After my stroke on Christmas Eve, 2018, I couldn't sleep, mainly due to pain.
I tried gaba a couple of years ago. It didn't seem to help much.
But in fairness, I've tried everything I could think of, and nothing helped much.
Well, except for hydrocodone. I had a couple left over from some dental work. But I won't be able to get any more of that, now that opioids are public enemy number one.
I'd try doxylamine succinate (sells as "Sleep Aid") sold at Costco in a 2-bottle pack) along with melatonin - like 5 mg. The doxylamine succinate (25 mg) is an antihistamine with sleepiness as a side effect. Start with half a tablet to avoid morning grogginess.
I'd try doxylamine succinate (sells as "Sleep Aid") sold at Costco in a 2-bottle pack) along with melatonin - like 5 mg. The doxylamine succinate (25 mg) is an antihistamine with sleepiness as a side effect. Start with half a tablet to avoid morning grogginess.
Older persons should be careful when taking antihistamines. Doxylamine succinate (often branded Unisom) and diphenhydramine (often branded Benadryl) are first-generation antihistamines. These antihistamines are anticholinergics that downregulate the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. These antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier and are contraindicated for older patients, such as myself, due to their tendency to impair cognition.
Second generation antihistamines such as cetirizine (often branded Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (often branded Allegra) are less able to cross the blood brain barrier and are thus safer for us older patients, tho, for the same reason, they produce less drowsiness in most people.
Older persons should be careful when taking antihistamines. Doxylamine succinate (often branded Unisom) and diphenhydramine (often branded Benadryl) are first-generation antihistamines. These antihistamines are anticholinergics that downregulate the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. These antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier and are contraindicated for older patients, such as myself, due to their tendency to impair cognition.
Second generation antihistamines such as cetirizine (often branded Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (often branded Allegra) are less able to cross the blood brain barrier and are thus safer for us older patients, tho, for the same reason, they produce less drowsiness in most people.
I don't think people give melatonin as much of a trial as they should. I have heard that some antihistamines such as doxylamine succinate may impair cognition, but I'd like to see the report and if it was widespread. I'd say there are supplements such as sage extract are helpful for memory retention, and melatonin helps too. Sometimes the media exaggerates the effects of some meds. Like Ambien for instance - it is extremely rare for anyone to have the "non-conscious sleepwalking" side effect the media exaggerated. A good-sized Mayo Clinic study explained the condition is rare, and most doctors will not pay attention to the Mayo Clinic report, they stick with their initial misinformative opinions.
I don't think people give melatonin as much of a trial as they should. I have heard that some antihistamines such as doxylamine succinate may impair cognition, but I'd like to see the report and if it was widespread. I'd say there are supplements such as sage extract are helpful for memory retention, and melatonin helps too. Sometimes the media exaggerates the effects of some meds. Like Ambien for instance - it is extremely rare for anyone to have the "non-conscious sleepwalking" side effect the media exaggerated. A good-sized Mayo Clinic study explained the condition is rare, and most doctors will not pay attention to the Mayo Clinic report, they stick with their initial misinformative opinions.
laughlin1947, you are exactly right about the media AND Doctors over-exaggerate that some people (a very small percentage) have an extreme side effect from medications.... I have been taking a walmart sleep aid (diphenhydramine) for years and have no "impairness" from it..... I even take it with prescribed Mirtazapine and it only helps me sleep better and longer!!
I am very curious about this question as well.... Does supplement GABA help with sleep?? They sell it at Walgreens. I take Lorazepam which either has GABA in it or helps increase the GABA in your system to give you a calming effect. Has anyone taken GABA supplements? The label says it's for "mood" or is a moon enhancer....
I have used 25 - 50mgs. of Trazodone for sleep and it seems to have stopped working, I have been on it for two (2) years and when I up the dosage, same result.
spazzie, you posted in November 2022 that Trazodone had stopped working for you. It's now November 2023, a year later, and I am wondering if you have found anything that helps with your sleep??
Started 200 mg of pharma gaba two nights ago and it has made a significant difference. Years I took small dose of lorazepam and weened off last year and been trying more natural solutions to no avail. I am hopeful with gaba!
I'm curious as to why you stopped taking Lorazepam? Did it quit working for you? Or did you simply want to get off of it? As long as it helps my sleep, I would like to keep taking it. Tried lots of different things that either didn't work or gave me bad side effects. I feel taking a low dose of Lorazepam (a benzo med that alot of doctors feel is very bad) is okay and helps tremendously with sleep, which is extremely important to someone's overall health.
A 2022 publication of the Harvard medical school includes a discussion of the highlights of this 2015 study: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667 B/L? Long-term use (at least 3 yrs) of an anticholinergic raises the risk of dementia by 54% compared to short-term use (no more than 3 mos) over the 7+ yrs of average participation in the study. One of the three main types of anticholinergics studied was first-generation antihistamines. The Harvard article explains that we oldsters don't produce as much acetylcholine as we did when we were younger. (Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter, and our production of acetylcholine depends on cholinergics.)
The Harvard article mentions an anticholinergic cognitive burden scale prepared in 2008 by an Indiana University medical school geriatrician, which includes among its recommendations the use of second- over first-generation antihistamines.
So, there's the downside to the use by older persons of presumably harmless old-school antihistamines--a risk, but not a certainty, of (further?) cognitive decline. On the other hand, each older patient must decide for himself or herself whether the upside is worth the risk. The decision is worth some thought beyond denying the risk because first-generation antihistamines are OTC or because one knows other older persons who take the same antihistamine and haven't suffered any cognitive decline.
