Mid-Life Sleep crisis?

**jlxian** · 05-24-2005, 02:32 PM

For the past few months I've had a terrible time with waking in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep. I can get to sleep in the beginning just fine, but I wake up after a couple of hours. It is a difficult thing to describe, but my body feels like it can't get comfortable, like I must move. Sometimes I get up and go to the bathroom, or just stretch, or get a snack of milk and crackers -- or all of these. This will go on for 2 or 3 hours when I will finally go to sleep.

I've wondered if it is Restless Leg Syndrome. I've also wondered if it is just a pre-menopause insomnia (I'm 51). My symptoms are not the classic RLS symptoms -- mine is more like just not being able to get comfortable.

I talked briefly to my doctor about it, and he just looked puzzled at me.

In reading about RLS on the internet, I've seen that some allergy meds can aggravate this. I take Zyrtec AND Singulair. I'm considering cutting back on one or both and seeing what happens.

Anybody have any similar problems? Thanks for any thoughts!

**PrairieRose** · 05-24-2005, 06:13 PM

Jean, I sometimes have the same problem. I've always thought that it was because I had a hysterectomy at an early age and have been on hormones every since. Anytime my hormones get out of kelter I have sleep problems. I feel for ya...it's awful. I can usually sleep until about 3-4 a.m. when I'm in the cycle of waking up early. Ugh, it's just awful. just enough to ruin a day or a week or a month, depending on how often it happens. I take a melatonin every night at bedtime and that seems to be the only thing that really helps. I hope you find some relief.

**Suezy** · 05-25-2005, 12:23 PM

Jean --I've been the same way --probably ever since menopause ---in my early 40's - now 56 so it hasn't gotten better, probably worse. Since I'm retired now, I don't sweat it ---I just get a good book or play online. I think it is RLS that bothers me too, in addition to just having insomnia. I've found that 2 aspirin and the RLS goes away and I can get to sleep. I don't have to take aspirin every nite, just when the RLS is what's keeping me awake when I feel really tired. HTH Sher

**jlxian** · 05-25-2005, 03:12 PM

I tried something different last night and did not take my evening dose of Zyrtec (I take it 2x a day). Maybe it was all in my head, but I did seem to sleep better, so will try it again for a few days and see if it helps and if I can survive with only one dose a day of Zyrtec. If not, I'll think more consider the idea of it being pre-menopause insomnia. Ugh.

I know my mother had terrible insomnia when she went through the change. I remember her talking about "roaming the house" in the middle of the night. She probably went to the kitchen and read but no doubt it was miserable for her to lose sleep.

Thanks for your responses!