Posted By Discussion Topic: Problems Sleeping -- page: 1 2   WhittleAway 02-26-2010 @ 5:10 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 I'm lying awake until 3/4/5 in the morning. It's been going on for 5 days now. I go to bed at midnight and then just lie awake thinking. It's awful! I don't think it can be anything to do with taking xenical, or changing to that from reductil can it? I've tried having a hot bath before bed, but it hasn't made a difference. I'm exhausted during the day and can barely concentrate, but I don't want to take a snooze, in case that makes it harder to get to sleep in the evening. What should I do?? I'm getting slightly desperate! WA woodrowjen28 02-27-2010 @ 1:53 PM                           reply Member Joined: Sep 2009 Hi Whittle, so sorry to read about your sleep problems. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you ? I wondered although I don't think you are, whether you are menopausal ? The reason I ask is because I'll be 59 tomorrow and I don't sleep half as much as I did, wake up a lot in the night although not every night. I passed through the menopause at 53 with no problems but I think my sleep was affected. Very often I can't actually get off to sleep until the early hours. Sometimes I've only had 2 or 3 hours but still seem to funtion fine, but I dont go OUT to work anymore.  Reductil didn't really make any difference to my sleep although I thought I slept better for awhile after giving up. I'm sure Xenical doesn't affect sleep. Have you tried keeping away from the computer at least an hour before bed and not watching anything scary or too intense either on telly ? I'm like you I can't always shut off my thoughts. Have you got something coming up that's dominating your thoughts, a new job, a bit of unresolved conflict or some other worry preying on your mind maybe ?  They do advise not to just lay there not able to sleep, the suggestion is to get up and have a cup of decaff tea or coffee and a biscuit or even a small lettuce sandwich is meant to help induce sleep ! The thing is not to lay there panicking because sleep wont come. That only makes it worse because of the pressures you face the next day. See how it goes, might just be a blip. I've taken the herbal sleeping tablets and they do help but they weren't recommended when taking Reds. I recommend NATRASLEEP from the chemist, give them a go. All the best Jen WhittleAway 02-27-2010 @ 6:04 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 Thank you Jen. I'm 53, and I went through a very difficult divorce last year. I think I was so euphoric when it all finished, feeling free again (although it was initiated by him not me) but now I think the harsh reality that I may not meet any one and may grow old is starting to kick in. I also think you might be spot on about the menopause: I've been feeling very hot at night too, and I think it may well be coming on. Psychologically I think that's also having an effect - I'm think that I may just be 'past it' altogether! My struggle to lose weight is all of course connected to my lack of confidence and self esteem at the moment. I think I'm answering my own question here...oh dear. But you're right, lying there is no good. I'll just get up and read a book or something. I like the idea of a lettuce sandwich! and that wont interfere with my xenical. Can I take natrasleep with xenical? you mention it didnt go with reds... Thanks again for your advice, I really do appreciate it. WA digger 02-27-2010 @ 6:47 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 My wife found it very difficult to sleep when she was going through the menopause - she insisted that we sleep in different rooms, which was very unfortunate for me! she was told to avoid spicy food, hot drinks, alcohol and white sugar. She loves to cook puddings so this was very difficult for her! I hope things improve for you soon. woodrowjen28 02-27-2010 @ 8:30 PM                           reply Member Joined: Sep 2009 Hi WA, I did wonder and I know it's no consolation but it does sound like the menopause. It doesn't have to be all bad though, like I say personally I have had  no other 'symptoms' and nor did my Mum or my older sister. I'm very sorry about what's happened to you, we women of a certain age can suddenly feel almost invisible but you sound like a lovely lady and at only 53 you've got plenty of time to meet a lovely man, you are definitely not PAST IT. You've done so well with your weight loss, remember how sceptical you were at first? but you did it. I should read the small print on Xenical about taking Calms or Natrasleep, unlike Reductil, Xenical doesn't affect the brains function so I imagine should be ok, but check it out. Hope you sleep well tonight. Here to help, Jen x This message was edited by woodrowjen28 on 3-3-10 @ 10:04 PM oCanada 02-28-2010 @ 9:50 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 Hi WA, I can't help much with the menopause discussion, but my mom met someone else when she was 58 after my dad passed away and she's been really happy with him, he's a great guy. But like you, thought it would never happen. You're doing the right thing, which is doing everything you can to feel and look your best. You said you were so happy with your weight loss so far, so you should feel proud and confident. There's a new you happening, all that other stuff is in the past! look to the future! : ) Isabella1@ 03-01-2010 @ 2:36 PM                           reply Member Joined: Oct 2009 Hi WA, I can imagine that you may be at your whits end on the sleep front.  I know I cannot stand it when I can't get to sleep.   Although I have not reached the menopausal age yet i have a few suggestions that I helped my own mother with.  She started yoga and it helped her to get to sleep when she learned to focus on her breathing and managed to switch her thoughts off and her i suppose meditation on. Another thing is she sometimes takes melatonin which your body naturally produces to sleep she buys it in Italy so I am not sure you can get it in the UK so not sure if that is of any help. I know that you just went through a divorce and life is kinda upside down but I am sure that you know from your own experience that things always get better.  We sometimes cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak but we do get there in the end.   How is the xenical going? I see you swopped from the reds when they went off the market.  How is that going? Are the pounds coming off? Issy x    WhittleAway 03-05-2010 @ 9:20 AM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 Thank you everyone! Isabella, I will look into Melatonin. I don't know about yoga, its painful when I bend to touch my toes - I'm very unelastic! I am normally a very optimistic person, but sometimes that light dims. I have still had problems falling asleep - but I'm lying in a little longer to compensate. I have swopped for xenical, but Im finding it so much harder to keep up. What are you doing for weightloss now Isabella - are you on any of these pills? WA Isabella1@ 03-05-2010 @ 9:45 AM                           reply Member Joined: Oct 2009 Hey Whittle, As for the yoga... I still cannot touch my toes with ease.. remember yoga is a personal practice, when you start to compare to others it is a waste.  Give it a go I promise it will help rather than hinder. I was very fortunate to buy a lot of reds before they were taken off the market so I am still on them... but i alternate days, I am really trying to get into the gym more...but tis hard with daily life.  I have another month left of reds. I cannot take xenical as it effects my bowls too much and I already have a bit of IBS so it would be a literal MESS!! Hope all goes well! xx    WhittleAway 03-09-2010 @ 9:55 AM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 Thanks Isabella, I will go to the local sports centre and try a yoga class - I've seen they do it there, and I can just pay for one session. I am sleeping better now, the hot flushes have lessened, but perhaps it goes in waves. Issy, what will you do when you run out of reds - if you can't take xenical? what is your plan to continue losing weight?