Hi! I am 53 year old woman having trouble sleeping, has anyone else this problem, if so what do you do?

Answer 1

You may be in perimenopause (the years preceding menopause) or in menopause itself (defined as having gone a year without a menstrual period). You may want to visit your physician for examination and diagnosis (FSH blood levels may help determine this).

Discuss black cohosh with your physician. This is an over-the-counter preparation available in supplements such as Remifemin and Estroven. It is believed to decrease menopause symptoms such as insomnia and hot flashes.

The Remifemin and Estroven websites usually offer free samples of their supplements. I have taken both preparations, and they have helped my occasional insomnia. At age 46 I am in perimenopause.

Black cohosh may be contraindicated in some medical conditions and if you are taking other medications, so you may want to check with your physician or research interactions on your own.

Answer 2

i have insomnia as well. i am 26 and have had it since i was about 15 y/o.
i have been on many different pills at night to help me sleep all of which i get addicted to. ive tried neurontin, trazodone, ambien (currently taking), then the over the counter stuff like benedryl, tylenol pm, advil pm, unisom... you name it.
nothing works for me.... i am up tossing and turning until around 3 am. i cant get comfy
im hot, then im cold, i keep thinking about everything..etc...etc.
i just saw a new dr last week. she said that no matter what DO NOT get out of bed when you cant sleep. if you're tossing and turning or whatever, you are still getting rest and its better than nothing at all. she gave me a prescription for celexa to take at night to help me sleep. which this doesnt work for me either.
you can try an oil that you can put in your bath before you go to bed and they also have candles in the scent. its called patchouli. it WILL make you sleepy. im not sure where you are located, but here in Ky. i have only found it in one store called whole foods.

good luck.. i know its no fun.
you may want to talk to your dr about it as well. there are medications out there to help.

Answer 3

I think it's normal, my mom is the same age and she's been that way for a few years now. She sleeps like 2 hours in one piece. She usually reads at night until she passes out. She doesn't take any sleeping pills and I wouldn't recommend it either because you can become addicted to them.

Answer 4

Try Unisom or Sominex. They are Benadryl and it is safe. Valerian Root stinks and most herbs don't work. I was another adult with the same problem until I found Unisom works for me... take it 30 minutes before bedtime, turn tv off and lights down. Pick up a boring book and you'll be sleepy before you know it. Good luck!

Answer 5

yes. i have to take sleeping pills but not every night. some times i am awake all night and sleep till about noon the next day. i do have an excuse tho. i am at home recovering from major surgery and hope to soon be able to go back to work.

Answer 6

That started happening to me at that age. The doctor told me it was hormonal but I did not want to go on hormones. He recommended that I use Benadryl for sleep. You can also buy it generic. A lot of family practitioners recommend it also. It works for me. It the same stuff as they put in Tylenol PM.

Answer 7

Yes! Welcome to menopause. I take half of benadryl tablet or half of the Costco Kirkland brand sleep aid, they are not habit forming either. Insomnia is just one of the many wonders of menopause.

Answer 8

I do too!! i usually drink chamomile tea to help me sleep or relax..

Answer 9

Everyday of my life, sister.

Racer51, you should just take a benedryl. That's the same thing that is in the PM pain relievers, but without the pain reliever.

Answer 10

me too. i've resorted to pm pain relievers. they aren't lilke regular sleeping pills and they help me fall asleep and stay that way.