings (bad ones).. but really dont feel much benefit from taking HRT .
That's really interesting Julie as I feel the same about HRT right now. How old are you and what hrt are you taking and for how long. I am debating about coming off it. Have insomnia and low mood. Been put on it due to age only but not really helping my symptoms. KL
Hi Kingliz
I am 51 and am just into my 3rd year of taking it.. Im on Prempak C mg/ 0.15mg, but really dont see what the benefit is... I dont feel any better: no energy, no sex drive, constantly tired,insomnia, low mood and mood swings. I really think I might be better coming off it and taking more vitamins. I am on Prozac for low mood also, but not sure that it makes too much difference... I just think about stabbing people, rather than actually doing it !! lol ! Joking !!
But I am told that you cant just come off HRT, you have to wean yourself slowly?? I work abroad quite alot so it is difficult to see my own GP regularly, and I work mainly with men rather than women, hence my chats on here ! its good to know that its not only me that feels this way.. sometimes I feel so alone with it all !
Hi Julie
did the doctor tell you what Prempak C actually was ?
It is equine .. Made from pregnant mares urine .. We are not horses..
maybe you would be better with another type of HRT .. if you wish to stay on it ... Some types don't suit everyone..
Jayx
Really ??? Yuk ! He certainly didn't tell me that one .. OMG !
Ironically I have just seen a German lady doctor here who has advised that I come off it gradually.. She wasn't impressed that my GP prescribed this along with the Pill and Prozac !!
She has advised that I take Magnesium , and no other vitamins..
she also took my blood to test my thyroid, but thenks it's unlikely that there is any problem there, and is going to test my hormone levels. She believes that I have an hormone imbalance and has suggested that I try homeopathic remedies as an alternative .
So many people , so many different ideas !
Hi Julie
umm thought as much.. its cruely done too the equine HRT..
remember HRT any thats Pre .. Pre-marin, Prem-pac or Pre-mique
= pregnant.. as in pregnant mares urine..
How we are compared the same as horses urine, god only knows.
i take magnesium, but be careful what you buy..
magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide has laxative effect ..
i take Chelated Magnesium ( bisgylcinate) it is the better one and doesnt give you the runs every morning ..
jayxx
Hi Julie
How can she check your hormone balance while on HRT..
it will never be accurate ..
all your natural hormone levels are boosted by HRT ..
how odd to suggest that..
you would need to be completely clear off HRT out your system, which could take months after stopping ..
I do wish you all the best..
pity you couldnt see a Gyno doc as GPs havent got a clue in my opinion about Gyno issues
Wishing you luck
jay xx
hi julie
Yes so many different ideas for sure ..
crazy..
it reads your on pill, prozac and HRT .. Thats madness ..
i had a natural peri with just supplements and Vits, and been very happy to let nature takes its course.. Only my personal preference .. Each to their own , we are all different and cope with it differently.. HRT was not an option for me too high risk..
i had a ten year peri and just accepted it, it was a long old road ceryainly nkt a breeze, and now i am still only 50 and post menopause ..
Positivity and acceptance helps alot.
i take all the vits my body needs .. And feel okay..
have blips, but its expected..
HRT just postpones menopause, a women still has to go through it when she comes off .. I personally wanted it done and over, even though for me it took along time, but it was gradual and its done..
i was given anti depressants by a useless GP so ignorant to menopause, i binned those, i am not depressed, i and was just dealing with the changes and emotions of it all, hormonal changes, not depression as the GPs seem to say we are, I over came my peri and post meno anxiety with Vit B6 which is known to relieve it and we lack B6 during this phase, and its helped me no end..
i wish you luck Julie and hope you get some treatment that helps you.
jay x
Dear all, thanks for the advice, the more i hear about hrt, the more scary it is. Will definately try the magnesium and b vitamins. Reassuring to know that im not the only one kept awake most nights with this horrible condition. I see my doc next week, maybe its worth asking for blood tests to check hormone levels. Xx
Hi jackie
FSH hormone level tests can be tricky .. With results..
if your still having periods, then the hormones are too erractic for a true reading as they flucuate up and down all the time.
for example ..you could have two tests in same day and have different results ..
this happened to me, came back normal, but i had the peri symptoms and my Doc explained this years ago.
