Insomnia. What seems to help?

Posted by terryb1 @128128terry11t, Jan 7, 2017

@josephene I am having terrible insomnia as well. Nothing seems to help. Any specific suggestions? Many thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

@contentandwell

@rosy33 @lisalucier I go through good spells and bad. Right now I am in a bad one, last week was pretty good. I usually fall asleep in a reasonable amount of time but wake up at around 5:00 and can't get back to sleep, despite not having gone to bed until at least 11:00. This morning I got up and showered, etc., hoping to go to my water aerobics class that begins at 9:00 but I was exhausted by 8:00 that there was no way I could do it.
I do take diphenhydramine occasionally (Benadryl) but I don't want to make a habit of it, and although it does get me to sleep, it ws what I used last night hoping to get a full night of sleep and still did not. I do not want to use it all of the time because it does have long-term effects, plus I think it can be habit forming. I tried sleeping pills a long time ago but when I used them I felt like a slug in the morning.
I have to be careful of herbal products because many are contraindicated with my immunosuppressants.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Have you tried melatonin? It works for me short term--about 2-3 days. After that I get headaches from it.

REPLY
@contentandwell

@rosy33 @lisalucier I go through good spells and bad. Right now I am in a bad one, last week was pretty good. I usually fall asleep in a reasonable amount of time but wake up at around 5:00 and can't get back to sleep, despite not having gone to bed until at least 11:00. This morning I got up and showered, etc., hoping to go to my water aerobics class that begins at 9:00 but I was exhausted by 8:00 that there was no way I could do it.
I do take diphenhydramine occasionally (Benadryl) but I don't want to make a habit of it, and although it does get me to sleep, it ws what I used last night hoping to get a full night of sleep and still did not. I do not want to use it all of the time because it does have long-term effects, plus I think it can be habit forming. I tried sleeping pills a long time ago but when I used them I felt like a slug in the morning.
I have to be careful of herbal products because many are contraindicated with my immunosuppressants.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell HI I too have trouble sleeping but I have found just spraying lavender helps a lot and I do drink a sleeptime tea . If you can check the ing. to see if they will hurt you .

REPLY
@robbinr

To say that you don't sleep invites a thousand questions - are you ill, stressed, under- or over-exercising?
I slept the sleep of the dead for a solid 6-7 hours every night until I had my son - I was an "older" mother -35.
Then, I got so stressed about the baby monitor, I stopped sleeping.
I've been on Ambien for 20+ years, and it never gave me more than 4 hours of down time.
My Dr. just put me on Seriquil, and now I have trouble getting back out of sleep. Too Strong.
Yoga? Warm Milk at night? Using sound tracks that put you into theta sleep?
Hot baths with Epsom salts seem to be very effective for me
when nothing else works...Pot? It knocks me out. Tell me more about why you don't sleep.
I find if I get overactive in they evening - I'm doomed for sleep. Take care.
Tell more.
R

Jump to this post

Wow! You have a doctor that allows pot when you’re in Ambien? Not the doctors here in Michigan. They cut you off and believe me the withdrawals aren’t fun!

REPLY
@johnhans

@contentandwell Have you tried melatonin? It works for me short term--about 2-3 days. After that I get headaches from it.

Jump to this post

@johnhans I do use melatonin at times but it doesn't get me through the night which I understand is typical. There is a newer OTC drug that has a couple of other ingredients in it that is supposed to be longer lasting but I checked it with my transplant team and I was told I couldn't use it due to the herbals in it. It sounded interesting though.

@lioness I have tried spraying lavender on my pillow, it did nothing for me. I will sometimes have a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
JK

REPLY
@contentandwell

@johnhans I do use melatonin at times but it doesn't get me through the night which I understand is typical. There is a newer OTC drug that has a couple of other ingredients in it that is supposed to be longer lasting but I checked it with my transplant team and I was told I couldn't use it due to the herbals in it. It sounded interesting though.

@lioness I have tried spraying lavender on my pillow, it did nothing for me. I will sometimes have a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
JK

Jump to this post

How much melatonin do you take? Have you consulted with your doctor to see how much you can take? My doctor increased the amount when it did not work.

REPLY

It would be wise to check with our doctor 'cause melantonin can interfer with other meds you may be taking - even vitamins/suppleme ts

REPLY
@johnhans

How much melatonin do you take? Have you consulted with your doctor to see how much you can take? My doctor increased the amount when it did not work.

Jump to this post

@johnhans my doctor has said it’s ok to take melatonin but he did not specify an amount. I stick with 3 mg because I have read that more than that can cause nightmares. When I asked about the extended release that has herbals in it he said to take a second melatonin in the middle of the night - I am up frequently for nature calls.
JK

REPLY
@contentandwell

@johnhans my doctor has said it’s ok to take melatonin but he did not specify an amount. I stick with 3 mg because I have read that more than that can cause nightmares. When I asked about the extended release that has herbals in it he said to take a second melatonin in the middle of the night - I am up frequently for nature calls.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell, @gloriajean, You two are exploring a subject that has frequently played havoc with me. insomnia. I have fought it for years. Stay up later, go to bed earlier. Play meditation music.....put your devices (smartphone, pad, laptop) to bed at least 30 minutes before your bedtime to give your brain a chance to rest and be peaceful.

In the winter, when there are often many days without sun, I succumb to SAD, (seasonal affective disorder). I used to sit under a lamp to get some much-needed rays and so I wouldn't be walking around the house in the moonlight.

Now, I simply take one dropper of 2:1 (CBD/THC) tincture. The result: lights out and no waking up until time to do so. This solution has been very valuable because I have small fiber neuropathy (SFN). It has eliminated the electrical shocks that used to ravage my legs about 5:30 am and has sent the burning in my abdomen packing. How do I know? Because..... when I forget the medical cannabis tincture the painful reminders return. May you have a joyful day tomorrow. Chris

REPLY
@cheshirecat

Wow! You have a doctor that allows pot when you’re in Ambien? Not the doctors here in Michigan. They cut you off and believe me the withdrawals aren’t fun!

Jump to this post

Hi, @cheshirecat - wondering if you have had some experience with taking zolpidem (Ambien) for insomnia? If so, was it helpful to you at all? Sounds like you've tapered off of it, perhaps?

REPLY
@artscaping

@contentandwell, @gloriajean, You two are exploring a subject that has frequently played havoc with me. insomnia. I have fought it for years. Stay up later, go to bed earlier. Play meditation music.....put your devices (smartphone, pad, laptop) to bed at least 30 minutes before your bedtime to give your brain a chance to rest and be peaceful.

In the winter, when there are often many days without sun, I succumb to SAD, (seasonal affective disorder). I used to sit under a lamp to get some much-needed rays and so I wouldn't be walking around the house in the moonlight.

Now, I simply take one dropper of 2:1 (CBD/THC) tincture. The result: lights out and no waking up until time to do so. This solution has been very valuable because I have small fiber neuropathy (SFN). It has eliminated the electrical shocks that used to ravage my legs about 5:30 am and has sent the burning in my abdomen packing. How do I know? Because..... when I forget the medical cannabis tincture the painful reminders return. May you have a joyful day tomorrow. Chris

Jump to this post

@artscaping My transplant center said no oral CBD. So, there goes that. 🙁 This has been a tough week for me and sleep too.
JK

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.