Sleeping Issues

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  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
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    i use OTC sleep aids. I use the off brand, so it's more affordable. I take them literally every night, and it does the trick. Some people scoff at taking sleep aids, but whatever. At least I'm getting sleep and feel good in the morning.
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
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    Melatonin has helped me. I also take a Magnesium supplement which is supposed to help. If you have anxiety perhaps a prescribed med before bedtime? That helps me in case I wake in the middle of the night but it doesn't get you to sleep/
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    Phrick wrote: »
    Poor sleep and insomnia have been a big issue for me for about the last 12 years. It is no better now that I've lost 100+ pounds than it was when I was fat. But it's not really worse, either. I've tried melatonin, 5-HTP, magnesium and other "natural" remedies; most of the sleep drugs on the market, as well as almost all the benzos, most of the antipsychotics, and many other drugs that have "sleepiness" as a side effect (such as trazodone, etc). I practice "good sleep hygiene", have utilized NeuroFeedback treatment, have undergone sleep study by a sleep specialist (which turned out to be utterly useless, because I did not get enough sleep during the study for them to obtain an adequate amount of data to analyze - I left the clinic bawling my eyes out because I "failed" the study). At one point in the mid-2000s my psychiatrist had even started the paperwork necessary for me to start taking Xyrem - the prescription, legalized version of GHB (you know, the "Date Rape" drug), because we were so desperate to find ANYTHING that might work. We didn't end up following through with it because my insurance denied it and the cost was extremely prohibitive.

    My situation is very similar... longterm chronic insomnia, have implemented every single "sleep hygiene" recommendation going... no joy. I've never gone for a sleep study because my insomnia is even worse in a strange bed so I'd never fall asleep in a lab and it would be useless.

    None of the benzos make me sleepy enough but I do use a prescription sleep med. I try not to take it consistently because frequent use can cause "rebound insomnia" -- like I need MORE insomnia, lol.

    There is one natural sleep aid that does help, provided I'm not too anxious at bedtime. I read reviews on Amazon (I think) from people who were prescription sleep med users who said this one worked, so I gave it a try and it actually works quite well, although it does tend to give you bizarre, vivid dreams. It's a combination of 5HTP, melatonin and L-theanine and it's called Tranquil Sleep, made by Natural Factors.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    edited March 2015
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    @ythannah‌ thanks for the head's up on Tranquil Sleep, it's not one I've heard of. I'm willing to try it; I will have to run it past my docs and make sure it's compatible with my current meds of course, but it's worth a shot!

    ETA, do you use the chewables, the enteric capsules? I wonder if one is more effective than the other?
  • crystal8208
    crystal8208 Posts: 284 Member
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    You may also need to have your hormone levels checked. Low progesterone levels can cause sleep issues. Especially if you are over 40.
  • spingirl605
    spingirl605 Posts: 181 Member
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    I know you mentioned that you've tried herbal teas, but have you tried passionflower tea? It was recommended to me. I buy it in the whole foods section in the grocery store, and it is called Night time sleepy tea or something like that. It is medicinal. I SWEAR by it. Works better than pills. Knocks me out and keeps me to sleep.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    Phrick wrote: »
    @ythannah‌ thanks for the head's up on Tranquil Sleep, it's not one I've heard of. I'm willing to try it; I will have to run it past my docs and make sure it's compatible with my current meds of course, but it's worth a shot!

    ETA, do you use the chewables, the enteric capsules? I wonder if one is more effective than the other?

    I've used both but prefer the capsules to the chewables and I'd say my experience was that the capsules were a wee bit more effective.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    I tend to seep better if I don't go to bed hungry. I save about 500-600 calories for a meal that I eat an hour before bed. I've used melatonin on and off, sometimes it gives me crazy vivid dreams, not sure why.

    Thirdly. And most importantly, don't engage yourself on a computer or phone or any electronic device directly before bed, this really screws up your sleep. So give up electronics, including tv a couple hours before going to sleep.
  • bunnywestley81
    bunnywestley81 Posts: 178 Member
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    I usually tend to read...a book...before sleep...I don't watch a lot of TV anyway!

    I'm 33, I have been tested for apnea and had to wear a monitor at night but didn't show anything.

    This has been going on a long time.

    I haven't mentioned it to the doctors recently. Although about a year ago I did change meds due to them giving me night sweats. The new ones do too. And the ones before that. Meds are sertraline, for depression/anxiety. Have been on and off for almost 15 years.

