Sleep

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  • mzmoonlight
    mzmoonlight Posts: 160
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    I know obviously you cannot use a narcotic with your babies that need your attention. Have you tried melatonin? This is something that your body produces naturally that you might be a little low on if you find you have insomnia. My husband uses this sometimes when he cannot sleep and he doesn't find it to have a "hangover" feeling like with some sleeping medications and it certainly doesn't cause any of that crazy sleepwalking stuff that prescriptions can cost. Its in the supplement aisle.

    They usually come in 3 mg, but doctors have said that might be too much, so if you try this, maybe try cutting it in half.

    Of course, if you've already consulted a doctor, you might consider asking them about this if you are uncomfortable just trying it.

    Also, my husband and I drink lavender teas. This can help you fall asleep. We buy loose leaves, but I'm sure there's something cheaper and easier to come by in bags. The lavender can relax you and even if you don't sleep it might help you rest.

    Good luck!

    I've used melatonin too and can vouch for it, its very good and there is no hangover. It really only gets you to sleep (I find I sleep lightly on it) so if your babies need you, you will wake up. I made the mistake of using it for a few months (because it was so good) and now my body is too used to it and it doesnt do anything, so if you use it make sure you have a weeks break every 3-4 weeks. There are anti-histimines that are sleep inducing that could help you too, I'm not sure if its the same name in America but I use Nytol at the moment... but its not a long term solution. You have my sympathy with the doctors not being able to help you. I have torn my hair out so many times over this!!
  • mzmoonlight
    mzmoonlight Posts: 160
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    Ahh you're in the UK... You can't get melatonin here for insomnia as its not licensed (I had to import mine from America)...

    I would say about sleep clinics... you will be banging your head against a brick wall. I have been to the doctor so many times about this and when I ask to be referred to a specialist they say there is no one who deals with this. I didn't buy this and got second and third opinions and they all said the same. Eventually I got a doctor to refer me to a mind doctor (psychatrist) who came back and said they cannot help me as I dont have mental problems. I'm currently trying to get the NHS to fund a private sleep clinic but its not looking good.
  • patwil73
    patwil73 Posts: 28
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    Thank you but the 2 and 1/2 year old does get put back to bed after waking up with the youngest crying. My 10 month old is in constant contact with the doctor with his sleeping problems, they cannot solve the problem until he is older and find out what the problems is.
    Yes i have seen a doctor a year ago and been keep in hospital for a week for observation and MRI scans.Guess amd stuck at the moment
    Thanks again x

    I am really sorry to hear about your youngest's medical problems. I didn't mean to say you were doing something wrong with your kids, I was just offering a suggestion that worked for me and my family.

    Please never believe you are stuck - I work in the medical profession and although many doctors are very caring and generally try to help out, sometimes when the answer is not quickly found the pace and amount of work they do leads them to erroneous conclusions. Case in point - did you know that many women were diagnosed with anxiety attacks when in fact they were having a heart attack? Just because one or two or three or four doctors could not find the answer does not mean that others can not. This applies to your kid also, if your pediatrician can't answer the problem find someone that can. Like I suggested before, keep detailed notes about what time he woke up, how he sounded, what calmed him, his temperature, learn how to take his pulse and keep a log of that, the temperature in the room, etc. Search online for what causes sleep disturbances in kids and write down the symptoms of each. Check to see if your kid matches any of them. Remember, the doctor only see's him for a brief time while you appear to have at least 22 hours with him a day.

    As for your youngest and his impact on your sleep - do you have family or can you hire a babysitter for a few nights a week? That way you wouldn't have to worry about the kids and might be able to get at least some more sleep.

    I hope this helps and if I can offer anything more, please let me know - otherwise I will simply wish you the best of luck and hope you find some answers.
  • jennylynn84
    jennylynn84 Posts: 659
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    Case in point - did you know that many women were diagnosed with anxiety attacks when in fact they were having a heart attack?

    I can believe this. I used to have anxiety. After I saw my doctor about it he attributed EVERYTHING to it. I actually had to go find another doctor after he said my throat hurting was anxiety and "my throat closing up." I actually had a staph infection.

    Doctors, huh?

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