Changes you have noticed

Now I am in my 60s I have had some positive changes like retiring, children all grown up (youngest graduated when I was 60) no mortgage but there are obviously some less positive things like needing glasses, needing cataract op but not bad enough yet (would have been a couple of years ago but guidelines have changed, at least that's what they tell me.)

Anyway the worst change is I can't sleep. Now I have always liked my bed, with 4 kids and 20 years between youngest and oldest I had many years when I was kept awake or woken in the night. Now I can sleep as much as I like except that I can't. Most nights I am managing maybe 3 or 4 hours and I wake up zombie like.

Any tips welcome and is there anything similar for other people?
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  • mumps
    mumps Posts: 6,285
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    Oh dear, no tips. I am so desperate for sleep I have even had a week of sleeping tablets to try to reset my sleeping pattern but no success. Dr won't let me have any more.
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  • What has worked for me in the past has been a Night Nurse tablet. This has enabled me to have a 10hr to 12hr brilliant sleep. I would under no circumstances recommend you taking Night Nurse tablets on a REGULAR basis. good luck and night night.
  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340
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    Sad to say no tips other than a long walk before bed :o

    I am having similar problems sleeping but mine is due to the meds that I am on, I'm tired all the time but lucky if I get more than 2 hours sleep at a time. I have to force myself to stay in bed at night until the next wave of sleep catches up with me, if I even as much as switch the light on, that's me up for a couple of hours at least :(

    Sometimes I wish I could go back to my old meds as they knocked me out for 8 hours at a time :)
  • indsty
    indsty Posts: 372 Forumite
    It sounds like you have always been very busy and active - that makes you tired. Are you sure you are still being active enough - walking, gardening, getting outside, going to yoga, running a marathon (whatever you enjoy!) etc.

    Also try overhauling your diet. It is so easy to get into bad habits. Although I thought I ate a reasonably good diet I recently went to see a nutritionist who gave me some really good advice and I definitely feel the benefit of it, both in my sleep and general wellbeing.
  • are you sure that it isn`t quiet heartburn waking you up?

    Try a gaviscon just one time and see. Have the main meal mid day and just a light meal by 6 ish. Then only water to bedtime

    Magnesium is often missing, magnesium flakes in a nice bath or a magnesion oil to put on the skin, mag is best absorbed through the skin not via a tablet

    I struggle with sleep too and find that getting away from any screen an hour before bedtime is good. Last night I had 7 1/2 hours with one loo wake up. If I cannot get to sleep then I put my air cleaner on for a timed two hours, the hum is soothing

    Aches and pains can wake anybody up, the need to turn over. If shoulder pain and a side sleeper then try hugging a pillow, to rest the shoulder. I get thumb and wrist ache because I have a lot to do in the house these days, so I wear an appropriate support at night all from the physioroom. Last night I needed to wear one to support the wrists and thumbs

    Taking strong nightnurse tablet is not a good idea, best to get into a natural habit. Save the nightnurse for when you cannot breathe at night with a heavy cold

    There are lots of positives about being 60 but there is a slippery downwards slope starts at about 65. I am 67 and have just moved 1/2 tonne of fuel for the stove, all positive as it helps me to retain my bone and muscle strength and right now at my age, every little helps
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,471
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    Cataract ops here, too, in the far distant future, I hope, as I'm a wimp. (An internet friend has just had one of hers and says the results are amazing).


    My spine is wearing out at an alarming rate and I did have problems sleeping (I do wake, I notice, several times, but only very briefly), but either the before bed Tramadol and/or the Kepra I need to stop spinal spasms in the night, seem to knock me out (but I wouldn't recommend them).


    I feel very frustrated at not being able to do things I once could, that my husband either won't do, puts off or doesn't do properly.


    Grand children are a delight, as you don't have to keep them.


    I hate seeing aging personalities on tv,as they make me realise that I am nearly as old as they are.(I'm 66).


    Like friends on a forum I use, I have sudden reminders, usually via tv, of things I hadn't thought about or seen for years, so we often have a laugh about them. The latest was home decoration , as in the new BBC comedy 'From Cradle to Grave.'
  • mumps
    mumps Posts: 6,285
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    Maybe the walk thing is it. My old dog died last year so my late night walk has gone. Might have to try a walk after supper. Pain isn't really an issue, well sometimes but not regular, heartburn not something I am aware of and I am busy as I do voluntary work one day a week and have grandchildren 3 or 4 times a week and am carer for my disabled husband so I don't sit around. In the last month I have painted 3 bedrooms, stripped the kitchen ready to decorate and helped one of my children move house. Maybe I am overtired?

    Thanks for all the tips, I do love having a cold so I can take nightnurse, makes it almost worth having a cold.
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  • mumps
    mumps Posts: 6,285
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    indsty wrote: »
    It sounds like you have always been very busy and active - that makes you tired. Are you sure you are still being active enough - walking, gardening, getting outside, going to yoga, running a marathon (whatever you enjoy!) etc.

    Also try overhauling your diet. It is so easy to get into bad habits. Although I thought I ate a reasonably good diet I recently went to see a nutritionist who gave me some really good advice and I definitely feel the benefit of it, both in my sleep and general wellbeing.

    I am trying to eat healthy, making more homemade meals and baking as I have more time. Maybe I am eating too much, that could be it.:rotfl:
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  • mumps
    mumps Posts: 6,285
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    OK plan for tonight. No computer after 6, some homemade chicken soup for my evening meal, it is bubbling away nicely and is my favourite comfort food but I will stop before I am stuffed. Nice walk before bed and then a warm bath and bed. Fingers crossed, I really need some sleep.
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  • POPPYOSCAR
    POPPYOSCAR Posts: 14,897
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    Reading a book in bed is guaranteed to send me to sleep.


    Have you tried it?
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