Hello everyone, I’m a 28-year-old woman and waking up in the morning has always been incredibly tough for me, beyond the normal grogginess most people experience. It’s gotten to the point where it’s impacting my life significantly. Despite living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and minimal alcohol consumption, I struggle to wake up and stay awake. I need about 10 hours of sleep to feel rested, and I go to bed early enough to get that. However, I have a habit of turning off my alarm in my sleep and later have no memory of doing so. This issue persists even when I’m alone, and it’s not my boyfriend turning off the alarm. I’ve even tried putting my alarm across the room, but I end up feeling terrible if I force myself to get up. Just today, I missed a very important meeting with a course organizer that I had been looking forward to because I overslept. Could there be a medical explanation for this, or am I just exceptionally bad at mornings? This problem seems to worsen during my menstrual cycle.
It’s always a good idea to check for underlying health issues that might be causing this. You might want to start with a basic health screening.
Ray said:
It’s always a good idea to check for underlying health issues that might be causing this. You might want to start with a basic health screening.
Are there known health issues that could cause this? I’m not even sure what to ask my doctor.
@Aspen
Extreme fatigue can be a symptom of many conditions. It might be worth asking your doctor for a complete blood panel to start.
Definitely see a doctor about this. You might want to check for conditions like sleep apnea, which is often one of the first things doctors will investigate. Remember, if it’s affecting your daily life, it’s worth exploring medically, whether the cause is physical or psychological.
@Bryn
I don’t think I show other symptoms of sleep apnea, but I’ll look into it more and discuss it with a doctor. Thank you for the advice!
Aspen said:
@Bryn
I don’t think I show other symptoms of sleep apnea, but I’ll look into it more and discuss it with a doctor. Thank you for the advice!
Educating yourself is great, but definitely consider professional advice as well. Sleep apnea is just one possibility; there are many other conditions that could be affecting your sleep. Don’t try to diagnose yourself; getting a professional opinion is really a form of self-care.
A doctor’s visit could help rule out or confirm any medical reasons for your morning struggles. Also, consider whether you’re actually getting the 10 hours of sleep you aim for consistently. If not, this could be a starting point before looking into more complex issues.
This definitely sounds like a medical issue, not a personal failing. Make sure to check your iron and thyroid levels at your next check-up. Mention your sleep issues worsening during your period as well; it might be related to hormonal imbalances.
It might help to adjust your sleep schedule to ensure you’re getting enough rest. Also, consider your diet and how it might affect your sleep. Maybe setting multiple alarms or using different waking-up strategies could help.