[Catherine E]

I have had insomnia for around eight years following the onset of menopause. I am on HRT which has helped to some degree but my sleep is still not on track. For the past four weeks I have been doing sleep restriction from 12-6am. My problem is staying asleep. I am finding I wake up around 5am and don’t go back to sleep. I often don’t get out of bed because it’s so close to my get-up time.
I wonder how long it takes to see results. I have heard on some podcast episodes how it’s taken quite some weeks to see improvements, but I am starting to get downhearted and wonder if I am the exception to the rule.
In the meantime, I can function (just) in the day but am tired. My brain is not working very well, and I am very sleepy in the evenings from 9pm onwards.
Has anyone experience of it taking a LONG time to work? What was the breakthrough moment for you?
Thanks.

[Jacki]

I am having a similar issue but haven’t been doing this for as long as you. I am also using HRT but it made no difference to sleep unfortunately (so I can’t blame insomnia on menopause!). I am going to bed later like you, and I also have my alarm set for 6am but always usually wake up really early (between 4-5). I find that regardless of how late I go to bed, I still seem to wake up super early, and like you I don’t want to get out of bed at 4-5am because it seems pointless as I won’t be going back to sleep before my alarm goes off. Will be interested to hear the response to your question..

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