What To Try For Sleeping Issues?

[Deleted member 541]

I am having sleeping issues again, (or still) not sure anymore. I took Trazadone for 11 yrs, and yes it did work, but I have been off of it for about 4 yrs now. I am off all meds actually, except for migraines headaches, and there is NO WAY I will go without meds for those.

My question is.....What is there to take that is NOT a prescription med, or an anti depressant, that will help??? I am trying Melatonin with no luck, and have tried the OTC meds but they quickly become useless and I have to take more and more to get some sleep.

So for the past 7 months it's been toss, turn, sleep for an hour, wake up, go potty, go back to bed, toss turn, fall asleep for 1/2 hour, look at the clock, toss turn and then the alarm goes off. I have had sleep issue ALL of my life and this is just getting to be BS now....

I DON'T nap during the day, I am active at work, and I eat healthy.

So any suggestions??????

 

[Anonymoose]

Light therapy, melatonin, 5-htp, herbal tea, good sleep hygiene.

 

[ga yankee]

I take 3 different meds to sleep so I won't give advice. I have noticed when I do even light exercise it helps some. But for me it has to be hours before bed or it makes things worse. Sorry I can't help more.

 

[wattle]

Hi She Cat, I'll state the obvious, no caffinated or sugary drinks before bed, for me this is from about 4PM onwards otherwise I'm hanging of the ceiling and the round and round thoughts will get me. I seem to sleep better when I've done some meditation before I go to bed. I wont take medication for sleep or lack of it, I think I'm on way to much medication as it is, so thats one I make sure I wont take, one of my problems though is that I freak out about to much meds. Sorry I can't be more helpful.:)

 

[Grama-Herc]

Read the labels of ALL your foods. Mom and I found caffeine in one of the things she is eating and we had NO CLUE that there was caffeine in it. In the list of ingredients the caffeine was listed way down near the bottom and was very easy to miss.

NO exercise before be. Gets all those endorphins racing around and you can't sleep. As much as I can't stand it----warm milk does help!

That's all I got in the way of ideas! Good luck! Personally I am on so many meds, what is one more

 

[pandora]

She...gravol in a non addicting anti-emetic. We can buy it over the counter here, even injectable (legal) because sometimes I vomit so much and I need it to stop..on top of the pain killergs giving me nausea, I aso gave chronic gastritis..How fun this is...
I am trying to think of the american name....I am going to google it.... Everytime I take it..it puts me to sleep.

 

[trial'n'error]

I've tried everything (meds and habit changes) it seems, (and am now on Trazodone which actually works!!) and the only reliable non-prescription sleep aid I've found that works is good strong medical marijuana.

 

[pandora]

My family doctor suggested this to me that is why i will share it with you because it really does work...In my research prior to this it can be addicting so short term only.(or only as needed) What we refer to it in canada is gravol. I have had to give myself an injection before (you can buy it legally OTC here, the only reason I know that is because of my palliative care experience.) I just googled it and in the US it is referred to as compazine and it has the same sedating effect as gravol...it is in antiemetic. It is very inexpensive here but works well if you just NEED to sleep. I gave so much gravol in the hospital on the surgical floor...no one ever reacted. They just slept.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Thanks for everyone's advice.....

I am considering going back on 25 mgs of Trazodone, and will talk to my Neurologist next month when I see him. I'm NOT happy about this, but the sleep issue has gone on for too long now. Although last night I slept fairly well.

As far as caffeine....It has never affected me before, and I used to be the queen of caffeine, now I drink tea, but not in great quantities. But who knows it could be bothering me....

I take melatonin and so far I haven't noticed anything, but we shall see.

As far as the Gravol/Compazine....Here in the states it's by prescription only and I believe only for use in controlling vomiting and nausea.

I am probably just getting older than dirt and sleep is not what my body requires anymore, although my mind still does... LOL!!!!

 

[pandora]

I can send you some gravol in an envelope.....in the package. Is that legal... Really my family MD suggested this. We don not need a script. It is also only like 4.00 for a huge bottle. Let me know. It really does work and is safer.

 

[Anonymoose]

How about theanine?

 

[jennifer0506]

I have insomnia, however i am on no medication as (irrationaly, most likely) i'm fearful of it. These things have helped me, though i will admit, not worked entirely.
Yoga, and breathing techniques help a huge amount.
Write down thoughts feelings worries stresses etc in a book. then tear the page out, and throw it away. NEVER read over worries. it makes you feel them all over again, or feel as if they were irrational and your stupid.
Take a warm bath just before going to bed, don't get hair wet however to rid the annoyance of drying etc. Soak in bubbles, just relax and let your mind wander, but not too worries. Let them float away with the bubbles.
Have some uncaffeniated hot chocolate, or hot milk and take up to bed. Maybe read, if you find this relaxes you as it often does me.
Make SURE your bed is comfy. a lumpy bed is horrible. And change sheets reguarly.

Hope it helps?! i know its not the best. sorry.