Night Owls of Gransnet

Thanks Marilla. I will google her.

Just got into bed - a bit later than usual. Normally 2.00am for me. DH is poorly and quite inactive - as a result we spend most of the day just sitting around. He is tired and goes to bed 10ish, so I relish a couple of hours on my own - I catch up with emails, then watch a Poirot/Morse at midnight. DH’s up to the loo half a dozen times through the night, so we’re in separate rooms now which works well for us.
Some nights my mind works overtime on what lies ahead for us - I’m reasonably fit, but have put a lot of weight on recently and am stressed about DH’s health. He has to ‘go with the flow’ for as long as he can, so I don’t want to upset him further by being ‘needy’ but he seems to have entered a gloomy phase - never a chatty person, but much worse now. His short term memory is poor - chemo brain, chemo by mouth and Pregabalin which he takes for peripheral neuropathy without much success to blame. He’s been quite deaf today and says his ears are buzzing, prompting more comments that he’s falling to bits now.

Have warmed up in bed, so dressing gown off, lights out and I’ll drop back into this thread again. X

Hello Nightowls. Sleep is elusive here tonight. It happens a couple of times a week, pain keeps me awake. I hadn’t remembered your husband had been so ill Fanny, pleased he’s mending. I’ve been lying here quite relaxed listening to gentle music. My Mr C is fast asleep, it feels a lonely time.

Crossed posts georgesgran. You’ve a lot on your plate, night time thoughts are the worst I think. Hope you can relax a bit now.

Good morning all. This is my usual awake time. I may drop off a bit later but will always be awake at 6 Just a bit worried today. My DiL goes to see the consultant on Friday as she has a lump in her breast. They seem to have fast tracked her so I am just praying it is not for a sinister reason.

I’m sorry to hear about your daughter in law BBbevan, strangely one of our daughters in law was also fast tracked to a breast clinic recently. All was well, hope you have the same good news. It is hard not to worry isn’t it? Getting sleepy now. Hopefully I can say goodnight now.

Morning all!! I though it was 5 am and I had done really well but I must have woken at 3 not 4 as I ve been lying for an hour listening to world radio ( very depressing) never mind that’s normal for me I might get another doze in yet
Hope all of you are ok fingers crossed for your daughter in law Bbevan
I must have missed the Thread about reading books I ve gone from an avid reader to someone who can barely finish a couple of chapters and it annoys me so much as I really want to read a book my eyes are poor but my concentration is poor too and however hard I try it just all seems too hard

Good morning, everyone. to all who have pain and serious worries keeping you awake. I'm shame-faced that my new (six months ish) semi-nocturnal lifestyle is getting me down. Thank you Fannycornforth for starting this thread. It's nice to have a company.

Thank you notinthemanual
My night time routine is sleep from about 8pm until 1am, and then second sleep from around 6am to 9am.
It's ridiculous!
I recommend Anne Tyler, I read a few of her books years ago. Not a great deal happens plot wise if I remember correctly. It's all about the characters.
She is Nick Hornby's favourite author.
I really ought to try to read something properly myself.
I started the biography of Boris Johnson about a week ago. It's very interesting about his childhood and father.
BlueBelle I know what you mean about the World Service!
The shipping forecast is on as I type, always a treat.
Thinking of all with night time worries

Good morning Night Owls. I've been awake for the past 3 hours. Had about 3 hours sleep then woke around 2am, which is quite common for me. I have no idea why, though tonight and last night sleep was disrupted by foxes barking and screaming at each other.?
I finally got up an hour ago and made a cuppa. Will try to get another few hours shortly.
Anyone else get fed up reading "advice" in the media that we should get plenty of sleep? That if we don't we will die early, look old and get Alzheimers? It's not as if we choose to be insomniacs!
Glad I got that off my chest, off to bed now.....again.

Hello fiorentina. Snap! My night has been exactly the same as yours. It is nearly over now as I have to get up at 6 to get the grandchildren ready for school. I know exactly what you mean about the advice. I am sure it adds to the anxiety.

Back again.
I dozed off probably about 2:30 and now awake again, I may go off again or I may not.
I am sorry about your condition Fanny and remember now because I posted about my neighbour who also has spinal stenosis, she also takes Gabapentin and Amitryptilene(sp)

About 12 months ago she had an injection into her spine with limited success, she was due another but it was postponed due to COVID.
So pleased your H is recovering from his illness, how sad that you are both so ill at the same time.

To all you others still awake I send my sympathy and good wishes, we are increasing in numbers , is it any wonder in these difficult times.

Hello, I'm a bit late! I wanted to join in at 4 when I woke with migraine lights but knew the phone would trigger them more. Usually it's arthritis pain that wakes me. I lay listening to owls exchanging hoots, remarkable because I live slap bang in a town centre, with a belt of old trees behind my flat.

And hello again Ann. Sleeping on my back is the only bit I'm dreading about my hip replacements!

Hello Night Owls, I was set to join you, but for once slept through until 5.45.

Typically, having expressed an interest yesterday in joining this thread, I slept very well! For annsixtyand MellowYellow: after my hip surgery, sleeping on my back was an issue and eventually, I found I did better on my reclining chair. It seemed to support my frame better and was more comfortable for my knees because the tendons were painful from the work that was done on the hip.

Thanks Ashcombe, I'll remember that when the time comes.

Good Morning Night Owls, my goodness 4 o’clock seems a very active time for us. I’m so sorry to read about your husband’s poor health Georgesgran. I hope being able to share your worries here, gives you a tiny bit of comfort.

Bbevan, thinking about you too. A distressing time until you know the results of your daughter’s breast lump.

Morning, night owls! I didn’t join you last night when I was wake from 3 till 4, as I thought catching up with a bit of mindless TV would be more successful in getting back off to sleep.

My new sleep pattern is entirely due to my breaking my arm five weeks ago and having to sleep upright since then. I’m really hoping to get back to normal when I’m allowed back in bed!

I’d just like to endorse two of the night time suggestions. Firstly, the benefits of a reclining chair. My situation’s temporary, so I bought a “recliner lite” that I can live with afterwards, the IKEA Poang and matching stool. So much better than struggling with various pillows and supports in a bed. I do still wake up with a numb bum though, so should imagine a proper upholstered recliner’s even better for longer term.

And secondly, Ann Tyler is a fabulous writer. I’m jealous of anyone who still has all her books to read!

I’m often awake until the early hours, then other times not so much.

Now I know that this thread is here I will post on it.

Yay! Something to do in the wee small hours! I'm in similar position to Georgesgran - OH on dialysis so very worried and struggling with the what-if's as soon as I hit the pillow. no separate rooms though as then would only worry that I wasn't there when needed!
Was still awake at 5:30 this morning!

One if my dogs wakened me at 2 am by barking this morning. She has been unwell and after I got her settled. I couldn't get back to sleep, I should have joined then. I'll remember in future.

Fabulous idea. I’m awake all hours too

nipsmum

One if my dogs wakened me at 2 am by barking this morning. She has been unwell and after I got her settled. I couldn't get back to sleep, I should have joined then. I'll remember in future.

My dog does that pretty much every single night, so you can expect to see me here at 2.15am or thereabouts.

Thank you Ann
Yes, it does seem totally bizarre that we are in this situation. It's been very difficult at times.
We are fortunate that we get on really well the vast majority of the time - which I think is half the battle really.
Yes - I remember you mentioning your neighbour.
I think that I might be going on gabapentin soon.