For the past three weeks I have been having issues with my sleeping. disorder. I used to sleep. 6 hours and then wake up refreshed. But my urologist recently changed one of my medications to a higher dose…and I think that’s when this insomnia started. And now I get up at 3:00 AM and am unable to go back to sleep. I am not sure if it’s the medications that are causing my insomnia. But it could be related to my age as well. (I am 89)
Thank you for all these great ideas. Which I will try. Today I. limited my afternoon nap to 30 minutes. (I usually go for an hour or an hour and a half nap). Now I’m motivated. I will go for a walk. And include some exercises with it including the PMR (Progressive Muscle Relaxation) exercises that I learned about while doing an internet search this morning.
Hi William, Thank you so much for sharing your experience—it takes a lot of self-awareness and strength to tune into changes like this, especially when it feels like your sleep rhythm has suddenly shifted.
Medications and age can definitely affect sleep patterns, so it’s great you’re paying close attention and trying new strategies. You’re not alone—many people find that new medications, even when helpful in one area, can sometimes have unexpected effects on sleep. It’s great that you’re already taking thoughtful steps, like shortening your naps and exploring gentle movement like walking and PMR exercises. These can make a real difference!
A few additional tips that might help include minimizing screen time before bed to reduce blue light exposure, establishing a calming wind-down routine, using blackout curtains to keep your bedroom dark, and avoiding sugar or heavy meals close to bedtime. These habits can support your body’s natural sleep signals and help you fall asleep more easily.
You’re clearly motivated and proactive, which is so inspiring. Hopefully these changes start to gently reset your sleep pattern. If the trouble continues, it might also help to mention the insomnia to your prescribing doctor—they may be able to adjust the timing or dosage to better support your nights.
Wishing you much better rest ahead—you’ve got this!
