Thyblog

As I’m finding it pretty hard to get to sleep tonight, I thought I’d write a bit about hyperthyroidism and insomnia and what I do to combat it. 

Insomnia in people with high levels of thyroxine in their system (hyperthyroid and controlled) is VERY common; it’s caused by the high levels of thyroxine creating more hormones and thus more energy.

My Tips

• Exercise during the day – You have tons of extra energy right now, and doing nothing will only aggravate the condition. Go out for a jog and start burning it off!
• Get out of bed – when you can’t sleep it’s a good idea to get out of bed and get a drink a water/read a book/watch TV then go back to bed when you’re feeling tired. It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing as long as you aren’t in bed while you’re doing it. Don’t ask me why it works, it just does for me.
• Listen to music – listen to something soothing, like a meditation CD. I tend to listen to Power Learning, that way I fall asleep and want to study for my exams in the morning, two birds one stone.
• Avoid naps at all cost – I know its tempting, especially if you’ve had a ruff night the night before but it will only create a pattern.
• Make the room as dark as possible – Light will only irritate you, even if you don’t realise it.
• Breathe – lie on your front or your back and concentrate on your breathing.
  One thing I do, is create a story in my head where I’m the hero in an epic battle but I’m down and I leave it on the cliff hanger of will the hero be ok? Will they get back up? This usually helps me concentrate on my breathing and drift off. But you don’t have to be so dramatic about it.
• Coffee – avoid things like coffee, smoking and sugar filled/energy drinks before bed.
• Don’t sleep in – it’s just as bad as napping!

Everyone’s different so not all of these techniques will work for you, but they’ve always helped me in the past.

If you’ve had your thyroid removed and need meds, it will take a few weeks for you to settle in, so don’t worry about it too much, but if it carries on go and see your doc! If you’re hyper talk to your doc! 
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