Help
i'm currently taking paxil which has helped me to sleep. i've been a chronic insomniac as long as i can remember, but in the last 6 months sleeping has been fine (since i started the paxil) be fore that what really helped me was melatonin. i buy it at the drug store in capsules of 3 mg. usually 1/2 of a capsule was all i needed. i still take it occasionally when i can't sleep. it has worked wonders for me without making me drowsy the next day. and it makes me have really vivd dreams, which can be cool, but can also create really bad nightmares. i do recommend trying it. my shrinks have never said it could do any harm.
hope this helps,
hilary
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The pandy's insomnia club *suggestions for sleep*
#31
Posted 22 October 2001 - 10:43 PM
lis~
#32 Guest__*
Posted 23 October 2001 - 08:02 AM
Ok, I have to tell you about my wonder-drug. I call it that because it's done wonders for both my insomnia AND my PTSD - it's called Zyprexa. My psych nurse-practitioner prescribed it for my PTSD on top of my prozac, because it helps alleviate paranoia and intrusive thoughts. It's technically an anti-psychotic prescribed for manic depressives and schizophrenics, but it's also good for PTSD. I take it at 7:00 pm and around 9:00 I'm out like a light. I now sleep for 8 hours and feel great in the mornings. I was very concerned about the "anti-psychotic" part of it, but the nurse reassured me that it's also indicated for otherwise "normal" people who have PTSD. It works immediately, and you don't need to let it build up in your blood stream like prozac. It also has antidepressant qualities to it, so it actually enhances whatever antidepressant you're taking (if any).
However, if you don't suffer from PTSD, here are my other suggestions:
- write a list of every single little thing that's on your mind. That way your worries are on paper, not in your head.
- take a long hot bath with lavendar oil
- Bath & Body works makes a "tranquil sleep" line of products, including massage mousse and oil, which smells absolutely sublime and makes you relax
- don't do anything physically active for at least 2 hours before bedtime
- when it starts getting dark out, lower the lights inside, and keep the lights as low as possible for the last couple hours before bedtime
- avoid the internet before bedtime, it gets your brain all worked up. TV is better because you're mind is just blanking out and you can relax better
- I have a timer on my bedroom tv that is like the "sleep" function on a clock-radio...I can set it for 15 minutes, or an hour, and I fall asleep to the tv and it goes off automatically. This also works wonders
- warm milk and graham crackers
- I'm a huge fan of Kathy Smith, a video workout guru. She has a Relaxation set which includes a relaxation cassette tape, and a relaxation workout video which utilizes yoga stretches and relaxing music. It focuses on the parts of the body that "store" stress and tension, such as the calves and hamstrings. I have a little neurotic bedtime ritual that involves strectching my legs and back - I can't sleep without it.
That's all I can think of for now, hope this helps!
Kimby
#33 Guest__*
Posted 23 October 2001 - 08:07 PM
((((HUGS)))) Ok then i guess they are a little strong...;) I cant remember the names of them but in any drug store or supermarket by the vivarin and stuff like that there are normally sleeping pills. Those sleeping pills are not that strong, ill be honest i had to take like 7 before to actually be knocked out so they might work. I think i becamse kinda immune to them so maybe 1 would do the trick for you.
10 hours huh? :biggrin: Take care...
Donna =)
#34
- may contain nuts
- Group: Member
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Posted 23 April 2002 - 06:59 PM
Cheers Anna! Like I said, I love the shit!
#35 Guest__*
Posted 14 August 2002 - 12:20 AM
Lis -
just wanted to tell you i've tried just about everything -
Ambien, other sleeping pills, all over the counter products, and many, many antidepressants and even antipsychotics to be able to sleep.
just wanted to tell you i've tried just about everything -
Ambien, other sleeping pills, all over the counter products, and many, many antidepressants and even antipsychotics to be able to sleep.
What works for me is Klonopin (a benzodiazapine) and Flexeril (a muscle relaxer).
I should mention i have a physical chronic illness that adds to the sleep trouble but i've had horrible problems with sleep all my life and it's mostly due to abuse. Sometimes, even with the medication that *does* help, i don't sleep for a few days at a time.
But anyway, i know what you mean about the stuff that makes you groggy, and one thing about Klonopin, in my experience it is one of the few drugs for sleep that does not have that effect. Yes, it is addictive. But i have taken it for years (most of the time) at a really low dose and not had any problems with being "addicted". I just know that whenever i have gone off of it, no other sleep aid does the same.
Also i have tried all the alternative stuff like Kava and Melatonin, Melatonin, btw, is very dangerous to take if you have a problem with depression. I get totally suicidal on it.
anyway, i don't know if this will help but if you haven't tired Klonopin yet, it works for me
#36 Guest__*
Posted 01 May 2003 - 09:36 PM
(((((( Casper ))))))
Thanks for the warning - I hope others hear it to, in the spirit it's meant. I've had my own troubles with otc sleep aides, and treat them with a grain of salt now. (Thankfully my doc has always been cautious when meting out anything prescription in this category.)
#37 Guest__*
Posted 29 May 2003 - 06:19 PM
Hi lis,
I too took trazadone. I'm very sensitive to meds as well and it made me extremely jumpy but i was out like a lite.
