Hi Bill. Thank you for your post. I’m so glad you are reaching out. If you haven’t done so already, I would greatly encourage you to seek out a medical evaluation of your symptoms to know more specifically what is going to be helpful to get you feeling better.  Have you ever had these symptoms before in your life?

The transition to retirement can mean major shifts in our day to day activities, including regular connections to others, a sense of purpose in our day, a feeling of productivity, etc., the adjustment to which can at times take the form of physical symptoms. How has retirement been for you? Do you think the adjustment to this chapter in your life is playing a part in how you are feeling? This is another area to consider in addition to medical causes.

Best-Zoe

You could follow-up with the physician you saw in Costa Mesa or find a doctor who is an integrative or functional medicine physician locally. If seeing someone remotely is an option for you, we have a few integrative physicians on staff as well. 

I’m glad you are working on your sleep hygiene. When we sleep our brain is “cleaned” of various debris collected from normal processes throughout the day so if we don’t get restorative sleep regularly, those toxins are left behind, and symptoms can arise. 

If you are not doing so already, try dimming the lights about an hour before sleep, playing soft music, having a warm bath or tea, and not using electronic devices without blue-light protection to prepare the body for sleep. Over time these strategies may help make going to sleep not feel as “forced”.

Best-Zoe