Adult Waking at Night

Updated on November 19, 2011
E.B. asks from Sour Lake, TX
15 answers

I'm 52 and for the last 2-3 months I've been waking about 2 a.m. unable to go back to sleep until about 4. Any ideas on what this is and how to combat it?? I do drink alot of coffee in the a.m. but I don't have anything caffenated past 3.... Does anyone else have this to deal with??

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I've been up since 2 this morning.

This has been happening off and on for the last few months.

It's probably depression/anxiety.

2 moms found this helpful

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

This has happened to me as well.. However, on days when I get more exercise I do tend to sleep better. Additionally, I only drink about 4 to 6 oz of coffee in the am and that's it.. no other caffeine in my day.. can you cut down, even just a bit? Lastly, on occasions when I feeling extra anxious. I drink Camomile Tea and that is somewhat soothing.. I think vigorous exercise is what helps me the most..

best of luck to you

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Frankly, one of the symptoms of depression is waking at night like this.

"Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia)."

http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagno...

It is really common, and more people have problems with this than they realize.

I'm not a mental health professional, or even a medical professional. It might help to go to your doctor and describe what is going on. I have, however, dealt with this on and off for the last several years, also. (I am 54.)

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

Is it possible your pre menopausal and the hormone fluxuations may be causing it? You may want to talk to your doctor about some all natural estrogen therapies or vitamins or herbal supplements that may help. They can also test your hormone levels and see if any HRT will help. I think this is just a normal part of aging, I've had issues with this off an on, I'm pretty sure it's my hormones!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am 48. My friend is 53. We both have this issue! She has been dealing with this since she was "19"! Me the last 15 or so years! It's the most annoying thing in the world!!!! I can't tell you when I actually slept through the night! I have been to the dr., Neurologist etc. If I could afford it I would go do a sleep study! I do know that for me it's that in my mind my wheels are turning. Suggestions: Benydryl, Writing things down in a journal before bed. Then on to the dr for sleeping pills, hard to find those that will work, I have been through plenty and don't take them anymore. The ones that work for me are not covered by insurance so I just deal with no sleep. (good thing I work from home & can take cat naps if needed)

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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

This happens to me if I've gone a few days in a row without getting exercise. If you don't already, try incorporating an exercise routine into your daily schedule...just don't do it close to bed time as it can make it harder to settle down to sleep.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.G.

answers from Austin on

I've had periods of this in my life (mostly when I was pregnant due to the hormone disruptions). I am in my late 30's. I would bet it is hormone related. I would keep some sublingual melatonin tabs by your bed. The moment you realize you are awake for good, take one. At least you will be asleep within 20 minutes. Maybe your body will even naturally get back on track. I find the 5 mg to be the best but you might start with 3 mg.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I am fifty four and do the same thing. There are herbal teas in regular grocery stores that might help and some people swear by Melatonin (but you need to be able to sleep eight hours so I haven't tried that yet). I have tried the tea and it seems to be helpful. I also discovered that some of the foods do affect me now, pizza sadly seems to keep my awake or things with spices. Good luck and let us know if you find out anything else.

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E.B.

answers from Houston on

Ummm. Welcome to your fifties?? Changing hormone levels affect your sleep. I used to sleep like a dead person. Now I'm 55 and get excited when I sleep through the night. Some things help...
Benadryl
Outdoor exercise (fresh air)
Caffeine (even just from tea) hits me harder than it ever used to. No caffeine for dinner-no tea, no chocolate, no coffee.
At least if I am exhausted from not sleeping one night, I usually will sleep the next night.
Yes, almost ALL of my friends my age have sleep issues.
Words With Friends at 3am always puts me back to sleep!

1 mom found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Redding on

I havent slept all night in years. I find if you cut off all fluids by around 7pm so you dont have to wake up to go pee-- that helps. Dont eat a big meal after 6pm, that helps. Eating a baked potato with skin for dinner seems to help, keeps the blood sugar from spiking in the night. Don't go to bed TOO early. We require less sleep when he hit 50 because our bodies are no longer regenerating.
When I wake up at 2 or 3am and find I cant fall right back to sleep, I just get online for awhile and then go crawl back in bed and get a few more hours of sleep before the sun comes up.

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Ugh, I used to suffer from that form of insomnia, except I couldn't go back to sleep. I would use a non addictive sleep aid, like Unisom Sleep Gels, and really make sure I wasn't watching t.v. before bed (since that stimulates your brain) and keep myself on a sleep/wake schedule.

When I did wake up, I'd grab an old medical textbook and study until I'd (hopefully) fall asleep where I was ;)

If this continues or is paired with any other major changes in health, check with your GP, since there may be some other underlying issue.

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S.M.

answers from Sherman on

If you are a man, I suggest having you Testoserone levels checked. An early sign of low T is as you describe.

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S.G.

answers from Benton Harbor on

I also had the similar problem earlier but get relief by this , surely, it will help you also If you occasionally have trouble with sleeplessness, try NUTRILITE Valerian and Hops. Valerian and Hops is a safe, natural way to get the sleep you need. With clinically significant, standardized levels of valerian, it helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep instead of counting sheep.
You can order it online :
http://www.amway.com/goodlifeshopping?lng=EN

M.B.

answers from Beaumont on

It is pre menopause. I did it for over a year. The best thing is not to freak out about not sleeping and just get up and read or do something you enjoy. There was an article in Oprah a few years back about all the creative things menopausal women can do in the middle of the night when they wake up. Paint, write novels, etc.
It finally passes.

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D.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Sounds like menopause. Try melatonin but if it is menopause contact your doctor.

Good luck,
DH

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