A 2022 publication of the Harvard medical school includes a discussion of the highlights of this 2015 study: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667 B/L? Long-term use (at least 3 yrs) of an anticholinergic raises the risk of dementia by 54% compared to short-term use (no more than 3 mos) over the 7+ yrs of average participation in the study. One of the three main types of anticholinergics studied was first-generation antihistamines. The Harvard article explains that we oldsters don't produce as much acetylcholine as we did when we were younger. (Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter, and our production of acetylcholine depends on cholinergics.)
The Harvard article mentions an anticholinergic cognitive burden scale prepared in 2008 by an Indiana University medical school geriatrician, which includes among its recommendations the use of second- over first-generation antihistamines.
So, there's the downside to the use by older persons of presumably harmless old-school antihistamines--a risk, but not a certainty, of (further?) cognitive decline. On the other hand, each older patient must decide for himself or herself whether the upside is worth the risk. The decision is worth some thought beyond denying the risk because first-generation antihistamines are OTC or because one knows other older persons who take the same antihistamine and haven't suffered any cognitive decline.
My quality of life (meaning getting enough sleep so thar I feel good) is worth the risk. You could say that lots of things cause dementia.....so, yah....
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I'd try doxylamine succinate (sells as "Sleep Aid") sold at Costco in a 2-bottle pack) along with melatonin - like 5 mg. The doxylamine succinate (25 mg) is an antihistamine with sleepiness as a side effect. Start with half a tablet to avoid morning grogginess.
Older persons should be careful when taking antihistamines. Doxylamine succinate (often branded Unisom) and diphenhydramine (often branded Benadryl) are first-generation antihistamines. These antihistamines are anticholinergics that downregulate the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. These antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier and are contraindicated for older patients, such as myself, due to their tendency to impair cognition.
Second generation antihistamines such as cetirizine (often branded Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (often branded Allegra) are less able to cross the blood brain barrier and are thus safer for us older patients, tho, for the same reason, they produce less drowsiness in most people.
I don't think people give melatonin as much of a trial as they should. I have heard that some antihistamines such as doxylamine succinate may impair cognition, but I'd like to see the report and if it was widespread. I'd say there are supplements such as sage extract are helpful for memory retention, and melatonin helps too. Sometimes the media exaggerates the effects of some meds. Like Ambien for instance - it is extremely rare for anyone to have the "non-conscious sleepwalking" side effect the media exaggerated. A good-sized Mayo Clinic study explained the condition is rare, and most doctors will not pay attention to the Mayo Clinic report, they stick with their initial misinformative opinions.
GABA did nothing for me.
laughlin1947, you are exactly right about the media AND Doctors over-exaggerate that some people (a very small percentage) have an extreme side effect from medications.... I have been taking a walmart sleep aid (diphenhydramine) for years and have no "impairness" from it..... I even take it with prescribed Mirtazapine and it only helps me sleep better and longer!!
I am very curious about this question as well.... Does supplement GABA help with sleep?? They sell it at Walgreens. I take Lorazepam which either has GABA in it or helps increase the GABA in your system to give you a calming effect. Has anyone taken GABA supplements? The label says it's for "mood" or is a moon enhancer....
spazzie, you posted in November 2022 that Trazodone had stopped working for you. It's now November 2023, a year later, and I am wondering if you have found anything that helps with your sleep??
I'm curious as to why you stopped taking Lorazepam? Did it quit working for you? Or did you simply want to get off of it? As long as it helps my sleep, I would like to keep taking it. Tried lots of different things that either didn't work or gave me bad side effects. I feel taking a low dose of Lorazepam (a benzo med that alot of doctors feel is very bad) is okay and helps tremendously with sleep, which is extremely important to someone's overall health.
Persons at least 65 yrs of age should undertake an informed cost-benefit analysis before using OTC anticholinergics, including first-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Unisom. This age group was the subject of an excellent, long-term study with the results reported in 2015:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2091745#:~:text=Results%20The%20most%20common%20anticholinergic,79.9%25%5D%20developed%20Alzheimer%20disease).
A 2022 publication of the Harvard medical school includes a discussion of the highlights of this 2015 study:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667 B/L? Long-term use (at least 3 yrs) of an anticholinergic raises the risk of dementia by 54% compared to short-term use (no more than 3 mos) over the 7+ yrs of average participation in the study. One of the three main types of anticholinergics studied was first-generation antihistamines. The Harvard article explains that we oldsters don't produce as much acetylcholine as we did when we were younger. (Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter, and our production of acetylcholine depends on cholinergics.)
The Harvard article mentions an anticholinergic cognitive burden scale prepared in 2008 by an Indiana University medical school geriatrician, which includes among its recommendations the use of second- over first-generation antihistamines.
So, there's the downside to the use by older persons of presumably harmless old-school antihistamines--a risk, but not a certainty, of (further?) cognitive decline. On the other hand, each older patient must decide for himself or herself whether the upside is worth the risk. The decision is worth some thought beyond denying the risk because first-generation antihistamines are OTC or because one knows other older persons who take the same antihistamine and haven't suffered any cognitive decline.
My quality of life (meaning getting enough sleep so thar I feel good) is worth the risk. You could say that lots of things cause dementia.....so, yah....