On the other hand being awake became more unpleasant than the fear of nitemares (which i no longer have - at the moment). So the insomnia went away after 3 days. I know how much it sucks though. When you only have 6 hours to sleep, you can't take a pill after 3 sleepless ones. i liked the sominex alot. it required caffeine afterwards (in the morning) but no other side effects.
I too took trazadone. I'm very sensitive to meds as well and it made me extremely jumpy but i was out like a lite.
On the other hand being awake became more unpleasant than the fear of nitemares (which i no longer have - at the moment). So the insomnia went away after 3 days. I know how much it sucks though. When you only have 6 hours to sleep, you can't take a pill after 3 sleepless ones. i liked the sominex alot. it required caffeine afterwards (in the morning) but no other side effects.
mostly people told me not to stay in bed, but to get up and do homework or something that bores you. then at least you have your obligations taken care of.
I hope you find a way soon. i think everyone is different for meds. trazadone was an antidepressant that made people too sleepy to stay awake. I don't like any meds at all bc im so sensitive to the side effects. i don't even drink.
pixie
#38
Posted 22 October 2001 - 06:29 PM
Hey everyone,
I was wondering what kind of experiences you all have had with sleep aides. I ask because I am taking Ambien currently and I am getting concerned because it makes me REALLY crazy when I take it (I get very paranoid and suicidal, where when I'm not on Ambien, I'm fine). I have also tried Sonata, which didn't make me sleep at all, and the over the counter dyphenhydramine products, which make me sleep for 12 hours and I wake up totally groggy and can't function. I have tried herbal products like Kava Kava and Valerian Root and those don't seem to work either.
Has anyone found anything that works really well?
I was wondering what kind of experiences you all have had with sleep aides. I ask because I am taking Ambien currently and I am getting concerned because it makes me REALLY crazy when I take it (I get very paranoid and suicidal, where when I'm not on Ambien, I'm fine). I have also tried Sonata, which didn't make me sleep at all, and the over the counter dyphenhydramine products, which make me sleep for 12 hours and I wake up totally groggy and can't function. I have tried herbal products like Kava Kava and Valerian Root and those don't seem to work either.
Has anyone found anything that works really well?
#39 Guest_SK Redmond_*
Posted 23 October 2001 - 06:00 AM
Lis, I'm sure the medical community would through a fit over the advice I'm about to give you. On those nights where I just can't sleep. Or if I'm having one of those spells where I dread knodding off because of the #### nighmares, what works best for me is taking a Benadrill with a glass of red wine before bed. Nothing else I've tried has worked as well. The sleep is so sound and deep I don't even remember my dreams, and it all has worn off in the morning so I'm not groggy and able to go about me day. I used to just do the wine but the hangovers where starting to effect me too much.
((HUGS))
Shannon
#40 Guest__*
Posted 23 October 2001 - 08:09 AM
You could try taking Kalms. You can buy them over the counter. I'm not sure if you can buy them anywhere but in England but it's worth a try! Hope that is of some use, and I hope that you start to get some healthy sleep soon
((hugs))
Sarah
#41
Posted 23 October 2001 - 08:00 PM
Well I tried Tylenol PM (dyphenhydramine) last night and I slept for 10 hours and then had to take a two hour nap halfway through the day because I was so out of it. So that one didn't work out too well! Hahahaha, my poor dogs were so bored because I spent so long in bed.
:)
Lis
#42 Guest__*
Posted 23 April 2002 - 06:30 PM
TRINNIE! :biggrin: I'm holding my happy little bottle of imovane right now...
(Edited by Anna at 2:22 pm on Oct. 26, 2002)
#43 Guest_Jasmine 8104_*
Posted 14 August 2002 - 11:05 AM
This is going to be a little bit off topic but still related.
I want to issue a warning about taking over-the-counter sleep aides. The active ingredient is almost always the same as benadryl, therefore meaning it is only an antihistamine. A nurse I know and respect went to a workshop recently learned that regular use of decongestants greatly increases your risk of getting Alzheimer's when you get older (this includes all decongestants and allergy medications, not just benadryl).
I, too, use over the counter sleeping aides but I am now trying to keep from using them.
As an alternative, if you can, it might help to drink a small amount of alcohol before you go to bed. I know this doesn't have the same effect on everyone, but a small amount relaxes me and makes it easier for me to fall asleep. Otherwise, I'd suggest finding a prescription drug that works well for you. I use Sonata and it works great for me, but I know that Lis said it doesn't work at all for her.
Allison
#44 Guest__*
Posted 06 March 2003 - 11:06 AM
Lis-
I am an off and on insomniac because of my bipolor cycles.
I have been prescribed Trazadone by my psychiatrist.....and it works wonders, except you have to get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep to be functionable and undizzy in the morning. If you have a psychiatrist think of talking to him/her about trazadone.
Good luck sweetie!
- Laura
#45 Guest_choirgirl_*
Posted 01 May 2003 - 06:18 PM
((((casper)))) I'm sorry that you've had problems with pills on top of everything else. I know how easy it is to get hooked to something when you're already having problems. I just wanted to thank you for the warning. I'll definitely think about it next time I want to take something!
