Which OTC Sleep aids have worked best for you?
Replies
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Also—I use a white noise machine. I have the Lectrofan, which many people swear by. (A fan might work for you too.). The only problem is that I now have trouble falling asleep without it, since I don’t sleep well when my usual sleep routine is disrupted at all, so I take it with me when I travel. It doesn’t make me sleepy or anything like that, but it does help block other sounds, and helps me quiet that mental chatter by focusing on the sound.1
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47yo female with Hypothyroidism (diagnosed about 6 years ago, on 100mg levo).
Through Anxiety, I have been having issues falling asleep. Or at least I think its due to Anxiety, i guess its possible that its due to Hypothyroidism as well. Anyway. I am thinking of trying an OTC sleep aid and was wondering which ones have worked best for you?
Some of my Background:
I workout daily(weights 3x/ cardio 3x/yoga 1x), watch my weight (5'0" and 105#)
I have a desk job but walk most nights when its nice out side.
Kids have just about left the house(oldest daughter will go to college in August, she's causing me SO much anxiety with her late night habits!).
Do not self medicate. Talk to a medical professional about your issue. Best of luck.1 -
My mind tends to run in circles at night, too. Here's what's working for me:
1) Making sure I get enough magnesium - I take a multivitamin along with a Magnesium/D3 pill and fish oil every night
2) Consistent night time routine (showering at same time, in bed same time, play mindless games and run my diffuser for an hour)
3) Meditation right before trying to sleep. I have an app on my phone with guided meditation and I try to have 10 minutes set aside to listen to a session. That generally helps me drift off.
I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, so my brain tends to go haywire in the fall/winter and sticking with this routine helps me get the rest I need.
~Lyssa1 -
i listen to boring lectures on you tube or books on you tube.1
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Also—I use a white noise machine. I have the Lectrofan, which many people swear by. (A fan might work for you too.). The only problem is that I now have trouble falling asleep without it, since I don’t sleep well when my usual sleep routine is disrupted at all, so I take it with me when I travel. It doesn’t make me sleepy or anything like that, but it does help block other sounds, and helps me quiet that mental chatter by focusing on the sound.
Download a white noise app on your phone, see if that helps.3 -
Mod hat on:
Friendly reminder - We operate our guidelines based on federal law, where officially some substances are not legal yet. Some substances might be legal in one state but not another, so please refrain from suggesting potentially illegal substances to others.
/mod hat off
Member hat on:
If you are taking any medications or supplements at all, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating for insomnia (or for anything really). Even herbal remedies can interact with other medicines and herbs.
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Reading, avoiding screens for about 30 minutes and meditation really help me shut off my brain. I have the same problem with not being able to shut off my thoughts when it’s time to sleep and the meditation especially helps A LOT. There are apps and videos online with guides meditations which is the easiest way to get started. And reading helps me get my thoughts off what happened that day or whatever I am stressed about.2
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sugaraddict4321 wrote: »Mod hat on:
Friendly reminder - We operate our guidelines based on federal law, where officially some substances are not legal yet. Some substances might be legal in one state but not another, so please refrain from suggesting potentially illegal substances to others.
/mod hat off
Member hat on:
If you are taking any medications or supplements at all, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating for insomnia (or for anything really). Even herbal remedies can interact with other medicines and herbs.
I said "if it's legal where you live."1 -
Also—I use a white noise machine. I have the Lectrofan, which many people swear by. (A fan might work for you too.). The only problem is that I now have trouble falling asleep without it, since I don’t sleep well when my usual sleep routine is disrupted at all, so I take it with me when I travel. It doesn’t make me sleepy or anything like that, but it does help block other sounds, and helps me quiet that mental chatter by focusing on the sound.
Download a white noise app on your phone, see if that helps.
I’ve tried. White noise apps sound like they are coming from one point (the phone’s tiny speaker) but the sound from white noise machines “fills the room” better. Also, apps’ noises eventually loop if you listen long enough, and that gives my brain a distracting pattern to look for. The machine doesn’t have a noticeable loop.
I would like to use an app, since it’s a lot more portable, but after trying one once I regretted leaving my machine at home
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I have had a hard time falling asleep at bed time and shutting my brain off in the past. Like I would lie in bed and think about anything and everything for two hours before finally drifting off. Some things that help me:
I usually avoid any caffeine after 12. I was skeptical to try this at first, as I am not sensitive to caffeine. But I read a thing years ago that said caffeine has a half life of up to 8 hours. So a soda or something with dinner could easily effect your sleep. At the time I would have coffee in the morning, coffee in the afternoon, and a soda, tea or something in the evening with dinner. I tried cutting my caffeine to just my morning coffee and sometimes some caffeine at lunch. And lo and behold my mind would quiet down a lot faster.
Going to bed around the same time every day.
I also watch a documentary for a few minutes in bed. I know "they" (Whoever they are) recommend turning off all electronics, and having the TV going can be more detrimental to your sleep. (Or so I've heard). But for me, I like watching something like a documentary. It's just interesting enough to keep my attention for a while, and just boring enough I don't have to keep watching to see what happens. When I get drowsy I turn it off and go to sleep. It allows my mind to focus on the documentary, and not whatever random crap it comes up with when I'm trying to sleep.