    Recently it does seem to be worse. But I don't know why. If I did, maybe I could fix it :(
  • sdado1013
    sdado1013 Posts: 209 Member
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    I got prescription meds from my Dr that help me sleep now I sleep like a baby.
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
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    If you are looking for something natural and happen to be in Colorado. Weed really helps
  • bunnywestley81
    bunnywestley81 Posts: 178 Member
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    I'm in the UK.
  • kitchensolo
    kitchensolo Posts: 38 Member
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    Hey, Bunny ... I wrote an article about this very thing for work earlier this year - perhaps it'll help. The best advice is to keep your schedule consistent. You won't believe how well that works. I also sleep with a mask on, tape up every electric light in the room (alarms, for example) and sleep with a humidifier! ;-) Good luck! https://www.patientconnect365.com/DentalHealthTopics/Article/Want_to_Have_Your_Best_Year_Ever_Get_Some_Sleep
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
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    Melatonin helps me fall asleep, but does nothing for me STAYING asleep. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) works, but I can't take it too close to bed time or I wake up feeling groggy until noon. I work out....consistently. Doesn't help me sleep. I don't smoke. I don't use caffeine regularly. I eat well. I *should* be sleeping soundly. But, I'm not. My doc keeps saying he can prescribe something, but the thought of having to take a sleeping pill regularly scares me. I shouldn't have to regularly take pills in order to sleep. This has been my biggest health complaint since turning 40. I'm *literally* tired of it!
  • ElizabethKalmbach
    ElizabethKalmbach Posts: 1,416 Member
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    MysticRealm wrote: »
    I don't generally have issues sleeping, but when I do an advil really helps..

    OMG, I thought I was the only one who took an Advil if I wanted to knock myself out.

    When I cannot fall asleep, I know my thyroid is off. When I cannot STAY asleep, I know my B12 is too low. I also supplement D, potassium, and magnesium to help avoid other sleep related issues.

    If your insomnia is bad, it might be worth getting a blood test done to see if you have any kind of nutrition issue, as many vitamin and mineral shortages in the body result in insomnia. Similarly overtraining can cause insomnia. If your medical insurance covers it, seeing a sleep specialist can be worthwhile, particularly if you think your sleep interruptions are being caused by apnea.

    In the mean time, practice good sleep hygiene and keep putting yourself to bed at a good time.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
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    Oh girl, I feel ya. I had insomnia my whole life (couldn't even take naps as a baby, my poor parents) and I've been on every prescription sleeping pill under the sun. Obviously I grew dependent on them but it was a battle between that and getting fired from my job for not being able to function so...

    Anyway, my doctor said no more. She promised me that if I exercised regularly, I would sleep normally. My argument was the same as yours: how the F am I supposed to exercise on 2 hrs of sleep? She said tough cookies. Do it for two weeks and report back. I did, and I've been sleeping like a baby for 3 years with no drugs. I don't know why it works but it does. You have to give it time. Obviously the first day I exercised and still couldn't sleep that night and planned on telling my dr she's full of crap, but I gave her two weeks as promised and I was sleeping perfectly by the end. It even continues now: if I fall off a normal exercise routine, I can't sleep. At least I know I'll always be in shape!!

    Aynway, I really feel for you. Not being able to sleep is the worst and people who don't have our problem will never understand. Try exercising. Give me two weeks. I know it sucks when you're exhausted but even just 25-30 min of raising your heart rate like 4-5 days a week. If it doesn't work, try Melatonin like others said and tell your dr. Good luck!
  • kitchensolo
    kitchensolo Posts: 38 Member
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    ... a few other things that can work: wear sunglasses on the way home from work if it's still sunny, try hops tea (hops is a natural sedative - it does affect hormones, though, so ask your doc. This is why beer makes people sleepy and fat!), and look into bedtime snacks for kids that promote sleep. Anything with tryptophan and protein. Here's a good list: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/eat-right-sleep-tight
  • Debbie_Ferr
    Debbie_Ferr Posts: 582 Member
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    I'm a VERY poor sleeper & tons of night sweats. what helps me...

    magnesium, calcium AND
    melatonin no later than 8pm. (if i take the melatonin any later, I wake up groggy.

    Take multivitamins during the day.
    No caffeine drinks except in the morning.
    No chocolate after 3pm or so.

    Do some light stretching & breathing exerceises before bed.
    Have my bedroom at a cooler temp, and not too many covers on the bed.
    Concentrate on pleasant thoughts when I go to bed. ( I, too, have anxieties which tend to come out in the still of the night)

    And the hardest one... turning off my computer/smartphone/tv by 9 or 10pm

    I wish you well, I know how tough this can be.

    .
  • nuffer
    nuffer Posts: 402 Member
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    Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »
    If you are looking for something natural and happen to be in Colorado. Weed really helps
    (or Washington, both the state and D.C.)
    Second this. Indica strains seem to work better for me than sativa. Many states have legal medical marijuana and insomnia is a common condition for which one can get a prescription.
  • rungirl1973
    rungirl1973 Posts: 2,559 Member
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    I'm taking Ambien, it's working really well for me.
    Thanks to the person who recommended Tranquil Sleep. I'm going to check that out.

    Exercise does not help me. I run 30+ miles/week plus lift weights 2-3 days/week. I still can't sleep without a sleep aid.

    One thing that helps me, I turn off all electronics at least an hour before I'm going to bed and read.

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