General Chat

Was diagnosed over a year ago with an over active thyroid have had lots of problems since which I wont bore you with but the one thing I have not been able to sort is that I cant sleep!! Takes hours to get off and then I keep waking up all night long. Has anyone else had this problem and if so have you a magic answer as to how I can put my head on the pillow and sleep til morn. Exhausted Vera

Whisky and dry ginger Vera,sorry, couldn`t resist it. Must be really annoying. Baz

hiya vera my sister has an underactive thyroid and she can sleep for england.She has also put a lot of weight on have you gone slimmer x

Are you sure she is not under active as you get very tired and put on weight when its under. Im as skinny as a rake, anyone know how to put weight on!!

Not sure if it's a phase we all go through at some point, I certainly did (menopause), but sleep ok again now, Sometimes helps if you set yourself a limit, say if i'm still awake at such and such a time, i'll get up, often dropped off before then, and if I did get up, then went and read a book. Supposed to be herbal pillows that aid sleep, never tried one so don't know if they work. Val

Thanks Baz, but you may laugh, I was actually doing just that to begin with - had permanent hangover!!

Vera , are you on medication? That should help you sleep. Mine is bordering on underactive....just waiting for it to tip over so they put me on Thyroxin. I can sleep for England and have put on weight. Viv

Thanks Val, have tried that - all that happens is I spend half the night going from bed to sofa and end up reading all night and not sleeping at all!!

I have an underactive thyroid but I still dont sleep well, I dont think there is a set rule June xx

Yes Viv, I am on medication and at one point I was over medicated (very kindly by the doctor) and my thyroid went under active - yes slept for England then it was great!!

Have you spoken to your GP they might be able to help, as it could be the medication that is effecting your sleep, Over active thyriod is the over excretion of hormones ( there abouts) so that could be the cause, Hope this helps Jan

Thanks Jan, have mentioned it to doctor all he could suggest was sleeping pills and I really dont wont to go down that route, mainly cos I have to get up early to go to work and dont think I would wake up in time!!

Vera, Have you considered that you may just not need that much sleep anymore? But if you 'feel' tired then the GP should be able to help you...if not your consultant? Viv

vera, have mailed you. chris.

Light sleep medication is fine just helps you to relax enough to sleep and you don't feel to groggy the next day. They are only normally given as a short course to get you back into a sleep pattern,and advised not to take every night so could you just take them when not at work. I know they aren't nice but they could help Hope you get a good noght soon Best wishes Jan

Perhaps your right Viv, but some nights I only sleep for about 3 hours and thats not in one go, they do say though you need less sleep when you get older. Mind you if I sit on the sofa in the afternoon and watch telly I am asleep within seconds - that cant be right can it!!! Oh well perhaps I will just have to learn to live with it.

Hope you find a solution soon Vera....let us know if you do. Us poor things with dodgy thyroids should stick together. viv

Thanks Viv, thats a thought, perhaps we could have a thyroid club!! lol xxx

don't think you can do anything about it, i've had this illness for 15 mths now and i hardley slept at all in the beginning but i never felt tired! i sleep a little better now but i still wake in the night, overactive can take a long time to get right, mine has been over,then under, then over again, then i was told i had graves desease which has caused my thyroid to go overactive, graves desease is the immune system making antibodies that are supposed to fight off infection but instead attack the thyroid. i would consult your doctor before taking anything to make you sleep. chris.

Oh thats weird, I have had thyroid problem also for 15 months and so has someone else who has contacted me direct through this thread. Anyone else out there who has had it for 15 months, perhaps there is some conspiracy going on!!