However i then tested my own, menopausal home testers and got the in menopause result, i monitored it at different times over a few months.
only when your periods have declined to say 3-4 a year does the FSH blood test come back menopausal ..
jay x
Update. I have just seen my GP, who is referring me for a follicle stimulating hormone test, blood to be taken from day 2-5 of my next period. I have also explained concern over long term use of zoplicone, so she has now prescribed me amitriptyline which may help me sleep, and is not addictive. ?? I have also started taking vit b6 and 12, and will start on magnesium. I have also been taking evening prim oil for years at 1000mg per day, GP said i can increase to 300mg. Its a start. So will see where it takes me.
Hi jackie
good luck hun,
jay x
I've just found this discussion, and i find it really interesting as i too am having a thoroughly crappy time with peri related insomnia...Like you, jayneejay, i've found some relief for other symptoms (namely hellish PMS and anxiety) from taking a good all round vit B supplement and i also take a high dose of evening primrose oil. I've had some pretty vile symptoms over the last 4 or 5 years since peri really started to kick in (i'm 48 now, HRT not an option) including some horrendously debilitating digestive issues, which have waned now after 2 years of suffering, only for me to be whacked over the head with this chronic insomnia which settled in about 4 months ago. I am at my wits end, and my GP has had me on a 3 week course of melatonin (did absolutely nothing for me), but i am gearing myself up to go back and see him as i don't think i can face the prospect of (possibly) years of this with no help at all. It's profoundly affecting my life, like you, Jackie. I do hope you are seeing some relief from the amitriptyline, and i'd be interested to know, if you feel able, if you are seeing any improvements from taking it. I've started to take a magnesium supplement in the hope that might help but have only been on it a few days and no change yet, so it may be too early to tell. I'm giving it another week or so to see, then i am going to admit defeat and return to the GP. I don't know why, but i feel a real sense of shame that i am not (or i think i'm not) dealing with peri at all well, and as much as i do try to be positive and remind myself that it's 'self limiting' the insomnia in particular has really floored me...so it's been reassuring to find some other people who have experienced the same thing.
Hi Red
oh yeah the insomnia no fun, i have been like it for 12 years or so, being a light sleeper in first place doesnt help.
i am age 50 now, post meno, had 10 year peri, no HRT.. Found the right Vits and supps that suit me, must say the insomnia is a pain, Melatonin 10mg i use to take but it gave me vivid dreams, so dont bother now, had zopliclone sometimes as and when but have to be careful with it..
also my gyno gave me 2.5mg diazepam for 30mins before bed, but i dont take that either, as its addictive..
i wont take antidepressants as not depressed, just a meno issue for me.
I just take chelated magnesium in morning and again before bed ( as doesnt upset stomach like magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide)
good luck hun
jayx
Hi jay, thanks for the reply. I was a great sleeper (could 'sleep for Britain' according to my OH!) so this is pretty hard for me - even when i have felt at my most awful over the last few years, i've gritted my teeth and consoled myself with a 'chin up, get a good nights sleep and you'll be able to battle on tomorrow' attitude, well that's gone out of the window now! Like you, i'm trying the chelated mag supplement morning and evening (again, to avoid upsetting my tum as i've had 2 years of that already, thanks) only a few days in so we'll see...I really don't like the idea of taking sleeping pills (even less, HRT), but i don't think i can tolerate this situation long term, so i'm being pragmatic. Could i just ask you please, do the sleeping pills tend to make you feel groggy the next day? How often did you feel you needed to use them? With the magnesium, how long have you been taking it and if it's had any effect, how long did it take? Thanks.
Hi red
well with zopliclone theres two stengths.. 7.5 and 3.75..mg
i actually have 7.5mg but i split them in half then in quarters if i need any.
so i take the lowest of the low .. ( i have a pill cutter)
no.. They dont make me feel groggy when i have taken them, but everyone is different ..
magnesium i have taken for a long while.. Seems to help ..
also use the magnesium oil spray sometimes, that is transdermal, you rub it in skin, but i manily use that for lower back pain .. ( it is used for pains etc and thats what athletes and sports people get rubbed on them after sprains and injuries)
jay x