When all the above fails, and I am particularly keyed up that night I will use the following:
-Lavender essential Oil. I've read lavender helps with anxiety and helps with sleep. Like most herbal/natural remedies I'm sure the results are usually more anecdotal. But it seems to work for me. I put a drop on my wrists and temples, and focus on the soothing scent. It usually quiets everything down, allowing me to drift off.
I will also bust out the melatonin and benadryl. I try not to use those more then a couple times a week. If you use them too much, you can build up a tolerance and need more and more. I probably shouln't even use the benadryl as often as I do, but I have pretty bad allergies, so not waking up congested helps me out as well. Being drowsy is usually just an added bonus.
This got kind of long winded, but I hope it helps you or anyone else struggling to get some sleep!1 -
Oh my goodness, there’s an official blog post in my feed about CBD today. Maybe time for a review of policy across the service before you delete comments about subjects the platform itself blogs about.4
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sugaraddict4321 wrote: »Mod hat on:
Friendly reminder - We operate our guidelines based on federal law, where officially some substances are not legal yet. Some substances might be legal in one state but not another, so please refrain from suggesting potentially illegal substances to others.
/mod hat off
Member hat on:
If you are taking any medications or supplements at all, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating for insomnia (or for anything really). Even herbal remedies can interact with other medicines and herbs.
@Alex Since Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been approved for medical use in 29 states, as of April 2017, and is used to treat symptoms associated with diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma isn't it ok to refer to it as long as one includes a disclaimer to check the legality in the particular jurisdiction?1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »sugaraddict4321 wrote: »Mod hat on:
Friendly reminder - We operate our guidelines based on federal law, where officially some substances are not legal yet. Some substances might be legal in one state but not another, so please refrain from suggesting potentially illegal substances to others.
/mod hat off
Member hat on:
If you are taking any medications or supplements at all, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating for insomnia (or for anything really). Even herbal remedies can interact with other medicines and herbs.
@Alex Since Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been approved for medical use in 29 states, as of April 2017, and is used to treat symptoms associated with diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma isn't it ok to refer to it as long as one includes a disclaimer to check the legality in the particular jurisdiction?
@kshama2001 Thanks for pinging me. No, its not okay to talk about marijuana use in our forums even though its legal in more than half the states and is an important drug in helping people manage a variety of major illnesses. For the time being marijuana remains a schedule 1 drug that is not legal in the USA.
I get this is limiting and understand people are wanting to discuss legitimate usage of pot and we do hope to not always have this restriction but for now we continue to request folks not discuss it in our forums.0 -
MelanieCN77 wrote: »sugaraddict4321 wrote: »Mod hat on:
Friendly reminder - We operate our guidelines based on federal law, where officially some substances are not legal yet. Some substances might be legal in one state but not another, so please refrain from suggesting potentially illegal substances to others.
/mod hat off
Member hat on:
If you are taking any medications or supplements at all, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating for insomnia (or for anything really). Even herbal remedies can interact with other medicines and herbs.
I said "if it's legal where you live."
Along those same lines, but legal everywhere in the States - you can even mail order it - I use a hemp-derived CBD infused honey that I originally found at our local Farmer's Market. In the fall and winter, I order it online. The ginger flavor in a cup of hot tea does the trick for me and helps with stomach issues. I don't want to turn this into a commercial or testimonial for it, but if you want more information, feel free to message me.1 -
I am on levo as well for hypo. I also noticed that all the hormonal problems/changes due to mid life I think were contributing to my overall anxiety and rumination. I couldn't sleep to save my life, and when I did, I woke up in panic and sweat! Yuck.
After rounds of testing, all my doctors concluded that I was going through early menopause. I was prescribed lexapro for my anxiety and hot flashes, and I started cognitive behavioral therapy to control my anxiety provoking thoughts. Now I can finally sleep and feel normal for the first time since I started this whole 'phase of life'.
Note, not advocating for prescription meds, I have always been against them. I got to the point I was miserable though, and finally did something about it.
Before all this, I used Tylenol PM, however it only worked briefly and I always woke up hung over.0 -
Hi. I am unsure of how old the person who started this thread is but if she has a kid in college perhaps she is is nearing menopause. Insomnia can be a problem in and pre menopause. (Sorry if you are too young for this.)
I do agree with turning off screens at night except for maybe an ereader. Reading a book at bedtime helps me forget everything and relax. I find that outdoor physical activity helps me sleep better too.
I have not taken sleep aid in years but I do remember trying to carry on during the day with no sleep. I hope you get this sorted out.0 -
GOT_Obsessed wrote: »Hi. I am unsure of how old the person who started this thread is but if she has a kid in college perhaps she is is nearing menopause. Insomnia can be a problem in and pre menopause. (Sorry if you are too young for this.)
I do agree with turning off screens at night except for maybe an ereader. Reading a book at bedtime helps me forget everything and relax. I find that outdoor physical activity helps me sleep better too.
I have not taken sleep aid in years but I do remember trying to carry on during the day with no sleep. I hope you get this sorted out.
Yup, 5-HTP, melatonin, and good sleep hygiene were all I needed until I turned 50ish, so likely am in peri-menopause.0
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