Insomnia. What seems to help?

@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

@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

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

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

@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

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.

@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

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!

@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